Member Article

Longbenton Mercedes vehicle service secures RBS funding to continue growth

Longbenton-based vehicle service Bell Truck and Van has secured a financing agreement with the Royal Bank of Scotland (RBS) and the bank’s invoice finance arm RBSIF, to support its continuing business growth including the development of a new sales and service centre.

Bell Truck and Van specifically deal with Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle sales and service, supplying new and used vehicles to customers throughout the North East.

The business has depots located in Newcastle, Gateshead, Spennymoor, Stockton, Billingham and Wetherby.

The company began as Bell Bros. in 1919 when Joseph Bell, the current Chairman’s grandfather, left the army and ran a delivery truck from Ashington to Newcastle with his own father.

In 1974 Bell Truck and Van was set up as a Mercedes-Benz truck dealership by Jim Bell. Bell’s reputation for offering a superbly engineered product and an efficient after sales service resulted in the company achieving steady growth over the years in the North East of England.

The funding from RBS will assist Bell Truck and Van with the development of a new and used van sales and service centre in Stockton and will also see the display area extended at the Longbenton centre.

New jobs are expected to be created and it is hoped the business can continue to build on its successful apprenticeship programme.

Bell Truck and Van currently employ 16 apprentices among its 190 staff and the company has been awarded the Investors in People mark every year since 2005.

Group finance director at Bell Truck and Van, Lee Davison, said: “We are committed to investing in Teeside and the North East, and will continue to recruit locally.

“Our apprenticeship programme gives young people the opportunity to develop specialised technical and sales skills.

“The funding facilities from RBS ensure our continued business growth in the region.”

Relationship director at RBS, David Wilkinson, said: “Bell Truck and Van is known throughout the North East for its expertise in Mercedes-Benz vehicles for commercial purposes.

“We are delighted to support the business as it embarks on a series of business growth opportunities which will benefit Bell Truck and Van and the region.

“We wish the business every success for the future.”

Relationship manager at RBSIF, Gary Douglas, said: “We are pleased to support Bell Truck and Van with funding facilities which will enable the positive future growth of the business, and look forward to proactively working with the business.”