A TRANSPORT business which started out with one yellow lorry and now operates from six distribution centres with more than 300 staff is celebrating 50 years on the road.

Potter Logistics has reached the milestone anniversary following five decades featuring several acquisitions and joint ventures in the logistics, property and material recycling sectors.

The business was founded in 1965, near Thirsk, as Topcliffe Transport Company, with a single truck carrying grain and fertiliser on local routes.

Potter Logistics now specialises in the chemical, agricultural, pharmaceutical and food industries, with six distribution centres in York, Selby, Ripon, Knowsley, Ely and Droitwich, and two rail freight terminals.

Founder and executive chairman Derrick Potter said: "I started Potter Logistics with a vision of a ‘friendly and can do attitude’ transport and distribution business.

"This has now become a reality and the scope of our services has expanded over the years to establish a high quality and professional logistics company that has not forgotten its original ethos."

Six years after it was formed the company moved to larger premises in Rainton, before a year later acquiring a 41.5 acre site at Melmerby.

Later developments include acquiring a base in Stamford, then purchasing GG Papworth in Cambridgeshire, a MOD facility near Droitwich, a former British Sugar site at Ely, then the former British Sugar site at Selby.

The Potter Group was formally established in 1985, combining Topcliffe Transport Company, Melmerby Industrial Estate Limited, Ardingcross Ltd, G G Papworth Ltd and Selby Storage and Freight Company Ltd.

The group later acquired a rail facility and began a joint rail venture, and in 2012 it acquired York-based House of James.

Speaking about the anniversary Matthew Lamb, Potter Logistics manager director said: "We will be marking this fantastic event throughout the year, with special changes to our vehicle livery, additions to our fleet, with new Mercedes Benz Antos vehicles, and with staff and customer festivities that will culminate in September with a company celebration at Doncaster race course.”