Yorkshire Caravans hits road to growth
FAMILY-RUN business Yorkshire Caravans is gearing up for expansion with the launch of an indoor showroom after securing funding.
Yorkshire Caravans was established in 1926 by petrol filling station owner Percy Smith who allowed a customer to store their caravan on his site for a couple of weeks. The caravan created so much interest Mr Smith decided to contact the manufacturer and a deal to supply him with new caravans to sell.
The business has now grown to employ 46 staff in South Yorkshire and turnover this year is expected to reach £9m.
Headquartered at Doncaster Road, Bawtry, the company not only sells caravans and awnings but also over 3500 products, including chairs, tables, storage cupboards, security devices, towing mirrors.
The new indoor showroom has enabled the company to increase the amount of products it can offer.
Jon Goulden, managing director, Yorkshire Caravans said: “We’ve weathered the recession and we’re hoping for a continuation of the staycation trend. We’ve launched a new internet site selling camping accessories and the new showroom has helped the business with out of season sales. Barclays funding has enabled us to transform an empty warehouse into the North’s largest caravan showroom and we’ve hit record sales for the first time in over five years”
Neil Bradburne, Barclays relationship director, added: “Like many of our customers, Yorkshire Caravans decided the time was right for further investment to grow the company. A highly professional and progressive brand that is thriving, the management’s ambitious growth plans is testament to their success.”
