hiya,
there was a lot of one man band O/Ds in the North East my good pal George Walton got up to two motors at one time himself, and his son also George, another character and a guy who i’ve had a few beers with was Ernie King now retired as for large companies there was Grady-Halls, Simpsons and Chester le Street haulage and Pilkingtons Tankers all within walking distance of where i live, i think only Simpsons remain operational.
thanks harry long retired.