Cartwright Fleet Services (CFS) has opened an Isuzu Truck dealership in Garforth, Leeds as part of its strategy to introduce new services for customers and increase its in-house support capabilities.

The company, which has increased annual revenues from £6 million to over £26 million during 2016, is making a seven-figure investment at the five-acre site. Up to 30 new jobs have been created and the company expects to add another 20 as the business develops.

“This is a significant investment that is enhancing our own capabilities and service offering to meet rapidly increasing demand from customers. Just as importantly we are able to support other Cartwright Group companies with complementary services. And we will of course be able to supply and support the complete range of popular trucks from Isuzu in a key market region,” said Lawrence Todd, director of Fleet Services at CFS.

Taking over the Isuzu dealership will enable CFS to offer complete sales and aftersales services for the manufacturer’s full range of modern commercial vehicles from 3.5 to 12 tonnes. The on-site facilities will also allow it to offer a range of commercial vehicle services including inspections, MOTs, repair & maintenance, and new vehicle deliveries to support its own operations as well as other Cartwright Group companies.

The new facility has significant room for expansion which will be developed in phases. Initially it will provide all-makes trailer and truck maintenance and servicing as well as an additional site for Cartwright Rentals. The workshop, currently comprising seven bays, will be extended with six additional bays in early 2017 to support further growth. The company is also investing around £200,000 to introduce an on-site Authorised Testing Facility (ATF). The additional capacity will allow the company to bring in house services which are currently outsourced including around one million pounds of maintenance business. This will help the company to reduce costs, simplify service provision and streamline communications with customers.

The Leeds facility brings the total number of CFS sites to five, with existing locations in Aldridge, Altrincham, Bruntingthorpe and Wythenshawe. The company plans to add another two sites at strategic UK locations in due course. CFS has expanded significantly since 2013: the workforce has grown from 12 to 170, including six apprentices, and the company’s fleet of mobile technician vans has increased to 40 vehicles.

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