50 YEARS ON THE GO AND STILL ON THE MOVE!
Customised promotional model vehicle specialists, Search Impex, are pleased to announce the release of a 1:50 scale DAF XF 460 Euro 6 (6x2, tag axle) skirted, rigid truck with 2 axle, skirted, box van draw bar trailer, customised in the anniversary livery of Scottish removals specialist Richard Healey Removals.
The model has been produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Collectibles as a certificated Limited Edition and has been commissioned to mark the 50th anniversary of the Company.
Based in Beith (a small town about 20 miles south west of Glasgow), the origins of Richard Healey Removals are actually to be found in the painting and decorating trade! Back in 1965, Richard Healey, a Glaswegian painter and decorator, spent much of his time working away in London, returning home every couple of weeks. News spread about his regular return trips and people began asking him if he would transport things to and from London. Requests to carry things came frequently and Richard soon calculated that, properly organised, his unofficial delivery service using his trusty Mini van could actually prove more profitable than painting & decorating – and so a new company was born!
After investing in the new firm’s first “commercial” vehicle, the London runs saw an increase in the demand for delivery work, which in turn led to the purchase of additional vehicles. There soon came a focus on household removals, however, when, as the result of a temporary diversification into the retailing of furniture, Richard needed to collect and deliver new furniture – resulting in the start up of a local removals service. As the Company grew, it created work opportunities not only for the second generation of the Healey family (Richard Snr being joined by his son Richard Jnr in 1994 and his daughter Georgina in 1999), but also for present day Operations Manager (Barry Howitt) who joined the firm in 1997. At that time, the Company operated two removal trucks and Richard Jnr and Barry learned the trade at the sharp end - very much as a result of being required to act not only as drivers, but also as salesmen, porters, estimators and customer liaison officers! Georgina, having initially offered to help out for 6 months in 1999, has since become the firm’s nominated Transport Manager and manages training, business development and quality systems, as well as holding an International CPC alongside her HGV licence!
Nowadays, the Company operates out of a new, purpose built headquarters in Beith, from where it administers its core removals and storage work, as well as managing a wide range of other value added services, including fully managed corporate relocations, local authority & public sector contracts and tailored storage solutions. The spotless and well presented trucks comprise mostly DAF trucks – this marque also being chosen for the Company’s flagship anniversary vehicle which joined the fleet (totalling 15 commercial vehicles) in July. The DAF drawbar rig has become something of an internet sensation - it’s first ever trip being to Ireland where it appeared on social media everyday during the journey. Although sometimes used as a solo rigid vehicle for domestic and commercial jobs, the benefit of the draw bar trailer means the DAF rig does away with the need for two vehicles on long distance jobs – where it turns many a head as it travels throughout the UK & Europe.
Models, available from Search Impex, are priced at £186 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.
