Many regulars on the show scene will instantly recognise this company name and Brian’s lorries. With their simple white cabs, black chassis, green lettering and detailing they’re an exceptionally tidy small fleet.
Brian Calcutt’s steadily expanding fleet of six stands out as it’s made up of four flatbed rigids and one artic which usually pulls a flat trailer. A Ford Transit pickup is the baby of the bunch. By his own admission he fondly remembers the simpler, less stressful times of just him and one other truck to find work for, but the good service provided by this eye-catching fleet has led to an increase in vehicles, and perhaps some more grey hairs on his part!
Brian represents the fourth generation of Calcutt in transport. His great-grandad started the business as a coal merchant back in 1937 offering doorstep sack delivery. Coal was delivered loose to their yard and then bagged on site by hand using an elevator; serious hard graft by any standard. This process still happens to this day but on a much smaller scale, with 500 tonnes annually bagged into either an open top or plastic pre-pack sack. This is very much a seasonal part of the business; during a cold snap the coal does go a little crazy and it’s all hands on deck to get deliveries out. Compared to the 3000 tonnes moved annually 25 years ago, this shows the decrease in general household coal use.
Brian’s dad Geoff is now 74 and is still very much involved in the business day-to-day, while Brian’s sister Sarah took over the accounts side from their mum Wendy. The company is a real family affair, with Brian’s wife Tracey and children Lauren and Luke also employed.
Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2021-Ausgabe von Truck & Driver.
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Diese Geschichte stammt aus der August 2021-Ausgabe von Truck & Driver.
Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.
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Well forked Daf
Remember, we like to cover all sorts of different trucks here at T&D – like this impressive new CF rigid complete with Moffett Mounty forklift
King of the hill
Moving heavy equipment off road calls for a truck with plenty of power and traction, which is why M&J Plant chose a mighty 6x4 FH16 750
Time Machine 2015-2019
It’s the final part of our series on the history of UK haulage. Let’s look back at those innocent times before that pesky virus turned up
Original and best
There are few trucks which have been customised to the level of the Scania 143, but let’s not forget that the standard product was pretty awesome just as it left the factory, like this rare 420
GOING ALL THE WAY
Simon Rogers got behind the wheel as soon as he was able to, and nearly 30 years later, his company is going from strength to strength, with a striking all-black, top-spec Iveco S-Way 570 the latest addition to the fleet
Abnormal loads
In the distant past, when dinosaurs roamed the planet, truck drivers were a very different breed, made from sterner stuff than us mere mortals
Range change
After a gap of 13 years, Renault trucks have reappeared in the unique colours of MacRitchie Highland Distribution. T&D takes the high road to Inverness to meet owners, Donald and Catriona MacRitchie
Cutting a dash
Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update
Air we go!
On Saturday 29 May at 6pm, 240 drivers gathered with their trucks at South Mimms Services for a parade to raise vital money for Essex & Hertfordshire Air Ambulance
A Cutt Above
From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years