Photo: Gloucestershire Echo & Citizen
P R E S S I N F O R M A T I O N
Date: October 2008
DOWNTON SCOOPS TOP BUSINESS AWARD
In the first awards it has ever entered, Downton - one of the UK’s leading independent transport and logistics companies, has scooped the top business prize in its home county of Gloucestershire.
The £45 million national business - which operates from five regional depots including its headquarters in Gloucester, Dunstable, Leeds, Shotton on Deeside and Stoke on Trent - saw off stiff competition from several major players from across the region to win ‘Business of the Year’, sponsored by HSBC Bank plc in the Gloucestershire Business of the Year Awards 2008.
Pictured left - right, Downton directors receive the 'Business of the Year' award: Richard Downton, finance, John Downton, operations, Graeme Blackwell, Kate Downton, Diane Pitts, area commercial manager HSBC Bank plc, Andrew Downton, managing director, and Rob Emery.
The citation included a number of successes, not least its growth in turnover from £15 million in just five years.
The 50-year-old family-owned firm has a fleet of 350 vehicles and employs more than 450 people. Now a national operator it has evolved into a logistics specialist, providing a wide range of warehousing and distribution facilities as well as haulage services. The HSBC Bank plc-sponsored award was presented to the directors at an Oscar-style ceremony and gala dinner held at Cheltenham Racecourse, home of the Gold Cup.
Commented managing director, Andrew Downton, “As a long established family owned company, we have always believed that ‘family values’ are central to how we conduct business, and our people are at the heart of everything we do. This award is as much for our employees, and in recognition and appreciation of their hard work, day in day out.”
The company operates in a number of major market sectors, magazine distribution - where it has a 65% market share, beverages, paper and timber, white and brown goods, and serves a number of leading supermarket chains including Tesco.
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Note to editors
Downton is one of the UK’s leading independent transport operators. Established over 50 years ago in 1955, today the company employs 450 staff, operates 350 trucks and 800 trailers from five locations - its headquarters in Gloucester, Dunstable, Leeds, Shotton on Deeside and Stoke on Trent. It has an annual turnover of around £45 million. For further information, visit: www.downton.co.uk
For further
information, please contact:
Jeremy
Clarke/Sue Hitchcock
LawsonClarke PR - for Downton
sue.Hitchcock@lawsonclarke.co.uk
Tel: 01285 658844
Ref: DO02/2008
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