It started with shoe polish and a young man’s determination to better himself.

Ray Smith left a legacy that continues and is now the responsibility of the third generation of his family.

Manor Coating Systems, based on Otley Road, Shipley – and for many years known as Shipley Paint & Varnish – is marking its 75th anniversary.

It’s not all been plain sailing. The firm suffered a serious blaze in 1995 which destroyed the production and laboratory areas and led to the death of an employee. More recently, Manor has faced the latest of several recessions with trading conditions the most challenging ever. In 2007-8 sales slumped by 30 per cent in just three months and led to some short-time working.

But managing director Patrick Smith, Ray’s grandson, is a determined chap and confident that the business is in good shape to remain successful and expand futher.

The anniversary saw a visit by the Lord Mayor and Lady Mayoress of Bradford, Coun Dale Smith and Mrs Margaret Smith, Patrick’s parents. Dale is one of Ray’s three sons who spent his career at the firm, retiring as managing director in 2004.

He joined the business in 1962, followed by brothers Rodney and Martin, and spearheaded moves into new markets such as specialist coach enamel and car paint. Since those days, production has grown from 300 gallons of paint a week to 16,000 gallons a week today.

Patrick Smith said: “It was very odd greeting my parents formally as Bradford’s civic heads, but it was a memorable way to mark our anniversary. It was a happy coincidence that they are the Lord and Lady Mayoress this year as a civic visit was always a planned part of our anniversary celebrations.”

After leaving school at 14, Ray Smith worked as a post boy in a Bradford mill before becoming a travelling salesman selling leather goods and later shoe polish. Ambitious, at the age of 30 he became a commission-only paint salesman for a small Bingley manufacturer, but the firm went bust before he received any payment.

Along with Bradford decorating contractor Raymond Long, he jointly bought the firm from the liquidators for £1,000, and the Manor Coatings story began in January 1938 in a small unit on Ashley Lane, Shipley.

The outbreak of war proved a boon for the business which supplied paint to companies involved in the war effort such as aircraft maker Avro at Yeadon Airport and electric motors producer English Electric at Thornbury.

After the war, Ray expanded the business through acquisitions and investment in companies supplying new products and technologies. In 1954, Manor took part in the ‘Shipley Can Make It’ exhibition – and is one of only three survivors from the 46 exhibitors.

The company moved to its current site, previously the Charlestown Dyeworks, in 1972 with 15 staff and started to grow rapidly, adding people and machinery – including the first colour computer for the laboratory in 1979.

In the 1960s and 1970s the automotive sector was a key market but today Manor’s current specialist product range is focused on metal protection and finishing, factory maintenance coatings and concrete floor paint. Manor paints are used for agricultural equipment, commercial and classic vehicles, structural steelwork, fabrication and engineering, casting and heavy engineering, cladding and security fencing as well as decorative uses.

The company’s trade and retail counter at the Otley Road base remains a key part of the operation selling paint, tools and accessories.

As growth continued, the company name was changed to align with its long-standing Manor paint brand name. It now has 83 staff in Shipley, with another dozen employed at four depots in Leeds, Coventry, Harlow, and Thornaby-on-Tees.

Patrick Smith, who joined the business 15 years ago, says Manor continues to punch above its weight.

He said: “The last few years have been tough as the recession has hit many sectors to which we supply products. Over the years we’ve adapted and changed and we’ve been able to fill gaps in the market left by competitors who have gone under.

“We now focus about 80 per cent on industrial protective coatings. Our products provide protection and anti-corrosion for many types of equipment, including sewage works, heavy castings and fabrications. They may not be glamorous but they are vital.

“Our products and processes are subject to ever-increasing regulation and we’ve invested heavily and done a lot of work on our site to comply over the last ten years. The fire in 1995 was devastating and led us to make significant investment in a new sprinkler and electrical system and other safety measures.

“In recent years we’ve focused on developing new products in association with our customers who include several major blue chip companies. Providing a high level of service and reliability has also been key to ensuring Manor has succeeded where others have failed. In addition to head office and depots, we operate a field-based national sales team and a network of independent distributors.”

Product quality, service and financial stability have been at the heart of Manor’s success. The ability to produce and supply a range of generic products, as well as bespoke specialist coatings, has boosted its market position.

“The bespoke market will be very important to us going forward and is one of our key strengths. Like many UK manufacturers, we can’t and don’t try to compete on price at the bottom end of the market. Quality counts and developing specialist products for specific uses is one of our strengths and is where we see the future,” said Patrick.