Patterson Transport

MODEL MARKS 25 YEARS OF LIVESTOCK MOVEMENT FOR PATTERSON TRANSPORT

Derbyshire based promotional model vehicle specialist Search Impex is pleased to announce the release of a 1:50 scale Volvo FH 540 Globetrotter (6×2) tractor unit with 3 axle, cattle float trailer, customised in the highly distinctive metallic blue paintwork and classy cream and red livery of Welsh operator Patterson Transport.

Commissioned especially to celebrate Patterson Transport’s 25th anniversary in 2021, they have been produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Models as a certificated Limited Edition.

Based just outside the village of Plwmp (pronounced “Plump”) about 13 miles from Cardigan in the Welsh county of Ceridigion, the roots of the business actually go back to 1966. Whilst working at Mumford’s Haulage, David Patterson was offered, and took, the opportunity to buy a rigid cattle truck and set up a small business known as Patterson’s Haulage. Soon afterwards, he acquired a second rigid cattle float and was joined in the business by his wife – Mrs R E Patterson (known as Betty) who, also able and willing to drive, was accompanied on trips by her son, Glanville (better known as Glan).

As soon as Glan was old enough to drive, he joined the business fulltime and things continued apace. Lorries got bigger and in 1985, the first artic was purchased. Livestock movements were undertaken not only locally, but increasingly throughout the UK, as far afield as St Boswells in the Scottish Borders.

In 1996, Glan Patterson bought the business from his Father and renamed it Patterson Transport. With two artics in the fleet and plans to grow the business, the future looked good. Sadly, however, all that changed in 2000 with a major outbreak of Foot & Mouth in the UK. This made things very difficult for the business and needing to adapt quickly, a rigid 4 wheeler ERF was purchased to enable the inevitable smaller quantities of livestock to be moved. Diversification was also very much the order of the day and to remain commercially viable, Patterson Transport also started carrying potatoes from Pembrokeshire, Rockwool insulation products from South Wales and straw bales from Hampshire.

Thankfully, with careful management, the business made it through the tough start to the new Millennium and has since gone from strength to strength. It remains very much a family run affair, headed up by Glan together with his wife, Helen, their son Owain and nephew, Gareth, as well as a dedicated and long serving team of drivers. Nowadays, continued investment in the operation has seen the fleet grow to include five Volvo trucks and trailers and a Volvo rigid float with drawbar trailer. Loads are predominantly lambs, sheep and cattle – but also the occasional reindeer when required!

Models, available from Search Impex whilst stocks last, are priced at £159 each (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.