Earlier this month, one of John Mason International’s early vehicles was on show to the general public as part of the Spring Transport Show at the British Commercial Vehicle Museum in Leyland.
Over 100 vehicles took part in the event, ranging from the likes of early steam wagons, vintage fire-engines, buses, motorcycles, sports cars and lorries.
Formed in 1884, the same year as 2015/16 Premier League champions Leicester City and the NSPCC, John Mason International has used a variety of transport methods over the last 130+ years.
The company originally started with just a pony and cart before expanding to with more vehicles and heavier horses. In 1921, we acquired our first motor vehicle, an Albion, it had solid tyres and a chain drive. Although more motor vehicles would be steadily added to the fleet, horse transport would still be the main form of transport for some time, and more horses continued to be bought for many years. It would not be until the 1940s that all horse-drawn vehicles would be replaced by motor vans, platform vehicles and lift vans.
From a single horse and cart and undertaking only local work, during the course of many decades the firm of John Mason International Ltd has grown into a major player on the world stage. But despite its massive growth the firm has still managed to retain the virtues of a small family firm: flexibility, a genuine appreciation of its employees and an unswerving commitment to meeting its clients’
