Since being founded as Brooklands Garage on Sticker Lane, Bradford, in 1946, JCT600 estimates that it has sold over one million new and used vehicles and on Sunday 20th June, the Yorkshire automotive retailer celebrated 75 years in business.
With a turnover in excess of £1.3 billion, JCT600 represents 25 of the world’s leading car marques and has grown into the region’s largest privately owned business. It is still owned and managed by the Tordoff family with nine members of the family currently working for the company. Chief executive John Tordoff continues to lead the 2,300-strong team, making it one of the largest employers in the region with the business having been named among the Sunday Times’ ‘best companies to work for’.
To mark this important milestone, JCT600 last week shared a light-hearted short film on its social media channels which looks back at where the company started as well as looking forwards to what happens next. The business also invited customers, suppliers and colleagues to share birthday messages on social media with the hashtag #JCT600is75 and has also ready received hundreds of good wishes.
Over the last 75 years, the company has racked up some impressive statistics: since 1946, it has welcomed more than 20,000 colleagues to the JCT600 family and in the last five years alone, ten couples have started their journey together after meeting at JCT600. It has also provided a vehicle service, MOT or maintenance more than four million times; and delivered over 10,000 vehicles to customers’ homes across the UK, travelling more than 500,000 miles in the process. The total area covered by JCT600’s 54 dealerships’ premises is more than 143 acres - an area equivalent to 71 football pitches - and you'd have to drive more than 500 miles if you wanted to visit every JCT600 in one trip!
As well as continuing to invest in its physical showrooms throughout Yorkshire, the North East, the Humber, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire, JCT600 has also established a strong presence online. It has taken reservations for more than 3,500 cars and vans through its website reached more than 56 million people on social media since 2008; and succeeded in building a following of more than 35,000 people.
The group’s contract hire and leasing division, JCT600 VLS, has also gone from strength to strength during its 25 years of trading, with in excess of 100,000 vehicles estimated to be on lease at any one time.
John Tordoff, chief executive of JCT600, said: “Our 75th birthday is another huge moment for JCT600, and we’d like to take the great opportunity to thank everyone we work with, our loyal customers, colleagues and partners, for their continued support.
“We’ve seen some massive changes in the motor industry since 1946 when we sold our first vehicle, a Jowett van for £175, and we’ve faced many challenges along the way. However, as we have grown, we have retained our strong family values and I believe it is this that is the key to our longevity and continued success.
“To have survived 75 years in business is an achievement in itself and we are proud that the JCT600 name is trusted by so many people. We remain committed to putting the customer first and treating our colleagues and partners with respect – the core values which have got us where we are today.”
