Joe Tonks formed J Tonks (Transport) Ltd in 1963 having already been active in the industry for many years. He was joined by his son, also called Joe.
The business, based in Wingate, grew successfully for forty years before Joe Tonks (son) decided to sell the waste recycling business in 2003.
Brian Manning, acting for the Esh Group, and Geoff Parkin, acting for Aggregate Industries, decided to form a joint venture between their two companies to develop the business. In late 2003 a deal was concluded and the Esh Group and Aggregate Industries bought J Tonks (Transport) Ltd, including its vehicles, skips and recycling facility at Haverton Hill.
Under the day-to-day management of John Dee, Bardon Esh continues to expand and now cover the whole of the North East of England and Yorkshire.
