Brothers tell of delight as car firm taken over

Sunwin Motors is part of the Bradford-based Yorkshire Co-operatives group and has had its eye on the Farnell group, which has dealerships in Frizinghall, in Bradford, and Guiseley, for some time.

The takeover allows Sunwin Motors to invest heavily in the Farnell business including a £500,000 refurbishment of the firm's Frizinghall Land Rover dealership later in the year.

Peter Marks, chief executive designate of Yorkshire Co-operatives, said today: "We have always admired the Land Rover marque and, in particular, Albert Farnell's with their commitment to excellence and customer satisfaction.

"We feel that that addition of two Land Rover and one Rover dealership to our existing investment in Rover at Keighley and Halifax strengthens our relationship with the BMW Group."

The Farnell group, which was founded by Albert Farnell in 1882, is a multi-million pound business which employs 100 staff.

Brothers Ian and David Farnell, who were joint managing directors before the takeover, today welcomed the move.

Ian Farnell, 45, said: "To operate a modern franchise a great deal of financial security is required which we are delighted Sunwin Motors will bring to us.

"Both David and myself will continue to run the business as we always have with no changes to sales or service staff."

The Farnell business started out as a bicycle sales company selling Rover bikes.

The founder, Albert Farnell, designed the first Rover car in 1904 and from then on had strong links with the Rover group. The company has a 1906 Rover on display at its site at White Cross in Guiseley.

The firm, which was started in Bradford, moved its head office to Guiseley when the new dealership was built in 1984.

Ian Farnell added: "Business has been growing comfortably over a number of years and we now sell 2,000 cars a year on our sites."

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