Ifs a family affair
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Expansion, not selling up, was the right decision for Bleach of Lavant, chairman Mick Bleach explains.
Words: Joanna Bourke / Images: Nigel Spreadbury CM HASN'T VISITED Chichesterbased haulier Bleach of Lavant for 12 years, back when Mick Bleach and his son Michael (current MD) were running a horticultural and agricultural transportation business (CM 4 March 1998) with 17 HGVs.
lb correct this oversight we travelled down to Ford. near Arundel, West Sussex, to find that the duo has been joined by Mick's grandson George. and now runs a 49-strong fleet.
The company was formed by Mick's father in 1921 in Lavant.nearChichester. becoming a limited company in 1957 Michael then joined the business after finishing school in 1974. Ten years later the firm re-located to Terminus Road. Chichester, where its workshop is still situated. A Road Haulage Association (RHA) representative for a lengthy period. Mick says there was a point when he contemplated winding up the business.
"I thought about selling to another company in the 1980s, and again in the early 1990s, when times were tough. But after speaking to my son we decided to carry on.
"So much work and history had gone into the company, so I'm glad we decided against selling."
The decision was a wise one it would seem, because the potential buyer was nearby haulier Page Transport: a firm that collapsed in February 2008 with debts of £1.7m.
So what did Bleach of Lavant do to ensure it did not follow the same path as the likes of Page? Mick appointed finance manager Vernon Walker in 2006 to help make the business more cost effective.
He joined from horticultural retailer Farplants; the company's biggest customer. Plant distribution accounts for a third of turnover and replace the company's previous reliance on hauling agricultural goods.
Walker adds: Our current site became available four years ago as the previous occupier Sandy Bruce Trucking went into administration. At that point, we had outgrown the Terminus Road site and lorries were getting in the way of workshop operations.
"The Ford facility was larger and conveniently located closer to Farplants and, ironically, it is moving to Yapton, which is even closer, less than two miles away from us. This move signalled a change in our way of thinking, and we began to focus on being more efficient."
Mick, who is 83, tells CM it was only really at this point that the business began to embrace technology. Cybit vehicle tracking technology was fitted to the trucks and data was analysed in the traffic office.
He says: "Haulage has evolved so much, and it is so different, but it is extremely beneficial to see where any of our drivers are at any one time. It has proved popular with customers."
The company's specialist work did not go unnoticed either, as evidenced by several contract wins. including one with Roundstone Nurseries earlier this year.
Shortly after the site move, the business decided to join pallet network Fortec from Palletways; a move fuelled by the former offering a more convenient postcode area to cover. Walker says being a Fortec member was a good experience, it switched to Palletforce in 2009.
It was at this point that MD Michael demonstrated the company's desire to innovate further. "I worked on my proposal for the CurtainClear doubledeck trailer in conjunction with Wilson Trailers.
It was a simple idea, but I basically thought that having a curtain wrapping completely behind a trailer would leave more room for a forklift truck to access the side of a vehicle and ensure all potential pallet space is filled." Walker says being a Palletforce member has ensured there is a continuous flow of freight to accompany its specialist, general and agricultural transportation.
He comments: "One of the main advantages of the Ford site was that there was room to merge the general haulage and pallet sides of the business, resulting in greater synergy between the two departments. Drivers can therefore visibly determine if there is any better way to improve vehicle usage.
All parties concur they are pleased with the company's position, but point to future plans that include increasing the size of the Ford depot and buying several new trucks.
Mick says he would never pressure his family to keep the business going and is the first to admit that the industry might not appeal to youngsters.
However, with Michael's son George, 21, working in the business, and his younger son Ben working there on an ad-hoc basis while still at school, the firm is preparing to celebrate its 100th birthday (in 2021) and CM fully expects the company to continue to fly the flag for the Bleach family for generations to come. •