Ian and Margaret Murdoch, the owners of Neilston based J&M Murdoch & Son Ltd, were given an Industry Lifetime Achievement award.

The popular breakfast celebration, now it its 21st year, attracted almost 600 industry guests and filled the banqueting suite of the Crowne Plaza Hotel.

It was part of the annual Transport News Scottish Rewards presentation ceremony held in Glasgow on Friday, November 7.

The joint winners of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award have formed an effective team to create one of Scotland’s highly regarded transport businesses, which coincidentally celebrates its 50th anniversary in 2015.

Mr Murdoch bought his first lorry for £100 in 1965 and the Thames Trader was used to fetch feedstuffs back to his farm at Thornymuir near Paisley.

Hire and reward haulage soon followed and Ian’s wife Margaret committed herself to organising the traffic planning, office administration and drivers.

This working partnership would progress as the firm moved to a depot in Paisley and then on to Crofthead Mill, Neilston in 1998.

In addition to their everyday work commitments Ian and Margaret also found time to train and encourage their three children, John, Helen and Drew to become more involved in the family firm of J&M Murdoch & Son Ltd.

These siblings have now diversified the concern into new business areas creating many benefits.

Recently Ian and Margaret both retired from their respective official roles, but both individuals still help steer the business as it approaches its golden anniversary.