23/12/2022
West Country Motorhomes January Succession!
Here at West Country Motorhomes we have noticed that we have a company trend - we like to start the year as we mean to go on!
January seems to be a month of celebration, accomplishment, progress and change for the Company with growth and expansion all happening in the first month of the year. In the January of 2002 many of you will know we opened our prestige Sales Centre in Brent Knoll. Everyone, from customers to manufacturers and the motorhome press agreed that West Country Motorhomes had raised the standard of presentation and the image of motorhome dealerships to a new level.
Who was to know this was just that start of the companies January succession.
We opened a site in Swindon in 2003, which proved to be a success, so 5 years later we saw our next succession. In January 2008 our Swindon branch expanded with a brand new Sales Centre built on Turnpike Road, Blunsdon, which is where we are today.
With two sales centres, one in Somerset and one in Wiltshire, the Company was growing. The ongoing success of both and increased sales to meet demand caused our next succession.
Eight years after the expansion in Swindon the next stage of business growth to meet the expectations of our customers was introduced.
In January 2016 we opened our new dedicated After Sales and Warranty department at our Brent Knoll site. We have always prided ourselves on our high level of customer service (supported by numerous awards) and as people’s expectations increased, we rose to the challenge giving our customers all the help and support needed. This was an instant success and has helped to make us one of the most trusted dealers in the UK.
The trend continued when in January 2022 there were celebrations at Brent Knoll marking the 20th year at their prestige showroom. But these were not the only celebrations, Max Pike and Steve Taylor were appointed to the board as new directors of the company.
MD Steve Pike said “Together with Peter Shaw I have held the reins for nearly 40 years and we have grown the Company to be one of the biggest and best respected dealerships in the UK, but it is now time to start handing over to the next generation to carry the company forward. Max and Steve have already proved themselves very capable and we wish them both all the best as they take on their new roles.”
January 2023 carries on the trend as after a year of development and construction at our Brent Knoll site. We will be opening our new Pre-Delivery Inspection workshops, including accessories fitting and mechanical workshops, where we can ensure that your motorhome is prepared and ready for you to enjoy. Having the whole process, from sale through preparation to handover, all on one site means we can provide you with the best experience possible.
January 2023 will also see another change for the Company as Peter Shaw steps down after 36 years service. Peter joined West Country Motorhomes in 1986 as a salesman, he progressed to being made a director in (January!) 2000, and has been a key figure in the growth and success of the Company. He has decided “it is time to make way for Steve and Max to take control, and for me to travel more, pursue my hobbies and spend more time with my grandchildren”.
He will be missed, and we hope you will join with us in wishing him well in his retirement.
We can’t wait to see what will happen in future Januarys!