From Dream to Driver
- Nikki Prince
- Jun 8
- 6 min read
As a young child Tom used to sit on the hill, which his parents farmed in the Welsh
countryside, and watched over to the quarry in the distance. He loved the hustle and bustle of the trucks going in and out and the diggers and machinery on site. His dream was to one day be a truck driver to the quarry. His Dad had also been a truck driver but stopped before Tom was born.
Fast forward a few years and Tom gained his HGV licence aged 20 and soon hit the roads with a local firm delivering timber. Although he loved the job, he desired something more and the dream of driving his own truck to the quarry was still fresh in his mind.
So after just a few months working for someone else, Tom decided to follow his dream and set up on his own. This is a challenge for anyone, let alone a young man new to the industry, but he was determined and was willing work hard for what he wanted.
Originally starting out operating with a DAF CF85 with a step frame trailer this allowed him to do lighter haulage work. At this time he was doing weekly runs picking up and delivering loads like hay and straw, and was doing 2 runs up and down to Scotland every week. The whole time whilst gaining experience on the road and in the industry he was still trying to get his foot in the door and pick up work for the sector he really wanted to work in. This involved hours of phone-calls and door knocking, much of which either resulted in being ignored or rejected. Yet he still never gave up and kept chipping away.
He then went on to buy a Scania r series r470 with a weightlifter tipping high sided aggregate trailer, followed by a Scania r series r450. He also purchased a second hand sdc curtain sided trailer and his first brand new trailer, an sdc lst flat trailer, specialist for straw. This allowed him to continue gaining experience whilst building his business.
A little while later he finally sold the curtain-sider and tipping trailer and went on to purchase an upgraded second hand Kel-Berg tipping trailer. It was a vast improvement as the weightlifter was very basic with no weigher and had a manual sheet and back door steel wheels. It was a step closer to the goal and Tom says 'I wanted a Kel-berg trailer badly for years so it was a dream come true'
After driving solo for 9 years he had started to get his foot in the right doors and his tipper dream was starting to become a reality.
The Powys based aggregate haulier now has an impressive fleet of Scania's. Initially starting out with his first brand new truck that was his flagship Scania S650 V8 and over the last 5 years the companies growth has allowed Tom to be able to add another 4 to the fleet. A Scania Next Gen r450, followed by another Scania Next Gen r450. Then followed a
Scania r580 v8 with a second hand Kel-Berg trailer, but he sold that trailer a few months later and purchased another brand new one instead. Finally the latest truck to join the fleet was a Scania next gen s560.
Tom says he has stayed loyal to the Scania brand as they have been a reliable choice allowing him to offer a professional and reliable service to his own customers. He is extremely happy with the servicing they offer and if any problems should arise they work through the night to ensure his vehicles are back on the road as soon as possible.
'I like the reliability and the vehicles are comfortable to drive. You pay a bit more for them but the good resale value makes up for it when you come to sell them'. Says Tom
The fleet now all runs with Kel-Berg T100 aggregate tipping trailers, which certainly complete the look of the fleet. Tom got his first T100 back in March 2020, it was an all black finish with DuraBright wheels matched to his all back Scania S650 V8 tractor unit. The trailer came with with all the bells and whistles. Dawbarn Hydroclear sheeting system, PM On-Board weigh system with Bluetooth display, load and reverse camera, work lights and strobes. The black body, black tipping gear, black side guards, black chassis, black everything. This hitched to his black tractor really turns heads when out on the road or arriving at sites.
Tom returned to Kel-Berg in 2022 for his second trailer, another T100 aggregate trailer finished with a white body and metallic blue chassis to match the tractor unit; a Scania sleeper cab R450. You’ll likely see this trailer delivering aggregate for Breedon.
As the Scania fleet grew Tom continued to return to Kel-Berg to ensure the whole fleet was running with the same trailers. When asked why he chooses Kel-Berg, Tom said 'I became aware of the company when I saw the trailers on the back of other people’s units. I like the company and the product. The things that stand out to me on the T100 are the weight, strength and reliability. It also has great stability. It does what it needs to do and it
gets the job done. Also, I like being able to call Kel-Berg and get things sorted out. You can customise your trailer to how you want it and it’s never any bother, I can make a decision and its not long before the trailer is ready and I can collect it. I would definitely recommend Kel-Berg .
Because all the trailers are automated and fitted with bluetooth kit it means drivers don't have to leave their cabs on sites allowing the jobs to completed as quickly and efficiently as possible. The trailers also have liners in which allow quicker tipping and the lift axle at the rear allows loads to be transported and distributed safely especially good for rural areas. As with any business being able to work efficiently makes a big difference to the running of the business.
Tom also made the slightly controversial decision to run the fleet on alloys and Michelin tyres. Although more expensive, he feels he gets better value for money when factoring in the work the company does. The tyres can also be run down lower compared to other brands
Tom says 'Michelin tyres are the cheapest pence per mile to run I find compared to other brands and you get the insurance for cuts. I don't have any spares as the very few times I get punctures I ring my tyre fitter and he is always there within the hour.' Tom has built up a good working relationship with local firm Eagle tyres who ensure the tyres are all kept in top shape and ready to roll and they are on hand whenever needed to help get the wheels turning and trucks back on the road again..
The fleet now each do typically 350 mile round trips every day from the Powys based yard, 5 days a week, and aim to complete 3 to 4 loads a day. The majority of their work sees them covering the East and West Midlands and North of England.
The company plays a vital role in the construction industry by collecting and delivering Aggregate. Typically, aggregate material is extracted from quarry sites using heavy machinery, and crushed to produce varying sizes. This can be filtered out by size to be used in various applications that we use every day, from the houses we live in, to the roads we drive on. Tom's fleet mainly transport limestone and sand for concrete and tar plants as well as some general deliveries when needed.
It is safe to say Tom has done an amazing job to achieve his childhood dream, and his
passion and dedication served him well. He is not only the sole owner of the business, but also plays an active role in all aspects of keeping it running. From liaising with customers, chasing new contracts, transport planning, doing the accounts all as well as being an active driver too.
He is a true inspiration for the younger generation who would like to start a career within the haulage industry.
Although the business keeps him busy he does like to make sure he enjoys his down time and over summer months him and several of his drivers like to attend truck shows as a way to socialise and enjoy some time out together. This year they were awarded a 'Highly Commended' and 3rd Best in Fleet, a proud achievement for the small but mighty Welsh hauliers whose owner has Big Dreams for the future of the business. Tom is aiming to have a new unit and trailer ever year to keep refreshing the fleet. Sticking with Kel-Berg T100 trailers and Scania Next Gen s560 as it has a newer engine and is 25/30 littered a day better on fuel. Certainly an up and coming haulier within the industry.
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