Eddie Stobart celebrates 40 years on the road by launching competition to name its iconic trucks

UK transport giant Eddie Stobart has launched a national truck spotting competition where, for the first time ever, members of the public can get the chance to name their very own Eddie Stobart truck.

The Cumbrian-based haulage company, which celebrates its 40th anniversary this year, is famed for its iconic green and red liveried vehicles which are all emblazoned with a unique girls name on the front of each cab. In the early days the companys popularity grew when the very first truck was christened Twiggy in 1976 and an enthusiastic band of Stobart Spotters has recorded each sighting of an Eddie Stobart vehicle on the UKs roads and motorways ever since.

Now the Stobart Members Club boasts over 15,000 fans from across Europe and Eddie Stobart has a dedicated Promotions department to administer the Club and sell exclusive branded merchandise. This innovative marketing of the Eddie Stobart brand has led to it being voted as a Business Superbrand for the last five years and is now ranked above global companies such as DHL, UPS and HSBC.

Normally only Club Members are able to request a name for a Stobart truck and even then theres a three year waiting list to achieve this pinnacle. However, in order to celebrate its ruby anniversary, Eddie Stobart is giving all members of the public the chance to jump the three year queue and personalise their very own vehicle.

Every month from May until December 2010, Stobart is placing one truck onto its fleet that has no name. This un-named truck will instead bear a question mark on the front of the cab where the girls name is normally displayed. Anyone who spots this truck must note down the time and location and register it using the online form at www.clubstobart.co.uk At the end of each month, an entry will be chosen at random and they will receive the chance to name the truck they have spotted.

To give everyone a fair chance, a different depot location across the UK will be chosen for each un-named vehicle but with nearly 2000 Eddie Stobart trucks on the UKs road network, spotting the question mark is going to be no mean feat.
 
Stobart Groups CEO Andrew Tinkler commented: The Eddie Stobart brand has been built on traditional core business beliefs but has grown because of our fans in the Stobart Members Club, their continued allegiance to our brand and the spotting of our trucks. They really are a key part of the Eddie Stobart family and weve planned some exciting activities this year, including an exclusive anniversary merchandise range, to help celebrate their loyalty during the last 40 years. This national competition is a great way for us to give something back and to get more members of the public spotting our trucks the chance to name a truck doesnt come around often so it really is a unique opportunity.