The Story so far.
From humble beginnings to a leading supplier, our timeline highlights the key milestones, achievements, and people that have shaped Wray Bros over the past 40 years.
Founded as Willy Wiper
We began our journey with the support of the Prince’s Trust, developing our business plan and receiving initial funding that gave us the confidence to take the first steps. Our first premises was a small flatted factory unit, which we had to leave after six months because the rent was more than we could manage. Undeterred, we relocated to a modest office above a betting shop, embracing the challenges of starting small and learning as we went.
Official Launch
In October, Willy Wiper officially launched, starting out with cloth cleaning rags. By December, the product range had grown to include hand towels, reflecting the early ambition to meet customer needs. The business quickly gained national attention, being featured in Intro Business and receiving coverage in the Daily Express, putting Willy Wiper on the map and setting the stage for future growth.
Royal Visit
We were honoured to welcome HRH The Prince of Wales (now King Charles III) to Wray Bros, an incredible moment that recognised the work and growth of the business. Since that first visit, and we’ve had the privilege of meeting him six more times, reflecting continued recognition of our work. These visits remain a proud highlight in our history and a reminder of the journey from our humble beginnings to where we are today.
First Employee
Jayne joined Wray Bros as our very first employee and the only applicant at the time! Starting at just 18, she quickly became an integral part of the team. Over the years, she has grown with the company and is now our Purchasing Manager, bringing experience, dedication, and expertise to keep operations running smoothly.
10-Year Anniversary
We celebrated 10 years in business, a milestone that reflected our growth and the lessons learned along the way. To enhance professionalism and consistency, we introduced product signage and labelling across our range. This not only helped streamline our operations but also presented a clearer, more polished image to our customers, marking an important step in the evolution of the business.
Warehouse Purchased
We purchased a 16,000 sq ft Victorian warehouse and established a permanent base for the business. This new space gave us the room to expand operations, store products more efficiently, and better serve our growing customer base. It also provided a stable home for our team, supporting the company’s ongoing growth and laying the foundation for the next chapter in Wray Bros’ journey..
Expansion
We expanded into the PPE and safety products market through the acquisition of JTD Safety Services. This strategic move allowed us to broaden our product range, meet the growing safety needs of our customers, and provide a more complete service offering. It also strengthened our position in the industry, giving us the expertise and resources to support businesses with high-quality safety solutions alongside our existing cleaning and workwear products.
Joined Jangro
We became part of the Jangro network, a move that strengthened our business by improving pricing, marketing, and collective buying power. Joining this network allowed us to offer better value to our customers, access a wider range of products, and benefit from shared knowledge and support across the industry.
Name Change
As the business continued to grow and diversify, particularly into disposable products, we rebranded as Wray Bros Ltd. The new name reflected not just our expansion in products and services, but also our evolution as a company. This change helped position us as a more versatile supplier, capable of meeting the wider needs of our customers while signalling the next chapter in the company’s journey.
First Jangro Catalogue
Mark Wray spearheaded the production of the very first Jangro catalogue at a time when the network had no headquarters or staff. This initiative helped establish a clear product offering, improve accessibility for customers, and laid the groundwork for Jangro’s future growth and organisation.
Liverpool Contract
We won a Liverpool City Council tender against 15 competitors, successfully securing a long-term contract. This achievement not only demonstrated our ability to compete at a high level but also helped establish lasting relationships with local authorities, reinforcing our reputation for reliability and quality service.
Caryl Street
We purchased a 4,500 sq ft building on Caryl Street, providing extra space to support our growing operations and accommodate future expansion.
Purchased All Clean
We purchased All Clean and expanded into the protective clothing market, a move that required setting up a new supply chain and investing in manufacturing equipment. This step allowed us to further broaden our product range, meet growing customer demand for safety solutions, and establish ourselves as a supplier capable of delivering high-quality protective clothing alongside our existing cleaning and workwear products.
Alima Centre
We grew the footprint of our property portfolio in the newly named Baltic Triangle, which quickly became one of the most vibrant areas in Liverpool for creative industries.
Wisdom Box
We launched The Wisdom Box, a 24/7 knowledge hub for cleaning teams. It provides product guides, training videos, and practical resources to help staff work safely, efficiently, and sustainably, no matter their site or shift pattern.
Theatre School
We welcomed The Liverpool Theatre School into The Alima Centre, providing a space where students can train to degree level. This partnership helped support creative education in the city while further establishing The Alima Centre as a hub for innovation and learning within Liverpool’s creative community.
Move to Glacier
During the COVID-19 pandemic, we relocated our distribution operations to Glacier along the docks, developing a state-of-the-art centre to meet the surge in online demand. The new facility allowed us to streamline operations, improve efficiency, and continue providing our customers with the products they needed, even during challenging times.
Studio Complex
We built a first-of-its-kind studio complex within The Alima Centre to produce bespoke video training. This facility allows us to create high-quality, tailored training content, helping our clients deliver consistent, engaging, and practical learning to their teams across multiple sites.
Hygiene Bombs
We introduced Hygiene Bombs, our sustainable cleaning solution designed to reduce emissions and cut down on plastic waste in landfills. This innovative product reflects our commitment to environmentally responsible practices while providing effective, high-quality cleaning solutions for our customers.
I-Team HQ
We welcomed and developed the new UK headquarters for I Team at The Alima Centre. The facility provides a modern, flexible space to support the company’s growth, fostering collaboration and innovation while strengthening The Alima Centre’s role as a hub for creative and forward-thinking businesses. .
New Website
We launched a brand-new Wray Bros website, marking a significant digital investment for the business. The site was designed to better showcase our products and services, improve accessibility for customers, and provide a modern, user-friendly experience that reflects our growth and ongoing commitment to innovation.
Planet Mark
In February 2025, we proudly achieved Planet Mark certification, a key milestone in our ongoing sustainability journey. This recognition reflects the tangible steps we’ve taken to measure and reduce our environmental impact, from lowering carbon emissions to improving energy efficiency across our operations. More importantly, it signals our long-term commitment to continuous improvement, ensuring that sustainability remains at the heart of how Wray Bros grows and supports its customers.
