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Acorn Trucks invests in state-of-the-art IVECO Truck Station dealership
Tuesday 18th May 2021
On May 10th 2021, Acorn Trucks opened the doors to its all-new, state-of-the-art IVECO dealership in West Thurrock, Essex.
After joining the IVECO UK dealer network in early 2013, Acorn has operated from its head office in Crayford, Kent, with service and sales sites across the Thames in West Thurrock and Waltham Cross. The opening of this new site represents a significant investment in the IVECO brand.
Having developed a strong name representing IVECO east of London, the business has now outgrown the current West Thurrock site. Situated directly opposite the existing site, the new multi-million-pound premises is a purpose-built IVECO dealership. An impressive building, it will become Acorn Trucks flagship hub, housing sales and administration staff, an extensive service workshop and parts depot. Anticipating future truck electrification, multiple charging ports have been installed which are supported by the site's own dedicated substation.
Situated in an enviable position alongside key arterial roads, the new site is extremely well-placed to cater for existing and future IVECO customers. Its proximity to Junction 30 of the M25 means that IVECO's 24/7 roadside assistance service, Assistance Non-Stop, is, therefore, able to rapidly deploy in any direction.
'The construction of this new site is key to the growth of our operations with the IVECO brand and demonstrates our intent to offer the highest levels of service from start to finish,' adds James Selway, Acorn Trucks' Managing Director.
'With the added space, we will be able to maximise efficiency and offer operators a premium experience without interruption, enabling them to keep their vehicles on road and working where minimal downtime is key to profitability.
Five times the size of the existing workshop, it is capable of housing a considerable number of vehicles simultaneously. To support IVECO's marketing-leading range of natural gas products, the facility is fully equipped to maintain vehicles powered by alternative propulsion. The new site is also adjacent to the group's own Authorised Testing Facility (ATF), streamlining access to the full suite of maintenance facilities.
The new site has been designed to cope with rapid expansion, initially running from 6am to 10pm with a view to moving to 24hrs a day. Including the onboarding of apprentices, the workshop will be recruiting additional technicians as it ramps up significantly from servicing a regular customer base and engaging with new business. A spacious and welcoming service reception area houses Acorn's service team with a comfortable waiting area and showering facilities for drivers. Due to the high-level facilities the site offers, it achieves the demanding standards that IVECO require to be appointed as a Truck Station.
The parts department has its own dedicated entrance with a multi-level warehouse and large, open office space for the Parts team. Rationalising parts storage and distribution, the investment includes a closed, 30ft high computer-controlled lift system, enabling the parts stock holding to double. Smaller parts are stored on trays vertically, allowing stock to be called down as required, maximising space and maintaining a stock audit trail.
The first floor will house the administration and truck sales teams, with the site shortly to become an IVECO OK Trucks approved used vehicle retail partner. Light commercial vehicle sales will maintain their presence on a refreshed area on the adjacent site, retaining its prominent forecourt with revamped office space.
Commenting on the new site, IVECO UK's Network Director, Adam Harris said, 'A huge undertaking, this development shows clear confidence in the IVECO brand and a drive to best serve existing customers and attract new operators. Having recently launched the stunning new IVECO S-WAY it comes at a very exciting time. With Acorn Trucks' substantial and impressive dealership behind the whole IVECO range, this location is something for us all to be very proud of.'
In addition to the new West Thurrock site, Acorn is also continuing investments at Acorn Trucks North London in Waltham Cross. The recent expansion with a further two full-length workshop bays increases the service coverage in the north London area.
For further information about the IVECO range and services offered by Acorn Trucks, visit www.iveco-dealership.co.uk/