Van group increases workforce by quarter

A van hire and sales group with a base in Cannock has increased its workforce by a quarter after a re-structuring programme, bosses have announced.

The Northgate group specialises in the sale of premium used and commercial vans and opened its 5.75 acre site in Walkmill Lane, Bridgtown, in October following a £2.5 million investment.

Bosses say the increase in the sales force came by centralising the regional sales teams for Fleet Technique, Vehicle Monitoring and Northgate Vehicle Sales into one operation.

There are now four regional operational areas. Cannock is one of three main hubs within the west region.

There are no extra jobs being created in Cannock as a result of the changes to the sales operation.

Northgate Vehicle Hire now has sites across 62 locations in the UK, with its head office in Darlington.

Marketing manager Jonathan Pearce, said: "The centralisation of administration and finance tasks that has been taking place throughout the last year and has been successful to date.

"The increase in our sales force reflects that and, despite difficult trading conditions, we're confident the changes that have been made will result in positivity moving forwards into the new financial year."

Northgate, which has been going for more than 30 years and employs 2,000 people, operates more than 62,000 rental vehicles and fleet manages 15,000.

It has more than 7,700 customers across the United Kingdom and Ireland from blue chip corporations and local authorities right down to small and medium sized firms.