Auto Styling Truckman soars after move
Auto Styling Truckman, the Black Country-based 4x4 accessories manufacturer and distributor, is reaping the benefits of its expansion by reporting increased turnover and profits for its last financial year.
Turnover rose to £11.2 million from £9.5m a year ago, while the workforce has expanded to 68 with another eight per cent growth planned.
Profits rose to £1.57m, from £1.4m last year, before exceptional one-off expenses of around £212,000 to pay for moving part of the company's operations to a new head office, with a fitting and distribution centre in Brierley Hill.
The company, which is one of the UK's leading manufacturers of hardtops for pick-up trucks, achieved strong turnover growth delivered as a result of a 17.2 percent increase in sales on its previous financial year.
Sales of its hardtops, produced under the iconic automotive accessory brand, Truckman, and its range of vehicle accessories have been driven by its online activity and its strong relationships with Original Equipment (OE) customers including Isuzu, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Toyota and Volkswagen.
The growth of the business during 2015 has been supported by the acquisition of the new head office, with a fitting and distribution centre, which is part of a £2.6m investment programme.
The 52,000 sq ft building provided 'much-needed' additional warehouse storage space enabling Auto Styling Truckman to meet increased demand from online and commercial customers.
By providing additional capacity to expand stockholding of its extensive product range, the company has increased its distribution capabilities and expanded its hardtop fitting service. Completed hardtops are distributed direct to customers or fitted to vehicles at the company's facility in its suite of fitting bays.
Auto Styling Truckman's expanded facility is located close to its previous head office and its existing hardtop manufacturing facility ensuring the company could retain and grow its highly-skilled, loyal local workforce. The company employs 68 people and said it will "imminently increase its headcount by eight percent across office-based warehousing and production roles".
Managing director Mike Wheeler said: "Our investment in infrastructure, quality products and skilled people has enabled us to maintain our rapid rate of expansion.
"Relocating to larger premises has supported our growth ambitions and provided an improved workplace for our skilled and committed employees. Our people are essential to the success of the business and their efforts are reflected in our increased sales and the excellent levels of customer service we provide."
Mike added: "The growth strategy of the business also helped prepare us for the upturn in the UK automotive sector and industries such as construction, which utilise our products.
"We will further build on the success of our online sales operation and our relationships with the leading pick-up truck manufacturers with further investments in our facilities, e-commerce infrastructure and, of course, new hardtops for the latest model pick-ups due for release this year."
