March 24, 2020
Woodall Nicholson Group announces acquisition of VCS ltd
Woodall Nicholson Group announces acquisition of VCS ltd – market leader in specialist vehicle manufacturing.
This acquisition further strengthens Woodall Nicholson Group’s leading specialist vehicle design and manufacturing capability.
Woodall Nicholson Group is proud to announce the acquisition of VCS Ltd, the leading specialist vehicle manufacturer. VCS Ltd will strengthen Woodall Nicholson Group’s customer offering within the emergency services sector. Together with Woodall Nicholson’s existing business CM Specialist Vehicle Division, this acquisition offers our customers a more complete offering within critical and complex sectors such as the Police Service, Fire Brigade and both private and NHS vehicle requirements.
It is business as usual for all at VCS as the company continue to trade under the same industry-leading name and will retain the existing 49 staff at the Bradford manufacturing facility under the remit of joint Managing Director’s Mark Kerrigan and Wayne Sullivan.
The business will benefit from the growth opportunities that Woodall Nicholson Group’s scale, broader customer portfolio and international operations will bring.
Frank Barrett, CEO of Woodall Nicholson Group commented
“This is a fantastic addition to the Woodall Nicholson family and provides additional growth opportunity for the group and we’re delighted to add further expertise and resource to our existing skill set within the group.
UK-based VCS Ltd is a long-established supplier to the emergency services focused organisations, both in the UK and internationally. Bringing tremendous experience in the design and manufacture of specialist vehicles to the group, VCS combines innovation, craftsmanship and technical excellence to supply and support quality deployed product to critical markets in the UK”.
Mark Kerrigan & Wayne Sullivan, Joint Managing Directors of VCS commented,
“Joining the Woodall Nicholson Group provides VCS with access to a huge pool of technical know how across the varying product sectors, coupled with access to a significant increase in capacity to satisfy the demands of the UK blue light sector. We can now accelerate our agenda on lightweight ambulance construction and innovative designs. The electric vehicle development already existing within Woodall Nicholson is something that is very much on the VCS strategy for the UKs first electric Ambulance. We are extremely proud of what has been achieved at VCS over the past 9 ½ years and would like to pass on our gratitude to the entire team who have been an integral part of that journey. The Woodall Nicholson Group share our passion for quality and growth in the specialist vehicle sector. We remain committed to the success of VCS and Woodall Nicholson and look forward to continuing our roles as joint Managing Directors”
In acquiring VCS, Woodall Nicholson Group recognises that it can add even greater value to its customer portfolio helping them to deliver more value, more efficiency and without compromising on quality.
The Woodall Nicholson Group:
Head quartered in the North West of England, UK. Projected turnover in 2019 more than c.£100 million with around 450 employees
With three dedicated divisions and six “Market-Focused” design and manufacturing businesses the group will now include:
Ceremonial Vehicles
• Coleman Milne – UK’s Market leader in ceremonial vehicles to the funeral sector
• Binz International – European and Middle East supplier of ceremonial vehicles
Small Bus
• Mellor – Market Leader in innovative, efficient, accessible and sustainable small bus and electric bus solutions.
• Treka Bus – Specialists in the design, development and manufacture of wheelchair accessible minibuses
Emergency Services (“Blue Light”)
• CM Specialist Vehicle Division – A market leading vehicle conversion specialist and manufacturer in the blue light emergency services sector
• Vehicle Conversion Specialists (VCS Ltd.) – Market Leader in specialists design and manufacture all types of blue light vehicles with particular excellence in light weight, efficient, ergonomically advanced and patient safety.
Woodall Nicholson is a privately owned by a group of like-minded shareholders who share a passion for providing best in class technological vehicle solutions for its expanding customer base.
PRESS CONTACT
Rachael Buckley – Group Marketing Manager
