Transport Development Expansion
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AYEAR of expansion during which several • take-overs were successfully negotiated, is reported by Mr. Philip S. Henman, chairman, Transport Development Group, in his annual statement to shareholders. "Traffic has been adequate throughout the year," he states, '''‘and at times has strained our resources to capacity. We have improved the vehicle fleets by the regular replacement of ageing vehicles and, in London, a successful application was made for the grant of additional A-licence tonnage.
"In the Midlands, the business of Shenstone Transport Co., Ltd., has been merged with that of Storage and Haulage, Ltd., thus producing a more effective operational unit, whilst in the North a fleet of specially constructed contract vehicles has been provided for a large steelworks."
It was the company's policy, where practicable, said Mr. Herman, to replace out-of-date warehouses with modern buildings. This had the effect of attracting traffic, providing good working conditions, and reducing handling costs.
During the year, Transport Development purchased Charles Alexander and Partners (Transport), Ltd., Aberdeen, its associate company. James Paterson and Co. (Motor Hirers), Ltd:, and its subsidiary company, Dundee Express Deliveries, Ltd.
In 1961, they had also purchased Highland Haulage, Ltd., a company with about 50 vehicles based on Inverness, with its subsidiary WMW Transporters, Ltd, Highland Haulage, Ltd., and Charles Alexander and Partners (Transport), Ltd., each held a 50 per cent, interest in Sutherlands of Peterhead (Road Hauliers), Ltd., who operate 60 vehicles and who also became a Transport Development subsidiary, as also did their warehousing subsidiary, the Bannermill Warehousing Co., Ltd., with warehouses in Aberdeen and Edinburgh.
e6 In announcing a consolidated profit, before tax, for the year ended December 31, 1960, of £932,191, an increase of 60 per cent. on 1959, Mr. Henman states that the present year has opened well, and profits are running in excess of those for 1960.