Ian & Trudi Wilson

Ian & Trudi Wilson

I first met Trudi whilst working in the travel industry,  we were both single at the time and had many things in common. 

It soon became apparent that there was a little magic between the two of us and romance blossomed.  It had taken a few years of living together before finally popping the question!  The rest is history!!!

Dad was a career soldier,  Royal Military Police,  and mum a soldier's wife,  having spent all my childhood in military camps and attending military schools,  served a short term with the Royal Signals in the regular army before joining the TA 10th Battalion,  Parachute Regiment.  Trudi had previously been an army wife,  we both have two children,  I have Jack and Victoria,  Trudi has Simon and Tiani.

Completely by chance,  after helping a car delivery driver,  who was struggling to attach his car trailer to his car transporter,  I decided to start a car delivery business.

At the late age of 54 years old,  having purchased a jeep and trailer,  I contacted many dealerships touting for business,  and soon received a telephone call from a main dealer fleet department. A slow start,  money became tight,  Trudis' debit card was declined at ASDA,  lucky that I was in the town,  my card also declined,  no shopping this week.  Undeterred,  and with a few more jobs in the bag the bookings started to come in.

Finally,  the business started to show potential,  Trudi suggested that she leave her job and help with the car deliveries,  although not happy with this,  an agreement was made!  In uniform and a transporter each,  we continued to work many long hours and drove many,  many miles delivering cars.

Dealerships paid our invoices,  more car transporters were purchased and drivers employed.  It was with great relief to me when Trudi came off the road and managed the office that was then in the spare bedroom.  

Other car dealerships began to call,  our car delivery service was now in great demand,  with a small army of uniformed car delivery drivers,  the business has gone from strength to strength.  I had to rent a number of small compounds to park the growing number of car transporters and trailers.  

Running the business like a military operation,  all transporters are the same colour ( Black and Silver ) with the name  WILSON  implanted into the middle of a set of wings,  this will be the company logo.  

Wilson Car Delivery  was born,  May 2012!

And then one day! 

We had to collect a company vehicle that had a paint repair from a garage in the town of Jarrow,  this garage / warehouse premises,  although run down and in need of repair looked ideal in size for our growing car transporter business.  

To our delight,  these premises were for sale.  December 2016,  after paying a large deposit and securing our home against this property,  we are now the proud owners of a dilapidated garage / warehouse in Jarrow. 

This warehouse was a money pit that consumed money like a hungry person in a food-eating competition!! 

Many hours of cleaning,  repairing,  and investing to transform into a serviceable garage for our car transporters.

In 2017 Jack joined the family business.  Under the guidance of his dad,  Jack became proficient in working in the garage,  stores,  and as a car delivery driver.  

July 2019 garage open to the public  -  Wilson`s Auto Service Centre,  your one-stop car care shop,  garage.

With 34 fully trained staff covering all departments,  office,  garage,  valeting,  reception / stores,  and of course,  car delivery,  this has allowed Trudi and I to focus and channel our energy into developing the family business. 

It has been tough!  We have had to overcome many problems and make many sacrifices,  not to mention the problems BREXIT, COVID 19 and then the UKRAINE WAR had caused,  as a team we have all pulled together to make this business venture work.  

March 2021 Jack is appointed to the Company's Board of Directors.

Wilson's Auto Service Centre

March 2021  -  RAC  Recommended  and  Approved Garage 

April 2021  -  AA  Recommended  and  Approved Garage  

June 2021  -  A member of 1 Link and AA Prestige Fleet Servicing Authorise and manage vehicle maintenance group. 

1link Service Network has become the industry standard for the provision of the complete service,  maintenance, and repair function,  through the definition of supplier networks,  service booking,  electronic authorisation, and payment processing for cars,  LCVs,  trucks, and plant.

The Journey Continues!

Congratulations

 Jack and Amber having their first child, a daughter 

2024