{{Short description|British multimodal logistics company}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}} {{Infobox company | name = Stobart | former_name = Eddie Stobart | logo = File:Stobart Logo.svg | type = Private limited company | traded_as = | fate = | predecessor = | successor = | foundation = 1970 | founder = Eddie Stobart | location_city = Warrington | location_country = England | location = | locations = | area_served = Belgium, Ireland, United Kingdom | key_people = | industry = Logistics | products = | services = | revenue = £587 million | revenue_year = 2022 | operating_income = £40 million | income_year = 2022 | net_income = £7 million | net_income_year = 2022 | num_employees = | parent = Culina Group | divisions = | subsid = | homepage = {{URL|http://www.eddiestobart.com}} | footnotes = }}
'''Eddie Stobart Limited''' is a British multimodal logistics company, with interests in road haulage, rail freight, deep sea and inland waterway transport systems and deep sea port, inland port and rail connected storage facilities, along with transport, handling and warehousing facilities in the United Kingdom, Ireland and Belgium.
Founded by Eddie Stobart in the end of the 1940s as an agricultural business in Cumbria, the company diversified into rail and other activities. It is a subsidiary of the Culina Group, which is in turn a subsidiary of Müller.
==History== thumb|Former logo [[File:Stobart H2764 "Jodie Ann" (PX54 BBZ) 2004 DAF 95XF, 9 February 2009.jpg|thumb|DAF in the previous green, gold and dark red livery in February 2009]] [[File:Eddie Stobart (T1376) YN63YXC - Flickr - Alan Sansbury.jpg|thumb|Mercedes-Benz Axor in December 2013]] [[File:Eddie Stobart lorry Scania R420 Sandra Ann PX07 BXK in Plymouth, 9 August 2007.jpg|thumb|Scania R420 in August 2007]] [[File:Eddie Stobart PX60CPK (H4565 Millie Anne) (9275488235).jpg|thumb|Volvo FH13 in July 2013]] The business was started by Eddie Stobart in the late 1940s as an agricultural business in Cumbria. His son, Edward Stobart Junior, started working for his father's contracting business delivering agricultural material in the region. The first truck bought by Eddie Stobart in 1960 was painted post-office red and Brunswick green with yellow lettering. These colours were used for subsequent vehicles up to 1969. The company was incorporated as ''Eddie Stobart Ltd.'' on 23 November 1970 as a haulage firm, and Eddie Stobart controlled the organisation fully until 1973, when, at the age of 19, Edward Stobart took the place of CEO. In 1976, Eddie retired and Edward took full control of the road haulage business and the name ''Eddie Stobart Ltd'' in 1976, becoming Chairman.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 May 2011 |title=Edward Stobart died bankrupt, court documents show |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-13560566 |access-date=14 April 2019 |publisher=BBC}}</ref>
By 1985 Edward Stobart owned 26 vehicles.<ref name="Edward Stobart">{{Cite news |date=7 April 2012 |title=Edward Stobart |url=https://www.economist.com/obituary/2011/04/07/edward-stobart |access-date=3 September 2012 |newspaper=The Economist}}</ref> The business was characterised by its Tautliner bodies. In order to maintain brand image, in the 1980s, the company had a policy that all drivers must wave back and honk their horn in the traditional truck-driver fashion when signalled by a passer-by or "Eddie spotter" to do so.<ref name="roach">{{Cite book |last=Roach |first=Martin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dd7kb1gk7DsC&q=%22eddie+spotter%22+horn&pg=PT94 |title=Eddie Stobart: The Ultimate Guide to the British Trucking Legends |publisher=Virgin Books |year=2012 |isbn=978-0753540909}}</ref> On 1 April 1987, the company opened a depot in the English Midlands at Burnaston.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Davies |first=Hunter |title=The Eddie Stobart Story |publisher=HarperCollinsEntertainment |year=2001 |isbn=0-00-711597-0 |location=London}}</ref> By 2002 the company was experiencing financial difficulties caused by the fuel crisis. In 2001 the haulage business had posted its first loss,<ref name="bbcnews6sep2006">{{Cite web |date=6 September 2006 |title=Where next for 'Steady Eddie' Stobart? |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/5315366.stm |publisher=BBC News}}</ref> with the fan club making more money than the haulage business.