JBT - Scottish Haulage Company of the Year

Edinburgh-based Murray Prentice, managing director and owner of JBT (Jim Brackenridge Transport) has won the Scottish Haulage Company of the Year 2006 award.

Prentice said: "I’m absolutely delighted that we’ve received this award. It’s a great accolade for the staff and is no less than they deserve - a real morale booster.”

He continued: “We were nominated by various sources and so this really reflects our high level of customer service and the dedication our team at JBT has given to our customers over the years. Our customers and suppliers place an enormous amount of trust in us and understand that we offer a service that is second to none.”

There were 15 categories in the 2006 Scottish Transport News Rewards which were judged by a panel of industry experts.

JBT is the main haulier to and from the Orkney and Shetland Islands. The company also provides distribution to the Highland and Grampian areas and from the main depots in Aberdeen and Inverness, a southbound service is also provided to the central belt of Scotland and beyond.

The firm operates a modern fleet of 50 vehicles and 70 trailers, and currently employs 120 staff across depots based in Aberdeen, Inverness, Cumbernauld, Lerwick and Kirkwall.

JBT, a recognised member of PalletFORCE has expanded its service to provide a new ‘white-glove’ furniture distribution service across Scotland called Homelinq.

JBT was originally established in 1932 in Aberdeen as James Paterson Transport. It was purchased in the 1950’s by Transport Development Group plc (TDG) and Jim Brackenridge became Managing Director in 1974. The company has grown and evolved over the years and by the early 1990’s the firm was regarded as market leader. Murray Prentice was appointed managing director in September 1998 with Jim Brackenridge becoming chairman.

Picture shows: Murray Prentice, md of JBT (centre) receiving his Scottish Transport Reward for 2006 Haulage company of the year with celebrity Dougie Donnelly (right) and the md of BoAlloy left, sponsor of the award.