Driving tomorrow’s change: Farrall’s Group on building a greener legacy

It’s a crisp morning in Chester. The streets are just beginning to stir as one of Farrall’s Group’s newest trucks glides quietly through the city centre. Unlike the diesel engines that powered the company’s early years, this DAF XB electric HGV hums almost silently—no exhaust, no fumes, just smooth motion.

For passersby, it’s just another delivery vanishing into traffic. For Farrall’s Group, a third-generation family business, it represents the future.

Founded in 1956 by Eddie Farrall, the company has grown from a single truck to a logistics network serving customers across the UK. Today, Eddie’s grandchildren—Matthew and Kat Farrall—are shaping the next chapter. Matthew leads as Managing Director, while Kat drives the financial and strategic direction as Finance Director. Together, they are carrying forward the resilience of their grandfather’s vision while embedding sustainability at the core of the business.

“Our Grandad taught us that hard work and reliability are the foundation of success,” says Matthew. “Now our job is to build on that by ensuring this business thrives in a world where sustainability is no longer optional—it’s essential.”

Planting roots for the future

The first big step in this journey was not about vehicles or depots, but about planting seeds—literally.

The Farrall’s Group Family Forest has so far seen over 1,700 trees planted across 15 acres. As they mature, the trees will absorb the equivalent of one year’s worth of the company’s carbon emissions while creating habitats for wildlife.

For Matthew, it was about more than offsetting:

“The forest is a symbol of growth. It’s something physical our family and our staff can walk through and say: this is what the future looks like.”

Kat agrees, adding a different angle: “From a financial and cultural perspective, the forest was a smart first step. It’s a relatively modest investment, but it builds momentum. People see the trees growing year on year, and it makes sustainability real.”

Harnessing the sun

If the forest was about symbolism, solar power was about substance. In December 2023, Farrall’s Group installed nearly 1,400 solar panels across its Deeside depot, generating 310,000 kWh of clean energy annually. Soon after, the system was expanded to a 552 kWp array, supplying renewable power for the site and its electric fleet.

“Our grandfather never could have imagined our depot running on sunlight,” Matthew says with a smile. “But it’s the kind of bold step we need to take if we’re serious about net zero.”

Kat brings in the financial perspective: “For me, it was also about resilience. Energy prices are volatile. By generating our own power, we’re insulating the business against shocks. Sustainability and financial security go hand in hand.”

Quiet deliveries, cleaner streets

The next leap came in 2024 with the introduction of the first DAF XB electric HGV to the fleet. Powered directly by the solar panels at Deeside, it’s used primarily for urban deliveries around Chester.

“Driving it feels completely different,” says Matthew. “It’s quiet, smooth, and safer with its advanced technology. Every mile we cover is another step toward proving logistics can be clean and efficient.”

For customers, the benefits are obvious: reduced emissions, quieter streets, and proof that sustainable deliveries are not just a concept but a daily reality.

Recognition and responsibility

In November 2024, Farrall’s Group was awarded the Excellence in Sustainability Award by the West Cheshire & North Wales Chamber of Commerce.

“Recognition like this is important because it validates the effort,” Kat explains. “It shows that even as a regional, family-run business, we can lead by example in an industry often seen as slow to change.”

Lessons learned on the road

Looking back, Farrall’s Group offer some advice to other businesses—family-run or otherwise—considering their own sustainability journey:

Matthew Farrall, Managing Director of Farrall’s Group

1. Define your purpose.

“For us, sustainability means resilience and legacy,” says Matthew.

2. Take it in steps. “We didn’t start with electric trucks—we built up to it with projects like the forest and solar,” Kat notes.

3. Bring your people along.

“Our team take pride in pointing out the solar panels or the forest. That pride drives culture,” Matthew adds.

4. See the financial case. “Sustainability reduces long-term costs and risks. Don’t overlook that,” Kat stresses.

5. Celebrate progress. “Share your story openly. It inspires others and builds customer trust,” Matthew says.

A family legacy, evolving

From Eddie’s single truck in the 1950s to solar-powered depots and electric HGVs in the 2020s, Farrall’s Group is proof that family businesses can adapt, innovate, and thrive.

Eddie remains proud of the transformation:

“I never imagined we’d be talking about solar panels and electric wagons,” he reflects. “But seeing Matthew and Kat take this business forward makes me certain we’re in good hands.”

For the siblings, the journey is deeply personal.

“This isn’t just a company to us—it’s our family’s legacy,” says Matthew. “Our responsibility is to hand it to the next generation stronger and more sustainable than we found it.”

Kat nods in agreement:

“When you grow up in a family business, you feel that weight of responsibility. But it’s also an opportunity. We get to shape a company that our children and grandchildren will be proud of—and that’s what drives us.”

On that crisp Chester morning, as the electric truck hums quietly past shopfronts and pedestrians, one thing is clear: Farrall’s Group isn’t just moving goods. They’re moving a family legacy— and an entire industry—toward a greener, more sustainable future.