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RT McEwan has transported freshly cut Christmas trees since the 1980s. CM looks at a seasonal operation that spruces up many a living room ,> By John Henderson
HAULAGE CONTRACTOR RT McEwan of Arbroath in Scotland has transported Christmas trees since the early 1980s. The family-run company's involvement in road transport dates from 1974, but its farming roots go back several generations. MD Ray McEwan recalls the early days, saying: "Back then, every single Christmas tree was hand-balled onto flat trailers and it could take between five and six hours to lift a full load."
The nature of this light cargo also meant each layer had to be securely roped down to avoid movement during transportation, and the whole load was sheeted. In the 1980s, RT McEwan vehicles made the long journey to Inverness and the Black Isle to collect the trees, for distribution to markets across the length and breadth of the UK. London's Smithfield was a regular destination. A faster procedure
Today, there's less empty running because this Arbroath fleet usually loads at a large Aberdeenshire country estate on the eastern fringes of the Grampian Mountains. "These days, Christmas trees are netted and palletised, and a truck can be loaded in minutes," says McEwan, "but that practice has only existed for about six years." The estate producing Christmas trees employs teams of harvesters who work in rotas to provide 24/7 cutting. November is the peak transportation period, although it's not unknown for there to be a few loads in the first week of December. A lot depends on cutting speeds and terrain, although the
weather can also change schedules. Early snowfall will slow down the entire progress. McEwan's son Mitchell, who is part of the traffic office team at the Arbroath base, says Christmas tree loads are usually collected at short notice. "Experience tells us to expect the unexpected and loading does not take long, as
just 12 of the special pallets, with vertical timber frames, fill the deck space on a 13.6m trailer," he says.
"Nowadays, the trees are individually netted and secured onto the pallets, so it's all straightforward. We still deliver full loads to markets, including Smithfield and garden centres across the UK, in addition to a good percentage of multi-drops to other retailers."
Pallets of Christmas trees can be loaded onto flat trailers or curtainsiders, offering some fleet flexibility, while the company's Palletline membership also provides extra distribution angles via its overnight trunk runs to the network's Warwickshire hub. With Christmas tree volumes increasing year-on-year,
McEwan notes the importance of his loyal group of approved subcontractors. "The nature of this seasonal work, which coincides with our peak in seed potato movements, means we must have an effective working partnership with other English and Scottish hauliers, which we value greatly," he says. An essential part of Christmas
For many Scottish haulage contractors, seed potatoes are an essential part of Christmas, just like turkey and all the trimmings. Fitting in nicely just after the main Scottish potato harvest, RT McEwan's association with these tubers goes back decades. The seed potato peak runs from mid-November to Christmas and sees thousands of tonnes transported to quaysides for export. "In previous years, the boats came to either Montrose or Dundee docks but for the past three years we've used Aberdeen harbour," says McEwan. Seed potatoes are transported in either jumbo bags or on pallets and collected from farms across Scotland. Timing is of the
essence in this operation as ship owners want to keep harbour fees to a minimum before setting off for either Egypt or Morocco, via the docks at Tangier or Casablanca.
Once delivered to Africa, the seed potatoes are planted immediately. RT McEwan's extensive stevedoring experience also sees the company provide all the dockside loading equipment and McEwan always supervises the loading of each vessel. May and June see another seed potato peak, as Russian cargoes are shipped out just in time for the ground thawing in their late spring time. •
Needle work
The British Christmas Tree Growers Association (BCTGA), the trade association for those who grow specialist Christmas trees in Britain and Northern Ireland, was established in 1979. It champions the purchase of real Christmas trees and offers advice about buying and caring for them. Launched with 48 members more than 30 years ago, the association now has 350 members across the UK. Its role has not changed and the BCTGA logo is now well known as a symbol of quality. The BOTGA's code of practice promotes trees being grown in an environmental and sustainable manner.
Christmas tree facts
• Approximately 8 million Christmas trees are sold in the UK every year.
• It takes 10 to 12 years to grow a Christmas tree in the UK from seedling to typical cutting size. • Six feet is the most popular height for
a Christmas tree among British households. • An acre of Christmas trees produces the daily oxygen for 16 people, and a hectare absorbs six tonnes of carbon dioxide
each year.
• There are about 450 Christmas tree growers in the UK. • The UK's most popular tree is
the Nordmann Fir because of its excellent needle retention and beautiful soft foliage. • For more information, visit bctga.co.uk
Fast approaching its 40th anniversary in road haulage, RI McEwan offers a diverse range of services that complements its signature operation. In addition to a comprehensive range of transport solutions and membership of the Palletline network, McEwan's stevedoring, warehousing and training services are also in constant demand. The latter learning courses are delivered either in the company's Jaupt-approved centre in Arbroath, or on-site at third-party clients' premises. An on-site workshop team of three mechanics staff the workshop at this Myreside Farm base, which is fully
equipped with a range of garage equipment, including a Jaltest diagnostics system and a roller brake tester. RI McEwan also offers maintenance, repair and 24-hour
breakdown services to third parties and is closely located to the nearest Vosa test station at Montrose. In 2008, most of the road transport industry was bracing itself for a recession, but the McEwan family spotted a gap in the market and launched a dedicated tyre business, branded as Inyerkeilor Tyre Centre. In a relatively short space of time, this offshoot has already carved an enviable reputation for the supply and fitting of rubber to cars, plant, agricultural vehicles and trucks. Two fully livened and well-equipped, high-roofed vans provide a mobile service backed by 24-hour emergency response cover. All the many strings to RI McEwan's business bow are given the same levels of personal and professional dedication to ensure that
every customer receives 100% satisfaction. The family stresses that keeping its word is paramount and that delivering a first-class service relies on every member of staff playing their part. MD Ray McEwan sums this up perfectly: "The firm's strength comes from the whole team at whatever level. Our staff and management are all committed and responsible for our reputation. We guarantee personal but professional service."
A 16-ton Ford D Series was the company's first proper CV in 1974 and this was followed by a Volvo F86 tractor unit. The McEwans have never been afraid to try different makes of trucks, running Atkinson, Foden and Scania products over the years. A successful allegiance beginning with ERF's B Series saw the former Sandbach builder's vehicles well regarded here, and a logical progression to MAN followed. The Munich-built TGX models are now complemented by Iveco Stralis tractors, while a recent substantial fleet investment has also seen five Daf XF and three Mercedes-Benz Actros M P4 prime movers arrive at this Angus base. RT McEwan is still a family-run firm with Ray working closely with Lisbeth McEwan, who is director and company secretary. Nicky, Louise, Mitchell and Neil represent the second generation of the clan, with responsibility for Palletline operations, accounts, traffic and general management respectively. The company has collected its fair share of awards recently, winning
Scotland's European Haulier of the Year in 2005, which was followed by success in the green arena with the accolade of Scotland's Environmental Haulier of the Year in 2012. In March 2011, the company joined Palletline and has since won two trophies in the past two years at the major network's annual awards ceremony.