<ref name=bbcnews6sep2006/> On 15 October 2003, it was announced that Eddie Stobart was to be sold to WA Developments, a civil engineering company that specialised in railway maintenance, based in Appleby-in-Westmorland, Cumbria. At the time, Eddie Stobart was 55% owned by Edward Stobart and 45% owned by his brother William. WA Developments was 27% owned by William and 73% owned by William's school friend, brother-in-law and business partner Andrew Tinkler. In effect, therefore, William Stobart's stake in Eddie Stobart was reduced from 45% to 27%.<ref>{{Cite web |date=15 October 2003 |title=Eddie Stobart sells up |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/cumbria/3195382.stm |access-date=1 June 2017 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref>
After a series of takeovers, the Stobart company developed from a haulage company to a logistics company known as the Stobart Group, obtaining a stock market listing without an initial public offering through a reverse takeover of the property and ports company the Westbury Property Fund in 2007.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 August 2007 |title=Eddie Stobart reverses on to stock market |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2007/aug/16/transportintheuk |access-date=1 June 2017 |work=The Guardian}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=15 August 2007 |title=Eddie Stobart merges with Westbury and goes public |url=http://www.commercialmotor.com/latest-news/eddie-stobart-merges-with-westbury-and-goes-public |publisher=Commercial Motor}}</ref> In May 2007 Eddie Stobart was the subject of controversy when it reportedly offered bonuses to its Carlisle-based drivers to work in Livingston in Scotland, to transport goods for Tesco who were in dispute with their distribution centre drivers and facing disruption to their supply chain. The Stobart drivers refused to cross the Livingston picket line.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Socialist Worker report |url=http://www.socialistworker.co.uk/art.php?id=11638 |access-date=2 December 2011 |publisher=Socialistworker.co.uk}}</ref>
On 10 March 2008, James Irlam Logistics, one of the largest independently owned road transport logistics providers in the UK was purchased for £60 million.<ref>[https://www.telegraph.co.uk/finance/newsbysector/transport/2785852/Irlam-brothers-sell-to-rival-Eddie-Stobart.html Irlam brothers sell to rival Eddie Stobart] ''The Daily Telegraph'' 14 March 2008</ref> On 1 April 2008, the company started its first dedicated operations in Ireland, Stobart Ireland, based in Dublin, following the acquisition of TDG's Irish trailer operations.<ref>[http://hgvireland.com/news08a/hgv154.html Eddie Stobart arrives in Ireland] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090425151728/http://hgvireland.com/news08a/hgv154.html |date=25 April 2009 }} HGV Ireland, 5 April 2008</ref>
On 14 September 2009, MP David Taylor opened the firm's Nestlé distribution centre in Bardon, Leicestershire, after a £7 million refurbishment. The new site previously owned by Innovate Logistics.<ref>[http://www.thisisbusiness-eastmidlands.co.uk/news/MP-opens-163-7m-Nestle-hub/article-1339442-detail/article.html MP opens £7m Nestle hub] ''This is Business East Midlands'' 15 September 2009</ref> In July 2008 it was announced that the group had taken over the chilled and ambient goods distribution operations from the administrators of Innovate Logistics, saving the jobs of around 1,300 employees.<ref>[http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/businessnews/Stobart-deal-saves-1300-jobs.4238393.jp Stobart deal saves 1300 jobs at Innovate Logistics] ''Yorkshire Post'' 1 July 2008</ref>
The company completed the acquisition of Autologic, car-transporter firm, in August 2012.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 June 2012 |title=Stobart Group in for Autologic with £12.4m cash offer |url=http://motortransport.co.uk/blog/2012/06/19/stobart-group-in-for-autologic-with-12-4m-cash-offer/ |access-date=4 April 2018 |publisher=Motor Transport}}</ref>
