Black Country-based Keltruck, the largest independent Scania truck dealer in the UK, today delivered a record set of results as it celebrates a quarter of a century in business.
New vehicle orders at the West Bromwich firm surged a massive 157 per cent on the previous year, while the company’s used vehicle operation also notched up record figures. Chris Kelly, chairman and managing director, said: “I think it’s fair to say in the 25 years in business I have never experienced a year like this - the industry never ceases to amaze.”
While new vehicle registrations in the UK had been down on the previous year, Keltruck bucked the trend, with an “astounding” order intake of 1,214 new vehicles.
“We entered 2008 with 872 forward orders - some 224 more than the number of vehicles we delivered in 2007 - and to top this off with our production allocations for 2008 all but sold out,” Mr Kelly said.
Keltruck, which now employs more than 500 people at at locations around the UK and turns over around £100 million, claims to be the biggest buyer of used Scanias and the largest privately-owned dealer in the UK.
During the year the firm opened its 14th authorised Scania workshop in Worksop, with an investment of around £2.5 million.
And investment has continued into 2008 with a £500,000 extension to the West Bromwich headquarters, which will increase workshop capacity specifically to service Keltruck’s bus and coach business.
The group also has a depot in Willenhall which is home to one of the company’s Specialist Services Division workshops which offers a range of tail lift installation, servicing and weight testing, as well as an expansion into hydraulic repairs with a number of mobile engineers.
“The Midlands is still a leader in the transport and logistics industry though we are held back by poor investment in the road network.
“We want Keltruck to remain a progressive organisation and we have a great bunch of people but, most of all, we pull together as a team - and that’s no mean feat with over 500 employees,” Mr Kelly added.
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