Les Smith Haulage is investing £4 million to meet increased service demand is it clocks up half a century on the road.
The Swindon-based business, founded by Les Smith in 1974, is one of the UK’s largest local independent haulage companies.
Based across three sites in Swindon, including its new head office in South Marston, the company has invested in ten fleet renewals and upgrades. This includes four fully-branded rigid trucks and six Mercedes units to upgrade the existing fleet. Increasing the number of its vehicles to 52 allows Les Smith Haulage to handle an uptick in business, growing volumes and expanded postcode areas. Services offered include UK-wide next day delivery, general haulage, Moffett truck delivery and pallet network services.
The investment coincides with the company’s 50th business anniversary, four of which have been as a member of Palletways UK, Europe’s largest express palletised freight network.
Les Smith came to Swindon from London in 1965 and started working as a coalman for the Gorse Hill firm of Stallards. When they closed the haulage side of their business an opportunity was created for Les to start up on his own with one of their redundant trucks. Les’s reputation for straight dealing and meeting his promises soon paid off and the business steadily grew with an increasing number of local firms depending on Les Smith Haulage for the reliable delivery of their goods.
Operated by his sons Tony, Danny and Nick, today Les Smith Haulage delivers to all corners of the UK mainland for many of Swindon’s most prominent firms.
Nick Smith said, “This is a monumental year for us and, despite what continues to be challenging times within the logistics industry, we grow and expand as a business. Our 72-strong team are fundamental to our success, every single person is vital to our longevity.”
Rob Gittins, Managing Director of Palletways UK, added, “Les Smith Haulage is a great asset to the network and their success over the past 50 years is to be celebrated. We work closely with their management team to grow our presence in these counties, and this has paid off with Les Smith Haulage recently taking on additional postcode areas and responsibilities with us.”
