WINTER 2025 ISSUE 28
Customer Case Study - Minor, Weir & Willis
Industry Legend - Ian Fleming (CJ Lang)
Gray & Adams Win Bidcorp UK Business Impact Award 2025
DIRECTOR’S INTRODUCTION
As we bring 2025 to a close, the scale of our collective effort stands out. This year has been shaped by major achievements, meaningful partnerships and the steady, day-to-day commitment of our people.
In this edition of the newsletter, we celebrate some business successes from 2025. Page 4 discusses the success of winning Trailer of the Year and Innovation awards at the TCS&D awards and page 5 features our Bidcorp UK Business Impact Award accolade.
It is, of course, the support of our customers that has allowed Gray & Adams to grow into the business it is today and achieve these accolades. Pages 8 and 9 explore how Gray & Adams has helped drive sustainability and performance with Noble Foods and Sunswap. We were pleased to deliver the first lifting-deck trailer to Royal Mail with 20 more due in 2026 (page 10). Also on page 10 we shared a valuable customer insight from Co-op. This edition also included a customer case study for Minor, Weir & Willis whose dedication to heritage, quality, innovation, and responsible growth aligns closely with Gray & Adams (pages 16-17).
At Gray & Adams, we value our people, they are what keeps the business moving forward and have been an important part of our story for over 65 years. On page 6 we interview Stuart Martin, Sales Director for Gray & Adams Ireland, who has completed 40 years’ service with the company. Page 7 sees us feature the retirement of Tom Taylor, as we delve into his journey with the company, from starting as a Welder and working his way up to Managing Director of our Doncaster depot.
As we approach Christmas, a time for celebration and giving, Gray & Adams Dunfermline is proud to support the Toy Appeal and give back to those in need this festive season (page 18).
Our Dunfermline depot has also proudly been sponsoring a young equestrian Brooke York, daughter of Buyer Expeditor at Gray & Adams Sarah Yorke, through her 2025 showing season (page 11).
On pages 12 and 13 we were pleased to speak with industry legend Ian Fleming, Distribution Operation Manager at CJ Lang. Ian, who is retiring at the end of 2025 tells of us his career journey with CJ Lang and discussed how his guidance has shaped the company’s fleet strategy and nurtured long-term partnerships, such as with Gray & Adams.
Page 14 features Davy Smith’s review of quality throughout 2025, and page 15 outlines the continued enhancements in workplace safety through HSE compliance from the perspective of HSE Manager, Chris Grieve.
We close the year with a number of well-earned celebrations. Retirement spotlights follow across pages 19 to 24, recognising colleagues including Rita Buchan, Ian Johnston, Brian Allan, Allan West, Jim Duncan, William Clark and Brian Wood. Staff spotlights on pages 25-27 highlight the contributions of Carrie Bennett and James Hendry and the brilliant work they are doing for the business.
We would like to thank our customers for their support not only this year but across the decades, and we look forward to strengthening these relationships as we head into 2026. We would also like to thank our factory operatives, office personnel and product support personnel in Fraserburgh, Dunfermline, Doncaster and Ireland for their dedication to the company and to our customers.
With Christmas and 2026 on the horizon we would like to wish our staff and their families the very best for Christmas and the New Year.
James Gray OBE and Peter Gray OBE Joint Managing Directors
Gray & Adams Recognised for Excellence at TCSD 2025
Gray & Adams returned to the NEC in Birmingham for this year’s TCS&D Show, held on 9-10 September 2025. With a striking stand and two standout vehicle exhibits, the event offered a great opportunity to connect with customers and showcase the latest in temperature-controlled transport innovation.
On display was a Creed rigid, built to meet the highest standards of performance and reliability. Alongside it, the Coop urban trailer demonstrated how Gray & Adams continues to lead in efficient, practical design for last-mile and urban logistics. Both trailers drew strong interest from visitors throughout the two days, highlighting the company’s ongoing reputation for quality engineering and customerfocused solutions.
The celebrations continued at the TCS&D Awards evening, where Gray & Adams proudly accepted two major accolades: Trailer of the Year 2025 and the Innovation Award. These achievements build on an outstanding track record, with the company having received the Refrigerated Trailer of the Year nine times and the Innovation Award four times since 2016.
These wins are a testament to Gray & Adams’ continued commitment to excellence, innovation, and collaboration across the temperature-controlled sector. The team extends sincere thanks to all customers, suppliers, colleagues, and event organisers who continue to support and celebrate the company’s progress.
Gray & Adams Win Bidcorp UK Business Impact Award 2025
Gray & Adams is proud to have been recognised once again by Bidcorp UK, this year receiving the Business Impact Award.
Bidcorp UK, which includes Bidfood UK, has been a valued customer of Gray & Adams for over 30 years. As one of the UK’s leading foodservice providers, Bidcorp delivers to more than 40,000 customers across sectors such as hospitality, education, workplace, travel and leisure.
The Business Impact Award celebrates suppliers who have demonstrated exceptional support and delivered measurable results for Bidcorp UK. In their announcement, Bidcorp UK praised Gray & Adams for our proactive approach and commitment to collaboration, which has been instrumental in meeting vehicle procurement targets, managing third-party delays, and keeping their operations running smoothly.
A Bidcorp UK representative said:
“Gray & Adams consistently stand by our side to deal with the inevitable challenges that come with managing multiple supply chains as part of vehicle builds. They have effectively worked with us to minimise operational disruptions and demonstrate a collaborative and solution-focused approach.
The representative adds,
"A special thank you to the whole team and specifically to Geoff Potter, Chris Pearce, Derek Murray and Graham Carribine. Through their dedication, responsiveness, and commitment to excellence, Gray & Adams has delivered significant business impact, strengthened our operations, and proven to be an invaluable partner, making them highly deserving of the Business Impact Award.”
This latest recognition follows Gray & Adams’ 2024 win as Bidcorp UK’s Supplier of the Year and further underlines the strength of the partnership between the two businesses. The award highlights Gray & Adams’ continued dedication to reliability, innovation, and customer-focused service in delivering high-quality, temperature-controlled vehicle solutions.
