ABOUT US
A little history
Melin Plas Du (Plas Du Mill) was originally a water mill and has been trading for over 800 years. Grain was stored, ground and carried from the mill to the bakeries to feed the stonemasons and labourers during the building of Caernarfon Castle. The office building dates back to at least 1197.
Partners
Williams a Williams was set up in 1920 by two friends both called David Williams, one of which was a great uncle of the present owner.
Take over
In about 1961 the company was purchased by the proprietor's uncle, William E Jones, who was a nephew of one of the original Williams', and he ran the business very successfully until retirement due to ill health in 1987 when the current owner purchased the business, which remains in the family.
Investment
In 1987 the Williams a Williams company consisted of one skip lorry and one tipper lorry.Large investments over the past few years have been made to achieve the present day standing of Williams a Williams.
Diversification was necessary due to the rural location on the 'Llŷn Peninsula', the most Westerly area of North Wales. Specialization is not sustainable however the range of services offered are complimentary and one area of work often leads to the introduction of another.
In the late 80`s and early 90`s tipping charges for waste products were minimal but over the years they have steadily increased. Since the introduction of landfill tax, tipping charges became a major issue in the economics of Waste Disposal to such an extent that, in 1999 the proprietor was on the verge of closing down the waste side of the business to concentrate on other activities.
Advice
Advice was sought from several associates in this line of work all of whom urged remaining in the business and making the necessary investments required to recycle the waste.
Moving forward
The new machinery improved recycling but the sorting of some builders skips was time consuming and needed to be thought through to increase efficiency. A `Trommel and Picking Station has been installed to achieve these improvements. At the end of 2001, a weighbridge was installed which allowed for the first time, the accurate weighing, costing and recording of all incoming and outgoing products. This has since highlighted the fact that previous estimates have been conservative. By now, of all the waste brought into the recycling centre, 80% in weight is recycled. Recycled waste includes top soil, bricks and rubble, cardboard, paper, metal scrap, wood and green waste.
Training
Williams a Williams Cyf has achieved the Green Dragon level 2 award and Meurig O Jones has the CoTC qualification to operate the waste transfer station.
Employment
The major investment made by Meurig Jones has secured all present jobs as well as creating additional jobs with the possibility of more. The staffing structure has steadily increased since 1987 and the company presently employs thirteen full time permanent employees as well one full time temporary post over the busy summer period.
Awards
Williams a Williams Cyf were winners in the Arena Network Awards in 2002 in the category for Environmental Goods & Services and in May 2006 won the Gwynedd Council Business Awards again for their contribution to the environment.
Members
Meurig Jones is a member of The Federation of Small Businesses, The Chartered Institute of Waste Management and Arena Network