Member Article

RHCV 40 years of success

Already enjoying a successful year award-winning East Midlands Renault Truck distributor RH Commercial Vehicles (RHCV) is celebrating 40 years of business.

Founded in Nottingham in 1977, the year of the Queen’s Silver Jubilee, when a trip to the cinema would set you back 90p and a three-bedroomed house about £12,000 the company have gone from strength to strength.

RHCV was originally formed as a service provider to its then sister company RH Freight – part of the Baxter family owned international freight and logistics provider RH Group – becoming a Renault Truck’s distributor for the East Midlands in 1987.

Following the sale of The RH Group to global logistics firm Kuehne + Nagel in 2011 the existing management team re-acquired RHCV in 2012. The business has since flourished with expansion across the East Midlands opening a new facility in Alfreton (Derbyshire) whilst expanding its services in Nottingham and its Leicester operation based in Cossington, increasing employee numbers to 90 and turnover from £12m to £18.3m in 2016.

In 2015 RHCV expanded its services with the launch of RH Rentals which has enjoyed a year of rapid expansion with a £8.5m investment in new vehicles earlier this year, increasing its fleet by more than 200 per cent. Earlier this year RHCV also took home the prestigious Renault Trucks Dealer of the Year award recognising excellence in both its sales and aftersales operations – beating all the dealers across the UK.

Nigel Baxter, Managing Director of RHCV comments: “We have been here for four decades, having spent our lives working within the transport and logistics sector, we understand trucks and truck operators and knowing the area, the people and our customers’ needs is key to our success. Business is strong in the county, reflecting that of the country and we have enjoyed excellent growth in the last few years with our partner Renault Trucks and an excellent product range.”

Nigel added: “The 40th anniversary marks an important milestone, it’s a time when all of our 90 staff can feel proud of their achievements. Our team have been the key to our success in delivering high standards over the last four decades.”

RHCV’s staff and customer are marking the anniversary with an exciting programme of activity running throughout the year. All staff are committed to the company’s quality service and family values and are looking forward to another successful 40 years.

Flashback to 1977: • Jubilee celebrations mark 25 years of Elizabeth II’s reign • Average weekly gross wage: 1977 - £68.70 • The first Apple home computer, the Apple II is released for the first time • A pint of beer was 20p • The Eurotunnel Group is formed to operate the Channel Tunnel • “Big Bang Day”: London Stock Exchange is computerised • Cost of a new mini was £600 • The first Star Wars film, A New Hope was released in the UK in 1977

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Kathryn Greenwood .