Nationwide Autocentre
Encyclopedia
Halfords Autocentre is a chain of MOT and car servicing garages across the UK.
, owned by Lex Service plc when it was under the leadership of Andy Harrison. Since 1999, these were part of the RAC
's motoring division, when it was bought by Lex. 41 former Lex Autocentres became Nationwide Autocentres when the company was formed by private equity group NGBI (National Bank of Greece
Private Equity), who sold their stake in February 2006 when the chief executive was Tom Dunn. From 2006 it was owned by five managers in a management buyout
.
Previous to 1993, it was originally known as Lucas Autocentres with 62 garages.
In 2009, it started a scheme to raise money for the NSPCC.
were to buy the company in a £73.2 million deal. Halfords are taking over all 224 outlets and re-branding them 'Halfords Autocentre'. They also plan to open another 200 outlets, potentially creating 1000+ jobs.
On 24 May 2010, the first four Halfords Autocentres opened in Derby
plus the one located near the head office in Solihull
.
just off Richmond Road, and the A41
and the Grand Union Canal
. They have more than 500 ATA (Automotive Technician Accreditation
) approved mechanics, more than any other chain of garages.
There were previously strong connections with The Automobile Association
because in October 2004 when the AA was taken over by a private equity company, Nationwide Autocentre took over the running of 50 AA servicing centres owned by Halfords
, including 400 staff. Later, a deal was done with the AA, whereby the company would pay £10 to the AA for every car brought into a garage.
Servicing Stop
History
It was founded in January 2001 as a former subsidiary of Lex AutocentresLex Vehicle Leasing
Lex is the United Kingdom's largest vehicle leasing business with a fleet of circa 260,000 vehicles. Formerly known as "Lex Vehicle Leasing" it is now owned 100% by Halifax Bank of Scotland , after the former bought the remaining 50% share capital from Aviva Plc on 31 May 2006...
, owned by Lex Service plc when it was under the leadership of Andy Harrison. Since 1999, these were part of the RAC
RAC plc
RAC Limited is a breakdown company in the United Kingdom supplying products and services for motorists. Initially formed as the "Associate Section" of the Royal Automobile Club, it was incorporated as R.A.C. Motoring Services Ltd. in 1978. It was then sold by the members of the Royal Automobile...
's motoring division, when it was bought by Lex. 41 former Lex Autocentres became Nationwide Autocentres when the company was formed by private equity group NGBI (National Bank of Greece
National Bank of Greece
The National Bank of Greece is the oldest and largest commercial banking group in Greece. The group has a particularly strong presence in Southeastern Europe and the Eastern Mediterranean...
Private Equity), who sold their stake in February 2006 when the chief executive was Tom Dunn. From 2006 it was owned by five managers in a management buyout
Management buyout
A management buyout is a form of acquisition where a company's existing managers acquire a large part or all of the company.- Overview :Management buyouts are similar in all major legal aspects to any other acquisition of a company...
.
Previous to 1993, it was originally known as Lucas Autocentres with 62 garages.
In 2009, it started a scheme to raise money for the NSPCC.
Acquisitions
It bought 96 Lex Autocentres from the RAC in April 2002 and 54 Stop 'n' Steer garages from Kwik Fit in February 2003.Halfords Autocentres
On 18 February 2010, it was confirmed that UK bike and car parts chain HalfordsHalfords
Halfords Group plc is a leading retailer of car parts, car enhancements and bicycles operating in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Czech Republic and more recently in Poland, although it is currently pulling out of the latter two countries...
were to buy the company in a £73.2 million deal. Halfords are taking over all 224 outlets and re-branding them 'Halfords Autocentre'. They also plan to open another 200 outlets, potentially creating 1000+ jobs.
On 24 May 2010, the first four Halfords Autocentres opened in Derby
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
plus the one located near the head office in Solihull
Solihull
Solihull is a town in the West Midlands of England with a population of 94,753. It is a part of the West Midlands conurbation and is located 9 miles southeast of Birmingham city centre...
.
Products
They carry out servicing at 6, 12 and 24 month intervals, with different levels of detail for each.Structure
It is based near Olton railway stationOlton railway station
Olton railway station serves the Olton area of Solihull, in the West Midlands of England. The station is operated by London Midland, and is also served by occasional Chiltern Railways services.-External links:**...
just off Richmond Road, and the A41
A41 road
The A41 is a formerly-major trunk road in England that links London and Birkenhead, although it has now largely been superseded by motorways. It passes through or near various towns and cities including Watford, Hemel Hempstead, Aylesbury, Solihull, Birmingham, West Bromwich, Wolverhampton,...
and the Grand Union Canal
Grand Union Canal
The Grand Union Canal in England is part of the British canal system. Its main line connects London and Birmingham, stretching for 137 miles with 166 locks...
. They have more than 500 ATA (Automotive Technician Accreditation
Automotive Technician Accreditation
The Automotive Technician Accreditation is a trade qualification for all facets of automotive repair in the UK. It is a voluntary scheme similar to that for electricians run by the NICEIC, and similarly is not government-run....
) approved mechanics, more than any other chain of garages.
There were previously strong connections with The Automobile Association
The Automobile Association
The Automobile Association , a British motoring association founded in 1905 was demutualised in 1999 to become a private limited company which currently provides car insurance, driving lessons, breakdown cover, loans and motoring advice, and other services...
because in October 2004 when the AA was taken over by a private equity company, Nationwide Autocentre took over the running of 50 AA servicing centres owned by Halfords
Halfords
Halfords Group plc is a leading retailer of car parts, car enhancements and bicycles operating in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the Czech Republic and more recently in Poland, although it is currently pulling out of the latter two countries...
, including 400 staff. Later, a deal was done with the AA, whereby the company would pay £10 to the AA for every car brought into a garage.
See also
- Kwik-FitKwik-FitKwik-Fit is a British car servicing and repair company, specialising in tyres, brakes, exhausts, MOT testing, car servicing, air-conditioning recharge, oil changes and windscreen repair. They are the leading fast-fit supplier of tyres in the UK with over 600 Kwik-Fit centres.-History:Sir Tom Farmer...
- ATS EuromasterATS EuromasterATS Euromaster is a European tyre service provider with a network of over 450 Service Centres in the UK. It is based next to the A38 in Aston in Birmingham. It is the UK's largest tyre supplier to commercial vehicles...
- also based in Birmingham
Servicing Stop
External links
News items
- Halfords buy the group in February 2010
- Telegraph April 2009
- Efficient engines in September 2008
- Management buy-out in February 2006
- Taking over AA servicing centres in October 2004
- Dangerous student cars in November 2003
- Lex buys Lucas Autocentres in March 1993