one of jacks spoted pulling a stobart trailer this week or have i missed the boat again !!!
most likely a myth
this was in the Eastern Daily Press
Haulier is set for investment drive
04 February 2009Jack Richards & Son has reported a solid rise in profits and is looking to maximise the opportunities thrown up by the economic downturn by investing in the Palletways distribution network.
Despite the dismal time for many hauliers, Fakenham-based Jack Richards & Son has announced a “solid” rise in profits as it seeks to maximise opportunities to grow during the recession.
The company recorded a 9.9pc year-on-year increase in pre-tax profits in 2008, with turnover growing by 13.6pc.
And although the downturn has hit the likes of Attleborough-based Woody’s Haulage, which ceased trading in the autumn with the loss of 75 jobs, Richards is investing in its fleet to take advantage of emerging export markets created by the falling value of the pound.
The company has spent £90,000 on three double-deck trailers to put to use on its European routes as part of the Palletways distribution network.
And as well as encouraging businesses to look towards the continent, a new ad-hoc service for individual pallets has been developed which could also help cash-strapped individuals to sell possessions abroad to make ends meet.
Dominic Purslow, operations manager for the Palletways depot at Richards, said: "There is no doubt we have noticed a definite increase in demand from customers looking to move goods both to and from Europe. It has been about 20pc in the last three months.
“What we are marketing is the fact that we can help local businesses develop European links on a very low-level, one-pallet basis… even if you are on hard times as a private individual and need to sell things on Ebay you need to be able to get it to your customer.”
Richards was one of the founder members of the Palletways network, which has spread to 150 independent depots across the country since 1994.
The three new trailers will be added to two more recently bought for £35,000 and branded in the livery of a major customer - walls and flooring manufacturer Altro.
Jack Richards started his company in 1956 with one lorry but now has more than 200 vehicles operating across the country.
A company spokesman said: “We recognise market conditions are still getting tougher, but would emphasise that, while certainly not being complacent, we believe we are in good shape to manage the economic downturn.”
Mr Richards said: “Whatever we do here is always done properly. The care we take to do the job means we have not got an equal anywhere.”
Surely the Stobart Group are getting too big now, whether this is true or not I think that someone somewhere within the monopolies commission has to be asking the question whether Stobart is getting too big. I saw a rates sheet in Middleton stating prices to certain RDC’s including £130 to Stockton or Washington, surely not !!!
i think after a while the will trip up someones got some serious money to burn behind them but the one i am watching for is norberts
Alan DJ:
Surely the Stobart Group are getting too big now, whether this is true or not I think that someone somewhere within the monopolies commission has to be asking the question whether Stobart is getting too big. I
Stobarts aren’t the biggest
surely Nobbies , DHL, Willy Betz and others are bigger ?
Wincanton must be up there with Stobarts, they bought out Hanbury Davies.
hanbury davies wasnt that big a player really carters was a bigger concern but to the like of wincanton they are a small haulier
may sound stupid but i think the day of super warehouses and logistics may be seeing a slow down time for running it direct from the supplier