Customised promotional model vehicle specialists, Search Impex, are delighted to announce the forthcoming release of a 1:50 scale Scania R450 XT (8x4) rigid tipper, customised in the 30th anniversary livery of Scottish operator A. Johnstone Haulage Ltd.
(Note: The models will be based on WSI’s existing XT cab and tipper body tooling. A. Johnstone Haulage is fully aware of this and accepts there will, inevitably, be some differences in specification between the model and the actual truck).
The models will be produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Models as a certificated Limited Edition.
From the humble beginnings of a single truck business operating from a home-cum-yard depot to a modern fleet of 8x4 tippers, A. Johnstone Haulage now operates from smart purpose-built facilities in Bathgate, Central Scotland. The business was established by Archie Johnstone as an owner driver back in 1992. Up until the point of deciding to go it alone, Archie Johnstone’s career background (with an apprenticeship as a motor mechanic, followed by employment driving for an established tipper operator) had, unwittingly, provided a solid foundation for the future successful running of his own show.
The first truck to sport A. Johnstone livery was a second-hand Leyland Constructor followed, 12 months later, by a Ford cargo. Using his skills and experience as a motor mechanic and tipper driver, Archie maintained his vehicles to the highest standards and provided exceptional customer service – something which proved vital in growing the business to where it is today.
As the business grew so, too, did the need for bigger premises and a site in Armadale became the next base. The fleet continued to grow to keep pace with the increasing amount of work being undertaken and by 2006, the business had again outgrown its base. The decision was made to acquire land at Whitehill Industrial Estate and work began on what are today’s impressive, purpose built premises which incorporate workshops, a DVSA (Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency) test lane, truck wash and tachograph centre.
The business continues to specialise in supplying haulage services for material removal and delivering infill materials, including a full range of aggregates. It also supplies all types of part load or bulk materials, including sand, gravel, hard core, top soil and asphalt direct to sites. Having now reached a 30 year milestone in the transport industry, the operation continues to be driven by founder Archie Johnstone, along with his wife, Edith and daughter, Heather. Invaluable input and support is also provided by longstanding staff and customers who all play a vital role in the ongoing success of the business. And successful it has certainly been because Archie was recently awarded Scottish Road Haulage Personality of the Year for 2022, and this follows on from Scotland's "Top Tipper" award from previous years.
The present day fleet comprises around twenty tippers - predominantly Scania but also some MAN trucks – although Mercedes, DAF and Renault marques have all been used in recent times. The fleet is now entirely Euro 6 spec with the few remaining Euro 5s having all recently been sold off. The very latest addition to the fleet is the Scania XT on which the anniversary model is to be based and this will be going to the Company’s longest serving driver, Willie Ferrie, who has been with the business for more than 20 years. In a special anniversary livery and complete with some additional refinements, the truck will certainly make for an attractive addition to the fleet.
Any collectors wishing to reserve a model should register their interest with Search Impex as soon as possible and provide their contact details. The models are expected to be priced around £159 each (including UK delivery & VAT). We do NOT require any deposit payment. We will simply notify you as soon as the model is available and only at that time will we require payment in full.
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.
