KWIK-Fit is to establish a major pan-European fleet operation following the agreed £105 million acquisition of Speedy Europe which operates 568 motorist fast-fit centres in France, Germany, Belgium and Spain. Kwik-Fit Fleet already operates in Holland, Belgium and Southern Ireland.

Sir Tom Farmer, Kwik-Fit's chairman, said: 'We have around 170 outlets in Holland and Belgium and in those two areas we have been able to offer a service to fleet clients. By extending our network we can extend that service, and it will be something we will promote. You can drive from Inverness to Barcelona without being too far from a Kwik-Fit centre.'

Completion of the Speedy deal is expected by early January next year and Kwik-Fit has been granted exclusivity until July 1, 1999. Kwik-Fit is the largest independent fast-fit company in Europe with 1,291 outlets, including 767 in the UK and Ireland, 176 in Belgium and Holland, 27 distribution centres and 154 mobile tyre fitting vehicles as well as interests in Apples Car Clinics and Hometune Motoring Services.