Two Lancashire businesses have joined forces to record a joint Christmas video in verse. The video includes rare black and white business footage from the 1920s.
Bowker Motor Group and Bowker Transport are owned by members of the same Lancashire family. The collaboration marks the older logistics and warehousing company’s centenary celebrations.
It’s the first time the businesses have collaborated on a Christmas video.
Staff from Preston, Blackburn, Osbaldeston and Bamber Bridge recite lines from a short exclusively-written poem called ‘Here’s to Lancashire Families’. The video also features four of the youngest Bowker family members.
Bowker Motor Group chief executive Paul Bowker said: “Our Christmas videos have become a company tradition. We’ve sung carols and shared magical Christmas stories, but this year we wanted to do something special to celebrate the Bowker Centenary. Our first-ever link up with Bowker Transport seemed a perfect fit. After all, Christmas is a time when families come together!”
Bill Bowker Bowker Transport director added: “A milestone like 100 years is a great opportunity to take stock of our story. As a Lancashire family, we’re very proud of our heritage and grateful for the opportunities the county has offered us. As our Centenary celebrations come to an end, I would like to thank all of our staff, customers and suppliers for all their support and effort during this momentous and memorable year.”
Bowker Centenary celebrations throughout the year have involved staff, customers and suppliers throughout the year. Highlights have included a family festival at Hoghton Tower and a 300-mile bike ride between all Bowker Transport offices, warehouses and depots.
Bowker Transport was established in 1919 when William Bowker used his £75.00 war gratuity to buy the first vehicle. He began making local deliveries in Lancashire, earning a reputation for a pioneering spirit and an innovative approach to industry’s needs. It wasn’t long before he’d assembled one of the largest fleets in the country.
Since then, the famous Bowker livery has gone on to become one of the most recognisable on British roads. Bowker Transport operates in excess of 160 vehicles and 300 trailers, providing over one million square feet of warehousing at their 7 UK sites.
Bowker Motor Group is the younger business sibling of Bowker Transport, formed when the Company diversified its activities in 1984 with the acquisition of Clock Garage in Accrington – the BMW retailer for East Lancashire. Today the franchise portfolio includes BMW, MINI, BMW Motorrad, Harley-Davidson and Porsche, with centres in Preston and Blackburn. Bowker Ribble Valley, based on the A59 at Osbaldeston, specialises in retailing prestige and sports cars with a full Aftersales Centre.
Take a trip down memory lane with the complete collection of Bowker Christmas Videos over the years.
