CD Auction Group to expand its digital platform

CD Auction Group is accelerating its growth plans with the expansion of its digital platforms following a management restructure.

Andy Pearce will lead the expansion plans, having recently joined the business as operations director.

The move comes after a strategic review by Karl Howkins, managing director of auctions services,  who is leaving the business to pursue the development of his own technology projects. 

CD Auction Group was one of the UK’s first digital-only auction companies. It is growing its range of digital channels to support existing and new buyers and vendors. It is also expanding its salvage offering plus the imminent launch of a dealer-to-dealer platform.

Pearce said: “It is clear that 2020 has seen a seismic shift to digital remarketing and CD Auctions was well placed to support both vendors and buyers through these unprecedented times. As a pioneer of digital remarketing, it was natural for us to take the next step and ramp up our digital offering to provide more tailored routes to market and new ways for customers to interact within our ecosystem.”

CD Auction Group reported unprecedented sales performance when the industry emerged from the March Coronavirus lockdown. It has also seen a rapid increase in demand for its off-site remarketing services, which allow vehicles to be sold from a collection hub or de-fleet facility.

The service removes the need to move vehicles to an auction centre and keeps transport movements to a minimum to increase efficiency and drive down costs in the remarketing process.

“The teams at both CD Auction Group and SMH have been hugely supportive of the process we’ve undergone and development of a technology strategy that will offer the most comprehensive remarketing ecosystem in the UK.

“We believe we have the perfect online platform for buyers and sellers to continue trading during these times of uncertainty to ensure full forecourts in advance of the new lockdown restrictions being eased,” added Pearce.

CD Auction Group has confirmed it will continue operations through the current lockdown period to help meet the needs of fleets and dealers.

Its regular programme of online sales will continue as normal, and logistics services will be conducted “safely and adhering to social distancing guidelines”.