CAZOO ACQUIRES SMH, DOUBLING REFURB CAPACITY

Online car retail startup Cazoo has acquired SMH Fleet Solutions (SMH), one of the UK’s largest vehicle preparation, logistics and storage businesses for approximately £70m cash.

Alex Chesterman, Cazoo

Established in 2003, SMH has a team of over 500 expert staff currently processing more than 70,000 vehicle refurbishments annually from six vehicle preparation sites across 136 acres in Bedford, Gloucester, Throckmorton, Worcester and St Helens. SMH also carries out over 150,000 vehicle movements per year with a team of over 300 logistics specialists as well as operating an online wholesale platform for used cars.

READ: CAZOO ACQUIRES SMART FLEET SOLUTIONS

The deal will double Cazoo’s overall vehicle reconditioning, logistics and storage capabilities in the UK with 11 total sites across more than 265 acres, as well as providing it with a ready-made team of experienced reconditioners.

READ: CAZOO ACQUIRES DATA PLATFORM, CAZANA FOR £25m

Alex Chesterman OBE, Founder & CEO of Cazoo said:“Given strong consumer demand, the only real constraint to our future growth is ensuring that we have adequate capability to recondition, store and deliver enough cars to keep up. By acquiring SMH, this helps solve that and de-risks our future growth by immediately doubling our number of vehicle preparation sites and significantly enhancing our team of vehicle preparation and logistics staff. I look forward to welcoming the SMH team to Cazoo.

Don’t miss the next printed CAT Magazine. Subscribe for free here

Published by Greg Whitaker

Editor of CAT Magazine and an experienced motoring journalist @GregWhitaker5

Delphi product blitz to bring 1000 new parts per year

New suspension and steering components will mean firm covers some 180 million cars across EMEA region

Read More

GSF Car Parts opens two new branches in Southern England

New locations aim to improve the firm’s delivery times in West Sussex and North London

Read More

WAI signs agreement with Motus to expand into South African market

The move will “further expand the number of solutions we bring to the global aftermarket”

Read More

Hand car washes to be targeted in new government immigration probe

Around 1,000 staff, previously assigned to the now-abandoned Rwanda deportation scheme, will lead the effort

Read More

“Import more mechanics” or aftermarket garages will grind to a halt, government told

The sector is in an employment pit with vacancy rates at 5.1 per 100 employees, its highest point in 21 years

Read More

Go to comments

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *