THE HISTORY OF LONDONDERRY GARAGE
In 1947 Ron Exelby, the founder of Londonderry Garage, left the RAF where he had been stationed at Leeming and started repairing commercial vehicles nearby. What has since become a £ 50 million turnover company started out in a shed next to the A1 which at the time ran right through Londonderry village.
Even in the very early years, the companies commitment to customer care was obvious as Ron often put up stranded lorry drivers in his own home. The business was thriving when it was sadly destroyed by fire just over a decade later. Undeterred, Ron simply moved across the road to what is now the current site and started up again whilst also adding diesel bunkering to the services on offer.
Londonderry’s involvement with the Municipal and Waste sector began when they were appointed agents for Dennis Brothers, now Dennis Eagle, in 1968. The company continued to expand and secured other franchises such as Norba Refuse Vehicles, Scarab Sweepers, Multilift Equipment, Hiab Cranes, Heil Refuse Bodies and from the 1st April 2010, Moffett Truck Mounted Forklifts.
Over the years, the companies’ reputation has grown throughout the industry and although technology has moved the industry forward over the past fifty years, the family ethics have enabled the company to grow to the multi million pound organisation that it is today. The company still retain the same core values set down by the founder of the company, Ron Exelby, and these foundations, coupled with our first class, friendly and professional service ensures that Londonderry Garage are the envy of our competitors.
Londonderrys association with our partners involves the whole sales and after sales package. Our “one stop shop” approach offers our customers a single supply source for many of their requirements. One phone call to Londonderry Garage will give local authority and private contracts the opportunity to purchase Heil Refuse Vehicles, Scarab Road Sweepers, Multilift Hooklift and Skiploader Equipment, Hiab Loader Cranes and more recently Moffett Truck Mounted Forklifts.
Investment in equipment for the service and parts department has always been prominent in the companies long term strategy. Within the past two years all of the service vans have been replaced ensuring that customers everywhere receive a prompt and efficient response using the latest vehicles.
Continual investment in the extensive hire fleet has become a major company strategy. As customer requirements change, coupled with the increased demands of health and safety, updating the hire fleet to meet the latest regulations is a vital factor in the companies future.
Londonderry Garage is also heavily involved in the North's top waste and recycling trade show as sponsor and host of the annual “Londonderry Show”. Fully supported by the CIWM, next year's show - the 27th - will take place on July 11th and 12th.
The other arm of the business – Exelby Services, is also flourishing. Established in 1976, the fuel business expanded to include sites on the A19 – south of Teesside, the Golden Fleece motorway facility on junction 42 of the M6 near Carlisle and at Castleford with the Whitwood Truckstop off junction 31 of the M62. Each of the sites, including the head office at Londonderry, were designed with trucks in mind and the facilities reflect this. Most of the sites have extensive forecourt shops, rest facilities and truck parking.
The company now handles over 140 million litres of diesel each year through the five sites and stores fuel for most of the major transport, distribution and fuel card companies in the UK. This makes Exelby Services one of the largest independent bunkering suppliers in the country.