Long haul delivery for over 100 years!

Ernest Cooper Ltd has an impressive heritage in bulk tipping and long haul delivery. Now in its fourth generation, the Cooper family take pride in a 1st class service operating a growing fleet of modern vehicles manned by experienced drivers.

From humble beginnings in 1919 – when brothers George and Ernest ran long haul trips to London – spending nights under canvas on the back of the trucks – to the modern fleet of 60+ articulated tippers of today, our company has continually adapted to meet a changing market.

Ernest Cooper Ltd was established in 1965, nine years after Ernest parted company from his brother George and following on from a 37 year haulage partnership. The company was employed in the carriage of steel from the Kirkstall Forge, Leeds.

Originally operating a fleet of Bedford trucks hauling steel axles etc, the business was not viable and the decision was made to purchase two new Bedford KM 4-wheel tippers, driven by Ernest’s Sons Garry and Harvey. Times were changing and Ernest Cooper Ltd’s journey into tippers began.

Coopers continued to grow into the bulk tipping market and move with the times by adding 6-wheel Leyland Reivers and Bisons to the fleet, and later updating to the Leyland Constructor 6-wheeler. 

In the early 70s the company hauled stone from the quarries of Yorkshire to support the explosion of motorway construction, particularly the M1. Meeting the demand for larger loads called for the addition of their first articulated bulk tipper in 1980. With the demise of Leyland, the Company switched to Volvo trucks with its first F86, followed by the F7 8-wheelers. 

As artics became the order of the day, F10, FL10 and FH12 were all used. Since then the fleet has continued to grow to meet new demands. Volvo continues to be the only manufacturer that Ernest Cooper Ltd uses.

Ernest Cooper passed away in 1989. Sons Garry and Harvey continued to work long hours to establish the business in a competitive market, and through their efforts the business grew. In 2000 Garry retired, while Harvey continued on and is still today at work every day at the age of 74!

Today, Ernest's original principles of growth to meet customer demand and commitment to first class service lives on. We are currently updating our fleet to the latest Volvo Euro 6 tractor units.

The business now goes from strength to strength under the continued directorship of Harvey’s two sons Lee and Jason. Both Lee’s son, 20yr old Jake and daughter 17yr old Ellie are the latest and fourth generation members to join the team. 

See the team list on the contact page.