In 1936, brothers John and George Neil, from Stirling in Scotland, moved to Halesowen in the Midlands. Their father was transferred by the Singer sewing machine company to work in the local factory. The family stayed in the Midlands until the start of the Second World War, soon after which John and George both volunteered for service – George in the Navy and John in the RAF.
Following the war, they both returned to the Midlands and searched for work in local industry. John found a position with Goodyear and George with a builders’ merchant.
At that time, the West Midlands was a centre for the manufacture of all sorts of metal goods. George was already experienced in specification sales of Architectural Ironmongery, and as both brothers were keen to start their own business, they agreed to start a firm selling Architectural Ironmongery in Birmingham. They hoped that the re-building programmes in the heavily bombed cities following the Second World War would offer them a good opportunity as eager young businessmen.
The name Doorfit was coined, and in March 1953 they set up trading in the Jewellery district of Birmingham, now known as the Jewellery Quarter. John recalls the turnover for the first year was £9000.
During that time, they both lived with their parents who agreed to waive the rent for a year or two. John remembers a conversation with their accountant after the first year of trading where the matter of their wages was discussed. John informed the surprised accountant that ‘they had not drawn any income’. ‘But what have you been living on’? ‘Our savings’ John replied. Somewhat bemused, the accountant thought for a moment and said ‘ I’m not sure the Revenue department will accept that answer’! In fact, it was completely true and they continued to manage on their savings for some time until they finally ran out and begun to draw a wage from the business. John reflected that it was a different age and credit from banks was hard to come by…
Soon Doorfit was an established business and became agents selling Architectural Ironmongery and Sliding Door Gear for a number of major brands such as Henderson, Yale, Chubb, Union and Newman Tonks. Soon after, an existing supplier, PC Henderson, asked the brothers if they would take on their new range of Garage Doors. From that point onwards, the Garage Door business became an integral part of Doorfit’s future. At the same time however, it became apparent that they may struggle to store Garage Doors in a Victorian terraced house; some minor adjustments had to be made!
But it wasn’t all plain sailing. In 1976, the company suffered a damaging fire which triggered the first thoughts of building their own premises. By 1978, a plot of land had been purchased in Heaton Street and during the August Bank Holiday weekend of 1979, they moved in. Since that time, the premises have been extended but the business has remained in the same location.
Sadly, in May 1980 George died unexpectedly, leaving John, who was devastated at the loss of his brother, to continue to run the business alone until he was joined by his sons Philip in 1987 and Robert in 1992.