32 | Tees Business
A STRONG HISTORY and aBRIGHT FUTURE
AV DAWSON CELEBRATES 80 YEARS
Iconic Tees firm AV Dawson started with a horse , cart and load of coal 80 years ago .
It is undeniable that the AV Dawson name is synonymous with Teesside . In the year that the family-owned business has reached octogenarian status , we take a look back at how the company has powered through one world war , four recessions and navigated the ever-changing and sometimes challenging Teesside business and industrial climate to become one of the region ’ s largest and best-known family businesses .
AV Dawson managing director Gary Dawson .
Founded in 1938 , by Arthur Vernon Dawson , the grandfather of current managing director Gary Dawson , AV Dawson has come a long way from its humble beginnings selling coal .
Now a multi-million pound business celebrating 80 years of supporting manufacturing supply chains by handling and moving freight , AV Dawson operates from its 100-acre Tees freight terminal on Riverside Park , Middlesbrough .
The site , which has direct access to the River Tees , includes port operations , rail terminals , road haulage and warehousing . Perhaps its most identifiable feature is its 42-metre high grey and white fabrication halls , visible across Teesside , standing proudly alongside the Transporter Bridge .
MD Gary says : “ Looking back over the last 80 years , I take great pride in how far this family business has come .
“ When I say family , I don ’ t just mean the Dawson family . I include all AV Dawson staff , as without them this business wouldn ’ t be what it is today .
“ We remain very firmly a Teesside company and will continue to invest in our people and our business to ensure we provide the best support to our customers and our local community today and into the future .”
AV Dawson was famously started by Arthur Vernon Dawson in 1938 with the princely sum of £ 50 which had been raised through the sale of a second hand car . With the money , he bought a horse called Dina , a cart and a load of coal to sell . AV Dawson was born .
In the winter months , selling coal was a full-time job . However , in the summer diversification was needed , and this was where Dina could be seen pulling light haulage loads , furniture , timber and construction materials , giving an indication of things to come .
Even in war-time the business boomed , and Vernie went on to buy a six-wheeler lorry to transport coal direct from coal fields in Durham and Northumberland .