M. Way & Son Transport was established in September 1973 when the founder, Merv Way, bought a second-hand Dodge 500 flatbed lorry from John Evans (of Evans Transport) of Barnstaple. The company was run from the family-home, in South Molton, with Merv’s wife Helen taking care of the accounts. 

 

The company grew steadily over the next few years and we bought an AEC Mercury flatbed and a tractor unit in order to transport bulk orders of coal, to supplement local coal deliveries. 

 

By 1985 we had moved and established a working yard at Molland, East of South Molton. We extended our fleet to 9 vehicles and the transportation of bulk loads, predominantly coal, formed a larger part of the business. Vehicles would typically be loaded with Devon sand to be delivered to the Midlands, returning with coal from the Nottinghamshire coal fields. This work continues to this day. 

 

In 1986 we moved to new premises in South Molton. At this time, Merv’s son Nick left school and was keen to join the family firm, soon to be followed by his sister, Karen. 

 

In 1992 we moved back into the heart of South Molton, occupying premises at Southley Road where vehicles are still maintained to this day through the auspices of South Molton Commercials, a company wholly owned by the Way family. The fleet of orange (actually 'Vauxhall Cargo' orange) vehicles were a familiar site in the cattle market car park, together with other local hauliers who parked their their vehicles there. 

 

Now the fleet had expanded to 20 vehicles, mainly Seddon Atkinsons and Volvos and the types of goods carried had also diversified, to include clay from local pits for delivery to Stoke-on-Trent and Hull. 

 

The company grew in the years that followed and the fleet steadily increased, both in size and the makes of vehicles, we even purchased DAFs for the first time. By 2001 we had moved into a business sector that required the purchase of walking floor trailers. To service a contract we had to transport waste paper to recycling plants. 

 

In November 2005 we purchased Eggbeer’s Transport from Newton Abbot, a firm who had a long history in the transportation of local clay. The company were well-known to M.Way & Son as they had worked closely together for many years. With this purchase, the fleet size increased to 44 vehicles, operating from South Molton and Newton Abbot. 

 

In November 2006 the company relocated to purpose-built premises at Pathfields Industrial estate, on the outskirts of South Molton, where the day-to-day running of the company takes place today. The company currently operates 70 vehicles of various makes including, for the first time ever, two Renaults. 

 

It is our friendly, professional and adaptable approach that has resulted in a strong, solid and loyal customer base. Indeed, some of the company’s very first customers of 30 years ago are still doing business with M. Way and Son Transport Ltd today. 

 

We hope that you will enjoy looking at our website and remember - “Way for Bulk”