MAC Surfacing | Family legacy highlighted with celebration of life

Keen Wolves supporters Mark Copson Snr (left) and Jack (right) with Wolverhampton Wanderers legend, Steve Bull

People like a family business. There is something very special about knowing a product, service or craft has been passed down from generation to generation and continues to stand the test of time.

The MAC Surfacing business has ‘family’ firmly at its core, employing five family members alongside many long-standing employees, who proclaim to feel like part of the family.

What may be less well known, however, are that the family origins extend further to a business called Piperange Asphalt Ltd, borne from the drive and determination of Jack Farney, father-in-law to Mark Copson, established in May 1980.

Jack Farney started his career as a young labourer and progressed his career, working for Tarmac, further developing his skillset and knowledge of the surfacing industry to eventually be given the opportunity to work within Tarmac’s management. It was at this stage in his life that Jack decided to embark on a solo venture.

Jack took his solo success and invested in his very own, purpose-built offices in Malthouse Road, Tipton. These offices remained in the family and later became MAC Surfacing Ltd, with Mark purchasing the offices from his father-in-law in 2005. These premises have continued to remain the central hub of MAC Surfacing and will for many years to come.

Jack’s career in surfacing laid the foundations for MAC Surfacing as it’s known today

Current Managing Director, Marc Copson, took over the important role from his father and founder of MAC Surfacing Ltd, Mark Copson, in 2019. Marc has continued to follow in the footsteps of his father, consistently investing in the business in order to stay compliant with current industry standards and is a firm believer in investment in people, creating job opportunities, both locally and nationally.

This reflection on the family origins of MAC Surfacing come at a time of great sadness and prodigious pride as on
September 19th, 2021, Jack Farney reunited with his beloved wife, Brenda, at the grand age of ninety.

The sadness of losing the man who had the greatest influence on the origins of the family business is matched with the love and pride that the Copson family will continue to move forwards with.

Current MD, Marc, spoke with us about his grandad,

“My grandad was a pioneer in our family, a go-getter who carved out a career for himself that started with boots on the ground and developed into a business owner. It was his torch, passed on throughout our family, that gave us the ability to grow MAC Surfacing into the company it is today, delivering nationally across the UK. This is something we know he was very proud of.

“For me, it’s special that our business is a true, family business. The fact that our head offices were built from the success of grandad Jack and that we have taken them on, keeping his legacy alive, is an achievement that I’m not too sure many can rival.

“Whilst this is obviously a time of great sorrow for our family, we also want to look back, reflect and celebrate the life of my grandad. What he did for us as a family and business will be unsurpassed. As we continue to move forward, we will act and operate in a manner that would have filled him with immense pride.”