Stuart Martin Reflects on 40 Years at Gray & Adams
At Gray & Adams, we are proud of our people and the lifelong career opportunities we can offer them. Testament to this, the business has many long-serving members of staff who have been with us for years. We caught up with Stuart Martin, Sales Director of Gray & Adams Ireland as he reflects on his 40-year career with the company.
What first attracted you to Gray & Adams back in the early days of your career?
I began my career working for the local Mercedes Benz truck distributor for Northern Ireland in the mid 1980’s and purchased equipment from Harry McEwan, the original Managing Director of Gray & Adams Ireland. He encouraged me to apply for the sales role and whilst I did not know much about the company, I was impressed with a very high-quality product that was so much better than any competitor.The fact that I had the whole of Ireland as a sales territory gave me huge potential at such a young age. It was too good an opportunity to miss!
How have you evolved in your career during your time with the company?
Harry was “old school”, very capable, experienced, firm in his approach but fair and generous. In the early years you had to learn quickly, absorb a lot of detail and deal with a wide variety of customers. Looking back, it was a tough environment but a great experience. Learning so much at an early age and being given a large amount of personal autonomy equipped me for the latter years.
Do you have a career highlight?
I can’t really think of a single highlight but rather a series events that led me to a 40-year career. Naturally any job over such a time span has its ups and downs, I worked with Billy Dougan who was the Managing Director for 25 years and he built a great team of people, we had plenty of fun to make up for the difficult days, and the months and years rolled by.
Which innovation or development has had the biggest impact on your work?
We had the change from 24 pallet to 26 pallet capacity at the end of the 1990 and that gave a welcome boost. The development of multi temperature refrigeration units created a new dimension and changed how we configured and sold rigid bodies as well as trailers.
In the early years most of the trailers sold for the Irish market were meat railers to serve a thriving export market, the move towards vacuum packed, individual portions ready for the supermarket shelves radically changed the type of trailer and market we sold to. As new ranges of food products were developed, legislative changes meant that much of it had to be delivered in a temperature-controlled environment and this also widened our scope and customer base.
Double deckers were gaining popularity and whilst my colleagues in GB enjoyed success with that product, it did not always suit our market in Ireland, so we continued to refine and update conventional rigid and trailer products whilst keeping an eye on latest developments.
I am open minded about the current developments in transport refrigeration, many new products such as axle drive, battery storage, units being powered by solar panels etc have come to the market, some will succeed and other will fall by the wayside. The key for us is to continually change and adapt to the market conditions.
Is there any person who has influenced your career most within the business?
Perhaps I have answered part of this already having worked with Harry and Billy. I have always been interested in people, what their job entails, what their company does and how it all fits. Having worked with such a wide variety of people in the food and haulage industry I have met some fantastic characters and many knowledgeable and great people. All of those experiences and knowledge help shape you and how you interact within the industry.
What keeps you motivated after 40 years?
When I was 19, I met the Leyland truck salesman, yes Leyland, not DAF, it was that long ago. He was battle hardened, very sceptical and treated the customers as the enemy, I resolved in my mind that if it was that bad then I shouldn’t do it, thankfully I have had many positive experiences, I like my job, enjoy the industry and the people I interact with. I have many long-standing business relationships and that is encouraging.
I went to a truck show a couple of months ago, it was full of amazing vehicles all in showroom condition, when I walked out of the exhibition centre, I remarked that I had enjoyed looking at everything and spending time with lots of people I knew. From my teenage years until now and to be involved in something you still enjoy is a tremendous motivator.
What advice would you give to colleagues at the beginning of their journey with the company?
There is an adage that I heard in America “Stick and Stay and make it Pay”, and my school reports stated that “Stuart continues to make steady progress”, so my advice to anyone embarking upon any career is to try and choose something you like, you don’t have to make meteoric progress, just make steady progress, don’t burn out, stick with it and usually it will get you towards your goal. Hard work, determination and effort spells – Success.
What are your final thoughts?
There is a photograph in the Fraserburgh reception of Jim Gray and Jim Adams, that photograph brings back fond memories, I consider myself fortunate to have worked during their era and subsequently for the Gray family, the company is an industry leader with an enviable reputation, and I am part of that success.
From Welder to Managing Director: Tom Taylor’s Journey with Gray & Adams
Tom Taylor worked for Gray & Adams for 34 years, starting as General Welder and Fabricator on the shop floor in Gray & Adams’ Doncaster depot in April of 1991 to eventually becoming Managing Director of Doncaster in 2016, a position he maintained until his retirement on 19th December 2025. He saw the company grow exponentially in that time, with his work contributing to that achievement.
What did your career journey at Gray & Adams look like?
When I started with the company as general welder and fabricator, Doncaster’s main focus was on repairs and refurbishments, building only two new vehicles a week, so most of my time was spent on welding work on repairs. After eight months I became welding foreman and spent five years in that post, including six weeks in Fraserburgh working in the fabrication shop. I moved into the role of repairs manager in 1996, gaining in-depth training in refurbishment and costing. After eight years in that role, I became area sales manager. Peter Gray and the sales team guided me through that transition and was always on hand with advice.
Four years later I shifted to operations manager. For the next eleven years I worked with the team at Doncaster on all aspects of how to manage the workshop from production management to health and safety. In January 2016 I was promoted to Managing Director of Doncaster and stayed in that post until retirement. Working with James and Peter at board level was demanding yet rewarding. Throughout my career at Gray & Adams, James and Peter have helped me tremendously to get me to where I am today. Knowing that I can approach them about anything at any time is very reassuring.
What is your most memorable moment with the company?
Thinking back, it’s got to be my first promotion to Welding Manager only eight months after I started, I was told at that the time I was the youngest manager in the whole group. I don’t really know how true that was at the time, but I remember the pride I felt and that really marked the beginning of my journey with Gray & Adams.
Biggest achievement with the company?
