Imperial Commercials, the largest DAF Dealer group in the UK and Europe, is investing £5 million into a new, purpose-built truck dealership in Gloucester – Imperial Commercials Gloucester. The new facility on Spinnaker Road will be 1.5 miles from the company’s current location and just minutes from the main A40 and M5 arterial routes.
The move has been driven by a growing customer portfolio and the commensurate requirement for larger premises and new equipment. All of the current 50-strong work-force is expected to migrate to the new premises with the creation of further employment opportunities likely.
Senior Executives from Imperial Commercials including Managing Director Matt Lawrenson, Regional Director Daniel Fitzjohn, Regional Sales Manager Gary Woodruff, Regional Aftersales Director Mark Price and Service Manager Barry Field, and, alongside representatives from DAF Trucks and local contractors, Barnwood Construction, attended a ground-breaking ceremony earlier this week at the new 4.5-acre site on Spinnaker Road.
With completion scheduled for the second quarter of 2019, Imperial Commercials Gloucester will comprise a state-of-the-art workshop and bespoke office facility together finished in DAF Trucks brand identity. Truck and light CV workshop bays will cater for Imperial Commercials’ DAF and FIAT Professional brands. The dealership will boast all the prerequisite equipment and services required to support transport operators of any size and any fleet make-up.
High profile customer, CM Downton, is one of a number of major fleet operators set to benefit from the new Imperial Commercials site. Managing Director Andy Downton said, “We’ve enjoyed outstanding support from Imperial Commercials for many years, and this high level of service goes a long way to ensuring that the DAF marque comprises 95% of our fleet. In fact, our relationship with the DAF brand goes back 40 years and it has been a long and very successful affiliation.
“We have developed a close relationship with a number of individuals at Imperial Commercials and this has engendered a true partnership between us. The investment in a new location,” he said, “is a clear signal that Imperial Commercials’ commitment to us is in place for many years to come.”
Imperial Commercials Gloucester forms part of the company’s Western Region, comprising six locations in Bristol, Swindon, Frome, Hereford, Worcester and Gloucester. The new investment in Gloucester follows £2.75 million spent in 2015 on the construction of a new Imperial Commercials dealership in Swindon.
“We’re very excited at the prospect of operating from Spinnaker Road,” said newly-appointed Daniel Fitzjohn, Regional Director Imperial Commercials Western Region, “The hard work being delivered by our current Mercia Road team has laid the groundwork for a fantastic future for Imperial Commercials in the region. The new dealership will help us raise our service levels to even greater heights,” he said, “and local operators can look forward to a seamless transition to Spinnaker Road next Spring.”
Managing Director at Imperial Commercials, Matt Lawrenson, added, “Our brand new dealership in Gloucester further cements our stated commitment to invest, grow and develop our DAF footprint in the UK. Our colleagues in Mercia Road have delivered exceptional levels of service on a consistent basis year after year, and it is these people who have made this investment possible.”
