Keedwell Scotland has introduced a striking new flagship DAF XG+ 530, delivered with the backing of contract hire specialist Asset Alliance Group. The truck, affectionately named ‘The Guv’nor’, pays tribute to the company’s heritage and the family legacy that continues to shape the business today.
Image: Keedwell Scotland
The vehicle honours company forefather John McLellan Senior, featuring a distinctive rear-cab image depicting him alongside his first truck at Connal & Co in 1969, as well as his son Gordon. Gordon later built his own career in transport, ultimately founding McLellan’s Transport in 1985 — the business that would evolve into Keedwell Scotland.
John McLellan, Director at Keedwell Scotland and grandson of John Senior, explains the significance behind the name: “I named the truck The Guv’nor after my grandfather, as that’s what he was to our family. He led the way and my father then forged his own path in this industry, leading to where we are now as a family, and indeed a business.”
The new truck has been supplied on a three-year contract hire agreement that includes full repair and maintenance, tyres, and 24-hour breakdown support. The deal is supported by Asset Alliance Group in partnership with North West Trucks, offering Keedwell Scotland a comprehensive and reliable fleet solution.
McLellan highlights the operational advantages of contract hire, noting that it allows him to focus on broader business priorities while ensuring fleet reliability. “It means I can leave the fleet with my transport manager’s team and concentrate on other parts of the business, knowing that they have backup if they need it. If the truck is off the road for any reason, we also know we’ll have a replacement,” he says.
Designed for driver comfort and efficiency, the DAF XG+ 530 boasts a high-specification cab. Features include an air-suspended driver’s seat, a pocket-sprung mattress, a refrigerator, and LED cab lighting, all contributing to improved driver wellbeing on long hauls. The vehicle is also fitted with Alcoa Dura-Bright wheels, enhancing both durability and visual appeal. The eye-catching livery, including the tribute imagery, was created by Hamilton-based vehicle wrapping specialist CubeWraps.
In operation, the truck plays a key role in Keedwell Scotland’s logistics network. It runs on a double-shift basis, with driver Gus Anderson handling local distribution during the day, while Brian Buckley takes over for night trunking operations to Haydock. The tractor unit is paired with a straight-frame curtainsider SDC trailer, ensuring versatility across different transport requirements.
The truck features a picture of John with his first truck and son Gordon
The addition of ‘The Guv’nor’ forms part of a wider fleet investment strategy. Asset Alliance Group is set to supply a further three 480hp Mercedes-Benz Actros ProCabin units to Keedwell Scotland in April, replacing older Renault trucks. The company already operates a substantial number of vehicles through Asset Alliance, including ten DAF LF 18-tonne curtainsider rigids with tail-lifts and four DAF 530 XG models.
McLellan is quick to praise the relationship with Asset Alliance Group, particularly Business Development Manager Dougie Bennett. “I can’t speak highly enough of Business Development Manager Dougie Bennett and the Asset Alliance Group team. He goes way above and beyond any other salesman in terms of the vehicles he supplies to us. It’s thanks to him we have this fantastic new truck,” he adds.
Headquartered in Glasgow, Keedwell Scotland was formed in 2015 as a joint partnership between the RT Keedwell Group and the McLellan family. Since then, the company has continued to grow its presence in the transport sector, combining modern fleet solutions with a strong sense of heritage and identity.
With ‘The Guv’nor’, Keedwell Scotland not only strengthens its fleet capabilities but also celebrates the legacy that underpins its success — blending tradition with innovation in today’s competitive logistics landscape.
