OUR STORY
In 1973, Ian Bentley started the business and bought a Seddon Atkinson 4-wheeler to begin hauling coal. Then the sand and gravel loads to local quarries soon filled in the empty runs and by 1977 Ian had his own yard. Ian's wife, Pauline, has supported him throughout the years in the business, and in 2023, the company celebrated its 50th anniversary.
He then bought a 6-wheeler Leyland Reiver, which he liked immensely and changed the vehicle four times, before purchasing a 6-wheeler constructor. Then he bought an 8-wheeler Foden in 1985 and in 1990 Robert (Ian’s son) joined the business, after training to be a landscape gardener and started with a 4-wheeler Seddon Atkinson whilst Ian stuck to his Foden’s.
In 1995 Ian bought the Garage plot at Near Bank, where the business was able to expand and employ other drivers. The fleet increased over time with the introduction of arctics into the fleet. A further significant development came around in the 2000s when the company was approached by a farmer asking if the firm transported silica sand for cattle bedding. It led to a whole new branch of the business.
In 2013 the site at Near Bank was developed with a new workshop more serviceable for a larger fleet. Today the company runs three 8-wheelers and three artic units, supplying many of their customer base to art stone companies, farmers, and builders’ merchants for concreting and decorative aggregates.
Still overseen by the 82-year-old founder, Ian with son Robert Bentley in a director’s seat and Ian’s daughter Annette began working in the office in 2002. Together they run the day-to-day operations alongside Emma, Robert’s wife. The next generation is starting to come through in Robert's sons Benjamin and Luke. Annette's husband Ross is also apart of the team.
The Bentleys do the majority of their maintenance work in-house and have a considerable stocked parts store. A quick turnaround is always their aim. If a truck comes in broken, they can most likely get it back out the next morning. They have some very capable folk on the team, and Roberts’s eldest son Benjamin trained as a HGV mechanic and joined the business in 2018. He now drives their newest edition to the fleet, their 50th anniversary wagon, a DAF XG 530. Robert’s youngest son Luke also became a driver in 2021. He started his career driving the Foden Alpha and now drives a DAF CF 450 that was dedicated to Queen Elizabeth II. Luke’s Foden will remain with the firm both as a spare and a show truck.
Benjamin, Robert and Luke Bentley.
This business is owned and run by a family who take great pride in the appearance of their wagons. They ensure that each wagon is thoroughly washed every Friday. The drivers of their wagons always keep their cabs clean and tidy, so that they are always show-ready. If you ever come across a Bentley driver who is not wearing shoes and ask them why, they will respond by saying, "Would you wear your shoes in your own house? I wouldn't; this is my home for the week!” Don't be alarmed, they have specific footwear that they only use for driving.
Over the last few years, the team have visited a number of truck shows entering them to be judged and have achieved various trophies and certificates:
Best Rigid Thirsk 2018
Best New Truck Thirsk 2019
Best Tipper Truck Thirsk 2019
Best Fleet Thirsk 2019
Northern Fleet Award 2022
Highly Recommended Best New Truck Peterborough 2022
Highly Recommended Best New Truck Lincoln 2024
