Anthony’s journey begins
Anthony Keates founds AKC, a landscaping and surfacing contractor delivering commercial and residential projects. CORE’s practical industry experience begins on site.
CORE was formed in 2010 in the South East of England – but our family-run business has its roots in the 1980s, where we worked for many years as landscaping contractors.
This industry experience and exposure to products inspired us to transition from landscaping contractors to suppliers of landscaping products.
So, that’s why we say our innovative products are built for the trade, by the trade.
Our story
From practical landscaping experience to nationwide product supply. Explore the milestones that shaped CORE.
Anthony Keates founds AKC, a landscaping and surfacing contractor delivering commercial and residential projects. CORE’s practical industry experience begins on site.
From an early age, Emanuel “Manni” Keates and Harvey Keates work alongside their father, learning landscaping, construction and the challenges faced by installers.
A specialist product supply operation is created alongside AKC, initially complementing the contracting business while the team builds relationships with manufacturers and distributors.
CORE is incorporated as COREGRAVEL UK Ltd. From a log cabin office and around 1,000 sq ft of yard space at the family home in Burnham, the product business begins its transition into a standalone enterprise.
CORE leases its first dedicated warehouse at Calves Lane Yard in Iver, creating room for larger stockholding and a more efficient operation.
Emanuel “Manni” Keates is appointed Managing Director. Later that year, the whole operation moves to Calves Lane: 3,500 sq ft of warehouse space and 640 sq ft of offices.
CORE EDGE is introduced and quickly establishes itself as one of the company’s flagship product ranges, helping to accelerate the growth of the supply business.
CORE passes £1 million in annual sales for the first time, marking an important step from a growing family business to a national specialist supplier.
Harvey Keates joins the Senior Leadership Team as Sales & Marketing Director, leading the move towards builders’ merchants, landscaping outlets and national trade partners.
Stock availability, customer service and an established e-commerce platform meet exceptional home-and-garden demand. The operation grows by more than 200% while continuing to invest in people, stock and service.
Annual sales exceed £5 million for the first time. CORE emerges from the pandemic as a larger, more diverse and more resilient business.
CORE retains a significant proportion of the customers gained during the pandemic while continuing to expand its wholesale and merchant network, creating a larger and more resilient business.
CORE officially reaches the £10 million revenue milestone: a defining moment for the family business and the result of years of practical experience, investment and sustained growth.
CORE employs 20 full-time team members and operates from more than 33,000 sq ft of warehouse and yard space, with 1,280 sq ft of offices. Expansion beyond 40,000 sq ft is planned by the end of 2026.
Meet the family.
Get to know the faces behind the team at CORE by browsing through our employee profiles below. We’d love to hear from you, so please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Our business evolves around outstanding customer service, producing cost-effective yet high-quality landscaping products, and ensuring our products are good for the environment. We are aiming to become entirely carbon neutral by 2030.
We are immensely proud of the Trustpilot reviews from our many satisfied customers.
Find out why our past clients have left such glowing reviews by getting in touch with us today.
Awards & Accreditations.
We specialise in the design, manufacture
and supply of high quality eco-friendly products.
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