Commenting on Keltruck Limited’s latest annual report and audited accounts, company chairman Chris D. Kelly commented,
Despite the COVID19 global pandemic we remain optimistic about the UK’s economic resilience and our own position within the wider economy. We have reported a record turnover, although we naturally expect the current year to be significantly dampened due to Coronavirus and, indeed, that is already being noticed. However, all of our 18 locations remain open, albeit with revised hours of operation for the duration of the pandemic, to support crucial economic activity including the movement by road of food, pharmaceuticals, fuel and other vital loads along with maintenance for passenger carrying heavy vehicles (service buses and touring coaches).
Russ Warner, Aftersales Director, commented,
Our keyworkers across the Midlands and South Wales have responded to this once in a century event magnificently, rising to the challenge of operating in more difficult circumstances than any of us have ever experienced before. Across all of our workshops we have remained available to support our customers as they keep the UK running. I would like to put on record my thanks to all of our staff, both those who have remained on active duty throughout the pandemic as well as those who have been on furlough supported by HM Government and ourselves.
David Morgan, Sales Director, commented,
We know that some sectors, such as supermarkets and home deliveries, are in fact busier than ever and we remain ready to support operators whatever their requirements. To that end I have made a significant level of new Scania vehicle stock available for immediate delivery to customers and we have also concentrated on preparing more quality used Scania trucks for sale, all of which can be viewed via keltruckscania.com/sales. In addition the Prime Minister laid out his ‘Build, build, build’ COVID19 recovery plan on a visit to Dudley in the Black Country this week which will see a major concentration on construction activity. We will be ready to respond to an upturn in demand for (construction specification) heavy vehicles and the associated aftersales support and maintenance services as the building sector gears up with Government support.
Tracey Joynes, Finance Director, commented,
These results show Keltruck’s continued financial strength with strong profitability and a record turnover of £208.8m reported. We remain well placed to capitalise on opportunities as the UK deals with and recovers from the pandemic and implements new international trading arrangements. We will continue to work closely with our staff and customers to respond to levels of demand.
Mr Kelly concluded
We now know that the UK’s transition period with the European Union will end on 31 December 2020. Business needs certainty and it is pleasing that the extended period of Brexit uncertainty is now over, allowing businesses to concentrate on doing what we do best – serving our customers. The combination of a pandemic and continued Brexit uncertainty would have been extremely damaging to UK economic interests. Instead we are optimistic that domestic demand will recover post-pandemic. Once global demand also recovers we will be in a strong position to continue gearing up our global exports operation, selling quality used Scania trucks and parts around the world from our headquarters in the heart of the UK. Our recent investment in a container loading facility at West Bromwich has enabled us to containerise more stock more quickly to support our international customers.
