JCT600 expands acquires Volkswagen Van Centre West Yorkshire

JCT600 has completed the acquisition of Volkswagen Van Centre West Yorkshire to complement the group’s existing Volkswagen van retail outlets in York, Hull and Sheffield, along with its van servicing centre in Leeds.

With five dealerships, JCT600 believes it will be the largest Volkswagen van retailer in the UK.

The deal, for an undisclosed sum, will see Bradford-headquartered JCT600 acquiring the business from founder Andrew Caygill.

With its head office in Cleckheaton, Volkswagen Van Centre West Yorkshire was established in 1979 and has grown to a 50-strong team who will all join the JCT600 family. The business will continue to trade under its existing name.

JCT600 chief executive John Tordoff said: “Volkswagen Van Centre West Yorkshire is a well-known regional business with a strong reputation and a loyal customer following.

“The addition of the Cleckheaton and Leeds dealerships is a great fit for us, strengthening our retail van operations in West Yorkshire and giving us coverage across the entire region.”

He continued: “It will very much be business as usual - having acquired such reputable dealerships, we plan for them to continue to operate as they do now.

“We appreciate that the success of the business is largely down to its people, many of whom have worked there for many years, and customers will continue to receive the same personal service they are used to and will also benefit from a greater choice of stock.”

Founder of Volkswagen Van Centre West Yorkshire, Andrew Caygill, added: “Having built up the business over the last 43 years, I think we should all be very proud of what we have achieved.

“I’d like to reassure our loyal team and customers that they will be in very safe hands as part of the JCT600 group which shares our commitment to providing outstanding customer service and looking after colleagues – and thank you to everyone who has played a role in helping us create such a successful business.”

As part of the franchise agreement, JCT600 will be able to sell the popular Volkswagen Caravelle seven-seater people mover and also the Volkswagen California camper van at its new Cleckheaton and Leeds dealerships as well as at those in York, Hull and Sheffield.

JCT was advised by James Fawcett Gordons LLP and Caygill Holding by Susan Clark LCF LLP.

JCT600 has grown from a single dealership into the largest privately owned business in Yorkshire.  With 50 dealerships from Yorkshire and the North East to Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, the group represents 25 of the world’s leading car marques and has a team of 2,300 colleagues.

Picture shows (L to R): Howard Marshall; Josh Caygill; Andrew Umpleby; Justin Smith; John Tordoff; and Richard Hargraves of JCT600