My final promotion to Managing Director in January 2016, following Steve Rose’s retirement. I had plenty of sleepless nights wondering if I had the right sized feet to fill Steve Rose’s big boots... But I remember some great advice Peter Gray gave me, “Don’t try and fix something that’s not broken” and that advice stayed with me.
Favourite innovation that you have seen from Gray & Adams?
I remember working on one of the very first Refrigerated Double Deck trailers that Gray & Adams built in back 2000. This felt like a real step forward for the industry.
Would you have any advice to give to someone starting at Gray & Adams?
Work hard and turn up for work on time and opportunities may come your way, you never know, you too could become a manager or even managing director one day.
What are your plans for retirement?
With a lot more time on my hands, I plan on travelling more around Europe in my motor home and finishing the restoration work on my 1953 Chevy pickup truck.
Driving Sustainability and Performance: Noble Foods’ Journey with Gray & Adams and Sunswap
Noble Foods, the UK’s leading egg packer, handles around 30 million eggs each week, supplying major retailers including Tesco, Co-op, Asda, and Sainsbury’s. With its own brands, The Happy Egg Co., Purely Organic and Freshlay Farms Golden Yolkers, widely recognised on supermarket shelves, Noble Foods has a reputation for quality and reliability. Maintaining this level of service across nationwide distribution demands a fleet that is both robust and future ready.
For almost 20 years, Noble Foods has partnered with Gray & Adams for trailer solutions, starting with field trials and later moving to a fleet of double-decker trailers. Mick Tucker, Divisional Transport Manager, recalls that previous trailers ran for 13 years before replacement, a testament to Gray & Adams’ build quality. Today, the fleet handles nearly a tonne per pallet, combining farm collection and distribution work, while embracing alternative fuel and electric vehicle initiatives as part of a 2.5-year project focused on fleet optimisation and sustainability.
A key element of this project has been collaboration with Sunswap, whose purpose-built Endurance electric transport refrigeration units deliver the same performance as diesel without any need for fuel – or emissions. Following successful trials in Southampton and Scotland using just 30% of battery capacity under worst-case scenarios, Noble Foods integrated the units into Gray & Adams trailers, timed to be ready for peak demand over Christmas.
Tucker notes,
“Without Gray & Adams’ support, we wouldn’t have been able to make the progress we have on fleet electrification and sustainability. Their standardised, adaptable designs made the integration straightforward, paired with their experience and willingness to explore new solutions have been crucial.”
The first batch of solar-equipped trailers has already delivered measurable benefits. Aerodynamic improvements, reduced diesel usage from the tractor, and lighter refrigeration units have improved efficiency, while galvanised chassis and twin evaporators promise long-term reliability of up to 12 years. Sunswap’s cloud-connected systems allow predictive maintenance, ensuring high performance and minimal downtime.
Alastair Gough, Head of Business Development at Sunswap, highlights the importance of Gray & Adams’ collaboration, "We value our relationship with Gray & Adams. Their willingness to champion innovative products that they know will support and benefit their customers is what helps drive the industry forward.”
Looking ahead, Sunswap plans to expand its zero-emission refrigeration solutions across Europe, while Noble Foods continues to prioritise electrification, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
For Noble Foods, Gray & Adams is more than a trailer manufacturer, it is a long-term partner supporting innovation, reliability, and sustainability. The combined efforts of Gray & Adams and Sunswap demonstrate how thoughtful engineering, collaboration, and forward-looking technology can transform fleet operations, delivering environmental benefits without compromising performance.
Our Customers Says
Royal Mail
Having successfully delivered our first Lifting Deck trailer to Royal Mail, we are pleased to have received some initial feedback from Steve Warren, Fleet Engineer at Royal Mail,
“I am delighted to showcase our very first Gray & Adams dual use Double Decker. After a couple of years of discussions, specification ideas and designs, the final showcase is nothing short of stunning and a real robust beast! I’m extremely impressed with the quality of the product and confident this will give us many years of reliable service. The first of twenty due this year I’m looking forward to seeing these on the road.”
Co-op
"I just want to go on record and thank you for the efficiency of your deliveries this year it has been spot on from the off. Please pass on my thanks to your teams for the work they have put in across both sites and the understanding your finance and invoicing teams have had with the changes we made to the order. It is much appreciated."
— Alan Lough, National Fleet Service and Efficiency Manager, Co-op
Gray & Adams Dunfermline Supports Young Equestrian Success
Gray & Adams Dunfermline is proud to sponsor young equestrian, Brooke Yorke, throughout her incredible 2025 showing season. Brooke, the daughter of, Sarah Yorke, a Buyer Expeditor at Gray & Adams, Dunfermline, has had a remarkable year competing with her two much-loved horses, Rockstar and Storm.
At just 13, Brooke brought home six championship titles out of eleven, including victories in the Veteran and Coloured classes with Storm, her American Paint Horse. Storm joined Brooke in early 2023 with little training, but after two years of dedication, early starts, long evenings and patience, the pair have built a strong partnership. Brooke’s excellent trainer, Stewart Christie, has been a major influence as well, guiding her through the tougher stages and helping her gain the confidence for success.
Her pony Rockstar, affectionately known as her ‘naughty pony’, also had another standout season. Once a rescue who had been passed from home to home, Rockstar has become a firm part of Brooke’s family. Despite now being too small for her to ride competitively, he continues to shine in the in-hand showing classes, taking home multiple championships again this year.
Gray & Adams Dunfermline are proud to support Brooke on her journey. Her commitment and passion reflect the same values we hold as a business, hard work, community, and pride in what we do. Supporting our people and their families is at the heart of Gray & Adams and we wish Brooke the very best for the rest of the 2025/26 season.
Ian Fleming (CJ Lang)
For more than thirty years, CJ Lang has relied on Gray & Adams to keep its temperature-controlled fleet moving across Scotland. The Dundee-based wholesaler, still run by the Lang family, has grown and adapted alongside shifting customer needs, new technologies, and rising sustainability expectations. At the heart of that journey has been Ian Fleming, Distribution Operations Manager, whose steady guidance has shaped the company’s fleet strategy and nurtured long-term partnerships.
