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- Bassett's of Tittensor - Five Generations of Road Transport
R.G. Bassett & Sons Ltd, based at Transport House, Tittensor near Stoke, is a name which has been familiar to generations of local folk. Today Bassett's is a market leader in the provision of U.K. Road Haulage, Warehousing and Driver Training Services.
The story of Bassett's in transport began in 1897 with the founder of the firm, Joseph Bassett. Joseph lived and worked at Strongford Farm, between Trentham and Tittensor. He was a Victorian gentleman farmer who, inspired by the spirit of the age, saw relief from the drudgery of the land by letting steam power take the strain. But he went a step further than most, first becoming an agricultural contractor, and later a road bulder.
From these early solid foundations the Company has, through vision, determination and the hard work of Joseph, his direct descendants Leonard John, Reginald (Reg) and the present Managing Directors, Leonard and Ashley Bassett, developed in to one of the region's leading providers of quality road haulage, warehousing and transport industry training services.
Transport services evolve in many ways, as do the customers to which their services relate. Towards the end of the twentieth century, the Company saw the demise of many of its established industrial and manufacturing partners which it had been proud to serve for most of that era. Industries such as steel, tyres, pottery and mining were all significant contributors to both the local economy and Bassett's traffic portfolio. Regrettably those are now valued memories and reserved for the history books.
The intervening years have presented many opportunities and challenges in respect of all operational aspects of the family Company. Vehicle technology deveoped from a humble beginning using horses and carts to steam powered vehicles. Then petrol engines gave way to modern day diesel-engine lorries, which have capacities up to 480 brake horse power, operating to Euro 5 specification. This environmentally friendly equipment assists the delivery of consolidated part and full loads of up to 28 tonnes throughout Great Britain, either on a dedicated or spot-hire basis.
The majority of goods are transported by the Company's own dedicated modern fleet of 35 vehicles and 60 trailers which encompasses a comprehensive range of vehicle specifications to facilitate the wide-ranging service requirements of Bassett's extensive customer base.
Undoubtedly the strength of the Company has always been its ability, flexibility and sustained willingness to encompass change in every area of its operations. In order to offer clients the opportunity to deliver to all parts of the country on a next-day basis, Bassett's became a founder member-shareholder of Palletforce plc in 2001. The Company is one of the largest inputters of pallets into the Palletforce network which incorporates 90 members located nationwide and provides access to a combined fleet of over 4,000 vehicles.
In 2008 members of the fifth generation of the family, Claire and Laurence Bassett were appointed as Directors of R.G. Bassett & Sons Ltd. They joined an experienced and innovative management team totally dedicated to the sustained provision of high standards of quality service at cost effective rates. Whilst current operations are focused around general road transport and its logisitcal parallels, Bassett's, over its long history, has successfully diversified into passenger transport (Bassett's Coachways Ltd: 1949-2003) and also moved into international haulage, having acquired the operating assets of Beresford Transport Ltd in 1996.
During the Company's long history, Bassett's has been proud and privileged to have employed many local people, who have greatly assisted in the provision of a professional service to both the traditional and emerging industries of North Staffordshire.
Today, still a family-run Company after more than a century in business, Bassett's looks forward to working with its valued clients across all industry sectors, to service their transport requirements, and facilitate the progressive development of logistical partnerships to meet the challenges of the twenty first century.
Joseph Bassett, who founded the firm when Queen Victoria still reigned, would surely have been astonished and proud to see what his successors have achieved.
From the Bassett Group Holdings Ltd. website
Len & Ashley Bassett
Ideally situated in the "Heart of England", Bassett Group Holdings Ltd. is a market leader in the provision of U.K. and European Coach Travel, Road Haulage, Warehousing and Driver Training Services.
A family business, founded in 1897, Bassetts proudly provides ISO 9002 approved quality service to its customers, both in the U.K. and in Western Europe. We maintain a first class fleet of Coaches and Road Haulage Vehicles, serviced to the highest standards in our own on site workshops. Take a look around our site. We look forward to being of service to you.
Evening Sentinel, Wednesday, May 25, 1988
In Character
Musical way of conducting big business
By. Alan Cookman
At 75, the mellow and avuncular boss of the giant Bassett transport group may now seen an unlikely cupid.
Yet generations of North Staffordshire couples were sent quickstepping to the altar under the obliging baton of Reg Bassett.
The former resident bandleader at Trentham Gardens was the Joe Loss of North Staffordshire for over 50 years. New ballroom fashions and rhythms came and went, but Reg Bassett was immovable.
It all started in the 1930?s when his mother organized a dance in the local Tittensor school to raise funds for a new village hall.
?They were stuck for a band,? Says Reg. ?I?d played the drums in the cadets at Alleyne?s School, so I volunteered to get some pals together. We were a big success.?
Gigs at village halls in and around Stone followed, and during World War Two Reg and the boys entertained the troops and factory workers. Later came success in the Melody Maker band contest and engagements in two halls and ballrooms across the North and the Midlands.
The original five-piece band had grown to a 15-piece orchestra when the legendary Geraldo, then resident musical director at Trentham Gardens, signed them up in the Fifties.
?Jackie Trent was one of our singers, and we played alongside bands like Harry Roy, Ted Heath, Joe Loss, Victor Sylvester and Ivy Benson,? says Reg, who finally put away his baton in 1978 on doctor?s orders.
?I loved every minute of it. For me it was a relaxation, an escape from the pressures of business. I was really touched by all the letters I received when I retired. I got messages from people all over the country.
?Now we get together twice a years, with some top class musicians from Manchester, to play the Lord Mayor?s Ball and the Lady Mayoress?s Ball.?
If Reg Bassett?s band-leading days are all but over, he is still firmly in control at the Tittensor headquarters of what is one of Britain?s biggest independent haulage companies.
Founded by his grandfather, Joseph Bassett, who operated horses and carts, steam rollers and heavy traction engines from Strongford Farm, the business was expanded by Reg?s father, Leonard Bassett.
When Leonard died in 1934 at the age of 48, Reg inherited a fleet of 15 vehicles. ?I was only 22, but I already had plenty of experience in haulage,? he says.
During the next 50 years, the family concern grew into a vast operation, with 75 lorries, 200 trailers, 23 coaches and an annual turnover of between £3 and £4 million.
Reg, whose wife Marjorie still works full-time at the sprawling complex beside the A34, runs the business with sons Leonard (42) and Ashley (40). He seldom takes a holiday and, at 75, still puts in 12 hours a day.
Road transport has come a long way since Leonard Bassett hauled boilers and bricks by iron-wheeled traction engines before the Great War. Today, for example, a modern unit and trailer can cost well over £50,000.
A grandfather of five, whose interests outside music and transport include a passion for model railways, Reg Bassett now has the contented air of a man who has achieved outstanding success in two widely contrasting fields.
Yet the two can overlap ? for thousands of people, the sight of a Bassett?s wagon or bus still evokes fond memories of the foxtrot, the cha cha cha or the twist on the Trentham Gardens dance floor.
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Bassett Family Association Database
1912 - 1991 (78 years)