Initially, Halls specialised in poultry houses operating out of Clapham. Robert moved the business to Kent in 1936 and within a year expanded the range to include garden sheds, greenhouses and garages. His buildings were unique at the time in that they were made out of red cedar wood imported from Canada. This durable wood gave him an instant marketing advantage over his rivals, and this coupled with lower prices and free delivery to anywhere in England and Wales, resulted in an impressive growth period. Robert sold his products through mail order advertising in national papers such as the News Chronicle and Daily Express:"The cedar wood specialist - everlasting rot-proof portable buildings at a price you can afford" During the war, Halls was given over to Government work and produced ammunition boxes, nissen huts, canteen tables, tent pegs and even paint brush handles. Shed manufacture had to be discontinued at the end of 1940 as materials became scarce. During this time the workforce increased to 250 mainly females and Italian prisoners of war! |