Mar 15, 2017
News
Neill & Brown set to shine on the roads of Europe
Leap years: from the left, Mark Jardine, Michael Organ, Bernard Bennison, Ellie Dixon, Carl Andrew and Mark Blenkiron celebrate Neill & Brown's centenary

Family firm Neill & Brown Global Logistics is putting its centenary show on the road.

New trailers, part of a near £1m fleet investment during 2017, will sport spectacular livery celebrating the firm's 100 years in business.

Pulled by silver-coloured cabs, they will spread the Neill & Brown message far and wide, especially to its vibrant European marketplace.

Peter Brown, CEO of the Hessle, near Hull, company, said the mood was 'unashamedly celebratory'.

"A century in business is a great achievement. The vehicles will look superb and will stand out from the rest," he said.

"While celebrating our heritage, the livery also befits a modern, advanced logistics operation."

Humber based Mapa PR designed the livery and has also worked with Neill & Brown on setting up a major social media campaign for the centenary – #OurStars which celebrates the contribution of employees to the business's success.

Carl Andrew, logistics director, said: "The new livery certainly has the WOW factor and it's an exciting way to tell people about our 100th birthday.

“When the new trucks and trailers arrived there was a real buzz amongst the staff and our customers are enjoying seeing them turn up at their premises."

Mr Brown added that family values had underpinned Neill & Brown's longevity.

"We are a family business through and through. Not just my family. A couple of years ago, we had eight fathers, with their sons and daughters, working in the business and this sort of thing has been happening for a long time.

"There are advantages to family firms. They tend to take a long-term approach because they are looking to achieve business health for the next generation and these sold foundations benefit everyone who works in them or is associated with them."

Neill & Brown is bringing in eight new vehicles this year. Six of them are part of a rolling five-year replacement programme and two are additions to the fleet to meet increased demand for caravan movements and for UK groupage services, which carry part-loads for different customers.

The investment will create three new jobs, taking the total workforce to 132.

Mr Brown added: "We have continued to enjoy business growth and need to refresh our fleet to keep up with the volume of work and maintain the level of service our customers demand."

The firm was the first Bid Angel to pledge money in support of Hull City of Culture. The company started out in the city in 1917 when Mr Brown's great uncle met a Mr Neill and they decided to go into business moving timber from Hull docks.