In March 2014 Stobart Group announced its intention to re-position itself as a support services business, with the announcement of the sale of its original transport and distribution business to DBay Advisors for £281 million: Dbay Advisors secured an indirect 49% stake in the logistics business.<ref>{{Cite web |date=6 March 2014 |title=Stobart family gets back behind the wheel of famous lorry company |url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2014/mar/06/stobart-family-lorry-company |access-date=1 June 2017 |work=The Guardian}}</ref> However, Stobart Group retained the rights to the brand Eddie Stobart, licensing it out to Eddie Stobart Logistics.<ref name=brand/> In December 2019, DBay Advisors increased its indirect stake to 51%.<ref>{{Cite news |date=6 December 2019 |title=Eddie Stobart saved from collapse after crunch vote |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-50684851 |access-date=7 December 2019 |work=BBC News}}</ref>
On 21 May 2020, the company announced that it was acquiring the intellectual property rights to the "Eddie Stobart" and "Stobart" brand names for £10 million from Stobart Group to increase its brand awareness. The deal also included the merchandise business and the Stobart Members Club.<ref name="brand">{{Cite web |date=21 May 2020 |title=Eddie Stobart lorry company buys its own name |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2020/05/21/eddie-stobart-lorry-company-buys-name/ |access-date=10 June 2020 |publisher=The Daily Telegraph}}</ref> In February 2021 Eddie Stobart Logistics changed its name to Logistics Development Group.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 February 2021 |title=Eddie Stobart changes name to Logistics Development Group |url=https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2073661-eddie-stobart-changes-name-to-logistics-development-group |access-date=24 February 2021 |publisher=The Business Desk}}</ref>
On 1 July 2021, Culina Group purchased the business.<ref name="ldgdisposal">{{Cite news |date=1 July 2021 |title=LDG disposes of Eddie Stobart Holding Company Interest |url=https://www.insidermedia.com/news/north-west/ldg-disposes-of-eddie-stobart-holding-company-interest |access-date=2 July 2021 |work=Inside Media}}</ref> In September 2021, Eddie Stobart was rebranded as Stobart.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20240314164322/https://trans.info/new-look-for-stobart-trucks-and-trailers-following-culina-acquisition-253105 New look for Stobart trucks and trailers following Culina acquisition] Trans.info 3 September 2021</ref>
==Ownership== Between 2014 and 2021 the business was either wholly owned or partly owned by an investment entity known as Eddie Stobart Logistics: that entity changed its name to Logistics Development Group in February 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |date=9 February 2021 |title=Eddie Stobart changes name to Logistics Development Group |url=https://www.thebusinessdesk.com/northwest/news/2073661-eddie-stobart-changes-name-to-logistics-development-group |access-date=24 February 2021 |publisher=The Business Desk}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=6 July 2020 |title=Eddie Stobart Logistics says Eddie Stobart Group has benefited from exposure to FMCGs |url=https://www.proactiveinvestors.co.uk/companies/news/923463/eddie-stobart-logistics-says-eddie-stobart-group-has-benefited-from-exposure-to-fmcgs-923463.html |access-date=24 February 2021 |publisher=Proactive Investors}}</ref> DBAY Advisors (51%) and Logistics Development Group (49%) both sold their shareholdings to Culina Group in July 2021.<ref name=ldgdisposal/>
==Headquarters== The company headquarters are located on the Stretton Green Distribution Park, Warrington.<ref>{{Cite web |date=26 June 2018 |title=Eddie Stobart to create 730 new jobs with HQ expansion |url=https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/business/business-news/eddie-stobart-warrington-liberty-properties-14828566 |access-date=24 August 2019 |publisher=Manchester Evening News}}</ref>
==Business segments== === Eddie Stobart === The largest part of the business is the original Eddie Stobart road haulage business with approximately 2,700 vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web |date=23 August 2019 |title=Eddie Stobart chief leaves as shares suspended |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-49445495 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref>
