Downton Delivers!

Downton Delivers!

The club had an extremely interesting talk by Andrew Downton about the family firm of Downton’s the family run logistics company. Whilst many of us see their vehicles on the roads most did not know the full extent of what they do. However, we do now.

Downton’s was formed in 1955 when Mr Conrad Downton who was  the owner of a small Gloucestershire farm, bought a gravel-carrying tipper lorry and began moving small loads around the county to supplement his farming income.

The development of the business was helped by both the building of the M5 and the construction of the approach roads to the Severn Bridge. By the end of the 1960s, Mr Downton had built up a fleet of tipper vehicles and was heavily involved in the construction industry in Gloucestershire and along the M5 corridor.

In the early 1970s, he purchased his first articulated lorry and the business continued to flourish. Soon it had more than a dozen articulated vehicles. They diversified their operations and commenced working for the local brewing industry, winning major contracts with Bass Brewers and the Flowers Brewery in Cheltenham.

Although the company was growing quickly, the business’ philosophy was the same as when it had a single truck: whatever the request, Downton’s would do everything in its power to get it done.

In 1985, he died suddenly at the age of 52. His three sons – Andrew, Richard and John took over the running of the business, turning the small but flourishing haulage company into a major player in the logistics industry.

That next generation continued to expand and diversify. The business grew rapidly especially in the drinks and publishing industries, where it has established itself as one of the leading logistics providers.

Today, the company is considered to be one of the UK’s leading independent logistics firms. The long-term relationships that Downton’s have with some of the UK’s leading business brands like Dyson, Kellogs, Sainsbury’s, Magners Cider, AB InBev UK, News International and Pets at Home shows that it is an important part of the delivery chain.

Although Downton’s have grown dramatically over the past half century, the main principle of the business remains constant – Downton’s will always deliver. It operates 600 tractor units and 1,800 trailers out of 12 depots and 12 satelite depots across the UK including Moreton Valence (headquarters), Quedgeley, Coventry, Dunstable, Leeds, Runcorn, Avonmouth, Shepton Mallet, Shotton and Tilbury – and employs around 1,350 staff. Each vehicle is tracked so it’s exact location is known.

Downton’s give added value to it’s clients with many services such as storage facilities (pick and pack), and invoicing. During the floods of 2007 in Gloucestershire it was part of Gold Command and helped with the distribution of drinking water demonstrating it’s ability to act quickly. Being able to act quickly and offer so many services is the strength of this family run business – it offers the complete package.

A most fascinating and interesting evening!

www,downton.co.uk

Adrian Hale