What's the news?
The Spirit Motor Group today (17 December, 2014) announced its acquisition of Derek Burton Sales Ltd. The business, in operation for 25 years, is located in Kilpeddar, Co. Wicklow and specialises in 4x4 and commercial vehicle sales.
Spirit Motor Group already holds franchises for Ford, Jaguar, Land Rover, Skoda and Volvo and employs 121 people across three different sites in South County Dublin. The addition of Derek Burton Sales Ltd. will see the number of people employed by the group rise to 130 with all nine existing jobs in the company retained.
After 40 years in the motor trade, founder Derek Burton is retiring to pursue other business interests. Following the acquisition announcement he said: "I'm confident this business will continue to thrive as part of Spirit Motor Group. All of the team looks forward to continuing our longstanding relationships with all of our customers."
Gerard O'Farrell, Managing Director of Spirit Motor Group, said: "We are delighted to have acquired this well established and highly respected business in Co Wicklow. This expansion further strengthens Spirit Motor Group's presence in South Dublin and Wicklow and is in line with our plans for the strategic growth and development of our business. We look forward to working with all of the team from Derek Burton Sales Ltd in continuing to provide the very best service to all our loyal customers."
Anything else?
With all jobs retained it is one more positive news story for 2014, which has seen a solid increase in sales of private, light and heavy commercial vehicles, as was outlined in the latest Cartell.ie report.