Robert Wiseman went from horse and cart to milk giant

The origins of Mr Wiseman's empire were humble but it is now a multi-million pound company.

He began in 1947 by delivering milk using a horse and cart. The firm now has five dairies with 13 depots, giving an annual turnover of about �500m.

Mr Wiseman handed control of the business to his sons Alan and Robert in 1976 so that he could enjoy his retirement.

Mr Wiseman sold his farmland in 1947 to become the designated milk distributor for the new town of East Kilbride.

The Wiseman delivery schedule grew along with his home town, graduating in the process from a horse and cart to electric milk floats.

But it was when his sons Alan and Robert came on board in the 1970s that the firm took off.

They took the view - revolutionary at the time - that doorstep deliveries were in decline, and that the future was in supplying retailers.

Heart attack

A statement from the family said of Mr Wiseman: "He drew great pleasure from watching the business grow and transform into a successful plc, under the stewardship of his sons Alan, Robert and Gavin.

"It was Robert senior who laid the foundations for a company that counts itself as one of the most significant players in the British dairy industry."

The family added: "The company's life president and a daily visitor to its East Kilbride headquarters, he will be sadly missed by everyone who knew him."

A company spokesman said: "He used to pop in every day and catch up with those he knew at Robert Wiseman.

"Until very recently, he tended the gardens at the headquarters and Alan, Robert and Gavin would pop round to the family home next to the headquarters for a bowl of soup at lunchtime."