=== Stobart Rail Freight === [[File:Bart The Engine 92017, Pathfinder Railtour, 5 June 2010 (1).jpg|thumb|Stobart Rail liveried Class 92 in June 2010]] Eddie Stobart provided rail based services, both for freight as the Stobart Rail service, and (formerly) for passengers. For rail freight transport, the group owns warehousing at the rail connected Daventry International Railfreight Terminal, and owns the rail connected Widnes Intermodal Rail Depot.<ref>{{Cite web |date=8 May 2013 |title=Eddie Stobart plan could create 10,000 jobs |url=https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liverpool-news/eddie-stobart-plan-could-create-3470578 |access-date=4 April 2018 |publisher=Liverpool Echo}}</ref>
=== Stobart Ports === O'Connor Group Management Ltd (trading as Stobart Ports) is the ports division. It owns a site in Widnes, Cheshire.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Luxury temporary headquarters for Stobart Ports |url=https://www.theconstructionindex.co.uk/news/view/Luxury-temporary-headquarters-for-Stobart-Ports |access-date=4 April 2018 |publisher=Construction Index}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=25 June 2018 |title=REIT picks up Stobart Widnes site |url=https://www.placenorthwest.co.uk/news/reit-picks-up-stobart-widnes-site/ |access-date=11 March 2020 |publisher=Place Northwest}}</ref>
==Vehicle naming== [[File:Eddie Stobart GK62OZH (H8651 Karen Elizabeth) (8750733599) (cropped).jpg|thumb|''Karen Elizabeth'' name on a Mercedes-Benz Actros in 2013]] Eddie Stobart had a long tradition of giving its trucks female names. The first four owned by Eddie Stobart were named after model "Twiggy" and singers "Tammy" (Wynette), "Dolly" (Parton) and "Suzi" (Quatro). The practice has been expanded to cover other Stobart vehicles, including their sponsored sports cars and the Stobart Rail locomotive "Eddie the Engine".<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eddie the Engine |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cumbria/content/image_galleries/eddie_train_gallery.shtml?4 |access-date=1 June 2017 |publisher=BBC News}}</ref>
With the expansion of the fleet, names have become harder to choose, and the fleet now features "Tuula Karina" (Finnish), "Angharad" (Welsh), "Anstice" and "Saoirse Erin" (Irish, meaning 'Free Ireland'). Currently the vehicles with the shortest and longest names are "Nia" and "Gladys Duchess of Overton", both on Scania R420s.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gladys Duchess of Overton |date=5 April 2013 |url=https://www.flickr.com/photos/28011506@N04/8627319081 |access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref>
There are some exceptions to the female naming convention (including Eddie the Engine). In 2005, in celebration of twenty years of ''Transformers'', Stobart named a MAN tractor "Optimus Prime" and recently during the filming of a television series entitled ''Eddie Stobart: Trucks & Trailers'' a Volvo FH12 was christened "Valentino" after Valentino Rossi, the legendary Italian motorcycle racer, which caused a furore among spotters.<ref>{{Cite web |date=24 March 2015 |title=Eddie Stobart names truck after murdered soldier Lee Rigby |url=https://www.halifaxcourier.co.uk/news/eddie-stobart-names-truck-after-murdered-soldier-lee-rigby-1-7173422 |access-date=6 October 2018 |publisher=Halifax Courier}}</ref>
The company has a static Volvo FH in the "Glasshouse" at their Crick depot which is named in honour of fusilier "Lee Rigby".<ref>{{Cite web |date=31 March 2015 |title='Rare honour' as murdered soldier Lee Rigby has an Eddie Stobart lorry named after him |url=http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/news/murdered-soldier-lee-rigby-eddir-8955375 |access-date=1 June 2017 |publisher=Manchester Evening News}}</ref>
==Vehicle livery history== The first truck bought by Eddie Stobart in 1960 was painted post office red and Brunswick Green, with yellow lettering.<ref>{{Cite book |last=Roach |first=Martin |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=dd7kb1gk7DsC&q=eddie+stobart+paint+job+red+green+paint&pg=PT25 |title=Eddie Stobart: The Ultimate Guide to the British Trucking Legends |publisher=Virgin Books |year=2012 |isbn=978-0753540909}}</ref> With subsequent vehicles the dark red was changed to a regular red, and the dark green was changed to a mixture of dark and bright green.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Row of Parked Eddie Stobart Scania HGV R440 tractor units; trucks trailers & containers at Lorry Halt; Logo & Livery AEC Scania 440 haulage vehicles. |url=https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-row-of-parked-eddie-stobart-scania-hgv-r440-tractor-units-trucks-trailers-36585269.html/}}</ref>
