Corgi CC15510 Volvo F12 Fridge Trailer, Rea Transport, Ballyclare, Northern Ireland

John Rea started his career in the transport industry driving cattle trucks at the age of 16 and continued to drive lorries until emigrating to Winnipeg, Canada in 1959. John returned home to Northern Ireland in 1969 and, after buying a cattle lorry, entered a partnership with his brother Jim Rea (ThermoFreight) basing themselves in Peppermill, Ballyclare. In 1970 John branched out on his own operating from a rented room at the home of Louis McCann, who was later to become Rea Transport’s Transport Manager. The business grew rapidly winning contracts with Tunney Meat Packers and Ulster Meats carrying fresh meat around England, Europe and as far as Algiers. John Rea was the first haulier in Ireland to purchase a purpose built refrigerated trailer.

Continued growth allowed Rea to purchase a farm in Templepatrick, developing a yard and offices. Later, John was able to purchase land at Ballyearl where he built offices, a warehouse and a workshop to house his fleet of twenty trucks, forty trailers and numerous sub-contractors