A Cutt Above
Truck & Driver|August 2021
From coal to turf to fencing and loads more, there’s not much the Calcutt fleet hasn’t transported over the years
Jessica Grainger
A Cutt Above

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.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

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.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS TRUCK & DRIVERAlle anzeigen
Well forked Daf
Truck & Driver

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

time-read
9 Minuten  |
August 2021
King of the hill
Truck & Driver

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-read
9 Minuten  |
August 2021
Time Machine 2015-2019
Truck & Driver

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

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
August 2021
Original and best
Truck & Driver

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

time-read
7 Minuten  |
August 2021
GOING ALL THE WAY
Truck & Driver

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

time-read
7 Minuten  |
August 2021
Abnormal loads
Truck & Driver

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

time-read
3 Minuten  |
August 2021
Range change
Truck & Driver

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

time-read
9 Minuten  |
August 2021
Cutting a dash
Truck & Driver

Cutting a dash

Freshly showered and munching a healthy egg and cress sarnie in Gloucester North services, Chris has a Foden update

time-read
3 Minuten  |
August 2021
Air we go!
Truck & Driver

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

time-read
1 min  |
August 2021
A Cutt Above
Truck & Driver

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

time-read
7 Minuten  |
August 2021