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C roydon-based F Dickson Transport is a classic example of a
Page 47
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family haulage business. Managing director Ray Dickson and his son Jamie are the third and fourth generations to work at the firm, which s started in 1910 by Ray's grandfather. 's father, Fred, took over in 1934 at the tenage of 15; the same year that Fred's brother i grandfather died, "He saw it through with help of my grandmother," says Ray.
kfter the Second World War fish was the aily's major line, taking deliveries from lingsgate Market to fish shops in the city.
t Fred realised by the early 196os that the ; of general haulage that the company had n picking up represented the commercial ure of the company as competition reused arid those new-fangled "supermars" began opening.
n 1963 he moved the company from its [ham premises to another part of South idon, Rayt-ies Park. Ray was 17 years old when started work with his dad two years later.
kt that time the company had seven trucks. 1971, it bought WB Allen, a company in mmersrnith, west London, and moved ire, closing the Raynes Park site and doung its fleet. "Throughout the '70s was quite lig boom," Ray recalls. And then the COMly' s landlord, London Transport. decided it uld put rent up by 500%.
[his, and worsening traffic congestion in Lmmersmith which was impeding busiss. persuaded the firm to seek a new home. "We established ourselves in Croydon and, despite the recession of 1981, we were still making healthy profits," Ray says. When its landlord wanted the land back the company moved to its current premises just down the road, after an 18-month spell in Mitcham. "Unfortunately, in this business, no-one wants you. Transport companies in general are about one level above gypsies," Ray jokes.
Despite this relatively nomadic background Dickson's appears to have flourished. Ray admits the company is conservative "with a small 'c'... we have never pushed the boundaries beyond what we thought we could cope with. It means we can give good service to the customers we have." At present, those customers number about 120 companies, working in sectors ranging from scaffolding to computers. About 9o% of deliveries are in London and the South-East but the firm's 33 trucks travel nationwide. "Your customers build for you," says Ray. "If they ask you to put a couple of extra vehicles on, you do. I feel we've reached as many vehicles as we want. I like to keep that personal relationship with drivers and customers.
"Customers need to know that we are people of integrity. A number of them operate their own vehicles as well, so they are aware of the costs involved. And I feel strongly that we are a family business and the drivers are part of that family."
The fleet is all second-hand, with most trucks three years old when purchased outright. "I always favoured Mercedes-Benz, up to one and a half years ago," he says. "I don't think the Atego and Actros have been a great success." The company is trialling two Dais.
So, cautiously, Dickson's has expanded to the point where it now has its first vehicles based away from its home depot, in Harlow. But it's a problematic industry. "Transport anywhere in London is difficult but congestion charging is not the answer. The government is just generating money for the sake of it."
Red tape and European legislation also test his patience. "Transport is a game of snakes and ladders," he concludes with a wry smile. "But the snakes are breeding and someone keeps nicking the ladder. As my father used to say, 'one door closes and another one slams in your face':