Isuzu Truck UK sold to Isuzu Japan

Hatfield, UK: Isuzu Motors Limited in Japan has acquired the total shareholding of Isuzu Truck (UK) for an undisclosed sum.
Isuzu Truck (UK) was formed in 1996. Nikki King, its chief executive says: “We concentrated on offering award-winning customer service with highly-specified technical training for our dealers and some of the best trucks available within the Isuzu product range.

The company was subject to a management buy-out from RAC in 2004, with Isuzu Motors Limited Japan retaining a 15% share in the company.

Last year Isuzu UK sales increased by 13% with a turnover £24 million. “This is the ideal time for us to sell the company shareholding to Isuzu. I wanted to secure the future of the company and the business is in great shape, we’ve just celebrated a stunning year’s performance. However, it seems logical that ITUK should join its natural family and be given the tools to grow even more,” King says.
She will remain as managing director until August and continue to be involved in a non-executive capacity after her retirement. Isuzu’s Masayuki Murata will become chairman of the company and will divide his time between the UK and Belgium where he retains his role as chairman of Isuzu Europe.  Previously Murata was chief executive of Isuzu Australia where Isuzu has had market leadership for over 20 years.

Masayuki Murata, chairman, Isuzu Motors Europe says: “This has been a very exciting acquisition for Isuzu. This is only the second wholly-owned distributor that Isuzu has acquired. The first was Isuzu Australia, a highly successful company that has enjoyed market leadership for 24 years.

Nikki says: “For me and the management team at ITUK, this development in the company is ‘nirvana’.  To have the strength and power of a major international company behind us is fantastic. To know the company is safe with an exciting future and all the wonderful people who have worked so hard for us can be secure in their employment with the potential to pursue a wider choice of careers, is really mind-blowing.”

Isuzu Truck UK is one of the top three providers of 7.5 tonne trucks in the UK. The company’s current product range consists of rigid chassis/cabs from 3.5t, Grafter range, and the Forward range at 5.0, 6.2, 7.5 and 11.00 tonnes GVW.