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Page 48
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Roy Bowles
• In the 10 years since Roy Bowles, then aged 29, entered the business of the land carriage of air freight parcels with part-time running by private car, he has built up what in road transport terms can almost be described as an empire. The business now operates more than 200 vehicles and last week was sold to the Lax Services Group.
Before entering transport Roy managed one of his . father's greengrocery shops in Middlesex. One of the delivery boys at the shop who was working part-time at London (Heathrow) airport mentioned to his boss, in passing, that transport to rush films to London was often being sought. Roy cashed in on the need by supplying his car for the odd emergency run.
He soon added to his assets by purchasing two personnel carriers which he used to transport air cargo. The Roy Bowles licensing saga is well known in transport circles. In 1962, his application for B licences for five vehicles to carry air freight within 30 miles of London was refused even after it had gone to appeal. In time, he won through and now operates vehicles of all sizes and, until 0 licensing, on all types of licences.
Despite the licensing system, Roy Bowles Air Freight expanded each year and, eventually, the growth rate out-stripped the available capital. This is why Roy Bowles is now part of a much larger group.
He told me this week: "I began in this business to improve my standard of living and to provide a comfortable life for my wife and family. At the same time, I wanted to develop managerial talents and all this I have achieved."
• Roy considers that rather than losing anything by selling his business, he has gained; his standard of living will continue to improve and his undoubted talent for management will be given room to expand. Under the new board, the company plans to open depots at Bristol, Birmingham, Liverpool and Prestwick; it alreidy has depots in London and Manchester. "Without the support of outside capital, such expansion would have been impossible," he said.
In a growing business, Roy has few spare moments: what free time he has he devotes to his family, his stereo equipment and, appropriately enough, 16mm film production —after all, it was through the film industry that he was first introduced to road transport.