A Century in Transport

The traditions of family ownership are retained at the heart of today's leading edge transport, warehousing and distribution business, the Swain Group.

• Since its foundation in 1918, at the end of the First World War, four generations of Swains have left their own indelible mark on a business which has constantly sought to create a better transport service for customers.
• At the outset it was opportunity and inspiration, when the horse and cart provided better care and a faster service for Kent farm produce en route to Covent Garden and an equally welcome return load service to local greengrocers.
• By WW2 the business was well established and an MOD contractor. It even became a home guard unit in its own right…and survived the nationalisation aftermath.

• R Swain and Sons thrived on local economic expansion building an exemplary reputation with both customers and employees from the post war years right through to the 1970's when Bob Swain, today's Group Managing Director returned from eight years in South Africa to become the fourth generation to manage the company.
• With 18 vehicles and a turnover of £100,000 the challenge was to grow or disappear. Pursuing a strategy of organic growth, with selective acquisition in recent years, Swain Group as it has become, now sets a 'gold standard' for the industry.
• We continue to expand through reputation and recommendation.  A management training programme which encourages our staff to build their career with the Group combined with every aspect of new technology ensures we continue to enhance customer service.

• The result has been frequent selection for the industry's most challenging tasks such as the Heathrow's new Terminal 5, the new Wembley Stadium project and Twickenham RFU Stadium. Now, there is the prospect of a key role in major projects for the Olympics where planning is already under way for numerous locations in the Swain 'backyard'.