History
Four Generations of Family-Run Service
Our Story
From humble beginnings in 1919 – when brothers George and Ernest Cooper ran long haul trips to London, often sleeping under canvas on the back of their trucks – to the modern fleet of 100+ articulated tippers today, the company has continually adapted to meet a changing market.
In 1965, nine years after Ernest parted company from his brother George, Ernest Cooper Ltd was formally established, initially transporting steel from the Kirkstall Forge, Leeds.
Early Beginnings (1919–1965)
Early Beginnings (1919–1965)The Cooper story began in 1919, when brothers George and Ernest Cooper ran long-haul trips from Yorkshire to London — often sleeping under canvas on the back of their trucks.From these humble beginnings, the company has continually adapted to meet the needs of a changing market, evolving from a small family operation to a recognised name in UK bulk haulage.In 1965, nine years after Ernest parted company from his brother George following a 37-year haulage partnership, Ernest Cooper Ltd was formally established. The company began by transporting steel from the Kirkstall Forge in Leeds, marking the start of a proud new chapter.
The Next Generation
Ernest’s sons, Harvey and Garry, soon joined the business, initially operating a fleet of Bedford trucks hauling steel axles. When the steel work proved unsustainable, they pivoted the business towards bulk tipping — purchasing two new Bedford KM 4-wheel tippers, driven by the brothers themselves.Through the 1970s, the fleet expanded with 6-wheel Leyland Reivers and Bisons, later upgrading to the Leyland Constructor 6-wheeler. The company hauled stone from Yorkshire quarries to support the explosion of motorway construction, particularly the M1.
Modernisation and Growth
By the early 1980s, Coopers introduced their first articulated bulk tipper, meeting growing demand for larger payloads. With the decline of Leyland, the company switched to Volvo trucks, starting with the F86, then F7 8-wheelers, followed by the F10, FL10, and FH12 models — establishing a lasting partnership that continues today. Following Ernest’s passing in 1989, his sons worked tirelessly to grow the company in a competitive market. Garry retired in 2000, while Harvey continues to lead by example and remains actively involved in the business to this day.
Today
Ernest’s original values of growth, service, and reliability live on under the leadership of Harvey’s sons, Lee and Jason Cooper.
Today, the fleet continues to expand and modernise, with the latest Volvo Euro 6 Aero tractor units joining the line-up. Lee’s son Jake and daughter Ellie as well as Jasons son Drew are now the fourth generation to be part of the company — ensuring the Cooper family legacy continues to drive the business forward for years to come.
