Eddie Stobart, the founder of the iconic trucking firm, was born in 1929 in Cumbria and worked as a farmer before launching his transport business – which became a household name

Eddie Stobart – the founder of the iconic trucking firm – has died aged 95, his representatives have confirmed.

Mr Stobart, who was born on April 18, 1929, passed away on 25 November, it was revealed.

The famed businessman grew up on a farm in Hesket Newmarket, south of Carlisle, Cumbria, and initially, in 1946, he set up a small agriculture business that carried out contract work for farms and distributed fertiliser.

In 1960, he bought his first lorry – a Guy Invincible four-wheeler truck – second-hand from a local garage, and had it painted in his choice of colours – post office red and Brunswick green.

After winning business collecting and storing basic slag – a waste product of steelworks used as fertiliser – he expanded his firm and it became Eddie Stobart Limited in 1970. The small company had just eight lorries and 12 employees when it launched but it now operates more than 2,500 vehicles.

Despite sitting at the head of the company, Mr Stobart had taken a back seat in the business over the last few decades. His youngest son Edward took over the firm in the 1970s aged just 21 while trying to make a name of his own and turned it into the haulage giant it is today.

Alongside being one of the best established haulage firms in the country, Eddie Stobart is also famous for allowing drivers to name the truck to which they are assigned – a tradition started by Mr Stobart himself.

Mr Stobart wanted his trucks to be known for more than their deliveries and chose to start a tradition of naming them after women. Names like “Maggie”, “Betty” and “Rosie” fascinated the general public when they hit the road, with people stopping to take pictures of the vehicles.

Modern Eddie Stobart trucks have closer connections to their drivers, and have a much broader range of names that come from multiple countries. Among the modern names that have been spotted on the roads are Finnish Tuula Karina, Welsh Angharad, and even Optimus Prime after the head Autobot in the Transformers franchise.

Some names are more statements in nature, including Saoirse Erin, an Irish name that translates to “Free Ireland”. The tradition has given Eddie Stobart a cult following in the UK, with multiple fan clubs popping up online that follow the interesting naming schemes.

Heartbroken members of the public who have long followed the business’ trajectory have posted touching tributes online, with many celebrating Mr Stobart’s titanic impact on British business.

One Facebook user wrote: “Another end of iconic era of British business. RIP Sir you gave thousands and thousands of ordinary folk great pleasure collecting your lovely truck names on long journeys through the years. Let’s hope the name can remain.”

Another social media user reacting to the news added: “Aww. Iconic brand. Love collecting truck names whenever I’m on a motorway trip. Inspirational company.”

Lead Image Credit: PA