The latest instalment of Ian Lawson’s Looking Back is Kirkcaldy-based Andrew Wishart & Sons.
They travelled all across mainland Europe and northern Africa delivering a range of goods, most notably cabling and satellite equipment as well as tyres from the now-closed Continental factory in Newbridge with their traditional blue and red livery.
The business commenced trading around 1913, and just failed to survive long enough to celebrate 100 years as the company was put into liquidation in 2010.
In a back issue of Commercial Motor dated 29th July 1999, it was reported the firm ran with 25 tractive units and 60 trailers.
Speaking at the time was William Wishart, who was the joint managing director along with his brother Andrew.
The firm had its own workshop until 1985, and now looked to replace vehicles every four years as the warranty ran out.
He added that three-quarters of its work was overseas and pointed out that cabling and US satellite companies were widespread in the district, and the company had the necessary equipment to get this gear to customers throughout Europe.
For more go to: https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/29th-july-1999/47/andrew-wishart-sons
The company also contributed in a 1967 feature called ‘Why go continental?’ https://archive.commercialmotor.com/article/7th-july-1967/76/why-go-continental
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