11th September 2018 | MOTUS Commercials

Imperial Commercials, DAF Trucks’ largest dealer group in the UK and Europe, has acquired Macclesfield-based DAF Trucks commercial vehicle service centre, AM Bell. The acquisition follows the retirement of AM Bell directors, Stella Bell and Mick Cope. AM Bell is acquired as a going concern with all current staff transferring to the new business.

The service dealership, which is now named Imperial Commercials Macclesfield, had already established itself as a successful, independent service centre within the DAF Dealer network boasting an excellent reputation locally. Plans are afoot to develop the business with recruitment for additional workshop staff already underway.

Imperial Commercials Macclesfield fills a strategically important location for Imperial Commercials and bolsters the dealer group’s position as the UK’s largest independent commercial vehicle dealer. The location, on Leek Old Road, Sutton, now forms part of the Imperial Commercials’ Stoke-on-Trent region which also includes sites in Stoke-on-Trent, Wrexham and Deeside near Chester.

Facilities in Macclesfield comprise a five-bay workshop and, importantly for local operators with any fleet make-up, an ATF lane and tachograph centre. All prerequisite modern workshop equipment is included and is staffed by six skilled technicians.

Newly-appointed Regional Director for Imperial Commercials’ Stoke-on-Trent region, Steve Affleck, said, “This acquisition has allowed us to expand our footprint into a key area. The business is well established and already boasts many loyal DAF customers, and we will continue to deliver those high service levels to which they have become accustomed – indeed, we will strive to exceed them with additional technicians and parts lines, including DAF Trucks’ exceptional TRP range of all-makes and trailer parts.

“With investment into key areas of the business,” he said, “we forecast strong growth on the back of our excellent aftersales offering.”

Matt Lawrenson, Managing Director at Imperial Commercials, added, “This acquisition further supports Imperial Commercials’ growth strategy for its UK footprint within the DAF Dealer Network. DAF Trucks is a key strategic trading partner for Imperial Commercials,” he said, “with our values very much aligned and our brands combining well to deliver Service Excellence for our extensive UK customer base. AM Bell is an important Service point, an excellent business and will fit seamlessly into our Stoke on Trent Region.”

Imperial Commercials acquires DAF service centre AM Bell