Local dignitaries and senior executives from Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Services yesterday celebrated the first steps towards a new 18,500 square foot £7M regional head office for the automotive arm of the global conglomerate.

Hitachi Capital ceremoniously cut the turf of the field using a Hitachi digger on the 6.5 acre site on the White Horse Business Park where the bespoke low-rise office block will be situated and is expected to be completed by July 2014.

Currently Hitachi Capital employs over 120 people and manages commercial vehicle fleets for national companies such as RAC and National Grid.

Jon Lawes, managing director of Hitachi Capital Commercial Vehicle Services said: “The new office building in Trowbridge represents a significant milestone in our history as it is the first time that Hitachi Capital have purchased the freehold for office space anywhere in the world.”

Hitachi Capital has experienced strong growth since September 2001 when the company managed just 717 vehicles. Now, almost 12 years later Hitachi Capital manages over 30,000 vehicles and has increased employee numbers six-fold.