Is going ‘green’ the key to getting people to invest in haulage? Biglorryblog merely asks as armed with the idea of operating a fleet of vehicles which are 100% Bio-Diesel, newly formed haulage company, JPM Eco Logistics has recently appeared on the BBC television programme ‘Dragons Den’. And after pitching their business plan to the panel of five business gurus, the Rochdale-based company has received £100,000 investment from two of Britain’s top venture capitalists, Deborah Meadon and Theo Paphitis.
Good luck to them I say and with over 30 years experience in the haulage industry, joint MDs Jerry Mantalvanos and Paul Merker, co–founders of the ‘eco friendly’ haulage company --- are clearly going into the new business venture with their eyes wide open—unlike many other Dragon fodder….. Whether they achieve their goal of being the “most cost effective and environmentally-aware transport company in the UK” will be interesting to see.
JPM Eco’s trucks will run on 100% Bio-Diesel which they say produces no greenhouse gases and therefore no contribution to global warming, and in doing so the company want to set an example to others in the industry. It seems that, having thought of the idea, Jerry and Paul not only had to find a manufacturer that could supply ‘eco friendly’ vehicles (step forward Volvo), but also required assistance with capital to set up the business. Step into the Dragon’s den…oohhh errr.
Although BLB missed the TV Show I’m told that after pitching their idea to the five ‘dragons’, four of them immediately wanted to invest in the company. Paul commented, “The interest from the panel was very pleasing and we are now extremely proud to have two of the Dragons, Deborah Meadon and Theo Paphitis, on board with us.”
Both ‘business gurus’ now have a 10% share in the business, and will look to give their knowledge and expertise to help the company become established in the industry. Since it started in June this year, Jerry and Paul have not only acquired a number of conquest business, but have also taken delivery of three Euro-5 Volvo FH 480s (there’s one pictured above) which have been adapted by local dealer Thomas Hardie to operate 100% Bio-Diesel.
Being green doesn’t mean you have to wear a hair shirt either as FH-480’s have included I-Shift autos, a ‘Globetrotter XL’ cab and ‘Prestige’ Trim. Meanwhile, Paul tells me: “Although a number of manufacturers and companies are using part Bio-Diesel as a trial, we believe that running vehicles at ‘100 %’ will change the face of bulk transportation.”
So are they set to make other hauliers ‘green’ with envy? BLB will watch JPM’s progress with interest…
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