Our history
Since opening our first depot in 1976, we have been focused on our commitment to developing innovative, technology-driven solutions to supply chain and logistics services. These are some of our major milestones along that journey.
![Company formation](/assets/img/timeline-1.webp?width=80&height=40&mode=crop)
Countrywide Freight Group began life as a single depot operation in Linfield Street, Belfast in 1976.
![Countrywide Freight Manchester depot](/assets/img/timeline-2.webp?width=80&height=40&mode=crop)
The Trafford Park, Manchester depot was opened by John Forsyth in 1979 who went on to own and manage the growing business for 40 years.
![Meteor Freight acquired](/assets/img/timeline-3.webp?width=80&height=40&mode=crop)
Meteor Freight's addition to the Group in 1990 was the first of a number of acquisitions that significantly increased the scale of the business.
![Incorporation of Cooper Carriers](/assets/img/timeline-4.webp?width=80&height=40&mode=crop)
Countrywide Freight diversified into domestic parcel distribution with the incorporation of Cooper Carriers, North Wales in 1996.
![Expansion of the group](/assets/img/timeline-5.webp?width=80&height=40&mode=crop)
The coverage of the Group continued it's expansion south with the acquisition of Mandark, Leicestershire in 1999
![Addition of our Dublin depot](/assets/img/timeline-6.webp?width=80&height=40&mode=crop)
A Dublin depot was opened in 2000 to enable a distribution solution across the 26 counties in Ireland for the Group's growing customer base.
![30 years of excellence](/assets/img/timeline-7.webp?width=80&height=40&mode=crop)
In 2006 Countrywide Freight Group celebrated 30 years of serving customers in the UK and Ireland.
![New operation opened in Deeside](/assets/img/timeline-8.webp?width=80&height=40&mode=crop)
New operation opened in Deeside to support a multi-national blue chip company
![Another depot opened in Kingswinford](/assets/img/timeline-9.webp?width=80&height=40&mode=crop)
Another depot opened in Kingswinford for a world-leading company wanting to outsource
![Navigating the challenges of Covid-19](/assets/img/timeline-10.webp?width=80&height=40&mode=crop)
Successfully adapted the business to navigate the challenges brought by the global Covid-19 pandemic
![New customs systems after Brexit](/assets/img/timeline-11.webp?width=80&height=40&mode=crop)
Implemented new Customs systems to enable businesses to trade internationally after Britain’s exit from the EU.