“I joined CJ Lang just over 35 years ago, shortly after leaving the forces,”
Ian recalls,
“I’d moved back from Germany and was looking for work, and I spotted a small notice saying CJ Lang needed delivery drivers. I started on a job-start scheme in August 1989 with a £10 top-up, then moved into a full-time driving role. Things grew from there.”
Within two years, Ian became a transport supervisor, then deputy transport manager in 2000, and transport manager a year later. A brief ten-month spell away gave him a fresh perspective on distribution, and he returned in 2017 to take on the role of distribution operations manager, which he has held ever since.
“That time away opened my eyes,”
Ian says.
“I worked in a completely different type of distribution, away from food, and came back with a new mindset and a better understanding of how the wider industry works. It helped me push the business forward.”
Under Ian’s guidance, CJ Lang’s fleet has evolved to meet every operational challenge.
“We’ve introduced electric refrigeration, double-deck trailers, hydraulic-driven units, and moved from rigids to tractor units and trailers,”
he explains.
“Our fleet is fully refrigerated, multitemperature, and suited to everything from tight city deliveries to remote rural routes. Each step brought new challenges, from transhipping safely in poor light to navigating narrow streets.”
The operation today includes 27 semi-trailers, 18 tractor units, and 12 rigids, all refrigerated. Trailer lengths range from 8 metres to 13.6 metres, reflecting the variety of routes CJ Lang covers.
“Next year, we’re planning for up to six trailers and four tractor units as part of our replacement cycle,”
Ian notes. Durability and quality remain at the core of his approach.
“Every semi-trailer body we’ve had from Gray & Adams has run for at least 12 years. With rigids, we typically run the chassis for four to five years, then move the body onto a second chassis, giving us at least a decade of use. Their build quality holds up, inside and out, and if we need modifications or support, Gray & Adams handle it quickly.”
Collaboration has been central to the fleet’s success.
“They’ve always built bodies to our specification,”
Ian says.
“We’ve had open, practical conversations about weight, dimensions, and turning circles. They won’t sell you something
“Clearer, more consistent legislation would help everyone. Refrigeration, fuels, emissions rules, they all affect what we can do. Driver availability is another challenge. You can invest in the best kit in the world, but you need skilled drivers who want to work with it.”
As for retirement, Ian is looking forward to a slower pace.
“I’ll take a breather until the new year, then pick up two days a week for a few months. Nothing too heavy. I’ve got a few grandchildren, so I’ll have my hands full.”
Reflecting on his career, he says,
“From my first days behind the wheel to leading fleet strategy, it’s always been about people, collaboration, and careful decision-making. You measure success not just in milestones, but in the relationships and innovations that endure.”
Through decades of change and growth, Ian Fleming’s legacy at CJ Lang is one of steady leadership, practical innovation, and enduring partnerships, a true industry legend
Quality at Our Core: A 2025 Review
by Davy Smith
As the 2025 year closes, we reflect on another demanding stretch of delivering premium refrigerated and dry freight vehicles to customers across the UK. The pace has been strong and the focus on quality even stronger.
Quality shapes every stage of our work. It guides the way we manage enquiries, support design and build, and stay connected with customers once a vehicle leaves the site. One example is the way our teams handle post-delivery checks, ensuring any early feedback is acted on quickly. This discipline underpins our continued certification to ISO 9001:2015, which keeps our standards sharp and consistent.
Our quality system is built on a few core practices that keep our standards high and our products consistent:
Risk-Based Manufacturing: Our management system enables us to proactively identify and mitigate risks in material sourcing, design, and assembly. This reduces the chance of faults, minimises production delays, and guarantees the consistency our customers have come to expect.
Supplier Partnership: We strictly control our external providers to ensure every component, meets our standards for quality, durability, customer specification and environmental compliance.
Data-Driven Improvement: We continue to monitor and review customer feedback and warranty data to identify patterns, ensuring we direct our improvement efforts where they will have the greatest effect.
As we plan for the year ahead, our focus on customers stays firm. We will continue investing in new technology and training to sharpen manufacturing precision and ensure our wide customer base receives vehicles that consistently exceed expectations for quality, efficiency and reliability.
Investment in our facilities sits alongside investment in our people. We work hard to bring skilled individuals into the business as they shape our success. It’s also our responsibility to provide a healthy and safe working environment, supported by clear policies and procedure guidance. This helps our teams work safely with confidence and maintain the high standards that define Gray & Adams.
— Davy Smith, Group Quality Manager
A Safer Workplace with HSE Compliance
Safety isn’t just a rulebook, it’s a shared responsibility that helps define who we are as a company. Health, Safety, and Environmental (HSE) compliance is more than ticking boxes. It’s about creating a culture where every member of staff feels empowered to protect themselves and their colleagues.
Every procedure we have, from wearing the right PPE to reporting hazards, plays a vital role in preventing incidents. HSE Compliance ensures we meet legal standards, but more importantly, it keeps our employees safe.
HSE Compliance starts with awareness. Regular training sessions, toolbox talks, and refresher courses keep us informed and prepared. Spotting a hazard? Report it immediately. Unsure about a process? Ask questions. These small steps make a huge difference.
Leadership also plays a critical role. When managers lead by example, i.e. wearing PPE, conducting safety checks, and engaging in open conversations about HSE concerns, they then set the tone for a workplace where safety is non-negotiable. Compliance isn’t static, it evolves with new processes, procedures and technologies. By embracing innovation and learning from our near misses, we continue to improve our safety culture and keep everyone safe.
Building a safer workplace isn’t the job of one person or department, it is a team effort. Every decision, every action, and every conversation about safety matters. HSE Compliance isn’t just about following rules or protecting yourself, it’s about having that duty of care for yourself, colleagues and families.
