Motus Newsletter Winter 2019

Newsletter

Christmas 2019

A message from your MD Matthew Lawrenson

2019 has once again been an Another area very close to my heart is our apprenticeship
exciting year for MOTUS programme which continues to go from strength to
Commercials with continued strength as we invest in the future generations of MOTUS
investment, development Commercials. This has been recognised across the UK
and growth at the heart of through a number of awards in 2019 – my congratulations
our activities. and thanks go to Sarah Bardens and all who support her
excellent management of our UK apprentice programme.
The acquisition of F&G
Commercials in July All of this investment, our continual focus on delivering
cemented our position as the service excellence to our customers and representing our
largest DAF dealer group in partner brands to the very best of our ability makes us a
Europe as well as being the successful business. A successful business grows and a
largest commercial growing business provides excellent career and
vehicle dealer group in the UK through our combined development opportunities for current and future
truck and van operations. F&G Commercials is a employees. Finally, we have launched our employee
fabulous addition to our business and have recently been engagement surveys – please complete these surveys,
rebranded to MOTUS Commercials Pennines Region with your opinions and feedback are really important to me
John Smith as the Regional Director. and they really do make a difference.

2019 also saw the opening of our brand new dealership I wish you all a fabulous Christmas and a happy New
in Gloucester as well as the completion of the Year; my thanks go to each and every one of you for all of
refurbishment of our Glasgow dealership – two facilities your efforts during 2019 and I look forward to an exciting
we are extremely proud of. Most, if not all of you, 2020 for us all!
will have benefited from our investments throughout
2019 into our facilities, equipment, vehicles, training,
recruitment and colleague development regardless of
which brand you represent for MOTUS Commercials.

A Year on Year Comparison from Mark Rickett - Financial Director

Our key statistics for the financial year ending 30/6/19 with a comparison to last year

Total revenue £375 million 13%
Number of truck units 2,100 14%
Number of van units 3,650 13%
Parts revenue £70 million 3%
Labour hours 800,000 hrs 2%
Number of employees 1,312 1%

Employee newsletter by Motus Commercials, a division of Motus Group (UK) LTD

F&G Introduction

An Interview with John Smith - Regional Director

Who are F&G Commercials?

Motus Commercials acquired F&G Commercials earlier this year, taking on four
dealerships (in Manchester, Barnsley, Huddersfield and Oldham) along with a commercial
body-building operation and a vehicle repair centre.
 

Tell us about F&G and your previous role

F&G Commercials was formed in 1995 and became a franchised DAF Service Dealer
in 1998. In October 2005, F&G Commercials acquired Doves Truck and Van Limited of
Huddersfield – an established DAF and LDV Main Dealer.

I was Dealer Principal at Chatfield of Sheffield and Leeds, when Frank and Glenn asked if
I would come and run the dealership for them in Huddersfield. As I lived and worked
in the area most of my working life it wasn’t a hard decision so I joined them and worked for 15 years. My role
at F&G was Director Principal and I also overlooked the Sales Department.
 

How has the transition to Motus Commercials gone?

We are still going through various parts of the integration process, but we are well on our way. It has been a reasonable
and seamless exercise and as from the 1st of December all the dealerships now are branded Motus Commercials.

What have your teams brought to Motus Commercials?

We have brought a very good sound business with a young management team which is consistently meeting its targets
with DAF. The business is very stable and well run, and is very much focused on meeting all our customer expectations.

What’s the best thing about being part of Motus Commercials?

The obvious one is that we are now part of the largest DAF dealer group in the world, which gives us greater financial
stability. In addition we have available all the benefits of a large group, like HR and health and safety.
 

How will F&G celebrate Christmas?

All the dealerships will have their individual Christmas parties, but
the dealerships will only close for Christmas day and Boxing Day
then it’s back to business as usual!

What are you most looking forward to
next year?

What we are looking forward to most in 2020 is being integrated
fully into the Motus Commercials systems, and continuing to
offer our customer the service which they currently enjoy. As the
saying goes: same locations, same services, same people!

 

Employee newsletter by Motus Commercials, a division of Motus Group (UK) LTD

New Gloucester Site

A Purpose Built DAF Trucks and FIAT Professional Dealership

In July Motus Commercials Gloucester moved to its In addition, there are four LCV bays, an MOT bay for Class
brand new £5M truck and LCV site. All staff from the IV, V and VII vehicles and a modern office facility finished
previous site transferred to the new three-acre facility on in DAF Trucks new brand identity – which was the first
Spinnaker Road. time this has been used in the UK.

The new site caters for both DAF and FIAT Professional, Well done to all involved with the construction of this
and it encompasses a state-of-the-art workshop with nine new facility, the move from the old Gloucester location,
truck bays. These include a drive through inspection bay, and the organisation of the opening events. All of your
ADR bay and a fully equipped tacho bay. efforts are truly appreciated!

Employee newsletter by Motus Commercials, a division of Motus Group (UK) LTD

Long Service Awards

Recognising Your Milestones With us

Each year brings a set of milestones for various employees across the country who have shown their commitment to
Motus Commercials; a reminder that ‘our people are our most important asset.’
We would also like to say a huge congratulations to the 122 employees who received a Champion Award this year - well
done to each of you for your fantastic achievements.

Here are a just a few of the many long service milestones in 2019:

Parts Supervisor Billy Herd receiving his Matt Lawrenson presents Sukhdev Singh,
long service award from Willie Minty for 40 Regional Director for Hull, with his 30 year Long
years’ service at one of our Glasgow sites - an Service Award. Congratulations Sukhdev!
incredible achievement.

Congratulations to John Morris, Parts Delivery Colin Bates at VW Nottingham collecting his
Driver at Stoke for achieving his 40 year Long 30 year Long Service Award from Matthew
Service Award. John joined the company on 28 Lawrenson. In the photo Matthew is holding the
May 1979 as an Apprentice Technician and since award and Colin is holding his original contract!
then has seen many changes throughout his
career at Stoke.

Employee newsletter by Motus Commercials, a division of Motus Group (UK) LTD