John Clark Motor Group drives its business services with acquisition
The John Clark Motor Group has purchased Clark Commercials, one of Scotland’s longest established independent commercial vehicle businesses, as part of its strategy to develop its business sector services.
In addition to the commercial vehicle business in the Dyce area of Aberdeen, the acquisition includes the Budget car and van rental operation at Aberdeen Airport, Clark Commercials contract hire fleet and the Dunfermline-based MotorChoice multi-franchise sales operation.
Clark Commercials will continue to operate under its existing trading name, as a separate company within the John Clark Motor Group, selling all makes of van from the present 2.2 acre site in the Dyce area of Aberdeen. It will retain all of the 38 employees, taking John Clark Motor Group’s total workforce under the expanded Group, to more than 650 staff.
This latest acquisition will strengthen the John Clark Motor Group’s position as one of the top four motor trade groups in Scotland and one of the top 30 in the UK. With the new acquisition on board, the John Clark Motor Group expects to build turnover by more than £20 million to a projected £300 million for the current financial year. It will also increase the group’s vehicle sales by 1,500 vehicles, mainly light commercials.
Rob McWilliam, currently in charge of the John Clark Motor Group’s Specialist Cars Skoda and Seat dealerships in Aberdeen, has been appointed as the new Dealer Principal at Clark Commercials.
Commenting on the deal, John Clark, Chairman and Managing Director of the John Clark Motor Group, said:
“This acquisition has given us an enlarged operating base, from which we can not only promote service at the other side of Aberdeen city, but have a greater ability to provide cars and light commercial vehicle sales in the North and East of Scotland. It is a stepping stone towards our development of a comprehensive Scotland-wide operation, and fits well with future strategic development plans.
“We are already well established in the commercial sector in the Central Belt through our Edinburgh Van Centre. So, the Clark Commercial acquisition fits well with our strategy to strengthen our commercial vehicle business.
“The acquisition will, additionally fit well with the development of our own John Clark branded contract hire and leasing business.”
Speaking of about the deal Graham Clark, Managing Director, commented:
“We believe that the best way to take Clark Commercials to the next level is for it to become part of a bigger group which will have the managerial and financial resources to develop the full potential of the business.
“The directors of Clark Commercials are happy that we are leaving the business in very capable hands. What makes this move particularly pleasing is that the deal with the John Clark Motor Group keeps the business in local ownership with a family-owned group that has a proven interest in maintaining the personal approach to customer service.”
The deal was supported by Bank of Scotland Corporate. Andrew Robertson, their Director of Commercial Business commented:
“We’ve had a relationship with John Clark Group for many years, and we’re delighted to continue to support their growth. They’re an excellent company and we’ve got no doubt that they’ll make a great success of integrating Clark Commercials into the business.”
Based in Aberdeen, the John Clark Motor Group operates 12 sites in Aberdeen, Dundee, Kirkcaldy and Edinburgh with a range of franchises including Audi, BMW, Land Rover, Mini, Volkswagen, Seat and Skoda. The group has a projected turnover of £300 million for the current financial year and employs almost 600 people.
Clark Commercials was established in 1978 as an independent supplier of new and used light commercial vehicles. In 1983 the Clark Commercials took on the local franchise for Budget car and van rental, and in 2001 established the MotorChoice multi-franchise vehicle sales business.
CAPTION:
(Left to right) Graham Clark, Managing Director of Clark Commercials, John Clark, Chairman and Managing Director of John Clark Motor Group and Rob McWilliam, the new John Clark Motor Group Dealer Principal for Clark Commercials.