— Chris Grieve, HSE Manager
Minor, Weir & Willis
As Gray & Adams continues to support businesses across the UK with premium temperature-controlled transport solutions, one partnership that exemplifies our commitment to reliability, sustainability, and operational excellence is with Minor, Weir & Willis. As a long-established, family-run fresh produce specialist with over 50 years of heritage, their dedication to quality, innovation, and responsible growth aligns closely with Gray & Adams.
About Minor, Weir & Willis
Minor, Weir & Willis is one of the UK’s leading fresh produce specialists and a proud second-generation family business founded in 1973. Over more than five decades, they have grown from a small family operation into a market leader with an international supply base, strong retail partnerships, and a reputation for quality, integrity, and innovation.
What has never changed is their commitment to doing business the right way and looking after their people, growers, customers, and the planet. Through investing heavily in best-in-class technology, sustainable operations, and long-term relationships they can deliver high-quality produce consistently and responsibly.
Nabil Hfaiedh, Senior Transport Manager at Minor, Weir & Willis has worked and grown with the company over the last ten years. Nabil tells us,
“During my time with the company, I’ve seen first-hand how our commitment to continuous improvement and investment has strengthened our operations. My role is to ensure our logistics network runs smoothly, safely and efficiently every day by managing our fleet, supporting our drivers, and driving the adoption of the right technology to maintain our high standards. A crucial part of this is choosing partners like Gray & Adams, whose quality and reliability help us protect temperaturesensitive produce and consistently exceed our customers’ expectations.”
Customer Requirement
When asked what brought Minor, Weir & Willis to work with Gray & Adams, Nabil explains,
“Gray & Adams is widely recognised as the premier name in refrigerated trailer manufacturing, so naturally they were on our radar as we sought to continue strengthening our cold-chain infrastructure. We began working with them several years ago as part of our strategic investment in high-performance, energyefficient logistics solutions. Their reputation for engineering excellence, reliability, and long-term value made them a perfect fit for our operation.”
Most recently, Minor, Weir & Willis placed an order for a fleet of four new chilled trailers, designed to enhance their capacity and support their growing customer base. These units are built to the latest specifications, featuring advanced insulation, improved thermal efficiency, and a range of sustainability-focused technologies that align with their environmental priorities.
Gray & Adams Solution
The Minor, Weir & Willis chilled trailers must operate with uncompromising reliability to protect temperature-sensitive produce. To meet these standard, the trailers must deliver:
• High thermal performance
• Maximum internal volume
• Energy-efficient refrigeration compatibility
• Durable build quality for intensive daily use
• Ergonomic, safe loading and unloading features
• Compliance with the highest sustainability and food-safety standards
Nabil says,
“Gray & Adams understands these requirements deeply and has consistently tailored their solutions to suit our operational realities. They worked closely with us from the outset to engineer trailers that optimise both performance and sustainability. They integrated the latest insulation technology, aerodynamic design, and high-efficiency components that reduce running costs and carbon impact without compromising reliability. Their team was proactive, consultative, and always focused on long-term value, not just short-term delivery.”
Added Value
Nabil comments on the added value from Gray & Adams,
“with support of Ryan Davies, our experience with Gray & Adams has been excellent. Their engineers, account and sales managers, and aftercare teams all share a commitment to quality and precision that mirrors our own values as a family business.”
• The Gray & Adams added value included:
• Providing expert guidance and design input
• Delivering products that reduce energy consumption
• Ensuring strong reliability and uptime
• Offering responsive after-sales support
• Future-proofing their fleet against changing regulations and environmental expectations
The partnership and consultative approach Gray & Adams use means that Minor, Weir & Willis are not just buying trailers, but we are enabling them to investing in long-term performance.
Customer Impact
The future for Minor, Weir & Willis is one of measured, consistent and sustainable growth. As leaders in their sector, they intend to continue expanding their capabilities, investing in technology, and maintaining the strong values that have defined their company since 1973.
Gray & Adams supports that vision by ensuring the Minor, Weir & Willis’ logistics fleet remains at the forefront of cold-chain innovation. Our products help them deliver fresher produce, reduce energy consumption, and operate more sustainably, supporting the key pillars of their long-term strategy.
Our Customer Says
“I would like to thank Ryan Davies for all the excellent support throughout the purchasing process. I appreciated his professionalism, transparency, and responsiveness. Ryan made the experience smooth and straightforward, and I look forward to working with Ryan again in the future.
Lastly, as a family business with more than 50 years of heritage, we choose partners who share our values and our commitment to excellence. Gray & Adams consistently deliver the quality, reliability, and innovation we need to serve our customers and protect our planet. Their trailers aren’t just equipment, they’re an integral part of our promise of freshness and trust.”
Gray & Adams Dunfermline Supports Toy Appeal
Gray & Adams is proud to support the Dunfermline Toy Appeal for the first time, an initiative that brings joy and comfort to local families at Christmas in and around Dunfermline. Every donation, large or small, helps make Christmas a little brighter for children in need.
Sara Simpson and Emma Stennett, our toy appeal project coordinators, along with the rest of our depot staff embraced the appeal with genuine enthusiasm, demonstrating the community spirit that runs through Gray & Adams. Alongside team donations, some of our employees’ children also joined in the appeal by leaving donations. As a family business, we are committed to supporting those around us, and we’re grateful to everyone who contributed.
Kyle Hegg, a panel shop team leader, gave the appeal an extra lift. Inspired by Halloween and Movember, Kyle launched a mini-appeal and promised to grow and bleach a Hulk Hoganstyle moustache if he hit his £500 target. He hit the mark, then headed to the B&M store in Halbeath to buy toys for the children. After hearing what he was doing, staff added a 10% discount, allowing him to pick up even more gifts and his trolley was full by the time he left the store.
The festive atmosphere continued with a visit from our very own Santa, brought to life by long-standing team member Kevin Ireland, Procurement and Expediting Manager. Our Production Assistant, Carrie Bennett also helped out on the day by capturing photographs, which were used to create a Christmas card.
Seeing the generosity of our colleagues and the wider community is a reminder of what the season is truly about. For Gray & Adams, supporting the Dunfermline Toy Appeal is about more than donations, it’s about coming together, celebrating shared values, and making a meaningful difference for families across our community.
