Truck and van bodybuilder Bevan Group has acquired a shareholding in A&R Vehicle Services, one of Britain’s top accident repair and refurbishment specialists.
Founded in 1989 by Chairman Trevor Rushworth, Paul Adams and Ron Rushworth, A&R Vehicle Services, celebrates its 25thanniversary in 2014.
It is a long-established supplier to some of the UK’s best-known operators of trucks, trailers, buses and vans, and will continue to develop with Chairman Trevor Rushworth and Group Managing Director George Simpson remaining at the helm. The new agreement secures the long-term employment of its staff, many of whom have chalked up years of loyal service.
Halesowen-based Bevan Group, meanwhile, is plugging a gap in its own service offering by adding a repair and refurbishment arm capable of working to the highest standards and tightest deadlines.
Said Rushworth, “We have a family business ethos and a stable, loyal workforce, so we’re determined to ensure that the next 25 years are every bit as successful as the last. As a privately owned company which shares our core values, Bevan Group will give us the best possible platform for future success.”
“We’re operating in a challenging and highly competitive industry, which explains why most of the big ‘independents’ in our sector have already aligned themselves with a manufacturer,” Simpson said. “By giving us access to new markets, as well as its sales and marketing expertise, Bevan will help to take us to the next level.”
And Bevan Group Managing Director Anthony Bevan adds: “This agreement is going to benefit both businesses hugely. For our part, it’s another string to our bow. There’s definitely a demand among established Bevan customers for the kind of repair and refurbishment services that A&R offers, while we’re confident that our aftercare and vehicle graphics divisions will also be busier as a result.”
With 40,000 square fee of workshop space, including a recycled shot blast bay, specialist chassis straightening facilities, paint preparation booths and three low bake ovens, all backed by a fully-stocked parts stores, A&R is equipped to undertake a comprehensive range of assignments.