Obituary: Lawrence Marshall

The founder of Lawrence David trailers has passed away aged 88. Lawrence Marshall began his career in technical sales after National Service. He became the technical engineering director for Penco, an engineering company that specialised in commercial vehicle manufacturing, based in Peterborough. Shortly after relocating from Manchester his son Laurence was born. 

In 1973 Lawrence David was founded. The company was started in a rented Nissen hut on a foundation of borrowed tools and a team of trusted staff. The bulk of the manufacturing work was completed by subcontractors who built trailers according to the company’s designs. 

The second generation of the family joined the business in 1986 and Laurence worked alongside his father until he retired in 1999. Since then, the company has continued to grow and is now part of The Wielton Group. 

A statement from the company said: “The company name Lawrence David continues with prominence within an industry that Lawrence Marshall was synonymous. The team at Lawrence David, many of whom worked with Lawrence himself mourn the passing of a great ‘Strength behind the Haulage Industry.’”

Lawrence Marshall 12th October 1935 – 1st January 2024