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What Van? Awards 2020: Van Dealer of the Year – Rygor Commercials
Date: Wednesday, December 11, 2019
Mercedes-Benz Vans dealer group Rygor Commercials is committed to setting high standards for its customers.
In 2018 Rygor, which operates seven sales centres plus three aftersales sites, registered 3,504 new vans, making it Mercedes’ number one dealer in the UK for retail sales, and this year it is on course to top that total.
But the group realises the role of a van dealer involves far more than just totting up the unit sales, and its customers bear testament to Rygor’s willingness to go the extra mile. JJX Logistics owner John Donovan says of his relationship with Rygor’s Kidderminster branch: “I know what great service looks like, and we certainly get it. The relationship is based on trust and it’s one I value very highly indeed.”
In its quest to add value as a trusted business partner, Rygor set up a Van Business Development team last year to build effective ties with customers that result in solutions tailored to their businesses.
The provision of finance and insurance is a major revenue stream, generating money to invest in teams and facilities. Recently, for example, the group has invested £1m in a refurbishment of its Oxford branch that included installing new brake-testing equipment into the 11-bay workshop as well as establishing X-Class pick-up-compatible bays, tachograph calibrations and repairs and MoT testing.
Rygor’s commitment to aftersales has seen it steadily grow its sales of Mercedes-Benz Vans Genuine Parts (£16m in 2018) and van service contracts, which exceeded 1,800 last year.
This dedication to getting customers back on the road saw a 16% rise in van workshop hours sold in the year to mid-2019 to 132,497 hours.
Rygor says its customers’ trust and reliance on its aftersales service is due to there being a technical specialist based at every site backed up by highly skilled technicians, the best MoT pass rate in the Mercedes-Benz Vans UK (MBVUK) network, extended opening hours, and an extensive range of courtesy vans to take the pain out of vehicle downtime.
The group does not rest on its laurels and in order to build on its success it took on its largest cohort of apprentices to date (16) in September, doing its bit to plug an industry-wide skills gap in the process.
As well as investing in the industry-standard IRTEC-accredited training, e-learning and in-house product training for its technicians, Rygor prioritises the wellbeing of its team through the Rygor Wellness Programme, which has encompassed the introduction of mental health first-aiders into the business, as well as on-site fitness classes, a staff wellness portal and organising charity fitness events.
Nick Williams, Mercedes-Benz district manager for Rygor, says: “The Rygor team is passionate about its customers and works closely with myself and the team at MBVUK to ensure it delivers the highest levels of service to every one.”
Highly Commended: Van Monster
Van Monster is the largest independent retailer of used vans in the UK.
It sources the majority of its stock from parent firm Northgate Vehicle Hire, the UK’s largest LCV rental company, which ensures the vans come with a known history and comprehensive aftersales service.
With 18 branches nationwide, Van Monster has around 1,000 LCVs in stock at all times and is manufacturer-independent, giving it access to a wide range of makes and models.
With no affiliation to a specific brand, the firm says it can offer the best price and recommend vehicles based on suitability, not vendor bias. But if customers do find a cheaper model elsewhere, Van Monster’s price-match guarantee stipulates that under certain criteria it will offer the same price. It also pledges to deliver vehicles to customers for just £99, anywhere in mainland UK.
All vans bought from Van Monster come with six months, or up to 10,000 miles, free warranty. This includes breakdown cover, and wear and tear serviced through a manufacturer-approved network of workshops,
Service plans offer one major and one minor service in a consolidated price and Van Monster provides a same-day courtesy vehicle to ensure customers can continue working, even if their vehicle is off the road.
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