The four areas of the former Humberside East Yorkshire, Hull,
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North and North East Lincolnshire—are a significant part of Britain's industrial backbone. From steel production to buckets for JCBs, there are opportunities aplenty for the haulier. Added to this is the large amount of goods being exported and imported through the region's docks. It adds up to a lot of work. Tim Maughan and Ian Shaw spoke to six hauliers who are making the most of these diverse markets.
Think of the term "owner-driver" and you'll probably conjure up images of a hard-done-to workaholic, labouring all the hours that God sends to make a living. Hull-based owner driver Graham Green admits he's not a millionaire, but he does have a solid little business working from the new HGV-friendly King George Dock in the city. Green certainly works hard, but he refuses to let the business rule his life. "I started out driving for another haulier (in 1989) but then considered driving for myself, so I bought a Mercedes rigid which I used for general haulage multi-drops," he says, as he poses for CM'S photographer in front of three docked ferries. "The Mercedes was a wonderful
vehicle...very reliable,"
Green went on to buy a second-hand ERF tractor and became a subbie for a larger haulier. In 1995 the tractor was complemented by a used ERF 15-tonner which was driven by one of Green's friends. "We were carrying general forest products and containers," he reports. In 1997 engine problems with the 15-toriner forced him to reconsider the way he conducted business: "With all the extra hassle of a second truck I decided to run just one vehicle, I think there's more to life than dealing with more trucks and the extra paperwork that comes with a larger fleet."
Nowadays he runs an ERF ECii 41-former, bought new in 1999. He takes a lot of pride in his vehicle, which is adorned with the shield of St George and the three crowns which make up the motif of Kingston upon Hull. The paint job was handled by Jordans of Hull; Green says: "They did an excellent job."
He runs two trailers, a 13m flatbed and a 13.6m curtainsider. As Green talks to CM a steady stream of HGVs in the colours of some major fleets trundle around the port. The contrast between the giants and the likes of Graham Green Transport could not be more striking, but Green is happy with his lot and says that expansion is not his chief aim. The single ERF means no staff wages, lower overheads and no pricey accommodation—Torringdon Commercials, the firm which sold Green the truck, kindly allows him to park the vehicle at its base near King George Dock.
About 90% of Green's work involves goods passing through the Port of Hull. Twice a week he picks up loads just arrived from Scandinavia (mainly paper, timber and containers) and delivers them across the UK; he also takes a variety of loads to the King George Dock for export. The rest of the work involves carrying loads for other firms in the port as and when needed.
To maximise efficiency Green loads up his two trailers in the evening so during the day he can get on with the job of hauling.
Green puts in long hours, starting at o4:3ohrs and finishing at 17:3ohrs, five days a week. As an owner-driver he is likely to be exempt from the Working Time Directive's 48-hour working week. This is likely to work in his favour, but he says: "I don't think anybody should be able to tell you how long you can work...it's against human nature."
His week is a busy one, but there is life outside road haulage; Green is married to Maria and they have two young children. Running a single truck makes it easier to differentiate between business and family time: "I can shut the door on a Friday and come back on a Monday morning without anything to worry about."
We ask the obvious question: is Green a fan of the famous novelist Graham Greene? "Well, I have read half of Brighton Rock," he replies. "I was tipping in Birmingham one day, and this Jaguar cruised past. The driver put his brakes on, then came back. He asked me if my name was really Graham Green, so I said yes. Then he replied that his name was Graham Green as well."
So would the man behind Graham Green Transport be prepared to write a million-selling novel? "If I could write a best seller I wouldn't be doing this," he points out.