Paint jobs puts JJX in national spotlight
A paint job with a family flavour has put a Wolverhampton delivery firm in the running for one of the transport industry's 'Oscars' at an upcoming awards event.
JJX Logistics will be competing with major corporations such as Argos, United Biscuits and British Oxygen at the Motor Transport Awards next month.
It has been shortlisted in the Livery of the Year category after judges were bowled over by the aviation-themed paintwork on one of JJX's vans which featured youngsters including five of company owner John Donovan's grandchildren. Driver Roger Whiting's three children also took part, dressing up airline style for the photoshoot.
The company worked with Birmingham vehicle livery and sign-writing firm Baker Ward on the project.
Mr Donovan said: "It turned out to be quite a production, with the costumes for the children, buying the model plane and so on. But it has been worth it.
"It's a vinyl wrap with the photo image printed on it and the van is used for our international deliveries to northern Germany. In less than 12 months the van has already done around 100,000 miles.
"It's been getting a lot of attention – we've even had people filming it with their camera phones as they drive past on the motorway.
"It was always intended to raise our profile, but it's a surprise to be competing against such industry heavyweights at the Motor Transport Awards."
John and the team at JJX will now have their fingers crossed for the event on July 1, when the award winners are announced at London's Grosvenor House in front of around 1,600 guests. But gittering awards ceremonies are a long way from the day-to-day work at JJX. Based at Cooper Street in Wolverhampton, the company specialises in transporting aerospace components for clients such as Airbus.
Founded by John Donovan with a single van back in 1997, it has grown to employ 37 people with a blue-chip list of clients. But success and growth – the company has a fleet of 32 vehicles with more on the way – means it is fast outgrowing its premises.
"I'm desperate to find a new site," said John Donovan. "We've been looking around Wolverhampton for months but without any joy. We need more than 30,000 sq ft, and if we can't find a site soon we may have to start looking further afield."
