If you are looking to acquire a turnkey business that is up and running with huge potential, this is it. The nearest competitor we have is over 150 miles away, and due to our current location, we have customers from all over Europe and the UK.
A vast customer base with constantly returning customers. Our expenditure on advertising is nil; all of the advertising is done for us by our reputation and existing customers recommending us.
Superb reviews on things like Google plus many other feedback websites, drive customers towards us time and time again. We have many varied income streams, including American motorhome servicing, American RV sales, a main Dinitrol rustproofing agent (have been in this field for over 35 years) and again, in this field no one does what we do with the equipment we have.
We are a main LPG reseller, and as such we have an owned installation with over 4000 litres of dispensing equipment (just recertified).
There is the chance if a new owner wishes to increase this vastly, this is due to the fact that where the operation is located is not on mains gas, as such, residents use Calor gas, so you could sell direct to them at great prices and make a good profit.
Customers arrive for LPG from all over Kent, Sussex, and even Surrey, so the opportunity is almost limitless.
Many websites driving business to us, all linking back to the main site again. Current location is not crucial, as such the business could be relocated as the customers would be more than happy to follow us wherever we go.
It may sound a little arrogant, but to be honest, this is a real chance to enter a market that can show a great profit margin moving forward. There would be an opportunity to increase our labour rates as no one comes anywhere near us. The last time we raised rates was in 2012, so you can increase these and still not lose custom.
We have a fully equipped workshops with heavy-duty equipment and many specialist tools, all of this can be made available to the right purchaser. The owners are looking to retire, however, for a consideration, we would be happy to stay on for a while to offer information and assistance if and where required.
If the purchaser has any experience with commercial vehicles or buses/coaches, this will be a breeze to enter into a different marketplace. If you only have car experience, again we can assist to help the buyer through the early transition stages.
The current premises are being offered to us on a new lease with break clauses, so flexibility is ensured if you wish to move onto a bigger or better location for you. The current building is 4,300 square foot on an industrial area along with a large outside storage area.
All the electrics within the building have recently been renewed and all to latest spec. Subject to contract and time constraints, you would be in a position to negotiate with the landlord as to what you wanted from a lease.
The business has shown fair to good profits in recent years, it is only our desire to retire that has stopped the owners investing more time and money into the business.
This possibly shows in the current opening times, this is 1030-1700hrs Mon-Fri, no bank holidays or weekends, if the new owners wanted to extend it, you may well attract other customers, but we are happy as we are, they just come back when you are open!
The company has operated vehicle recovery in the past which was very lucrative, especially with other recovery agents not understanding American motorhomes, as such we would receive calls from the police (due to the proximity of both the M2/A2/M20 & M23/M26/M25.
We have also had many calls from the shipping lines at Dover docks, the possibility to expand is without question open to the new owner. We stopped doing recovery after COVID as our regular driver unfortunately succumbed to COVID.
If a new owner wanted to import American motorhomes, we have a good contact base in the USA together with a link with a good shipper. It can be a very good profit margin, but we have always prided ourselves on offering unbeatable value for money together with exceptional service, hence the reputation.
The business has no debt, all stock and equipment is owned outright, major lifting items have been on a service contract since new, as such they are fault-free. The main 27-ton vehicle column lifts have just had a major service and inspection, and passed 100%
It is being offered as a going concern or we may be happy to negotiate other types of sale.
Positive elements:
In terms of our geographic location, we are well placed to cater to customers in the UK, in addition, due to our proximity to the Channel ports, this again allows easy access for European customers.
Reputation is key to the perception of obtaining and retaining customers, as such we have one of the best reputations in this industry, such things as reviews on Google etc. will demonstrate this.
Customer retention: we have retained nearly every customer we have ever dealt with, they return time and time again
Industry knowledge: we have an excellent reputation for our knowledge within our sector, subject to sale conditions, this could be retained with myself to assist with any transition.
Corporate customers: we have an enviable reputation with large corporate customers such as insurance companies, one of which we have just secured being LV and Highway Insurance. We have stated to them 'if God made it we are stuck, but if man made it, we can repair it' they like this attitude, and to date we have exceeded their expectations which has brought further work.
We have a logical and caring attitude towards customers, which has served us well, we could further use this reputation to enhance the operation.
Whilst we turn away a great deal of work, despite this, customers almost beg us to find them a slot. With more staff we could easily quadruple the throughput and obviously the profits.
We have a very good turnover of sales of LPG gas, being that we are one of very very few LPG dealers in the area, so much so that we have customers drive from Surrey and Sussex for us to fill them with LPG. For us it is a good profit. We purchase LPG bulk at. 55ppl and retail it at. 90ppl; we retail circa 20,000+ LTS per annum, but this is constantly increasing.
We no longer take credit cards due to the costs, this has never proved to be a problem with customers, they simply either pay cash or BACS.
We have a good stock of useable parts along with many less desirable constant-use parts.
A set of column lifts capable of lifting up to 28 ton clear of the floor to circa 8 foot high. These have been owned since new and have always had a contract maintenance/service agreement on them. They have also just had a full inspection and passed without issue.
Many specialized tools are available for working on American motorhomes.
We are a main agent for Dinitrol rustproof.
