After almost four decades husband and wife team Alan and Celia Phillips are stepping aside to make room for the second generation
It was an emotional yet happy occasion last Friday (3 March) when Bewdley-based Phillips International Travel held the launch and naming of its latest coach. However, it was an event that took on greater significance, signalling a new era with confirmation that management of the 37-year-old Worcestershire operator has transferred to the second generation.
Staged at the impressive local authority-owned Wyre Forest Hose in Kidderminster, the launch was conducted before invited guests. Civic dignitaries were joined by long-standing customers, suppliers, and members of the trade press who gathered in the Council Chamber prior to being introduced the latest member of the fleet.
Phillips International is no stranger to new coaches, having switched 20 years ago, from a strategy of steady fleet expansion with secondhand purchases to a policy of acquiring one new coach every five years, while simultaneously slimming down its operation to concentrate on its own tours and excursions using a single full-size coach plus one minibus used for feeders. It was a move that co-founder Alan Phillips ready accepts was a turning point in the firm’s fortunes, though it required Alan and Celia to commit to the bulk of the driving duties.
Although the latest vehicle, a Paxton Elite-bodied Volvo B11R powered by 420bhp engine coupled to I-shift gearbox, continues that policy, its arrival follows a significant change in circumstances.
Five years ago, when Alan and his wife Celia took delivery of a similar Elite, both being in their sixties, they were resigned to it being their last coach before retirement.
At that time both of their children, Julian and Jane, had declared their determination to pursue alternative careers. However, in the meantime Julian married and had children, encouraging him to rethink his future.
Julian told routeONE: “I became a father three years ago, and it made me reassess my life.”
Consequently, he resigned as assistant to local MP Mark Garnier and started working for his parent’s company. As did his wife Gemma. Julian says: “My childhood was spent traveling with my parents, visiting places I am now visiting.”
The stage was now set for the second-generation to allow Alan and Celia to actively plan for retirement (mainly cycling and golf respectively), while Julian and Gemma set to work on the first stages of moulding the company in their own image.
And how better to do that than to specify their first new coach.
Although the new Elite is instantly recognisable as a Phillips coach, the introduction of red to the traditional predominantly cream livery marks a change. The interior is fitted with 49 recliners and centre sunken toilet. Its specification builds on experience with previous vehicles incorporating up-to-date features that improve passenger comfort, while the coordinated use of red moquette and light tan leather headrests together with wood-effect flooring serves to compliment the exterior.
Added personal touches include an appropriate registration plate – JP17 PHL – and the name Sapphire Sovereign, which was unveiled by Mr Garnier, who is MP for Wyre Forest and Parliamentary Under Secretary in the Department for International Trade.
Speaking prior to the unveiling, Mr Garnier noted that the Elite was an ADL product produced in the UK and, building on his knowledge of the manufacturer, he said: “It’s good to see that you’ve bought British. It’s a world-class coach from a world-class business.”
Mr Garnier also heaped praise on Julian in particular and Phillips International in general. He said: “Julian worked for me. The day he moved on was a day I was very sorry. He is an incredibly good person.
“(Phillips International) is an extraordinary family business. It demonstrates how the family touch can generate loyal customers.”
Earlier, Julian, now confirmed as having coaching in his blood and taking the lead role, thanked those who had travelled on Phillips holiday and day excursion tours for the best part of four decades. He said: “Your loyalty over the years has enabled us to purchase a new coach every three years.”
Julian further explained that by consistently running all advertised tours even when numbers were low helped to encourage to stay loyal because it removed any fear of cancellation.
Loyalty also spreads to the relationship between operator and its suppliers with both Alan and Julian speaking in glowing terms about the service they obtain from Plaxton and Hartshorne, the Volvo dealership.
Meanwhile, as if to emphasise his long association with coaches, Alan proudly produces photographs of him as a very young child standing in front of coaches while on an early post-war Midland Red tour to Minehead with his parents.
Indeed, Alan has been proud to fly the flag, taking his coaches to 21 countries, while the new Elite, Phillips 14th coach, continues a long line of all Plaxton purchases.
Definitely a case of coaching in the blood.
