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.
Having outgrown the current West Thurrock site, it has built multi-million-pound premises 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.
“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 range of natural gas products, the facility is 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 24 hours a day. Including the on-boarding 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 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 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 its presence on a refreshed area on the adjacent site, retaining its prominent forecourt with revamped office space.
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.