A respected London haulier which holds the highest achievable accolade for transport safety is using its 2020 vision to look back on its 50 years in business – but it won’t be using conventional mirrors as part of that half century of reflection.
Instead, Wimbledon-based ELB Partners has invested in two new 20-plate Mercedes HGVs that have replaced conventional mirrors with camera-enabled technology and other 21st century safety features.
The two new mirrorless Actros will join two new 12-tonne DAF HGVs, all of which are EURO6 compliant for the highest environmental requirements around the capital, as part of a £500,000 investment.
All of the new vehicles will be wrapped in a distinctive and eye-catching 50th anniversary white and silver livery, designed specifically for the milestone event.
“This year – 2020 – is a year of reflection and looking forward,” said managing director of ELB Partners Peter Eason whose father George started the business in 1970.
“We’ve invested in the highest standards of equipment and training to make sure we are front-of-mind for existing and new customers when they’re looking for experience, efficiency and environmental capability.
“To this end, we recently received FORS Gold accreditation for the sixth consecutive year as part of our commitment to road safety and reducing emissions.
“It’s been a great journey so far, but the market remains tough, not least because of the challenges of additional regulation and wafer-thin margins in the transport sector. Our ongoing investment in people and technology is one way of differentiating ourselves on quality rather than quantity or price lines,” he added.
ELB was established as a newspaper distributor and under the joint ownership of Peter and Stephen, it was the exclusive foreign newspaper and magazine daily delivery service for The Wall Street Journal, The International Herald Tribune and all of its associated titles.
Last year Peter took over the 100 per cent ownership of the business following Stephen’s retirement in 2019.
The business has grown steadily over the last 50 years and now employs around 60 staff at its sites in Wimbledon and Purfleet, Essex.
ELB Partners was one of the first businesses to join the fledgling Pallet-Track network in September 2004, a move that has helped facilitate year-on-year growth.
