Mallusk Mercedes outlet sold in £7m deal

Northern Ireland's only Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle outlet has changed hands in a deal worth £7 million.

Dargan-based Rent-a-Merc Ltd has purchased the former Agnew Commercials dealership on Trench Road, Mallusk, with the business now trading under the new name of Mercedes-Benz Truck & Van (NI).

Its highly experienced, 82-strong sales and after-sales team have all been retrained, and the new owners have new plans to extend the range of services offered.

Commenting on the deal, new Managing Director Neil McKibbin, said: "This move could not have come at a better time. The Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle range is stronger now than it has ever been, and we have gained an award-winning business with a highly experienced team.

"As part of the purchase agreement we have acquired an adjoining 2.5 acres of additional land at Mallusk and are now looking forward to building on the very solid foundations that already exist by expanding the range of services the dealership offers."

Ian Jones, Managing Director of Mercedes-Benz Commercial Vehicles in the UK, added: "This is tremendous news. We view the acquisition by Rent-a-Merc Ltd of our franchised truck and van sales operation in Northern Ireland as a win-win situation.

"On the one hand, we are welcoming to the Mercedes-Benz UK dealer network a new owner that is totally focused on the commercial vehicle sector and appreciates fully the very specific requirements of truck and van operators.

"At the same time, we are retaining a flagship dealership site which includes a dedicated van sales showroom and separate workshops for trucks and vans, as well as a first-class team of people."

Rent-a-Merc was founded in 1984 by Angus McComish, who trained and worked as a technician at Agnew Commercials.

It was acquired in 2001 by the Ravenblack Group of property and associated companies, as a sister business to its other commercial vehicle operation, Rentatruck. Today, Ravenblack holds an 80% in Rent-a-Merc, with the remaining 20% in the hands of Mr McComish.

Together, Rent-a-Merc and South Belfast-based Rentatruck run a combined fleet of some 350 vehicles, ranging from 2.6-tonne vans to 44-tonne articulated tractor units, and command a 65% of the commercial vehicle contract hire and rental market in Northern Ireland.

(MB)