Andy Downton - A Family Firm in Gloucestershire

Andy’s talk was not just about logistics, but included a most impressive statistical analysis of the growth, over 60 years, of the family business started by his father in 1955.  It evolved from farming, when Conrad Downton invested in a gravel-carrying tipper lorry to deliver manure and other small loads around Gloucestershire, to supplement his modest farming income.   Today,  they operate out of 10 major distribution hubs, throughout the UK.  They now have 600 tractor units and 1,800 trailers, whilst employing around 1,350 staff, and they have a fuel bill of about £3million per month!

The business started to grow rapidly from 1962 when the development of the M5 Motorway created the need for land  and transport.  Soon there were 50 lorries and skips and the Severn Bridge was under construction.  Other prospects, outside the M5 Corridor, were soon being addressed and, in the early 1970s, Downton purchased its first articulated lorry and soon it had more than a dozen such vehicles.  Diversification of its operations included the local brewing industry, when they soon won major contracts with Bass and Flowers in Cheltenham.
 
In 1985, Conrad unexpectedly died, at the age of 52. This meant that Andy and his 2 brothers had to “take over the reins” of this still rapidly expanding transport business. There was much more diversification and by 1990, the company had become a National Business, which resulted in them no longer having to look for new customers as it was the customers who were all looking for Downton!  Many  clients could not handle their own storage requirements, so Downton provided the warehousing. The client list now includes many well known National Brands, including “Dyson”, “Sainsbury’s”,  “Kellogg’s”, “Pets at Home”, “C&C Group”, “News International”, etc.
 
It must also be remembered that in 2007, the Gloucester Floods meant that many people required help and, apparently, the Army were not quite “geared up” to deal with it.  Downton took control and were very soon delivering 250 loads of drinking water each day.  Of course, this was just a start as it then required appropriate distribution by members of The Rotary Club of Gloucester Severn!
 
Andy’s talk clearly indicated a vast amount of knowledge of the logistical details of the distribution business and it was not surprising that there were so many interesting and detailed questions from our members.
 
Tony Jenkinson