Used vehicle supplier motors ahead with Coalville acquisition

One of the UK’s largest wholesale used vehicle suppliers has acquired a 22-acre facility on Stephenson Industrial Estate in Coalville.

Motability Operations is set to develop the space into a state-of-the-art vehicle conditioning centre, doubling its existing capacity to assess and refurbish vehicles.

The facility was previously home to The Fleet Auction Group.

It will be operated by IT Fleet, one of Motability’s vehicle refurbishment partners.

Up to 25,000 vehicles will be refurbished on the site each year and sold through the business’ remarketing arm, mfldirect.

A spokesperson for Motability told TheBusinessDesk.com that “investing in the site and the facilities is a long term commitment which we hope will generate jobs in the local area going forward.”

Damian Oton, managing director of fleet at Motability Operations, said: “Condition management is an essential part of the remarketing supply chain, and we recognise the importance of this to our customers.

“Investing in our own refurbishment capabilities allows us to enhance the overall value of our offering for our customers through our personal commitment to quality of service much earlier in the process. And by ensuring confidence in supply, we can give our customers greater accessibility to the cars they need to keep pace in a busy and challenging marketplace.”

Andrew Timmis, managing director at IT Fleet, said: “We’re delighted to be building on our existing strong partnership with Motability Operations by developing a central dedicated refurbishment site at Coalville. IT Fleet have over 21 years of experience in vehicle logistics, refurbishment and vehicle management systems allowing for a complete operational fulfilment process to be utilised by Motability Operations.

“We are very much looking forward to using that experience to grow a customer-focussed leading vehicle solution, that is both an integral part of the future refurbishment plans for mfldirect and demonstrates their ongoing commitment to supplying quality vehicles and service to their customers.”

Martin Betts, chairman of The Fleet Auction Group, added: “Having worked with Motability Operations over the past 20 years, we are extremely proud to be sharing this announcement today. Motability Operations’ proposed state-of-the-art vehicle conditioning centre will leave a lasting legacy and be a positive contribution to the regeneration of the local area.”