33 Years in Business

33 years trading … From the Proprietor himself; Mr Roy Butler

Well, 33 years of trading! Where do we start?

I am now 61, a grandad and learning the Ladies Song.

May 1986 was the beginning, Maggie Thatcher was prime minister, Argentina won the World cup, Liverpool won the league, Greig Norman was the open golf champion and 6 members of our current staff had not even been born. That puts things into perspective.

We have witnessed many changes within our industry over the years such as changes in customer needs, trading standards and changes in our primary products.

We are now just under 1000 customers (I believe) with the latest employee number being 237. Overtime we have bought 55 vehicles from vans to Arctic’s and we predict over a million jobs have been invoiced – No wonder I am always asking staff to chase money.

Butlers Transport Services started off offering deliveries of plastics and construction goods, until a friend happened to ask if we cover Heathrow Airport due to service issues they were experiencing. This is where Butlers of Kent (BOK) was established as we felt a need to highlight the area where we predominantly operated.

When the airfreight was established we added Music media, Vinyl as it was then, and CD’s came later. I remember waiting for a record vinyl collection reading the newspaper about a new method of music recording called the CD a description was given, I monitored the 14 vehicles that collected that Friday evening and predicted the volume would be reduced to 5 to 6 vehicles if not less, A business plan was based on this which proved very successful, We had a very busy Friday one year  and it was the release of the “NOW ” CD, we also delivered into Amazon in Slough which was there first warehouse in the UK about 2500 sq. ft.

As we all well know technology put a stop to that!!

We then added retail fashion to our product, but later in 2007 started transporting ADR freight, and in 2012 joined The Hazchem Network, this new venture altered the company profile overnight and has taken the company to its current status.

So, looking at how we got to this position, we have always been specialized in some way. But in the Haulage – forwarding industry, being very competitive, we must listen to customers and have a good customer understanding but also inform all parties Staff to customers of the issues and challenges we face.

As in the 25year statement!! Have I enjoyed it?  I still would not have missed it for the world, I still go to the Jazz Café – Ronnie’s or the Love supreme festival (yes at 61) and a good rant while at the Emirates, Golf and Granddaughter are a passion second to none.

I would like to think we have and will play a key role in moving products for you all, with the common goal “to make the world go around”.

I must personally say a big thankyou to all customers and the staff that Butlers of Kent, between us we have achieved a product second to none, and your support will always be appreciated.