John Hudson on growth trail with Bank support

14th July 2015

One of the UK’s largest independent suppliers of heavy goods trailers is set for a period of expansion and growth following the completion of a new funding arrangement with Yorkshire Bank.

John Hudson Trailers Ltd in Bawtry near Doncaster, has recently taken delivery of around 100 new trailers for sale and rent, an acquisition supported by a new £3.5m asset finance arrangement provided by Yorkshire Bank in Doncaster.

John Hudson Trailers is a family business which specialises in the sale, rent and servicing of commercial trailers. It is one of the largest businesses of its kind in the UK and has one of the biggest specialised fleets in Europe.

At any one time the company will have more than 500 trailers on the road, rented by a wide range of haulage and distribution companies from across the UK and Europe. The fleet includes flats, platform skeletals, curtainsiders, drop frame machinery carriers, extenders, step extenders and multi-axle low loaders.

The new funding from Yorkshire Bank is allowing John Hudson to expand its fleet with the introduction of a range of new urban city trailers – small enough to manage city streets but still able to deliver heavy goods to a range of urban locations.

They offer a range of flexible rental arrangements on short term, long term or a hire-to-buy basis. Each trailer within the fleet is available to buy at anytime. The company employs around 50 staff – a mixture of sales, servicing and administration.

The company offers roadside breakdown assistance and service, tachograph calibration and fitment, brake analysis, MOT preparation and scheduled servicing for HGV commercial vehicles, trucks, trailers and buses. It offers a wide range of HGV and trailer parts and spares.

The company is also a worldwide distributor of vintage and classic car tyres.

The company was established in 1959 by current director John Hudson’s grandfather, also called John. It started as an Albion truck dealer in Branton before moving to its current site in Bawtry.

John Hudson, director of John Hudson Trailers Ltd, alongside father and managing director Chris, said the new asset finance support with Yorkshire Bank, extends a working relationship that goes back to 1996.

John said: “In the last two or three years we have experienced a rising demand for our trailers across the fleet for hire and purchase, as well as our servicing capabilities. Road haulage levels tend to be linked to the strength of the economy as more goods are moved around the country. It is an extremely competitive marketplace which requires the constant upgrading of our fleet with the flexibility to respond to a growing customer base.

“This new investment in our fleet, supported by Yorkshire Bank, will allow us to stay ahead of our competitors while continuing to grow our business and meet customer expectations.”

Lynsey Smith, commercial banking relationship manager at Yorkshire Bank’s business and private banking centre in Doncaster, said the expansion of the fleet in terms of numbers and types of trailer, will allow John Hudson to broaden its customer base.

She said: “John Hudson Trailers Ltd is a well-known and established family business. The management team is constantly looking to improve so that it delivers on its promises. We have been fortunate to work with the company for nearly 20 years and have seen it grow its fleet, customer numbers and staff.

“As the UK economy continues to improve, we are committed to support South Yorkshire businesses which are investing in their own growth.”

Yorkshire Banks has strengthened its support for UK SMEs by becoming the first to partner with the British Business Bank under its ENABLE Guarantees scheme. Up to £125m of new lending by Yorkshire Bank will help more small businesses achieve their growth ambitions.