The founder of the company, Clement David Stone, known throughout his life as Clem, was born in 1913, his father owned a smallholding, and his mother was in service before her marriage. At the age of 14, Clem, became a plumbing apprentice with a building company in Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire. His parents paid for this apprenticeship, and the young Clem had a good cycle ride to and from work each day.

After several years training, Clem qualified as a master plumber, and continued to work for the building company.

In 1936, aged 23, Clem got married to Joey, and also started the business. Initially he worked by himself, plumbing new houses. Some time afterwards, Clem employed the 14year old Dick partridge, as his mate. Dick worked for the company for 51 years.
The company became well established, grew, and diversified into commercial and industrial activities.