PPS Logistics pulled its weight at the UK’s Strongest Man 2026, providing a 20-tonne truck for the finalists to haul along the banks of the River Clyde.
This year the event came to Scotland for the first time in its history, with the semi-finals and Grand Final held at Braehead Arena in Glasgow.
PPS said the highlight of the competition for the company, which was the offical logistics partner to the event, was the Truck Dash and Pull.
This saw the Grand Finalists harness themselves to one of the company’s Class 1 arctics and haul the 20-tonne vehicle along the banks of the River Clyde.
Behind the wheel was former PPS transport manager Ian Muir, who came out of retirement for the event. For Muir, who was part of the family business from its early days, getting back behind the wheel for the televised challenge was a career highlight.
He said: “To have the honour of playing a part in the truck pull was my 15 minutes of fame. I’ve had a 40-year career in transport and after this event I can safely say I’m glad I spent that driving the truck rather than pulling it.
“The fact this is a family business I helped start and have been part of from the early days makes this a very proud moment for me.”
The truck pull was only one part of PPS’s role at the event. The company, which is a Palletways member, also coordinated the haulage operation for UK’s Strongest Man, moving the equipment needed for the competition between Ireland and venues across the UK.
That included the large competition rigs, barrels, lifting frames and the huge stone balls used in the strength challenges, with around 15 to 20 full-load movements involved across the event.
PPS also called on the strength of the wider Palletways network, with fellow members Montgomery Transport Group, Darcica Logistics and Stuart Nicol Transport supporting with the haulage.
Lesley Ewing, who coordinated the transport operation for PPS, said: “There was a lot happening behind the scenes to get everything where it needed to be, particularly with equipment moving between Ireland, Milton Keynes and Glasgow and the event running to a live television schedule.
“It was a real team effort, both from everyone at PPS and from our Palletways colleagues who helped us with the haulage. It was great to see the network come together and then to see our truck taking centre stage.”
The competition was broadcast on Channel 5, with the Grand Final taking place at a packed Braehead Arena on Sunday 9 August where Andrew Flynn successfully defended his title to become UK’s Strongest Man for a second consecutive year.
Andrew Muir, PPS managing director, said: “We were delighted to be involved in such a landmark sporting event for Scotland.
“Our drivers spend their working lives behind the wheel, so seeing one of our trucks being pulled along with nothing more than a rope and harness was certainly something to behold.
“This was truly a brilliant moment for the business, but there was a lot more to our involvement than what you saw on screen.
“We were responsible for moving the huge amount of equipment needed for the competition, working with colleagues across the Palletways network to make it happen. It really showed what the network can do when members pull together – quite literally in this case.”
Warwick Trimble, Palletways UK network director, added: “This has been a great showcase of the strength of the Palletways network and the might of the logistics sector which keeps goods moving across the UK everyday. It is a pleasure to see our members come together to support an event of this scale.”
