The business was started by Roy Bayley Russell in 1925, with the securing of a contract to distribute motor spirit for Dalgety & Co., who had just been appointed the Queensland agent for the Commonwealth Oil Refineries.
By 1930 the fleet had grown to 3 trucks working from a warehouse on New Farm Wharf, conducting deliveries to Chermside in the north, Mt Gravatt in the south and out to Moorooka. Over the next 20 years the fleet grew to 12 trucks now carrying wool as well as motor spirit in bulk and drums. At this time land in Macquarie St, New Farm was purchased and a workshop built to service the fleet, with an office added in 1955.
By 1965 the fleet had grown to 20 trucks and another yard at the corner of Macquarie St and Kingsholme St was purchased. Further expansion in 1970 saw the need to relocate, after outgrowing the New Farm home, and land was purchased in Fison Ave, Eagle Farm.
In 1971 the business relocated with 19 trucks, 3 semi-trailers and 2 cranes with 17 employees making the move. At this time Roy Russell handed the running of the business to his son Mr Philip Russell. Roy was then 70 years of age but continued coming to work each day until he was 85.
The company under the control of Phil Russell, has expanded operations in the logistics and mobile crane service sectors and now holds a number of industrial properties in South East Queensland. The original site at 199 Fison Ave West, Eagle Farm has been expanded to include adjoining properties and is still used as the Russell Group's head office.
Today, the Russell Group consists of Russell Transport, Metro Lift Cranes, Caloundra General Transport, Bayley Industrial and Lytton Industrial. The Group operates a diverse range of logistics and mobile crane equipment in South East Queensland.