Kelston Sparkes: A Three-Generation Success Story Driving the Future of Construction

For more than 70 years, Kelston Sparkes has stood as a trusted and innovative force within the construction industry. Founded in 1952 by Kelston Sparkes himself, the company began as a small contracting business equipped with nothing more than a tractor and plough. Today, it has evolved into a multi-divisional operation employing over 200 people year-round and up to 300 during peak periods.

What started as a humble family business has grown into a leading provider of Quarry Services, Earthmoving, Haulage, Plant Hire, and Specialist Training, while proudly maintaining its family-run ethos across three generations.

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A Family Legacy Built on Hard Work and Vision

In this article, we spoke with Kelston Stark, Managing Director, about the three-generation journey behind the business and what lies ahead. We were grateful for the insight that Kelston Stark was able to bring.

Kelston Sparkes, as a business embodies the expression “roots run deep”. After founder Kelston Sparkes set the foundations, the business was driven forward by his son Alan and son-in-law Rob, who led the company for over three decades. Today, the third generation Managing Director Kelston Stark and Contracts Director David, continue to steer the company into its next era.

Kelston Stark recalls that growing up surrounded by construction, machinery, and onsite problem-solving shaped Kelston’s future from a young age.

“I spent my childhood visiting sites with my grandad and uncle. I was always around the plant, it just felt natural”.

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Growth Through Diversification

Kelston Sparkes has achieved growth through diversification, operating across four key divisions: Quarry Services, Contracting, a CITB-accredited Training School, and Haulage and Plant Hire.

Quarry Services remains one of the busiest areas, delivering Crushing, Screening, Haulage and Reinstatement Works, supported by new JCB 370X Excavators. The Contracting Division undertakes large-scale Earthmoving and Infrastructure Projects across the Southwest and beyond, while the long-established Training School develops skilled Operators. An extensive Haulage and Plant Fleet supports both internal and external projects, enabling Kelston Sparkes to offer a fully integrated, end-to-end service controlled entirely in-house.

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Modernising a Long-Established Business

While proud of its heritage, Kelston Sparkes is equally committed to innovation. The company’s biggest transformation in recent years came through digitalisation, an evolution accelerated during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Historically a paper-heavy, traditional operation, the business now runs almost entirely through its own internal app. From payroll, holidays and company policies, everything is streamlined.

Introducing new systems into a long-established workforce wasn’t without challenge, but once adopted, the improvements were clear.

“People who’ve been doing things the same way for 20 or 30 years now, Why didn’t we do this earlier?"

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People at the Heart of Progress

Although the company has invested heavily in technology and equipment, Kelston is quick to emphasise that their people remain their most important asset.

With strong staff retention, multi-generation employees, and a reputation as a supportive employer, the business thrives on a culture of dedication and pride. Seeing apprentices grow into senior roles, engineers, workshop managers, and site leaders is one of Kelston’s greatest rewards.

“If you’ve got the right people in the right job, you can give any customer confidence”

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Breaking New Ground With JCB

The relationship between Kelston Sparkes and JCB stretches back many years, but recent developments have strengthened this partnership significantly.

Historically, the fleet included JCB excavators, but as the business moved toward heavier equipment, the fit wasn’t always right. That changed when JCB began developing the X Series, a line designed to compete directly in the Heavy Excavator market.

Kelston Sparkes has recently taken delivery of two JCB 370X Excavators. Early feedback has been extremely positive. Operators praised the performance, comfort, and responsiveness of the JCB 370X Excavators, and the machine is already proving itself in one of the company’s busiest applications.

With the support of Holt JCB and dedicated heavy-line specialist Adam Baker, the transition has been smooth and well-supported.

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Looking Ahead

The future for Kelston Sparkes is firmly rooted in continued innovation, sustained growth, and maintaining the exceptional family-driven values that have defined the business for over seven decades.

The focus remains on delivering high-quality, end-to-end services for customers while building a fleet and workforce ready for the next generation.

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