Success comes in bulk for transport firm doubling turnover to £13m

BULK transport firm Simon Gibson has more than doubled its turnover to £13m in two years.

From a £6m turnover in 2012, the firm targeted different sectors following the construction industry’s decline during the recession, so that turnover reached £13m in 2014.

The Goole-based firm was founded in 2000 by Simon Gibson with a single vehicle, and now has 88 vehicles and delivers over 2m tons every year throughout Europe.

Employing 138 staff across its new offices and 35,000 sq ft warehouse, the firm continues to plan for expansion.

Mr Gibson said: “Prior to 2007, our business was probably 90% focussed on serving the construction industry, but we quickly realised that we needed to use our specialist skills in other sectors in order to prosper despite the property market crash.

“We still have lots of customers in construction, but they now make up only around 35% of our client base having successfully targeted the glass, foundry and plastics industries and we’re also seeing growth in the food sector.

“The transport industry was hit hard during the recession, but we were fortunate that many contracts moved from rail to road as volumes dropped.

“Over the last eight years, handling specialist sand for foundry and glass making has become a significant part of our business and in 2012 we won a major contract with minerals company Sibelco which led to us doubling our fleet.
“Last year, which was our best year ever, we invested £3m in extending our fleet and we’re confident that we’ll hit our target of £15m turnover for 2015.”

Leeds law firm Clarion has worked with Simon Gibson Transport since 2009.

Jonathan Simms, partner at Clarion, said: “This is a fantastic Yorkshire success story – Simon Gibson Transport has grown from an owner driver with a single truck to a £13m turnover company, employing almost 150 staff.
“The transport sector has had a tough few years, but those businesses that have been able to adapt and survive are now in a strong position to take advantage of the upturn.”