After the acquisition by Culina Group the livery was changed to white.<ref>{{Cite web |title=New look for Stobart trucks and trailers following Culina acquisition |url=https://trans.info/new-look-for-stobart-trucks-and-trailers-following-culina-acquisition-253105}}</ref>
==Former operations== ===Rail tours=== [[File:Stobart Pullman hauled by DRS 47712 photo 1.jpg|thumb|A Stobart Pullman train]] The Stobart Group briefly entered the passenger railtour market, through the Stobart Pullman, which was a re-branding of the Hertfordshire Rail Tours business inherited from Victa Westlink Rail, a joint venture between its Westlink subsidiary and Victa Railfreight. Traction was provided by Direct Rail Services using Stobart branded Mark 3 carriages.<ref>Stobart and Westbury join forces on road and rail ''Rail'' issue 573 29 August 2007 page 16</ref> It was launched in February 2008, ceasing five months later.<ref>DRS/Stobart launch new Pullmam train ''Today's Railways UK'' issue 76 April 2008 page 74</ref><ref>Stobart Rail pulls the plug on loss-making Pullman operation ''Rail Express'' issue 147 August 2008 page 4</ref>
===Fuel=== The Eddie Stobart fleet included a number of Volvo FM dual fuel trucks, running primarily on liquid natural gas, with diesel as a backup.<ref>{{Cite web |title="Eddie Stobart: Trucks and Trailers - Series 2 Episode 5" at |url=http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/2011/06/eddie-stobart-trucks-and-trail-10.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20110913205343/http://www.roadtransport.com/blogs/2011/06/eddie-stobart-trucks-and-trail-10.html |archive-date=13 September 2011 |access-date=2 December 2011 |publisher=Roadtransport.com}}</ref>
==Brand promotion== [[File:Eddie Stobart Impreza.jpg|thumb|A Subaru Impreza with Stobart sponsorship in September 2007]] Eddie Stobart Promotions Ltd have various Brand Promotion services, such as the Stobart Members Club, Stobart Fest, Stobart Sponsorship and Stobart Motorsport. In 2005 and from 2007 to 2016 Eddie Stobart was recognised as a UK Superbrand by Superbrands Ltd.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Superbrands video |url=http://www.investors-portugal.com/investor/stobart-group-uk-superbrands-tv-brand-video/ |access-date=1 June 2017}}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref>
===Stobart Members Club=== The tradition of naming Eddie Stobart tractor units with female names, combined with a very distinctive livery, has led members of the general public to "collect" sightings of Stobart lorries. This has occurred to the extent that a fan club was formed, eventually supported by the company which arranges depot tours and lorry rides, and sells model lorries etc.<ref>{{Cite web |date=14 December 2013 |title=Ladies can jump the Stobart Club queue |url=http://www.doncasterfreepress.co.uk/news/offbeat/ladies-can-jump-the-stobart-club-queue-1-6315884 |access-date=1 June 2017 |publisher=Doncaster Free Press}}</ref>
===Sponsorship=== After the takeover of Eddie Stobart by WA Developments in 2004 and its subsequent listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2007, Stobart took to a high-profile sponsorship programme, including: * Stobart Stadium Halton, formerly Halton Stadium, the home of Widnes Vikings<ref>{{Cite web |title=Stobart Group maps out road to success for Vikings |url=http://www2.halton.gov.uk/content/newsroom/latestnews/504293?a=5441 |access-date=7 December 2007 |publisher=Halton Borough Council}}{{dead link|date=June 2016|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> * Manor House Stables - yard sponsor, home to racehorse trainer Tom Dascombe<ref>{{Cite web |title=Manor House Stables sponsored by Stobart Group |url=http://www.manorhousestables.com/mhs-sponsor.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327181413/http://www.manorhousestables.com/mhs-sponsor.html |archive-date=27 March 2010 |access-date=3 March 2010 |publisher=Manor House Stables }}</ref> * The Rugby Super League<ref>{{Cite news |date=25 January 2012 |title=RFL confirm Stobart as new Super League sponsor |url=http://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/sport/wakefield-wildcats/rfl_confirm_stobart_as_new_super_league_sponsor_1_4178927 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120919173534/http://www.wakefieldexpress.co.uk/sport/wakefield-wildcats/rfl_confirm_stobart_as_new_super_league_sponsor_1_4178927 |archive-date=19 September 2012 |access-date=19 February 2012 |work=Wakefield Express}}</ref>
