And still the beat goes on
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Edwin Shirley Transport was the big name in rock and roll haulage for decades, but this year it nearly disappeared – but then Transam Trucking stepped in
Words: Joanna Bourke JOAN JETT once sang “I love rock and roll, so put another dime in the jukebox baby”, and both sentiments apply when CM thinks about Transam Trucking’s recent acquisition of rival EST, widely known and fondly remembered as Edwin Shirley Trucking (CM 17 February).
Both irms have an appetite for the many details required in the logistics of supporting band tours, the dedication to see out lengthy projects, and a genuine passion for all things rock and roll. Just as Jett’s jukebox needed funding, EST found itself on the brink of administration and in need of a lifeline. Transam Trucking was that lifeline, admitting that EST was too reputable a business to become another statistic in the long list of recently collapsed hauliers. Here, we look at how each company came to be and how by merging, they will create a “rock and roll trucking giant.”
Transam Trucking
Mark Guterres, MD at the Bungay, Suffolk-based Transam Trucking, started his career as a stockbroker in London, but, while still in his early 20s, left to take over a farmhouse in Suffolk, renting the 16th century barn for musicians to rehearse in.
“The studio had a sound system and to augment our income we purchased a Ford D-Series to run the PA about in, and we could also hire it out. Then one day a customer asked if we could run some equipment down to Ibiza for a few weeks – 33 years later and we are running a leet of 120 trucks, or more in the busy periods in the summer.” The company differs from EST in that it is iercely secretive about its clients. Guterres reveals only that: “We have always quietly and discreetly got on with our work. We never advertise and we don’t have a website, and we never discuss our clients’ affairs.” There are many large hauliers that wouldn’t hesitate to plug their business by afiliating it with a rock star or boyband, but not Guterres.
“We feel that our customers appreciate the fact that we are discreet and do not ever discuss their affairs in the public domain, so sadly we don’t have any rock and roll tales to tell.” We don’t expect Guterres’s tact to change (even the company’s vehicles are a rare spot on the road), despite the purchase of one of the most famous names in rock and roll transport.
“The business has always grown organically,” he says when asked about Transam’s acquisition of EST.
“We have never much been in favour of rapid expansion, but as EST’s situation became apparent, and because of our existing links with them, and its high reputation within our highly specialised industry, the purchase of EST was the most logical solution to their problems.”
EST
EST started in 1974 with a second-hand bread van, but quickly accelerated to become one of the leading players in the rock and roll trucking industry.
Director Ollie Kite joined the irm in 1977 after spending the previous ive years training as a solicitor.
“My legal and administration experience quickly paved the way into an administration role at EST, and I have been involved in the structure and development of the present-day business, which now regularly operates up to 100 lorries,” says Kite.
Unlike Transam, EST has made no secret about its celebrity client list. Kite’s list of some of the most memorable projects he has been involved with is a who’s who of rock and roll: the Rolling Stones’s Steel Wheels/Urban Jungle Tour in 1990; Beyoncé’s ‘I Am’ tour; Michael Jackson’s world tours; Rihanna’s European tours.... just for starters.
The huge scale of EST’s work in managing the logistics of major concerts was evident in its contract for Madonna’s Sticky and Sweet tour in 2008. There were 16 shows and 1.25 million miles travelled between them.
EST supplied the transportation and logistical management for the 26 main production trucks, two teams of 10 advance production trucks, and 56 trucks containing four duplicate staging systems.
The project required a massive amount of co-ordination involving 108 drivers having to manage border clearances and import and export paperwork.
Rock and roll trucking giant
Both irms agree that live music is still big business, with fans showing no signs of shying away from concerts, despite economic strains and the wide availability of downloaded music.
The precise business strategy for the merged company has yet to be divulged, but for the forseeable future EST will maintain its identity and livery. The two businesses will run in tandem, with the main depot and ofices being located at Transam’s existing premises in Suffolk, with a satellite depot and ofice maintained in Woolwich, south London.
The two specialists clubbing together should form a company that will combine an extremely colourful and famous contract base. Guterres puts it simply: “We have found EST to be an extremely professional outit. This is a highly specialist market and requires intense route planning. Our sales have been growing and EST joining the company will make us an even bigger rock and roll trucking giant.” ■