Immediately after the war the task began of re-equipping premises and reorganising the business to cater for the return to civilian motoring. In 1946 all the subsidiary companies started to trade as Caffyns Ltd and the following year six senior managers were appointed Local Directors. A Company pension scheme was also introduced.

Building restrictions meant that no new depots could be built but in 1948 a new branch was acquired at Maidstone, followed by Margate in 1949. During this period decisions by National Associations played an important part in business life and Mr Sydney Caffyn was particularly active in this field, serving as President of the Motor Agents’ Association and President or Chairman of several other bodies, as well as on the Industrial Disputes Tribunal

In 1951 a large new extension was opened at Canterbury, followed in 1952 by the acquisition of Western Road, Lewes, branch. In the same year Mr Edward Caffyns visited the United States, returning with new ideas for the service side of the business.

In December 1952 Mr Harry Bruce Caffyn died, after a long association with the firm that went back to a time before the first car had been garaged.

Building restrictions were lifted in 1954, so that war-damaged premises could be rebuilt and new showrooms and workshops designed. The business of Brittains was bought, providing Morris, MG and Riley distributorships for central Sussex, and additional large premises in Brighton, Hove, Lewes and Worthing. The business of A.C. Sharp Ltd., Westerham, was acquired in 1955.

In 1956 Mr Sydney Caffyn became Mayor of Eastboume, and Mr Edward Caffyn was appointed a Deputy lieutenant of the County of Sussex. The previous year he had been awarded the CB - Companion (of the Order) of the Bath.
For the first time since the war some new cars became available for stock, resulting in an increase in turnover of over 25 per cent for the year ending 31st March 1956, with record profits. A setback then occurred with the Suez crisis of 1956, which brought petrol rationing and credit restrictions, so that for a time further expansion had to be held back.

However, in 1959 the Golden Jubilee of the business as a public company was celebrated and a further period of development commenced, with an extensive programme of rebuilding and additions to many premises. Mr Sydney Caffyn was awarded the CBE in the Queen’s Birthday Honours for 1959 in recognition of his service to industrial relations.

The year 1960 brought problems, with a serious fire which destroyed the body building premises at Sandgate (the department was subsequently transferred to a new building in Folkestone) and widespread floods in Lewes which swamped one of Caffyns’ branches there, though the year also saw six building projects. 

Major changes to the Board of the Company were made in 1961. Three members of the fourth generation of the Caffyn family had joined the business: Mr Alan Caffyn in 1956, Mr Anthony Caffyn in 1960 and Mr Robert Caffyn in 1961. Mr Alan and Mr Anthony were Assistant Sales Manager and Assistant Service Manager respectively, having trained as Automobile Engineers and started as Salesmen at Seaford branch, then being managed by Mr Ken Elder. Mr Robert, who qualified as a Chartered Accountant after graduating from Cambridge University, was Assistant Secretary

It was decided to appoint each of them to the Board and ensure the future family management of the Company.
A reorganisation of share capital took place, with a Stock Exchange quotation obtained in 1961 for Preference and
Ordinary shares and the creation of a new class of Second Preference Shares with voting rights.
New premises for Commercial Vehicles were opened at Tunbridge Wells and Canterbury in 1962, followed by an additional workshop at Seaside, Eastbourne, in 1963. The Hythe Motor Cab Company was also acquired in this year

The New Year Honours List for 1963 brought a knighthood to Mr. Edward Caffyn, who was appointed a Knight Commander of the Order of the British Empire. His record of public service includes the posts of Vice-Chairman of East Sussex County Council; Chairman of the Sussex Police Authority; Chairman of the Hailsham Magistrates’ Court for twelve years and Deputy Chairman, under the Duke of Norfolk, of the Council of Territorial Army Associations.

Later in the year the University of Sussex conferred an Honorary Degree of Doctor of Science on Mr Sydney Caffyn in recognition of his great contribution towards the creation of the University where he had been Senior Pro Chancellor and Chairman of the Council since its inception.
An important step was taken the same year, with the acquisition of a site in Eastbourne for the construction of a new showroom and workshops. In 1964 two further businesses were acquired: Dover & Continental Motors Ltd., Dover, and Jackson Bros., Horsham

In 1965 it was exactly 100 years since William Morris Caffyn opened his first shop in Eastbourne. Now, the Company had a turnover of over £10 million and a staff of more than 1500. The Centenary was celebrated in a particularly appropriate manner with the opening of the large, modern premises at Upperton Road so familiar to Eastbourne residents and visitors today. The new branch received a Certificate of Commendation under the Civic Trust Awards Scheme.

