1928: The first trucks and the day the horses left
For years the rhythmic sound of hooves defined the daily operations at Wassing (Tilburg). In the Netherlands the horse and cart remained the standard for moving goods well into the 1920s.
Horses were the reliable engine of local freight in Tilburg. They got the work done day in and day out. But progress requires practical decisions. In 1928 the company made a monumental shift. The horses were retired and the very first motorized trucks drove onto the premises. It was a completely new way of working.
A nationwide transition: from hooves to engines
The year 1928 was a definitive turning point not just for our company but for the entire country. The motorization boom was fundamentally changing Dutch logistics. The introduction of the diesel engine that year suddenly made trucks economically viable for longer distances because they consumed significantly less fuel than petrol engines.
The Netherlands quickly benefited from this development due to its central location in Europe and the high freight demand from the Port of Rotterdam.
While traditional wagon makers saw a decline in demand for farm carts, many adapted to build bodies for motorized utility vehicles. Interestingly the Netherlands had very few regulatory limits on the dimensions of trucks compared to neighboring countries which gave the road transport sector room to flourish naturally.
It was also the exact same year that the foundations for the Dutch brand DAF were laid in Eindhoven starting with innovative trailers before eventually becoming a major truck manufacturer.
My beautiful picture
A natural bridge to modern road freight
For our predecessors this change was not about following a trend or boasting about modern equipment. It was a necessary step to handle larger volumes and serve clients better.
Those early vehicles laid the exact foundation for our current road transport department. Mechanics and the scale are entirely different today but the core principle remains identical.
We focus on moving goods efficiently from origin to destination without unnecessary complications.
Focused on the road ahead
Today our road division at MOL Logistics coordinates European routes daily. We prefer a grounded approach to our work focusing on practical expertise rather than making grand claims.
Looking back on 1928 reminds us that real progress is built on solid reliable choices. Just like the day we started those first engines.
