Where it all began

Gregory Distribution (then known as AJ Gregory) began in 1919 when Archie John Gregory used a horse and cart to haul coal from North Tawton train station to the local wool factory. Nine months later, he bought his first vehicle - a 2.9 litre Model T.

While unbeknown to Archie at the time, Peter Coulthard was doing something similar in Galloway, Scotland. Only he used a motorbike and sidecar to deliver newspapers and he did so three years earlier than Archie.

Two decades later, in 1935, George (WGD) Pollock began building the Pollock brand with a local cartage business operating in Corstorphine (West of Edinburgh).

The youngest of our brands, ARR Craib, began in the 70s when Aberdeen Road Runners merged with George Craib haulage. They specialised in the paper and oil & gas industries.

1939

The war brought change. For AJ Gregory, the premises in North Tawton were taken over by the War Department and many of the vehicles were engaged in military activities.

1947

Archie Gregory's only son, William John (known as Jack), joined the business aged 23. Jack had a strong grasp of business having worked at Lloyds Bank in Tavistock.

1949

Road transport was nationalised and the Pollock fleet became part of British Road Services. WGD Pollock worked for British Road Services managing 230 vehicles but when partial denationalisation occurred in 1954, he took the opportunity to buy back his vehicles.

1959

Jimmy Coulthard died and his eldest son, Duncan, left school at the age of 14 to help his mother run the business. In 1967, Duncan took over completely.

1963

George Pollock's two sons, Ian and George, join the business. At this time Ian came up with the idea of individually naming the trucks - a tradition that continues today which you can read about here.

1970s

ARR Craib was formed following the merger of two indepent businesses - George Craib and Aberdeen Road Runners Ltd.

1985

Before he retired, Jack Gregory was joined in the business by his son John, who had been General Manager for Transamerica Integrated Container Services for Australasia and the South Pacific region.

At a similar time, Hayton Coulthard started working with Gregory Distribution on reciprocal work via a shared customer.

And in 1984, Scott, the third generation of the Pollock family, joined the business.

1993

AJ Gregory & Son becomes Gregory Distribution Ltd. The brown and gold livery was retained as it provided an important link between the past and present.

2000s

Duncan Coulthard Senior retired and his son, Duncan Junior, took over the Hayton Coulthard business.

In 2008, George Craib retired from the Craib business which prompted a Management Buy Out (MBO).

2010s

In the late 2000s and throughout the next decade, significant acquisitions were made by Gregory Group. These included Amesbury Transport, Kay Transport Ltd, Barry Moore Transport, Philson Transport, Interoute Transport, South West Deliveries, King Stag Transport, M&D Transport, and Framptons Transport Services.

In 2010, Hayton Couthard and Gregory Distribution joined forces in a joint venture.

2018

ARR Craib was acquired by Gregory Distribution. With a £50 million turnover and 275 vehicles, this was a significant acquisition and one that further strengthened the reputation of Gregory Group.

2021

Pollock was acquired by Gregory Group, bringing us together as four brands under the name Gregory Group.

Our legacy lives on

We are fortunate enough that three of our brands - Gregory Distribution, Hayton Coulthard, and Pollocks - have retained heritage vehicles which are painstakingly maintained to document our history. These vehicles are often found at vintage shows and rallies throughout the summer months. By appointment, it is also possible to view the heritage fleets in each of our museums.