Mervyn Davies, for many years the public face of Polymark and later, Böwe Passat UK, passed away peacefully on Wednesday 5 August after a short illness. Aged 84, he leaves his wife, Lorna, and two sons, Mark and Paul.

After thirteen years as shops manager at Brooks of Bristol, Mervyn moved to the machinery supply side of the industry when he joined Polymark International plc as sales director in 1975. The company became the largest single international supplier of complete laundry systems during the 1980s and Mervyn’s name is inseparably linked with the establishment in the marketplace of such well-known brands as Weir, Jensen and Milnor.

After a further eight years as managing director of Polymark (UK) Ltd he moved to Böwe Passat in Maidenhead where, as MD he was responsible for the rapid growth of both the laundry and drycleaning divisions in the UK.

After retirement from the industry in 1993, Mervyn established a local artisan furniture factory but for the last 20 years returned to working with his first love and passion – motor cars. As storage and logistics manager for Axial’s Upper Heyford distribution centre he was responsible for £35m worth of vehicles including luxury Range Rovers and Jaguar sports cars and continued working for the company until shortly before his 84th birthday.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions, the funeral will be attended by a small number of family members and close friends but Mervyn’s many, many friends throughout the industry will always remember him with fondness for his warmth, unfailing good humour and generosity of spirit.

On behalf of the industry may we send our thoughts and prayers to Mervyn’s family and friends at this sad time.