MAN FURTHER CONSOLIDATES DEALER OPERATIONS
MAN Truck & Bus UK Limited has acquired the share capital of SA Trucks Ltd in Bristol in a multi-million pound deal, and will now run the dealership as part of its MAN Centre South aftersales operations. The business will continue to trade as SA Trucks Limited, with all 128 staff employed at the time of the change of ownership continuing with the business.
With the encouragement of its Munich parent company, MAN had been looking for some time to further increase and strengthen its fast-growing aftersales reputation, and the former ERF dealership, which had been a strong part of the new network since the time of the ERF acquisition, was a prime opportunity. The acquisition sits comfortably with MAN's clearly stated desire to increase its direct retail presence in the UK , with four locations across the southwest coming under its control. These are at Bristol (Avonmouth), Exeter , Westbury and Plymouth . Between them, these locations already provide well over 100,000 service hours to local and transient operators.
Speaking of the development, Michael Latham, director of MAN Centre South, said, “We are very pleased to have completed this deal. The SA Trucks business has been built by Henry and Lynne Dilloway over the past 25 years to become a top UK dealership – regardless of marque. This proposal by MAN has given Henry and Lynne a slightly earlier than expected exit strategy from the rigours of running the business; an opportunity they have been happy to accept.
“It is their hard work and dedication, both to MAN and ERF brands, which has seen them succeed. They have invested in the business and maintained the highest standards, a strategy we are happy to continue.”
Henry and Lynne Dilloway said, “All good things come to an end and we will be leaving an industry we love after 30 wonderful years. However, we are certain this change will be a very positive one for all concerned, and we wish MAN all the very best for the future in this region.”
The MAN Network has changed dramatically over the last few years, moving from 149 locations and 79 private capital ‘owners' to today's streamlined operation with just 79 locations and 27 ‘owners'. David Cussans, MAN's Operations Director comments, “A few years ago we had virtually to hire a football stadium just to talk to our dealer partners; today, working with our network partners is just so positive and rewarding. We have a select group of motivated private capital dealers working alongside our own retail businesses in real harmony.
“This is the key reason why standards have risen so dramatically over the past couple of years. Statistics, such as our 87% MOT first time pass rate - compared to a national average of just 67%, - just don't lie. The network is key to our success and we can be very happy with our immense progress here.”
