A father and son have set up a haulage and storage business in the Black Country drawing on experience and the personal approach to drive it forward.
Martin Harley, aged 42, decided to become his own boss after 20 years working for other transport companies. He started as a driver and worked his way up to Transport Manager after passing the international Certificate of Professional Competence (CPC). With son Chris, 19, he has formed H & S Haulage & Storage Ltd operating from a 6,351 sq ft unit at the Charles Street Estate in Great Bridge near West Bromwich.
Although they live in Birmingham they chose the estate, which is owned and managed by London and Cambridge Properties Ltd (LCP), because it served the Black Country and has access to major road links.
Their business offers palletised or bulk storage, pick and pack facilities, loading and unloading of containers and UK and European distribution from one pallet to full trailer loads. They are willing to take on haulage jobs large or small to build up the new business.
Martin said: “It is a family venture and our aim is to treat all clients with the same personal touch as they are all important to us. I have been in the business for about 20 years working for different people. When the last company I worked for went into receivership I decided that rather than look for a job with another company I would set up my own business with my son.
“These are tough times but we believe we can offer the facilities and service to make a success of it and grow the business. We liked the unit and its location in the heart of the Black Country.”
Charles Street is less than a mile and a half from the Black Country Spine Road with access to the M5 approximately three miles away at Junction 1 via the A41.
Estate owner LCP is one of the UK’s largest private owners of industrial, retail and office property to let. Its total commercial property portfolio runs to more than 14 million sq ft which is held for long term investment purposes.