T P Niven

A MODEL FUTURE FOR T P NIVEN!

Customised promotional model vehicle specialists, Search Impex, are pleased to announce the release of a 1:50 scale Mercedes Actros MP4 Streamspace (6×2) tractor unit with 3 axle, curtain trailer, customised in the livery of Scottish operator T P Niven Transport & Storage Ltd. The models have been produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Collectables as a certificated, Limited Edition (155 pieces).

T P Niven, a family owned freight transport business, was founded in 1926 by Thomas Paisley Niven following his return from the First World War. Initially, he worked at Dalbeattie quarry as a sett maker making granite setts (cobbles), but it was during the hardship of the general strike of 1926 that he made the bold decision to use his life savings to purchase a ‘ton Ford’ petrol lorry – and so the firm of T P Niven was born. Initially, Thomas Niven secured work hauling granite from the local quarry down to the harbour at Palnackie, returning with goods and cargo from the harbour – notably animal feeds and fertiliser for delivery to the local farms. In 1927, the fledgling firm won a contract with Dalbeattie district farmers to collect milk from farms and deliver it to Dalbeattie creamery – and so a second vehicle was purchased. The business continued to develop and also to diversify into transporting timber and livestock. The outbreak of World War 2 created many difficulties for the firm, including the absence of men who were required to serve in the armed forces. The Ministry of Transport also commandeered one of the firm’s vehicles for war time service, although T P Niven fared better than many firms during this period due to the nature of the transport work being undertaken by the business. After the War, the family began to rebuild the business and the purchase of the first modern milk tanker led to significant growth in the milk haulage side of the business. The firm expanded and diversified further in the 1960’s when they secured a large contract to transport metal products from London to be welded at the local Stelrad factory at Edingham, near Dalbeattie. Continuing careful management and traditional hard work over the years has seen T P Niven, now in the third generation of family ownership, grow to become a major force in the transport sector. Today’s operation has in excess of 50 trucks (mainly Mercedes, MAN & Renault) and 80 trailers (mostly curtainsiders, tankers and stepframe doubledecks). Offering a UK wide distribution service, the Company specialises in transport of manufactured goods, including food, drink and pet foods and also in bulk food tank distribution (collecting from dairy locations and delivering to food processing centres throughout Southern Scotland and Northern England). Models, available from Search Impex, are priced at £136 each (including UK delivery & VAT).