Our History

1941

Nellie Grocott sets up her livestock haulage company, N. Grocott, in Prees, Shropshire

1951

Current Grocontinental Chairman, Ray Grocott, joins the business

1964

N. Grocott is incorporated and becomes N. Grocott & Son Limited.

1966

First continental trip to Mannheim, Germany to transport poultry cages.

1967

Following outbreak of foot and mouth, company diversifies into carrying salt, coal and eggs

1969

Nellie Grocott dies.  Ray Grocott takes charge of running the company

1972

N Grocott & Son joins forces with North Western Farmers, an agricultural co-operative. Ray Grocott becomes Managing Director of The Grocott Group, incorporating N, Grocott & Son, Bougheys, Plants of Gnosall and Howley Transport, with a base at Higher Heath, Shropshire

1970s

Grocott Group transport flourishes – large contract with Kronospan, Chirk to transport chipboard

1974

Grocott Group purchases first MAN truck – liveried in the company’s now trademark purple

1974

First trip to Middle East – transporting earth movers from engineering giant Rubery Owen.  Contract comprised 76 trips, each taking five weeks and covering 8,000 miles

1977

Rose Grocott, Ray’s wife, takes over the cattle haulage business from North Western Farmers under the name of J. R. Grocott

1978

Current Managing Director, David Grocott, joins the business to drive for his mother’s cattle haulage business

1981

Ray splits from North Western Farmers and establishes Grocontinental

1982

First computer system installed

1987

Ray’s daughter and now Managing Director, Linda Grocott, joins Grocontinental

1980s

Company develops chilled warehousing and commences cheese collections from local farms.

Refrigerated transportation commences with yoghurt from Germany.

Abnormal loads were the currency of the day.

1993

New distribution centre opens at Higher Heath for Muller

1996

Mϋller occupies over 75% of Higher Heath site

1996

First frozen storage warehouse containing 12,000 pallet spaces opens at new headquarters site located in Whitchurch, Shropshire

2001

Two new multi-temperature warehouses constructed.

Range of specialist services developed including blast freezing, re-packing, labelling, ingredient sorting.

2002

New warehouse added

2003

Two new warehouses constructed

2004

Grocontinental wins Motor Transport Haulier of the Year and Shropshire Business of the Year

2005

Opening of four new warehouses

2009

Company invests £6 million in new fleet and expansion of warehouse capacity by 17,000 pallets, with the construction of a new 80,000 sq ft temperature-controlled warehouse

2011

Turf cut for new 8,000 pallet dry goods store

Grocontinental celebrates 70th Anniversary.

2011

Company crowned Motor Transport Haulier of the Year

2012

New 8,000 pallet warehouse opens

Construction begins on a new 13,000 frozen store

2013

Owen Paterson, Secretary of State for the Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and MP for North Shropshire officially opens new 8,000 pallet frozen warehouse.

Grocontinental named Company of the Year Award at the 2013 Shropshire Business Awards - the only company to take home the top prize for a second time.

2013

Driver Brian Evans celebrates 40 years with the company

2014

Plans unveiled for £11m investment in 22,000 pallet chilled warehouse, 50 new vehicles and 20 refrigerated trailers.

Shortlisted for two major awards at the annual Oscars of the road transport industry, The Motor Transport Awards: Business Excellence and Temperature Controlled Operator of the Year. 

2015

The Grocott Family Charitable Trust builds new £1m medical practice for the Shropshire village of Prees after the surgery is threatened with closure

2015

Chairman, Ray Grocott, receives a special award from Shropshire Chamber of Commerce to honour his services to the Shropshire community

2016

Company celebrates 75th Anniversary.

Largest warehouse to-date opens - 32,000 pallet spaces of chilled storage.

Driver Eric Edwards honoured for 40 years’ service with the company.

2017

December - Grocontiental joins AGRO Merchants Group.