Highlights of Our History
1929
The Companies previously formed by William Carter were incorporated by William's son Lesley.
1939 -1945
Throughout the war years the Company continued as a local haulier
1945 - 1955
The Company's role expanded into war demolition and reparation and the movement of Tarmac
1948 - 1952
Nationalisation - 'A' licences surrendered to British Road Services and the company was only allowed to work within a 25 mile radius of its base
1955
The beginning of a new era. Melton premises were purchased and are still the Head Office today
First articulated unit, a Vulcan joined the fleet
First vehicles bought from new since before the war
1960s
Edward, then Colin, Carter joined the business, together with Lesley forming the acronym still used by the Group - C.E.L.
1963
First deep-sea container ships began using Felixstowe, heralding the beginning of the company's long association with the Port of Felixstowe and containerisation
1965
First new vehicle to carry a fleet name - 'Deben Viking'
1968
First European vehicle purchased - a Volvo F86.
1968
First two Volvo F88 units purchased, possibly the first Volvo F88 in the U.K and certainly the first in East Anglia.
1969 -1970
Fleet vehicles named within the 'Adventurer and Warrior' theme and more stylised and updated 'WC' logo introduced.
1970s
Company moved into container repair and storage
C.E.L. (Engineering) Ltd formed to undertake repair and storage at Woodbridge site.
Rapid growth and development into shot blasting and commercial spraying.
1976
December 21st a truly momentous day in the Company's history. Colin and Edward bought out Leslie from W. Carter Haulage and The C.E.L. Group was formed.
Retirement of founder Leslie Carter.
1977
Company operated as C.E.L. Group
1981
Added Travel Agency, Deben Travel
1983
Added Travel Management services
Joint venture - Celwood Ltd - with Jess B. Woodcock Transport handled Yang Ming Line transport formed
W. Carter (Haulage) fleet then stood at 40 including Celwood contract vehicles
1988
Brit Ocean Ltd formed to handle Ned Lloyd's U.K. transport requirements
1990
W. Carter exclusive fleet size reached 45
1993
Hull depot opened
1995
C.E.L. Group acquired Yaxley based Peterborough Heavy Haulage Ltd
Total Group fleet stood at 105
1996
C.E.L. (Logistics) Ltd formed as a result of merging Celwood and Brit Ocean
1997
Birmingham depot opened
1999
Liverpool depot opened
Corstor JVC
Tilbury depot opened
2000
Middlesbrough depot opened
2001
Company invested ina countrywide network infrastructure
Fleet was uniformly painted in 'original' W. Carter livery (except customer liveries)
2002
Navison
2003
Alconbury depot opened
2004
AMS tracking introduced to give customers precise information on vehicle whereabouts
Corstor
2006
New wrap livery introduced for W. Carter vehicles incorporating a refinement of the logo combined with the 'Compass' logo of C.E.L. Group
2007
Fleet strength exceeded 250 vehicles.