Eddie Stobart, Founder of Iconic Lorry Firm, Dies at 95
Eddie Stobart, the founder of one of the UK's most renowned haulage companies, has passed away at the age of 95.
Born in Cumbria in 1929, Stobart founded his namesake haulage company in 1946, initially focusing on fertiliser distribution. By the 1960s, he had purchased his first lorry and repainted it in the now-famous post office red and Brunswick green.
Stobart's company experienced rapid growth throughout the 1970s, with his son, Edward, taking over the business in 1973. Under Edward’s leadership, the company expanded into an international logistics firm with over 1,000 vehicles by the early 2000s.
The firm became synonymous with the distinctive green and red lorries, and “Stobart spotting” became a nationwide phenomenon, with fans tracking the trucks on Britain’s motorways. The company also garnered cultural attention, with a biography, The Eddie Stobart Story, and the release of the Wurzels' song "I Wanna Be an Eddie Stobart Driver" to celebrate the company’s 25th anniversary. At its peak, the Eddie Stobart fan club had 25,000 members.
The company, now simply known as Stobart, is currently owned by the Culina Group, and the tradition of naming lorries has ceased.
Stobart’s influence extended beyond business. He was a devout Christian who met his wife, Nora, at a Bible rally in Carlisle, and the couple married in 1951. After retiring in the 1970s, they lived near Carlisle and were active in their local church.
Eddie Stobart is survived by his daughter, Anne, and son, William.
