Harpers Haulage Scania R450

Founded in 1962 by their father Peter Harper from the family farm and today's operating centre with one lorry he bought from his former employer.

Peter decided to go it alone and, with the Austin he purchased, hauling wheat in 2cwt sacks to London and animal feed back to local farms. The haulage rate then, Peter said, was £1 ton down and £1 ton back with a tank of 250 gallons of diesel costing him £80 which would last him almost a month.In 1964, Peter bought his first new lorry - a new BMC reg number 654 LEW for £2000.

This vehicle had an engine designed at 45 degrees in the chassis to make more room in the cab, but it proved to be a disaster. The engines only lasted about 6 months due to metal fatigue and as Peter had to pay for them, he went through very testing times. In 1965, Peter started to haul farm produce to the wholesale markets which was the start of the potato movement which is the mainstay of the business today.  The photo is courtesy of and copyrighted to John Hatch.

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