Nicholls Transport

Family Values…

Our values are simple and haven’t changed in over half a century of service - we work hard to earn our customers respect. We love to please our customers, we are always reliable and we always try to go the extra mile.

From left to right, Alex, Paul , Maggie and Jo Nicholls.

E H NICHOLLS JNR LTD

ESTABLISHED WEDNESDAY, 11TH OCTOBER, 1967

This is our second Yard, circa 1973

Three generations of hard work, know how and innovation

Three generations of hard work, know how and innovation. Unfortunately, whilst constructing this website Ernie passed away but his legacy lives on.

Ernie Nicholls secured his Hire and Reward Licence at the age of 19 in 1957 when he purchased a special A licence. “Hire and reward” was a brave new post nationalism concept back then but Ernie saw the opportunity and started the business.

Ernie Nicholls, Founder

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Celebrating over 50 Years of Service…

Proud to be a family owned and operated. our personal touch - our independent business is built on the strongest family values, hard work and a commitment to customer service that’s the same today as it was over 50 years ago. We don't often look back at Nicholls. There isn't the time! but after 50 years of service we would like to thank all the clients, staff and people who have helped us along the way so here’s a little of our history...

Ernie Nicholls started trading as a sole trader in Rainham at age 21 from his fathers farm house yard at station road (Sittingbourne). His main business was transporting fruit and vegetables to Covent Garden	1961	1961

As the company was ever expanding, Nicholls became a Limited Company operating with 11 vehicles	1967	1967	As the company was ever expanding, Nicholls became a Limited Company operating with 11 vehicles

Ernie started buying ERFs.	1970	1970

	1978	1978	Business was expanding, Ernie had outgrown the Rainham yard, being in a position to purchase his own premises, Ernie purchased a yard called 'Lybrook Close' from a company called Measday Bros Ltd, the yard was originally a builder's yard.

During the early 80s, Lydbrook was now developed. The 5.5 acre site was redeveloped with concreted grounds, a warehouse, fuel pumps and a boundary fence. It was a very secure operating headquarters. During the redevelopment, Lydbrook was noticed by local businesses. Ernie was able to secure long term business contracts with Bowater's exclusively. ERF vehicles were very supportive of the business and Ernie's fleet	1980	1980

	1981	1981	We started venturing into and developing, import and export business through our Bowaters Contracts. Richard Nicholls was also appointed as Transport Manager.

Developed European business	1984	1984	Developed European business

Nicholls was now Operating a 250k sq ft facility. Business with Bowaters was going from strength to strength, they asked Ernie to purchase a 12 acre site for exclusive Bowaters use. Nicholls were now offering warehousing, providing total logistics to Bowaters and others.	1986	1986

	1988	1988	Paul Nicholls appointed supervisor in the Wharf site.

Richard Nicholls was appointed as Transport Director and Paul Nicholls appointed as Warehouse Director. Extension of transport and storage contract awarded with the now renamed UK Paper.	1991	1991

Purchase of Pheasant Farm site.	1994	1994	Purchase of Pheasant Farm site.

	1995	1995	Paul Nicholls appointed as Managing Director

Ernie retires	1995	1995	Ernie retires

Redevelopment of the Wharf Site into Retail Park	1998	1998	Redevelopment of the Wharf Site into Retail Park

Homebase and McDonalds open at Retail Park Maggie Nicholls becomes a director	1999	1999	Homebase and McDonalds open at Retail Park Maggie Nicholls becomes a director

Sittingbourne Retail Park Incorporated and starts trading.	2000	2000	Sittingbourne Retail Park Incorporated and starts trading.

Darren Sherlock appointed as Finance Director	2001	2001	Darren Sherlock appointed as Finance Director

Start of Nestle Imports and increased business with Pet food from France	2003	2003	Start of Nestle Imports and increased business with Pet food from France

First Nicholls regional depot set up at Bardon Hill, Leicester	2004	2004	First Nicholls regional depot set up at Bardon Hill, Leicester

Business carries on expanding. Major increase in European Import Work	2005	2005	Business carries on expanding. Major increase in European Import Work

Alex Nicholls takes up a full-time position in the company. Company took the option on a 29-acre site in North Sittingbourne alongside A249 Set up a second regional depot in Buxton	2008	2008	Alex Nicholls takes up a full-time position in the company. Company took the option on a 29-acre site in North Sittingbourne alongside A249 Set up a second regional depot in Buxton

Drivers CPC introduced with onsite training	2009	2009	Drivers CPC introduced with onsite training

	2010	2010	Three regional depots in place, Buxton, Coalville and Sutton Coldfield

Continued growth and new contracts saw the purchase of 12 additional trucks.	2011	2011

	2013	2013	Started first walking floor operation

New site fully built - Took occupancy in October	2014	2014

	2015	2015	Extension to new site due to business growth

20 walking floor trailers purchased and added to the fleet	2015	2015	20 walking floor trailers purchased and added to the fleet

The 100th truck added to our fleet	2016	2016

Alex Nicholls appointed Operations Director	2016	2016	Alex Nicholls appointed Operations Director

	2017	2017	"I'm delighted how the company has grown over the last 50 years and I'm looking forward to the continued success in our family run business."

Numerous new contracts and sold Lydbrook Close site	2018	2018	Numerous new contracts and sold Lydbrook Close site

Invested in 10 gas vehicles and only gas refuelling station in the Southeast on site	2019	2019

	2020	2020	Purchased new site in Coalville. Winners of the prestigious GREENFLEET “Fleet of the Year” for reduction in CO2. Paul listed in top 100people for reducing CO2 emissions

27 gas trucks in Fleet. DFDS commence ferry service into Sheerness.	2021	2021

Phase 3 development with further extension of Logistics Park	2022	2022	Phase 3 development with further extension of Logistics Park