The story of Ashburton-based refrigerated fleet iDL has strong overtones of the almost-accidental. When Ross and Judith Edgar bought a modest two-truck operation 27 years ago it was simply as a stop-gap while their primary business venture, a new vineyard, matured and started producing revenue.

That was the plan, but one that was diverted by consistent growth in the transport business. Four years on the vineyard was sold and the couple’s focus shifted to the trucking firm, which nowadays has 40 units and has extended its operations from the mid-Canterbury area to pretty much the whole South Island.

The company is still family-owned. Ross and Judith are quasi-retired, but sons Zac and Tyrone are fully hands-on, Zac as managing director and Tyrone looking after the fleet and  engineering side.