PR: MV COMMERCIAL ACQUIRES FRUEHAUF IN MAJOR INDUSTRY DEAL

MV Commercial has completed a multi-million-pound deal to acquire leading tipping trailer and rigid body manufacturer Fruehauf out of administration, securing the future of one of the most recognised names in the UK commercial vehicle industry while protecting 120 jobs.

The landmark acquisition includes an immediate cash injection alongside a commitment to invest a further £30 million over the next three years as part of ambitious plans to modernise production facilities and unlock the full potential of the 67-acre Grantham manufacturing site.

As part of the acquisition, MV Commercial will also revive the historic “Crane Fruehauf” name, reconnecting the business with its well-known heritage within the specialist transport and trailer manufacturing sectors.

Major Investment in UK Trailer Manufacturing

Tom O’Rourke, CEO of MV Commercial, described the acquisition as a hugely significant moment for both businesses.

“This is a major opportunity for both companies and one we simply could not turn down. Fruehauf has an outstanding product range, a rich history and an exceptionally skilled workforce, all of which perfectly complement MV Commercial’s expertise and position within the specialist commercial vehicle market.”

“With immediate effect we are scaling production back up, allowing us to recommit to delivery schedules for outstanding customer orders while also building new stock trailers for MV Commercial’s own contract hire and Ready to Go fleets.”

MV Commercial is widely recognised for its one-stop-shop approach to specialist vehicle supply and plans to establish a dedicated truck sales and rental operation at the Grantham site within weeks.

Work to modernise and refurbish large parts of the facility is also set to begin immediately.

Developing a Specialist Commercial Vehicle Super Site

Steven Cairns, Managing Director of MV Commercial, explained:

“Geographically, Grantham is the ideal location for us to develop a true specialist vehicle super site. Within a month we expect to have 80 to 90 trucks and trailers available for sale onsite while production activity continues ramping up.”

“We are incredibly excited by the opportunities this acquisition creates and fully committed to ensuring significantly more Fruehauf trailers are available throughout the market. For long-standing Fruehauf customers, we believe this is extremely positive news.”

Production capacity is expected to increase rapidly to between 15 and 20 trailers per week, while future investment will focus heavily on automation, engineering improvements and world-class manufacturing standards.

MV Commercial has also confirmed that the full Fruehauf trailer and rigid body range will continue, with all employees transferring under TUPE agreements.

Bringing ‘Crane Fruehauf’ Back

Commenting on the return of the historic “Crane Fruehauf” branding, O’Rourke added:

“MV Commercial is best known for building some of the largest and most capable crane trucks in the market. Cranes are a huge part of our business, so we certainly were not going to miss the opportunity to put the ‘Crane’ back into ‘Crane Fruehauf’.”

Continued Growth Across the UK Commercial Vehicle Sector

With more than 190 employees operating across multiple UK locations, MV Commercial has built a strong reputation for growth through both acquisition and investment.

Previous acquisitions have included Regal Truck Rental, TLS and recovery bodybuilder JWR Recovery Trucks, helping strengthen MV Commercial’s position across the specialist commercial vehicle, plant truck, tipper and specialist transport sectors.

Alongside manufacturing and engineering expertise, MV Commercial continues supporting businesses nationwide with Ready to Go fleet solutions, vehicle hire, specialist builds and flexible commercial vehicle finance services.

In November 2020, MV Commercial was recognised as one of the London Stock Exchange Group’s “1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain.”