The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Achievement award
Former Blairgowrie man Daniel Stewart, who now lives Biddenham in Bedford, has been honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award by the T.C.S.&D (Temperature Controlled Storage Distribution.)
Daniel explains that his first job was as a driver’s mate before he became a driver, prior to National Service. “On demob in 1952, I acquired a lorry B licence in Dundee,” he explains.
“Then in 1954 I bought two licenced lorries from BRS disposal sales and started long distance haulage. In 1963 I began my first venture into UK refigerated transport, followed in 1965 by routine journeys to Sweden, Germany, Italy, Holland and France.
“In 1968, by which time I was operating 12 articulated lorries, I was approached by Salvesen and a deal was struck to buy my business. I was MD of the new venture. Sixteen years later, that had grown to 550 vehicles with nine depots.
“Corby Chilled Distribution Ltd was formed in 1993 when I took over a business in dire financial stress, a turnover of £1.1m, no premises and making a loss.
“Fourteen years later Corby Chilled operated six chilled depots, had 200 vehicles and an anuual turnover of £54m. My son Iain and daughter Carol joined the business in its early stages and are due much of the credit for its success. For me, the icing on the cake is the Lifetime Achievement Award 2018.”
The Courier has featured tales of Daniel’s business over the years – hundreds of Italians sitting down to Scottish-caught fish, transported to Rome for the first time ever.
Scottish frozen raspberries were also transported across the Continent, thanks to refrigerated lorries provided by Mr Stewart. Kippers headed off to Germany, so Scottish delicacies were able to be enjoyed all over Europe.