Rita Buchan
Gray & Adams said goodbye to long-serving employee
Rita Buchan. Working as receptionist at our head office in Fraserburgh, Rita has worked for Gray & Adams for the last 18 years. We caught up with Rita just after her retirement to find out more about what she will miss about working for Gray & Adams and what she is looking forward to as she enters this new chapter.
What was your role at Gray & Adams and what were your day-to-day responsibilities?
Working as a receptionist, my main duties were to make and receive calls and welcome visitors and customers to our head office.
What did you do before you came to Gray & Adams and why did you want to work for the company?
I worked for BT for 11 years and was trained as a telephone operator. A few years later I changed direction and did three years training in hair and beauty. I ran my own salon for 10 years. During that time, I had a longing to return to telephone work and dealing directly with the public. When Gray & Adams
What was your biggest achievement while working for Gray & Adams?
My biggest achievement working for Gray & Adams was being provided with a fulfilling and rewarding career working alongside an exceptional team.
What did you enjoy most about working for Gray & Adams? I have enjoyed being part of the Gray & Adams team. I got the most amazing welcome when I joined and during my 18 years, I have worked alongside colleagues from all of our branches who I believe will be friends for life.
What are your plans for retirement?
I have no real plans for my retirement, I'd just like to spend more quality time with my two beautiful granddaughters Avery and Adleigh and of course...travel more!
James and Peter Gray would like to thank Rita for her commitment to the company and wish her all the best in her retirement going forward.
Ian Johnston
Gray & Adams said goodbye to long-serving employee Ian Johnston, Chassis Brakes Line Manager. Ian was based at our Fraserburgh HQ and has worked for Gray & Adams for the last 40 years. We caught up with Ian just after his retirement to find out more about what he will miss about working for Gray & Adams and what he is looking forward to as he enters this new chapter.
What was your role at Gray & Adams and what were your day-to-day responsibilities?
I was the Chassis Brake Department Manager, so I checked everything was fitted to the vehicle as per customer specifications.
What did you do before you came to Gray & Adams and why did you want to work for the company?
I worked for a transport company in Liverpool previously but then moved up to Fraserburgh. I was looking for a similar kind of role an I knew Gray & Adams was a similar industry and ask if they had any jobs available.
What was your biggest achievement while working for Gray & Adams?
Working my way up from the shop floor to be the manager.
What did you enjoy most about working for Gray & Adams?
Working with all the people in both my department and other departments.
What are your plans for retirement?
I will be doing some more jobs around the house, enjoying some holidays and also my hobbies.
James and Peter Gray would like to thank Ian for his commitment to the company and wish him all the best in his retirement going forward.
Allan West, Manufacturing Operative in the Doors Department, worked for Gray & Adams for 46 years.
We would like to thank Allan for his many years of continued support and service to Gray & Adams.
Brian Allan
Gray & Adams said goodbye to long-serving employee Brian Allan. Working as a Manufacturing operative in our Paint Department in Fraserburgh, Brian has worked for Gray & Adams for the last 38 years. We caught up with Brian just after his retirement to find out more about what he will miss about working for Gray & Adams and what he is looking forward to as he enters this new chapter.
What was your role at Gray & Adams and what were your day-to-day responsibilities?
I was a painter. My main responsibility was checking the chassis after they came out of the spray booths. Once the van was lifted onto the chassis and moved into completion, I would inspect it for any missed areas and ensure the paintwork was flawless.
What did you do before you came to Gray & Adams and why did you want to work for the company?
I started at Gray & Adams when I was 15, serving my apprenticeship as a painter and sign writer. I had a knack for art at school, and a teacher, who was friends with James Gray Snr, forwarded some of my hand-drawn work to him. That led to my first opportunity with the company.
I left the company when I was 21 to gain more experience in the painting business. I worked on house painting before going on to painting boats at Sandhaven which I did until I was 52 before rejoining Gray & Adams. During those years painting boats, I had volunteered at the Fraserburgh lifeboat. I had enjoyed this work and so decided to once again leave Gray & Adams to work offshore for search and rescue. I did this until I was 60 when BP’s dedicated offshore search and rescue service was ended in 2015. I then returned to Gray & Adams where I worked full-time until I was 66 and then went down to working 3 days a week until my retirement earlier this year.
What was your biggest achievement while working for Gray & Adams?
I didn’t get red or green boiler suit, but I took pride in consistently doing my job well and working closely with my colleagues.
What did you enjoy most about working for Gray & Adams?
I really enjoyed the people and the work itself. Every day was varied, with different chassis for different companies, including double-deckers and single-deckers. The variety kept it interesting and made it enjoyable.
Working in different departments kept things exciting for me and the company has seen a fair change from when I first started. When I first joined at 15 the whole company was under one shed - welding, chassis, building, paint shop and fridge shop – and it’s amazing to see how it’s grown massively.
What are your plans for retirement?
I’m currently following medical advice to slow down after a stroke. I plan to spend more time with my wife, two daughters, and grandkids. I help with my seven-year-old grandson, taking him to school and picking him up in the afternoons, and continue to do small jobs for my family.
I play the guitar, which I picked up when I was about fourteen, and these days I meet up with friends to play some tunes whenever we can get together. It’s always good fun so I look forward to more of that.
James and Peter Gray would like to thank Brian for his commitment to the company and wish him all the best in his retirement going forward.
Jim Duncan
Gray & Adams said goodbye to long-serving employee Jim Duncan. Working as an Assistant Line manager of Chassis Fabrication and Training officer in Fraserburgh, Jim has worked for Gray & Adams for the last 20 years. We caught up with Jim just after his retirement to find out more about what he will miss about working for Gray & Adams and what he is looking forward to as he enters this new chapter.
What was your role at Gray & Adams and what were your day-to-day responsibilities?
