MAJOR Bradford firm JCT600 has expanded its retail van operation after buying a well-known company for an undisclosed sum. 

JCT600 has completed the acquisition of Volkswagen Van Centre West Yorkshire, which has dealerships in Cleckheaton and Leeds.

These will 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 will see JCT600, shirt sponsors of Bradford City, acquiring the business from founder Andrew Caygill.

With its head office in Cleckheaton, Volkswagen Van Centre West Yorkshire started 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.

John Tordoff, JCT600 chief executive, 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.

“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.”

Andrew Caygill, Volkswagen Van Centre West Yorkshire, 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.

JCT600 has grown from a single dealership into the largest privately owned business in Yorkshire. 

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