===In popular culture===
Channel 5 and Princess Productions released a programme dedicated to the Stobart group, ''Eddie Stobart: Trucks & Trailers'', which first aired on 24 September 2010.<ref name="stobartgroup">{{Cite web |title=Eddie Stobart Back on Screens For Series Three | General | News Releases | Media | Stobart Group |url=http://www.stobartgroup.co.uk/news/general/eddie-stobart-back-on-screens-for-series-three/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120331023419/http://www.stobartgroup.co.uk/news/general/eddie-stobart-back-on-screens-for-series-three |archive-date=31 March 2012 |access-date=28 July 2016 }}</ref> The Stobart Group was featured on ''Top Gear'' in 1995, when presenter Tony Mason visited the company's Carlisle headquarters. Another appearance was made on ''Top Gear'' during the Reliant Robin rocket challenge. The Reliant was transported to the launch site on a flatbed Stobart truck to Richard Hammond and James May.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Eddie Stobart Ltd Haulage Company - Old Top Gear | website=YouTube | date=19 March 2013 |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2p2emiaIAz0 |access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref> A one-off TV show was produced for ITV4 called ''Eddie Stobart - Smart Truckers''. Narrated by Paddy McGuinness, the show included the boss William Stobart doing deliveries to distribution centres and the firm's race horses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Eddie Stobart - Smart Truckers'' |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8d2a59d1 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190117013341/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/4ce2b8d2a59d1 |archive-date=17 January 2019 |access-date=1 June 2017}}</ref> A Compact disc was produced called ''Eddie Stobart Trucking Songs''. The CD features all the truckers' favourite rock songs and artists including Queen, Fleetwood Mac and Motörhead.<ref>{{Cite web |title=''Eddie Stobart Trucking Songs'' |url=http://www.allmusic.com/album/eddie-stobart-trucking-songs-mw0002543363 |access-date=1 June 2017 |publisher=All music}}</ref> The Somerset-based Scrumpy and Western band The Wurzels recorded a new song, "I wanna be an Eddie Stobart Driver".<ref>{{Cite web |title=I wanna be an Eddie Stobart Driver |url=http://www.picture-disc.co.uk/THE-WURZELS-I-WANNA-BE-AN-EDDIE-STOBART-DRIVER |access-date=1 June 2017 |publisher=Picture Disc}}</ref>
In 2001, an animated series titled '''''Steady Eddie''''' was released on home video by Contender Entertainment Group consisting of low-budget animation. It was based on the books by Linda Jennings and features some differences to the original book version (such as the human character designs etc.). The series features characters such as anthropomorphic vehicles: Steady Eddie, the protagonist, Oliver Overdrive, Steady Eddie's arch-rival, Jock the Tanker and Lorretta Lorry, Steady Eddie's friends, and Freddie Forklift, a forklift who works in the yard making deliveries to Steady Eddie.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 September 2001 |title=Steady Eddie is ready to beat Bob |url=https://www.theguardian.com/media/2001/sep/19/broadcasting.business |access-date=1 June 2017 |work=The Guardian}}</ref>
The characters in the late 1990s were released as toys by Corgi and often contained a small comic storyline seen on the back of the packaging.<ref>{{Cite web |title=CORGI STEADY EDDIE |url=https://www.scarvaauctions.com/catalogue/lot/ed27efc2b79c91d282ea3ee311f575ff/6a1db9e1888e53196321a50d81044772/toy-model-auction-lot-49/ |access-date=2026-04-20 |website=www.scarvaauctions.com}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Commons category|Eddie Stobart}} * [http://www.eddiestobart.com/ Eddie Stobart website] * [http://www.eddiestobart.com/about-us/ Corporate history of Eddie Stobart] * [http://www.stobartclubandshop.co.uk Eddie Stobart fan club official website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211119070125/https://stobartclubandshop.co.uk/ |date=19 November 2021 }}
Category:Companies based in Warrington Category:Logistics companies of the United Kingdom Category:Transport companies established in 1970 Category:Transport operators of the United Kingdom Category:1970 establishments in England