Lawsons Haulage was founded on the family farm by Jim and Eileen Lawson at Hundith Hill, Cockermouth. They started with a small cattle wagon used to transport livestock for local farmers to the auction marts. Eventually, the company diversified into carrying animal feeds, hay and straw and continued to expand into new markets whilst acquiring more vehicles as it did so.
Between 1966 and 1972 the Workington to Keswick railway line and the Penrith rail link were closed, the ballast, sleepers and track were removed to make way for the new A66 and Lawsons Haulage worked on both of these jobs, buying and selling sleepers for the creation of silage and slurry pits for farms. With an expanded fleet that now includes articulated, flatbed, and tipper trailers, and with British Steel’s Workington plant still operating at full capacity, the contract for transporting track products across the British Isles remained a significant aspect of the business. Even after the closure of the rail mill at Workington and the re-location of production to Scunthorpe, Lawsons proudly retained the contract and continues to this day to distribute rails, ballast and sleepers throughout Britain.
In 1971, the company moved to the historic Gote Mill site to support the growing fleet and team. By the late 1970s, the acquisition of the first mobile crane and plant machinery marked the beginning of our bustling crane hire operation. Over seven decades of providing crane hire and heavy haulage services, Lawsons Haulage has cultivated an extensive client portfolio. The company’s family-run ethos remains endearing to its clients, who have come to expect a service that consistently meets their needs and maintains a global standard.
Today, Lawsons Haulage is still very proud to be a family ran business, assisted by a professional & dedicated workforce
Lawsons have extended the range of services available to prospective clients by adding expertise and equipment in crane services alongside several specialist trailers such as extendable, step frame and low loaders. Lawsons also opened satellite depots across the UK to better serve our clients. Manned 24 hours every day Lawsons are available for your haulage and mobile crane requirements.
Lawson’s experience allows for the transportation of specialist items. Their extensive fleet, which includes over 50 trucks and over 125 trailers, has been built to accommodate several unique requirements particularly associated with heavy haulage for the Rail Industry. Working nationally, and occasionally internationally, Lawsons have developed an enviable reputation in the Rail Industry but their diverse fleet and capability see them also carry timber, building products, tractors and heavy plant machinery, as well as bulk materials such as scrap metal, coal, stone and sand. Highlighting their ability to meet any demand, Lawsons have also carried such items as caravans, boats, trains, windmills and even a giant carved stone sheep. In 2012 they transported a boat from Lake Windermere to London for the Queen’s Thames River Pageant.
Although most of the haulage work is on specialist flat trailers, the company also has several tippers, carrying salt, coal and gravel. Complementing the fleet are 12 Hiab-type lorry-mounted cranes. The diverse range of trailers includes 45-foot flat beds, extendable up to 130 feet (some of them steerable), low loaders, step frames, curtain side and tipping trailers. Moffat Mountie and other specialised trailers are available on request. Recently, Lawsons has invested in a new large hiab being the one in the UK.
Adding to the service is a mobile crane and plant hire business. The hiring of plant equipment has become an important part of the company where it offers 180 degrees Backhoe machines, 360 degrees Track machines, tele-handlers, and lorry-mounted Hiab-type cranes from 25 tonnes per metre to 100 tonnes per metre. Significantly, as part of the company’s growth, Lawsons have 10 all-terrain mobile cranes in their fleet. These range from 1 tonne to 250+ tonnes, but larger and heavier cranes are available on request.
CPA and contract lifts are available and Lawsons supplies the Appointed Person and Lift Supervisor services to all jobs, as well as Slingers and Banksmen where required. The company possesses a varied range of lifting attachments including block grabs, concrete skips, lifting beams, spreader beams, and many more. Site visits are available on request and full on-site consultation is offered. Moreover, all vehicles, fleets and plants are supported by a large, purpose-built workshop for in-house maintenance and fabrication. This has streamlined the service and made it more efficient.
Pleasingly, Lawsons has seen its individually named fleet of mainly Scania, DAF and Volvo trucks make regular appearances at shows around the country, winning many awards for their immaculate appearance and high standard of maintenance, carried out in Lawsons’ workshops and their engineers.
