NIDD Vale Group has launched straight from a record-breaking financial year into four fleet contracts worth more than £2.5 million. Turnover for the year to April 30, 1998 was a record £65 million representing a near 40% increase over the previous year's figure of £46.9 million.

The turnover for the last half year was £42 million. And 1999 has begun with the four contracts, the first a £1.2 million deal to supply Enterprise Rent-a-Car with 90 Vauxhall cars - this follows hot on the heels of a £750,000 deal last year with the rental company to supply 100 Nissan Micras. First National Vehicle Contracts has bought 100 Vauxhall Corsas from Nidd Vale, and Yorkshire Water has acquired 19 Vauxhall Astra vans and 11 Brava pick-ups as part of a £500,000 deal. The fourth deal has seen the company supply 11 Astra estates to Northern Industrial Cleaners, a Leeds-based commercial cleaning company.

Nidd Vale says it will also be looking to expand its export market operation following its appointment by Daihatsu (UK) to exclusively handle all its export and tax-free sales. The contract already includes sales to the armed forces, NATO and the diplomatic corps and has led to Nidd Vale appointing a specialist diplomatic sales manager.