Manheim Auction Services will overhaul its Gloucester site to become a specialist auction facility for LCV, HGV, plant and equipment sales. The investment is due to support a sales programme which will see around 1000 vans and trucks sold every month to an estimated value of more than £15 million.
Once the site is complete, it’s expected to be the largest physical auction location for commercial vehicles in the UK. Vehicles will be available to view before the auction begins and Manheim expects up to 5000 buyers to attend fortnightly auction events either in person or online. The nine acre site is due to open this autumn with details on sales programmes available in September.
Liam Quegan, Cox Automotive’s managing director, wholesale, said: “The commercial vehicle sector is experiencing an exhilarating return to form. This investment reflects demand and signals our growth intent and ambition to give our customers the best auction experience.
“Our Gloucester site has a rich heritage in the LCV sector and this new chapter will create that same reputation in the HGV market. There’s a strong overlap of vendors and buyers with an interest in both vans and trucks, and they are chomping at the bit for a bigger, better, more concentrated physical auction experience. This move delivers on that ask.”
Matthew Davock, director of commercial vehicles for Manheim, said: “Our ambition with Manheim Gloucester is to make every sale an event, packed with energy, with LCV and HGV class assets that buyers can physically touch, see and hear. We’re aggregating more stock into a fortnightly sales programme delivered by a team focused only on commercial vehicles. The reaction from team members and customers to this news has been overwhelming and I can’t wait for the gates to open!”
Rob Atkinson, Manheim’s director of HGV and industrial, said: “Gloucester will be the new home for a large proportion of Manheim’s HGV operations in the UK, around 70% of our volume will sell through this new combined in-lane and Simulcast sales programme. This marks a return to physical auctions for HGV and machinery and represents an important milestone in the growth of our truck and plant operation.”
