Our heritage: The Dawsongroup story – from haulage to cold storage solutions
Dawsongroup is a family owned business which was established in 1935 by A.E.H Dawson. With his son, Peter, now chairman the business is supported by a long serving senior management team and now has 3rd generation family members working within the business. A family business ethos is still maintained at the core of Dawsongroup and is why so much emphasis is placed on the support of our customers. Have a look at the timeline of the business below
![dawsongroup heritage](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/heritage-hero-1col-1024x887.png)
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0018_1935-300x300_30-300x300.jpg)
A.E.H. Dawson buys a Studebaker truck to start a road haulage business in Leighton Buzzard, UK.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0017_1955-300x300_30-300x300.jpg)
A.E.H Dawson’s three sons, Tony, Peter (today’s Chairman) and Nicholas join the business in the 1950s.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0016_1971-300x300_30-300x300.jpg)
Dawson freight Commercials is appointed as a Volvo Truck distributor.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0015_1980-300x300_30-300x300.jpg)
Dawsongroup is formed.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0014_1990-300x300_20-300x300.jpg)
New HO is opened & Portable Cold Stores business is started.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0013_1993-300x300_10-300x300.jpg)
Cold storage business is set up in Holland.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0012_1994-300x300_30-300x300.jpg)
Bus and Coach business set up.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0011_1997-300x300_30-300x300.jpg)
Dawsongroup acquires Portable Cold Storage Ltd that includes businesses in France and Germany.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0010_1999-300x300_30-300x300.jpg)
Portable Cold Stores opens in the Republic of Ireland.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0009_2000-300x300_20-300x300.jpg)
Rawlings refrigeration is acquired.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0008_2003_TBC-300x300_30-300x300.jpg)
Cold Storage business is set up in Poland.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0008_2004-300x300_10-300x300.jpg)
Chill It Ltd is acquired, adding another 171 portable cold stores to the business.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0007_2009-300x300_30-300x300.jpg)
Dawsongroup Finance is established.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0006_2011-300x300_30-300x300.jpg)
Dawsongroup | vans is established.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0005_2014-300x300_20-300x300.jpg)
Dawsongroup Iberica opens in Barcelona offering cold stores and blast freezers.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0004_2015-300x300_10-300x300.jpg)
Dawsongroup introduces the inflatable cold stores to the product range.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/10/heritage_image__0003_2016-300x300.jpg)
Thermobil moves into their own state-of-the-art facility in Dormagen near Düsseldorf.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0002_2018-300x300_30-300x300.jpg)
Dawsongroup also acquires Tectoniks, a manufacturer of inflatable structures.
![](https://www.dgglobal.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/heritage_image__0001_2020-300x300_30-300x300.jpg)
POLARºSTORE™ products introduced to the product range
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