At Gray & Adams, I started by building and developing chassis, eventually moving into a managerial role. When a new welding machine was introduced, I designed and developed its use, implementing improvements wherever I saw opportunities. Some of the improvements I implemented included building a new small beam welder so making beams was more efficient and designing rollers for the rear of the trailers to stop any damage to the loading bays. Over the years, I continued refining processes and later took on training apprentices, which was a rewarding challenge.
What did you do before you came to Gray & Adams and why did you want to work for the company?
What was your biggest achievement while working for Gray & Adams?
One of my biggest achievements at Gray & Adams was my time in the technical office and later moving to a different office after COVID to focus on training and overseeing processes across various departments. This allowed me to ensure consistency and improve efficiency throughout the company.
What did you enjoy most about working for Gray & Adams? Gray & Adams was a great place to work and most of the lads were easy to get on with. I particularly liked reviewing the trailers and finding ways to improve them, making tasks easier and more efficient for the next person.
What are your plans for retirement?
For retirement, I’m taking things day by day rather than making firm plans. I’m hoping to travel with my partner next year, with trips to Florida and New Zealand in mind.
James and Peter Gray would like to thank Jim for his commitment to the company and wish him all the best in his retirement going forward.
William Clark
Gray & Adams said goodbye to long-serving employee William Clark. Working in Quality Control in Fraserburgh, William has worked for Gray & Adams for the last 50 years. We caught up with William just before his retirement to find out more about what he will miss about working for Gray & Adams and what he is looking forward to as he enters this new chapter.
What was your role at Gray & Adams and what were your day-to-day responsibilities?
When I joined Gray & Adams there was no formal quality control function, we were building vehicles from scratch using coachbuilding methods with cranes and sandwich panels. I worked closely with the other departments and as the business grew, the need for a dedicated quality control role became clear. I was offered the position and took it straight away.
What did you do before you came to Gray & Adams and why did you want to work for the company?
What was your biggest achievement while working for Gray & Adams?
Spending 50 years at Gray & Adams. It’s a long time, but I’ve loved being part of it.
What did you enjoy most about working for Gray & Adams? Probably just the craic and the camaraderie with my team, that’s what made it most enjoyable.
What are your plans for retirement?
I plan to spend more time reading, as I really enjoy it. I also like making things in the garage and pottering in the garden.
James and Peter Gray would like to thank William for his commitment to the company and wish him all the best in his retirement going forward.
Brian Wood
Gray & Adams said goodbye to long-serving employee Brian Wood. Working as Estimating Manager in Fraserburgh, Brian has worked for Gray & Adams for the last 13 years. We caught up with Brian just before his retirement to find out more about what he will miss about working for Gray & Adams and what he is looking forward to as he enters this new chapter.
What was your role at Gray & Adams and what were your day-to-day responsibilities?
As Estimating Manager, my primary responsibility was to ensure that all quotation requests received from the Sales Team were allocated to the appropriate estimator (including myself), completed accurately and returned within the required timescales.
Within the Fraserburgh Sales Team, there are currently five estimators, each with their own specialist area of knowledge and expertise, which is regularly shared across the team as required. In recent years, I have been heavily involved in the introduction and implementation of the new estimating and quoting system. As confidence in its accuracy continues to grow, the previous system, which served the business well for 14 years, will gradually be phased out. Once fully embedded, the new system will be a significant advantage to both the estimating team and the wider business.
In addition to quoting, I was responsible for processing customer orders and allocating the required labour and materials to the relevant production departments to ensure that trailers could be built efficiently from start to finish. As projects progressed, amendments were managed to ensure the final product met the customer’s exact specification. Other responsibilities included ensuring that fleet numbers, livery requirements, delivery locations and any customer-supplied items were in place prior to production commencing.
What did you do before you came to Gray & Adams and why did you want to work for the company?
I began my working career in 1976 as a Distribution Apprentice with Scottish Gas, installing gas mains and services. Prior to joining Gray & Adams, I was a Commercial Director with a utilities contractor involved in gas, water and electrical distribution networks throughout the UK. After 36 years working within the underground utilities sector, the company was taken over by a national organisation and I decided it was the right time to seek a new challenge.
When I saw the Estimating Manager position advertised at Gray & Adams, I applied and was invited to meet Peter Gray for an interview and a tour of the factory. From that first visit, it was clear that Gray & Adams was a market-leading company with strong values, excellent people and long-term stability. I felt confident that it would provide me with both a fresh challenge and the job security to see me through to retirement - a decision that proved to be the correct one.
What was your biggest achievement while working for Gray & Adams?
My biggest achievement has been my involvement in the selection, implementation and successful introduction of the new estimating software system. This was a major project that required detailed evaluation, careful planning and close collaboration across multiple departments. As with any significant system change, there were challenges along the way; however, seeing the system go live and become operational has been extremely rewarding.
The new system will shortly be rolled out across all depots within the Group, allowing information to be shared more efficiently, consistently and accurately across the business. This represents a major step forward for Gray & Adams and I am proud to have contributed to a development that will continue to support and strengthen the company well into the future.
What did you enjoy most about working for Gray & Adams?
Without question, the people. From my first day with the company, I was made to feel welcome and supported, and that sense of teamwork has remained constant throughout my time here. Colleagues at all levels of the business have consistently demonstrated professionalism, dedication and a willingness to help whenever required.
There is a strong culture of cooperation and mutual respect within Gray & Adams, which makes it an enjoyable and rewarding place to work. The relationships built over the years have been a particular highlight for me, and I will genuinely miss working alongside such a committed, friendly and capable workforce.
What are your plans for retirement?
My plans for retirement are deliberately flexible. I intend to take some time initially to relax and enjoy a slower pace of life, and I am hoping to travel somewhere warmer after the New Year. When spring arrives, I expect to spend more time in the garden and vegetable plot, which will provide both enjoyment and a new set of challenges.
I also plan to return to playing outdoor bowls after a year away and look forward to becoming more involved in the sport again. Above all, I am looking forward to having the time to enjoy a wider range of interests and activities while maintaining a healthy balance between staying active and taking the opportunity to properly relax.
