History
1935
Our journey began in 1935 when Samuel James Bargh started a small business from his home near Lancaster transporting milk in churns from farms to a local dairy. Sam and his wife, Jessie, ran the business in the early years and as the business grew more people were employed.
1960s
In the 1960s, the business moved to a larger site nearby with office and garage facilities.1970s
In the 1970s the company branched out into general transport and warehousing. Further change came in 1975 when milk churns were replaced with tankers, which were then managed and maintained in-house.
1994
Following the demise of the Milk Marketing Board in 1994, the milk industry became privatised and the battle was on for transport operators to compete for the work of transporting milk for a variety of customers. Through its reputation, reliability and competitive pricing, the company built an excellent relationship with its customers, ensuring a successful future.
2009
In 2009, the business expanded when SJ Bargh purchased a similar business based in the Midlands. This brought new staff, customers and opportunities, resulting in a relocation to a new larger site on Caton Road, Lancaster.
2016
In June 2016, R G Bassett & Sons Ltd in Stoke-on-Trent was acquired, complementing the company’s existing operations and adding new capabilities including a strategically placed 11-acre site with 100 employees. It also increased the group’s logistics and warehousing operations and saw the addition of a new driver training service.
2019
In 2019, SJ Bargh acquired the assets and operation of Ulpha Dairy Transport which increased the geographical spread into Scotland, based in Stranraer and from three sub-locations.
2022
In 2022, SJ Bargh Group re-developed the Claughton warehousing facility and took over the majority of the management of the site from SJ Bargh Ltd, securing three long term tenancies for warehousing space.
2024
As of 2024, the small business Sam started in 1935 employs over 450 people and runs approximately 180 vehicles collecting milk on a national scale alongside other logistic services.