Arthur Oakley Transport Ltd.

SMALL SCALE DAF XG’s FOR ARTHUR OAKLEY TRANSPORT!

Customised promotional model vehicle specialists, Search Impex, are delighted to announce the release of a 1:50 scale DAF XG (6×2) tractor unit with 3 axle, curtain trailer, customised in the distinctive livery of Hereford-based operator, Arthur Oakley Transport Ltd.

The models have been produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Models as a certificated Limited Edition (105 pieces). This is the first time an official production run of models has been commissioned by this long-established operator.

The origins of Arthur Oakley Transport go back to 1929 when founder, Arthur Oakley, was involved in the building trade in the Walsall area of the West Midlands. He began his business by transporting bricks for the Local Authorities which, at that time, were undertaking large scale building of council house estates. However, with the outbreak of the Second World War, all that changed and the focus of the business rapidly shifted from transporting bricks to the moving of materials essential to the war effort – including armaments and steel. Large quantities of munitions were produced in Hereford and much of the steel came from South Wales – which is how, ultimately, Arthur Oakley’s operations migrated from the West Midlands to today’s base which sees the HQ in Hereford.

Nowadays, Arthur Oakley Transport is into its third generation of family ownership. The business originally passed from Arthur to his son, Roger, who, after many years of successful management, sadly passed away in 2022, and so the running of the business passed to Roger’s son, Ben Oakley and his daughter Maxine Oakley-Davies. As joint owners, they now manage a fleet of 30 commercial vehicles comprising 14 artics and 16 rigids (predominantly DAF, but also some Scania) and operate out of two depots in Hereford. The latest additions to the fleet are three DAF XG units – and it is on one of these trucks that the models will be based.

For some years (from 2006 through to around 2020), Arthur Oakley Transport ran services into western and central Europe, as well as north to the Scandinavian markets and east to the Baltic States. However, post-Brexit, the decision was made to wind down these services and to concentrate on markets closer to home. The outcome of this move saw a re-focusing of operations on the UK and Irish markets – a decision which proved very beneficial because, rather than a reduction in the size of the business and the fleet, (as might have been expected), the Company actually experienced significant growth and consequently a need to increase the number of trucks in the fleet! Hand in hand with its transport services, the business also offers warehousing and storage facilities and has around 400,000 sq ft at the disposal of its customers. As well as being a member of two pallet networks (Palletways and UPN), the Company undertakes a lot of general haulage work, but has a particular specialisation in the transport of steel coils for the automotive industry and steel sheets for use in the baking industry to produce products such as baking trays and tins.

Models, available from Search Impex, are priced at £162 (including UK delivery & VAT). For details of availability of this and other models, collectors can visit the Search Impex website at www.search-impex.co.uk or call on 01332 873555.