Sid Hill Transport’ Setting The Standard
Sid Hill Transport is an award-winning provider of international transport for the exhibition sector in addition to same-day, next-day, and unusual cargo. Family-run outfit Sid Hill Transport has enjoyed a strong 12 months. The company, which is run by the husband-and-wife team of Sid and Jo Hill, won Transport News’ European Haulier of the Year in 2023.
This added to three Wyre Business Awards for Person of the Year, Scale Up, and Small Business. The Thornton-Cleveleys-based business was a finalist in the 2024 Red Rose Awards in the Scale Up category too. The ambitious company continues to go from strength to strength.
Jo attributes some of that success to a “never say no” approach, the tenacious spirit of her husband, and the foundations formed by the firm’s humble beginnings. Sid Hill Transport was established during the Covid lockdown. It was a standing start.
However, its founder had many years of experience under his belt. He also had an extensive contact list. A driver and, later, a fleet manager looking after over 80 trucks, Sid felt he could leverage that expertise and understanding of the sector to develop a new presence in the market.
In doing so, he also hoped to achieve a better work-life balance. Success has been rapid. The company envisaged turning over around GBP100,000 in its first year.
It ended up making ten times that amount. It is now projecting GBP5.4m in its fourth year of trading. Having begun operating from home with one planner and a single truck, Sid Hill Transport now boasts its own headquarters, six permanent office staff, and 13 trucks on the road driven by a cohort of handpicked drivers.
Jo reveals this has also given Sid more time to spend with his family. Sid still does some driving but since creating the company he has concentrated on developing relationships with customers that will endure over the long term.
Designed in-house by Sid, the fleet and trailers enjoy bespoke livery, using a variety of paintwork suppliers and graphics, that has made the company the talk of the road. The vehicles are some of the most popular to be photographed by truck spotters.
Jo says a large social media presence that extends throughout Europe sees Sid Hill trucks featured often, where trucks turning up can sometimes feel like a red-carpet event. The fleet currently consists of three DAF, one Volvo 540 and nine Scania including an R530, S660, S770 and S500. They are all V8s except the 500.
Drivers are typically away for six weeks at a time. The company also has a female driver who works with her husband. Jo, who in 2022 won an EVA for Women in Business, says Sid’s motto is “people before profit”. “They all say they feel valued and looked after.
We’re always looking at ways to give to our team. One way we do this is by holding regular events where we get together usually at truck shows across the UK. Last year was our first away day which was a great way to help our team feel included and ask them their thoughts and views.” It means the team not only feel valued by the business but is also engaged in its progress.
Understandably, the firm promotes professionalism. Its driving roles are sought-after and it has had the opportunity to handpick the best candidates. It has also recently created its Company Mission Statement (“Committed to Service, Driven by Success”) which underlines the company’s values so that its teams have guidance on how to be the best at what they do and represent Sid Hill Transport successfully.
Investment over the last four years has complemented operations.
In terms of planning, the company uses Mandata. It has introduced a variety of systems such as dashboard cameras, vehicle monitoring and tracking, and tools to support vehicle inspections. Efficiency is supported further via numerous online portals connecting it to other transport businesses.
In terms of the fleet, four branded Krone trailers have been introduced in the last 12 months while the fleet has increased by six new trucks. It has also purchased a plot of land to commission into a fully functioning yard. In addition to its primary services, the company is proud of its support for local organisations such as the junior football team, Clifton Rangers, as well as charities.
In addition, Sid Hill Transport has provided aid to Ukraine via three of its trucks during the war with Russia. Confidence is high. Jo says the company is excited about the future.
Indeed, it has created a new Business Development Manager role which it hopes will help to strengthen relationships with customers while generating new opportunities.
Ambitious plans include commissioning a vehicle maintenance and servicing depot at its yard, and potential acquisition to strengthen its service offering even further.
Transport & Logistics – Driving the Industry Forward