Kwik-Fit is continuing its long-established strategy of investment in new centres to the benefit of both corporate and retail customers and has plans to open 10 new centres this year and a similar number in 2012 having opened 15 new outlets last year.

Confirmed centre openings this year are in Farnham, Heywood and Scunthorpe with other locations expected to be revealed over the coming months.

In recent months Kwik-Fit has opened new centres in Brentford, Brierley Hill, Bury St Edmunds, Charlton, Ipswich, Luton, Newport Pagnell, Rugeley, Thetford and Walsall.

Prior to the launch of the latest centre investment programme Kwik-Fit operated a 669-centre network, supported by a mobile fleet of more than 200 vehicles.

Kwik-Fit Fleet sales director Peter Lambert said: “Centre locations are continually kept under review. The company has identified a number of hotspots where we do not have centre coverage. As and when suitable locations become available we have plans to open further outlets.”

Kwik-Fit’s investment strategy comes with business buoyant having recorded a 43% rise in MoTs carried out in the first quarter of this year versus the same period in 2010 and a 35% rise in vehicle servicing over the same period.

All-makes vehicle servicing and MoTs are a significant growth area for Kwik-Fit and its fleet division as budget-conscious consumers and businesses seek out cash-saving opportunities.

Mr Lambert said: “Last year saw a near 50% increase last year in the number of fleet MoTs undertaken when compared with 2009 figures and a 16% rise in fleet car and van servicing.”

“Kwik-Fit may have been launched as a supplier of tyres, batteries and exhausts but today the company is a one-stop shop for all van service, maintenance and repair requirements.

“Fleet decision-makers and company van drivers have increasingly turned to Kwik-Fit for a number of reasons - cost savings, flexibility as a result of longer opening hours linked to a business culture of long hours working and the availability of ‘come to you’ mobile tyre repair and replacement through our mobile offering.”

With Kwik-Fit’s mechanical servicing offering supported by a vehicle collection and delivery service and the recruitment of Master Technicians to undertake the most complex repair work, Mr Lambert said: “At a time when many organisations, including some of our rivals, are scaling back investment and indeed closing centres, we believe our strategy will be rewarded with increased business.

“Investment, product development and new initiatives are vital in the fleet sector and Kwik-Fit is continually working to provide customers with an ever better service.”