IN 1950 William John 'Laddie' Weaver was asked how the Weaver construction company had become so successful, writes Dan Harrison.

His reply was "hard work, efficiency, honesty and application to study."

Now, as it celebrates its 140th anniversary, the longevity of the Bromsgrove-based firm shows that those values set out by the third generation Weaver have remained.

The company, which employs 150 staff and boasts a turnover of around £40million, was established in 1865 by local carpenter and joiner William Weaver. He oversaw the growth of the business from its early days of dealing in maintenance and small works, through to larger building projects such as St Godwald's Church in Finstall, Bromsgrove School's lecture hall and Board Schools at Dodford and Lickey End.

The reigns were passed on to son William Edward in 1897 and the business expanded to embrace refurbishment, alterations and most notably, the building of hotels such as Perry Hall - the then home of Edward Housman and his famous sons poet Alfred and author Laurence.

When William John, or 'Laddie' as he was known to close friends and family, took over in 1931 he had the vision of spreading the Weaver wings even further. Between 1939 and 1945 he was made area leader of Works and Buildings by the Ministry of Works, and this led to Weaver constructing the War Department wireless transmitting stations, including one in Droitwich, to send messages in connection with the allied landings in Africa.

A committed member of the community, he was also president of the Bromsgrove and Redditch Building and Trade Employers Association for 25 years, and a member of Bromsgrove Court Leet for 20 years.

Eldest son Roger took over the chairmanship in 1982, to be joined later by brothers William, Garth and Andrew, but the community spirit 'Laddie' instilled into the company has remained ever since.

Despite a complete overhaul of the corporate structure in 1990, which saw the firm become Weaver PLC with each individual division becoming independent companies, Weaver still sees involvement with the local community as an integral part of its business operation.

The company regularly undertakes fundraising activities for local charities including St Richard's Hospice, Primrose Hospice, the Air Ambulance and the British Heart Foundation.

A number of directors are also involved in community initiatives. Peter Lightfoot recently completed a bike ride from London to Paris, raising £3,500 for Action Medical Research.

With a successful track record to boast, Weaver is also looking firmly ahead at its future, continuing to take the training of staff and tradesmen very seriously. In 2004 the company scooped second place in the Learning and Skills Council's national Modern Apprenticeships Awards.

This success was continued with an award, during National Construction Week, for students in the HNC in Construction and the Built Environment at Stourbridge College.

The three Weaver brothers retired in 2001 and the company was taken over by Alan Adamson, Peter Lightfoot, Andrew Tomlinson, Les Deakin and Martin Rawbone. But they were joined on the board by Mark and Richard Weaver to keep the Weaver presence intact.

The modern Weaver PLC chooses not to overplay its family card, but tracing back to the firm's emergence with jobs such as the demolition of the old Roundabout House in 1899, right up the recent erection of Bromsgrove School's sixth form block, the legacy of one name remains etched on the history of buildings across Bromsgrove.