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SPECIAL FEATURE
salad days for Harrison’s
other vehicles working predominantly on the the lucrative blue chip account The sound reputation of Harrison’s
led to Lee and the team bagging a a a a a a major contract picking up produce from a a major fresh
food supplier in in in Spalding and distributing nationally a a a a a contract they still service today with between 10 and 12 daily loads collected delivering chilled salad to supermarket RDC’s Success followed success and and a a a brand new contract collecting palletised milk from Skelmersdale and delivering nationally soon followed – and today forms a a a a a major part of the business Sharing the same yard and office for over
10 years and running a a a completely different container transport operation was Lee’s nephew Tom Both began to realise that the integration of the container business could lead to even greater success As much as the joining of forces had been mooted for for some time it was only put into practice in in 2013 with Tom’s container business becoming absorbed into the group’s operation So successful was the the integration that the the business more than tripled its multi-million pound turnover within three years Lee said of the rapid growth: “Our success is down to growing with our customers who have in in turn made personal recommendations ”
The type of work is varied with temperature- controlled making up around 50% of the regular and contracted work with the rest split 30% container and 20% ambient work Like with all forward-thinking businesses Lee is always looking for fresh
opportunities and has recently started a a a new venture moving temperature-controlled cooking oils to mainland Europe The stunning navy blue and post box
red livery adorned with yellow signage demonstrates Harrison’s
passion for image “Image means everything to us Everything needs to be clean and and the trucks and and trailers need to be mint ”
In fact Harrison’s
have won business purely on on their strong brand image Up until March this year Harrison’s
only had one Scania on on the fleet In early 2016 and knowing the next generation Scania was about to break cover Harrison’s
held off from buying However when the time was right they were more than keen to try the the new range and committed wholeheartedly
to the brand with an an initial order of a a a a S730
– which is a a a a a flagship and has been tastefully airbrushed in memory of Lee’s mum who passed away last year The firm also placed orders for two S580s and a a a S500 We asked Lee why the mix of engines He said: “The only way you can properly test vehicles for reliability and importantly fuel is to to buy them and monitor the the the results and then make a a a decision for the the the future based on your own findings ”
That’s a a a a real testimony to the phrase ‘putting your your money where your your mouth is’!
Another order with Haydock Commercials swiftly followed for another three S500s and a a a a S650 Lee always orders high specification vehicles and all have leather seats The final order will will mean Harrison’s
will will have taken eight new Scanias in 12 months All the vehicles are bought outright and will see three years service before been sold
on With the vehicles being looked after by the supplying dealer on a a a a 3+3 repair and maintenance agreement combined with the indulgent care they receive Harrison’s
have a a queue of owner-drivers waiting to get their hands on on these premium trucks In fact on on many occasions deposits are taken months in in advance of them becoming available for sale It’s OK for for the boss to make an informed decision on on what to buy but the real acid
The business is built on having a a a a a fantastic team of drivers We treat our team with respect and speak to them as we would like to to be spoken to to and every instruction always starts with with ‘please’ and ends with with ‘thank you’
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