The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Haulier still notching
Harry Lawson started out in 1945 and is still going strong 71 years later
The two-tone green liveried lorries operated by Harry Lawson Ltd are a familiar sight on Britain’s roads.
The tanker and general haulage specialist employs 90 people and is the biggest haulage company in the Tayside area with 70 commercial vehicles and 150 trailers.
The firm, whose fleet annually covers more than four million miles throughout the UK, started out in 1945.
Harry Lawson and his wife, Dora, began operating one vehicle on a daily carrier service between Dundee and Carnoustie.
The couple has since passed on, but Harry Lawson Ltd is still very much a family business.
Son Harry is chief executive, while his son, Michael, is operations director.
Harry is 72, but still enjoys leading the business aided by Michael, 35, who has 12 years with the firm under his belt.
Harry has now notched up more than 50 years’ service with the company that bears his name, joining the office after he left school at 17.
By that time, the venture was steadily growing, with a fleet of 12 vehicles.
He told Business Matters how Harry Lawson Ltd originally came about.
“My parents wanted to do something on their own,” he said.
“Dad had been working as a lorry and bus driver and mum worked in a shop.
“When the business started, dad did the driving and mum did the office work.”
Harry said his parents were very pleased at how the firm had flourished.
Lawson’s moved to its current eightacre site on Balunie Drive in 1969 after outgrowing its previous premises in Broughty Ferry.
In 1976, Harry took over as chief executive and his dad retired five years later. Harry said that, in the early 1980s as general haulage became more difficult, the business began to focus more on niche markets, which continues with development of tanker and specialist operations.
Harry Lawson Ltd’s tankers carry products such as bitumen, fuel oils and chemicals all over the UK, while the haulage operation is busy moving the likes of supermarket foodstuffs and tyres.
The chief executive said that family businesses like his had advantages and disadvantages when compared to rivals.
“We are able to give a very personal service to our customers and are fast on our feet when it comes to responding to their need,” he said.
Safety, technology and innovation are key drivers and areas which are continually developed.
“Due to the hazardous nature of many of our consignments, this is a fundamental requirement in the development of our operations,” Harry said.
“Driver training is thus integral in maintaining both performance and reliability in our operations.”
The CEO said truck design had changed dramatically over the years.
“Developments in design and technology have meant greater reliability and considerable safety improvements, which allows the business to continue delivering an efficient and reliable high-quality service,” he said.
“All vehicles now come as standard with vehicle tracking and fuel management software.
“Additionally all vehicles are now being fitted with new safety features such as lane assist, adaptive cruise control, emergency braking and driver alert support which only enhances our commitment to all-round safety in our operations.”
Asked about future plans for Harry Lawson Ltd, the chief executive said: “We pride ourselves on a high-quality service and we will continue to do that.
“We are more interested in quality than size.”
Son Michael added: “We have no grand illusion of aiming to become the biggest haulage firm in the country with hundreds of vehicles.”
Harry concluded: “Through the dedication and commitment of our staff and our close partnerships with both local companies and those further afield, the company looks forward to continuing to deliver an efficient and reliable high-quality, personal service that ensures we remain an integral part of the Scottish road transport scene.”