Although TRUCKINGBY has only been on the live touring circuit for 14 years, the history of the company dates back to 1975, when founder Brian Yeardley established the business with a focus on general cargo. This side of TRUCKINGBY – now operating as CARGOBY – still makes up 50% of the business, with the remaining 50% coming from the live events sector. In the company’s 50th year, the founder opted to step away from the business, with longtime employees, Kevin and Sarah Hopper, heading an MBO in October 2024 with Damian Sharpe, the company’s Financial Director and Operations Director Jordan Potts.
Both Kevin and Sarah have worked with the company for many years, with Kevin starting at 21 in the late ’70s. He’s had a front-row seat to the company’s success – specifically how it found its way into the live touring sphere.
“We were asked by one of our customers from the general cargo side of the business if we’d be interested in doing a roadshow for them,” he explained, adding that he was originally unsure whether this would be the right fit for the company, as at the time it only owned three box trailers. “But we did the job, which saw us take the roadshow to three locations in the UK.”
Following the success of those jobs, the TRUCKINGBY team began to think that, with its vast experience in logistics across the UK and Europe, there could be an opportunity in the live events sphere.
Since that time, the company has become a dominant name within the touring world and, in 2025 alone, has provided full logistics support for the likes of Tate McRae, Wolf Alice, Morgan Wallen, Three Days Grace and Simply Red, to name but a few. “You don’t just walk into the touring business, and we had to build up relationships along with a reputation for reliability and quality,” stated Kevin, expressing how certain aspects of the business make it well-suited to touring.
“Due to some of our clients’ needs for us to move certain goods, all our drivers are ADR trained and able to move dangerous goods – an advantage if they need to move pyro or generators with fuel safely and legally for our live events customers.
Likewise, the security of the cargo it carries has always been a focus, which can be worth millions of pounds. “All our trailers are set up to the highest standard of load securing and security,” he explained. “Driver’s security and welfare is also at the top of our agenda with every truck fitted with gas detectors, deadlocks on the cab doors and an emergency 24-hour alarm system, which not only has external audio alarms, but is connected to TRUCKINGBYS 24 hour traffic team and the authorities.”
Away from logistics, the team at TRUCKINGBY has offered space for touring clients for backline and set storage at both its Featherstone, West Yorkshire headquarters and its Ashford, Kent premises. Just like its fleet, these facilities are equipped with 24/7 CCTV temperature-controlled monitoring and full on-site 24/7 security. TRUCKINGBY’s own on-site crew are available for loading and unloading vehicles and containers.
Despite the differences between general cargo and live touring, Kevin stated that there are key principles that have enabled both sides of the business to be successful – namely that drivers are true representatives of the company. “We have a sticker on the back of every single one of our trailers that says: ‘clients are hard to get and easy to lose. Please look after our clients’.”
The Managing Director gave the utmost praise to all the company’s drivers. “Some drivers have been with us for 10, 15 and even 20 years. I think one of the reasons is that all our drivers are not on zero-hour contracts but full-time contracts with private medical care. We pride ourselves on our staff’s welfare and that pays dividends.”
Before anyone gets behind the wheel of a TRUCKINGBY vehicle, they undergo an induction process crafted by Sarah Hopper.
“The induction goes over everything from our values and environmental processes down to an overview and training for all our trucks and trailers.”
She explained that each driver is also assessed by the company’s Fleet Manager before being given the keys to go out on tour. “We need to make sure the drivers know how to use all of these before they go out.”
KEEPING GOING DOWN THE ROAD
Part of Kevin and Sarah’s passion for TRUCKINGBY has meant the duo are not only focused on providing a great service for clients, but also on ensuring the company is built for a successful future. This has entailed building a strong staff base as well as expanding into more territories in response to post-Brexit legislation for the transport industry.
The two newest bases – in addition to its West Yorkshire head office and Kent operation – are located in Dublin and Copenhagen. Dublin is the most recent expansion, having been made official in December 2025.
“We have started with three trucks in that base with another seven vehicles on order,” explained Kevin, while also stating the need for caution when opening a new base.
The Danish operation is part of a partnership with Copenhagen’s Stokholm Transport. Due to a close friendship with CEO Lars Stokholm, the two companies have joined forces to form STOKHOLMBY. Through this partnership, Kevin explained that the combined operation has a total of 160 trucks available at any one time. The collaboration has also brought in new business, such as providing transport for French metal band Gojira and Germany band Bohse Onkelz.
As the adage often goes ‘it is not the equipment but the people that make the company’. On that note, Kevin is proud of the young team he has helped build to ensure the longevity of TRUCKINGBY. One such individual is Jordan Potts. Winner of a Production Futures Breakthrough Talent Award in 2018, Potts was one of a handful of students who received a guest lecture from Sarah Hopper at the Academy of Live Technology (then Backstage Academy). Inspired by the logistics element of live touring, Potts joined the ranks and quickly ascended to the position of Operations Director.
“We have a great young management team with the likes of Jordan and Damien Sharpe, our Finance Director, and I’m looking forward to seeing how they take the company into the future,” enthused Kevin.
Potts spoke to TPi about how, as Operations Director, he ensures the company is able to provide the best service to clients during periods of exceptionally high demand.
“It’s a small industry and we are aware that people talk,” he began, emphasising that TRUCKINGBY is determined to never let down a client or overpromise. “Each day we have planning meetings and one of the things we ensure is that we always have a 10% contingency within our fleet to give us some breathing space and to keep our clients happy. For example, if a client suddenly needs an extra truck for a project, we can cater for this.”
The team admitted this requires a great deal of dialogue. However, they also noted that the company’s involvement in general cargo work can create interesting solutions where a job is split between the two sides of the business, reducing the need to move empty trucks. “All of this means a great deal of communication between departments,” stated Potts.
He continued by outlining how he sees the future of TRUCKINGBY. “We have got a lot of new clients on board and live touring for us continues to grow. TRUCKINGBY as a brand has only existed for 14 years and we are seeing the impact our brand has had on the industry.”
This was further reflected in the decision to rebrand the general cargo arm as CARGOBY to create synergy between the two branches of the business. “We have invested heavily in sales on both sides of the business recently with the employment of Sam Handley as Business Development Manager to aid in the sales of TRUCKINGBY,” commented Kevin. “We are excited about our future growth and taking the business forward.”
Despite being with the company for over 40 years, CEO Kevin Hopper remains excited about what lies ahead. “People are nervous about the future and investing, but we have made some of our recent steps, like opening our Dublin base, with confidence. All new investments we’ve made recently with vehicles and trailers have all been out all year. It’s controlled growth and I’m pleased to say every morning when I get up, I’m excited to get to the office and see what is going to come through the door.”
Words: Stew Hume
Photos: TRUCKINGBY
