Eddie Stobart dies aged 95 as tributes flood in for man who founded iconic lorry firm
LORRY LEGEND Eddie Stobart has sadly died aged 95 as tributes pour in.
The founder of the firm - whose name was famously plastered across his lorries - died on November 25, his representatives confirmed today.
Eddie founded the firm in the 1940s and it grew to become a nation-wide icon under the stewardship of his financially-savvy son Edward.
Edward sadly died aged 56 of a suspected heart attack in 2011.
He took over the firm in 1976 and is largely credited for transforming the company into the industry giant it is today.
Father Eddie, was born in 1929, in Cumbria, and originally worked as a farmer in the 1940s.
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He left school at 14-years-old and eventually earned himself enough to buy an unbroken horse, which he trained up and later sold for double the price.
Eddie took the money and invested it into hens and hen houses, to sell.
The young entrepreneur managed to rake in enough cash to purchase a tractor and threshing machine, which he then used to work for other farmers.
The first Eddie Stobart lorry was a second-hand Guy Invincible four-wheeler, and started travelling on UK roads in 1960.
The truck featured the famous Eddie Stobart green and red colouring.
Today, the company now owns and operates more than 2,500 vehicles.
At the age of just 21, Edward Stobart took over the business - which had eight lorries and 12 employees.
He named the lorries female names, including Twiggy after the model.
The former company leader is credited with changing the public's perception of the industry and re-branding to convey a sharper, cleaner image.
Drivers of Stobart trucks began wearing a uniform which consisted of collars and ties.
When Edward died, his brother William took over the business.
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