A maintenance and repair facility has been expanded to support a commercial vehicle operation that has more than doubled in size within a year.

Go Plant Fleet Services extended its nationwide business to Northamptonshire following the acquisition of SM Sweepers in March, 2018.

The company has since built a new operating centre in the area and ramped up its workforce from 11 to 26 on the back of a string of contract wins.

Now transformation of the site, at Islip, near Kettering, is complete following work to develop a hi-tech workshop that will service a fleet of 29 vehicles and features HGV lifts, Brake Static Tester, testing bays and a store room for parts.

Area manager Adrian Bates says it will play a crucial role in the ongoing success of a business that has already exceeded all initial targets. “We’ve been able to expand the business quite significantly in a very short period of time - it’s been remarkable really,” he said.

“We’ve renovated existing offices, developed the site almost beyond recognition, more than doubled the number of drivers and now we’ve completed a workshop to support that growth.

“We’ve also won a number of new contracts including additional work on the Highways England A14 improvement project and others connected to the aggregate industry.

“We’ve exceeded our own targets made at acquisition and that has put us into a position where we’re now able to service any contracting work in the wider South Midlands region.”

The depot, home to one of 10 ‘back to black’ sweepers in Go Plant Fleet Services’ nationwide fleet, runs an additional 20 truck-mount road sweepers and three compact sweepers together with ancillary vehicles.

It also become the first of the company’s 44 depots and service centres around the UK to achieve Silver accreditation in the Fleet Operator Recognition Scheme (FORS).

The initiative provides official recognition that fleet providers comply with good practice and meet set standards in areas including safety, efficiency and environmental protection.

Paul Langham, operations director of Go Plant Fleet Services, said: “We’ve made significant progress in the 10 months since we opened the new operating centre.

“The new workshop will maintain our growing fleet in that area and ensure we’re able to maintain the quality and high standards on which we’ve built our reputation.

“We’re confident the depot will be the platform from which we can grow even stronger in the South Midlands in the near future.”

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