At this time, in view of the continuing expansion of the business, it was decided that the time had come to enter the world of computers and the first one, an ICL system, was installed at Head Office.

The firm of Sussex Motors Ltd., Holland Road, Hove, was acquired in 1966 and building started for a new Brighton area central parts depot. The purchase of Chas. Hayward & Sons, Ashford, followed in 1967.

Other new acquisitions during the next decade included East Kent Motors, Deal (1968), Bourne Motors, Tenterden and A & H Motors, Brighton (1969), Clark & Lambert and Willetts, Eastbourne (1970), A & B Motors, Ramsgate (1972) and Henlys, Bexhill (1976).

In 1967, in response to the demand of motorists who were using the roads in increasing numbers covering higher mileage by night as well as by day, Caffyns opened their first 24 hour forecourts. A coin-operated self-service petrol pump in Kent was installed at the Tubs Service Station, Sevenoaks, and note-acceptor pumps in Sussex were introduced at Horsham branch and Crossways Service Station in Eastbourne

In the 1972 Birthday Honours List Mr Sydney Caffyn became a Knight Bachelor in recognition of his charitable work during his many years of public service, thus achieving the unusual distinction of knighthoods for two brothers. The previous year he had received the Freedom of the County Borough of Eastbourne, where he first served as a member of the Town Council in 1937, became an Aldenuan in 1944 and was Mayor from 1956 to 1958. A former President of Eastbourne Chamber of Commerce, his contribution to the town’s life included service as Chairman of the Governors of several prominent educational establishments and the Presidency of the Eastbourne Operatic and Dramatic Society He was also a prominent figure in his local church of St Andrews United Reformed Church and in national religious life, where his appointments included that of Treasurer of the National Free Church Federal Council.

Another change at Board level took place in 1972, when Sir Sydney and Sir Edward resigned as Managing Directors but continued as Chairman and Deputy Chairman respectively. Mr Alan, Mr Anthony and Mr Robert were appointed Joint Managing Directors.

In 1973/74, Eastbourne's final year as a County Borough, Sir Sydney Caffyn was once again Mayor of Eastboume and the following year he and Lady Caffyn celebrated their Golden Wedding. The death of Sir Sydney on 26th September 1976 saddened his numerous friends and colleagues in many fields in public service, as well as throughout the motor industry Following the death of Sir Sydney, Sir Edward Caffyn was appointed Chairman, Lord Shawcross Deputy Chairman and Mr H.C. Cottrell was appointed to the Board.

The 1970s saw an upsurge in promotional activity with events such as "The French Collection" not only providing a much appreciated "thank you" to existing customers but bringing the Caffyns name before a wider audience through the extensive publicity generated. Another success followed when the Company took over the Winter Garden in Eastbourne to stage Caffyns' own Eastbourne Motor Show - the first time that a motoring event on this scale had been held in the town. This successfully continued each year and from 1981 Eastbourne's Tourism and Leisure Department was inspired to take it over themselves as The Sussex Motor Show! These, and many more such events, were devised and organised by Regional Director and Chief Publicity Executive, Colin Wood, who served with the Company for thirty-five years before his retirement in 1990.

Caffyns enjoyed a long association with Sussex County Cricket Club with Mr Alan as its Chairman and a promotional link with Tony Greig, Captain of the Club and of England, resulted in a very successful television advertising campaign on the theme of  "Callyns Care".

In 1977 the Company's Rolls Royce Division celebrated the 50th anniversary of their appointment as official Rolls Royce dealer and, to mark the occasion, each customer buying a new Rolls Royce from Caffyns was presented with a golden `Flying Lady' statuette. In October of the same year, Sir Edward Caffyn was presented with a Silver Salver by the Managing Director of Rolls Royce Motors Ltd. Caffyns had, at that time, agencies at Meads Road, Eastbourne; Station Garage, Haywards Heath and Tubs Hill, Sevenoaks.

Until 1977 the Company had been "Caffyns of Sussex and Kent" but then came a major change. in one of the most significant transactions in Caffyns' history, the business of the Rob Walker group of garages was acquired, with branches in Hampshire, Wiltshire and Dorset. Not only did this purchase herald a change from total involvement with British Leyland marques bringing with it the Fiat and Mercedes-Benz franchises but it also provided Caffyns with opportunities for the expansion and development in a new part of the country, which took place during the next decade.


 

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