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank everyone at Gray & Adams for the support, friendship and encouragement I have received throughout my time with the company. It has been a privilege to work alongside such a dedicated and professional workforce, and I leave with many fond memories and great appreciation for the opportunities I have been given.
James and Peter Gray would like to thank Brian for his commitment to the company and wish him all the best in his retirement going forward.
Carrie Bennett
At Gray & Adams, our greatest strength lies in our people. We’re committed to attracting, supporting, and retaining top talent, and we’re proud to have many dedicated team members who’ve built long and rewarding careers with us. In this edition of our Staff Spotlight, we catch up with Carrie Bennett, who joined Gray & Adams in January 2024. Based at our Dunfermline depot, Carrie plays a key role as a Production Assistant.
Can you tell us about your role at Gray & Adams and what a typical day looks like for you?
My day starts off by attending the managers meeting to take minutes. After that the main and most important job every day is running Dunfermline’s Production Schedule, its purpose is providing the build plans for every week, projecting future builds, controlling the panel schedule that Fraserburgh uses for production of kits, helps the drawing office plan their timeline. Other daily tasks include identifying and assigning chassis when arrive on site, allocating hours to jobs going through workshops, actioning amendments when required. I assist our Production Manager Graham with daily tasks as required and help him with any requests he may have. I also liaise with subcontractors daily to ensure arrival on site when required.
What inspired you to join the Gray & Adams team?
Before joining Gray & Adams I worked for many years as a funeral director, as you would imagine this was physically and an emotionally demanding job with unsociable hours, with long commutes across the east of Scotland but helping families in their greatest time of need made every minute of my service to the industry rewarding. It came the time for change and luckily my friend and colleague previously within the funeral industry who had recently joined Gray & Adams in November 2023 said
Since starting your journey here, what would you say has been your proudest achievement?
Probably incorporating the panel schedule to feed off of live information from the production schedule, before these were two separate tasks which was proving time consuming and sometimes causing a wee bit of mayhem if builds had been shuffled a little. Now it runs from the one database and feeds the two separate pivot tables with the information required for production purposes. It shows real time information and changes which has proved successful for liaising with Davy in Fraserburgh who uses this to plan his schedule for Dunfermline’s needs.
If you had the opportunity to step into a different role at Gray & Adams for a day, whose job would you choose and why?
I would like to be a driver for the day and use the tractor unit as this looks fun to drive and manoeuvre. I would also like to drive some of the bigger rigids just for the sheer fun of driving a large vehicle.
What do you enjoy most about being part of the Gray & Adams family?
I enjoy the people I work with daily which makes me enjoy my job even more. Everyone welcomed me and made me feel like I had always been part of the team. I also have the privilege of sharing an office with two amazing people with long service histories within Gray & Adams, both with so much knowledge they impart, educate and guide me daily.
James Hendry
This staff spotlight features James Hendry, who looks after the on-site first aid facility and team of first aiders here at Gray & Adams. With an impressive 42-year career as a paramedic before joining us, James brings a wealth of experience, calm under pressure, and genuine care for others. Known for his good humour and hands-on approach, he plays a key role in maintaining our high standards of health and safety across the site.
What initially brought you to Gray & Adams, and what does your current role involve?
After 42 years, I took early retirement from the Scottish Ambulance Service in 2018 and enjoyed a six-month sabbatical. During my ambulance career I had met James Gray several times, as he would support community initiatives, and we also have done the car rallies together. I approached him about part-time work, we met, and he placed me in the production support office. My work there spanned across health and safety, quality, training, and maintenance.
Since joining in March 2019, my primary responsibility has been all first aid procedures on site. Recently, I oversaw a major project to revamp our facilities, introducing a medical room on each side of the factory in Fraserburgh. The first medical room is up and running and the second medical room will be finished in the coming weeks. I also work with our training manager, Andrew Cooper, to arrange first aid courses and coordinate first aid staff.
Could you share a bit about your background and what led you to a 42-year career as a paramedic?
Back in 1976, a colleague I worked with in the council saw an advert for an ambulance position and encouraged me to apply. I went to interview and began training in April 1977. Over the years I worked in a range of roles and locations through secondments, including area service manager positions such as in Elgin, and even a two-week exchange in London to gain insight into working in a major metropolitan service.
The on-site first aid facility is described as state of the art. What makes it such an important part of Gray & Adams’ operations?
It’s essential that we keep our employees safe all year round. Over the last year there have been changes to out-of-hours arrangements in hospitals, we need to be able to deal with a wide variety of situations on site. I am a registered paramedic supported by FREC 3 trained responder and 41 first aiders.
You also oversee our team of first aiders. How do you support and develop that team?
All our first aiders are trained by external providers to ensure they meet exceptional standards. Every new starts gets hands-on CPR familiarisation, training with defibrillators, and a thorough induction. We have 10 defibrillators across the site, plus 1 on each of the HGV vehicles which deliver trailers, which is a conscious choice by James Gray. In the early days of my work in the ambulance service, there was no defibrillators carried in Ambulances in Scotland.
Scottish ambulance service where companies could donate to buy defibrillators for their local ambulance station, the first defibrillator we received was donated by Gray & Adams.
What do you find most rewarding about your work at Gray & Adams?
Similar to my work in the Ambulance service, where I was able to look after the public, at Gray & Adams I look after my fellow employees, supporting their health and wellbeing. I also have mental health awareness training, so I am able to support colleagues if needed.
After such a long career dedicated to helping others, what continues to motivate you?
I have a genuine fascination for life. I enjoy learning and seeing how I can make a difference.
How do you like to spend your time outside of work?
Outside of work, I enjoy walking, cycling, and spending time with my grandchildren when they visit. I also enjoy socialising with colleagues, friends and family.
I am still in the office five days and week and I’m not ready to stop yet – I’ll work until I decide the time is right. Age is only a number.
What stands out to you about working at Gray & A?
The people. The guys and girls in the office are excellent –we’re a close-knit, family organisation, and I’m proud to be part of it.
We would like to wish our staff and their families the very best for Christmas and the New Year.