Van conversions set to be undertaken at parent Woodall Nicholson’s premises at Westhoughton
Treka has announced a significant increase in production capacity, which it says will allow it to fulfil increasingly large fleet orders while still meeting the needs of buyers who require smaller volumes.
On 13 February it began conversion of Treka Van minibuses, based on the Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, at a site in Westhoughton, Lancashire owned by parent company Woodall Nicholson.
“The initial rate of production at Westhoughton will be two vehicles per week but that will rise quickly to four,” says MD Morgan Clissett.
Additionally, Treka’s Brighouse plant will soon see major investment and reorganisation to grow capacity. By mid-2019 it is planned that Treka’s overall production will be 11 vehicles per week.
Staff at Westhoughton were recruited at the start of the year. They have undergone training at Brighouse in the meantime to ensure that the quality of work at the new facility is to a high standard from the start, adds Mr Clissett.
“We have eight new recruits there and one of our existing members of staff is on hand to oversee production. Conversions undertaken at Westhoughton will be of the same high quality as those from Brighouse. Neither myself nor Woodall Nicholson would have agreed to the new facility if we were not certain of that.”
He says that a smooth transition to operating a second production facility has been made possible by Woodall Nicholson’s commitment to the Treka business. Strong demand for 2019 left little alternative to upping production.
In particular, an order for 103 minibuses – a mix of coachbuilt models and conversions – is being fulfilled for Harrow Council, and while Treka remains buoyant in its traditional local authority market, it has also recently completed a number of deals with major rental companies.
To guarantee supply of Sprinters, a 300-strong order for both chassis cowls and vans was placed at the end of 2018. All will be in the UK by the end of March. Treka expects to deliver 450 minibuses in 2019, up significantly from its 2018 total of 312.
Contributing to that will be a a new product. Full details are awaited, but it will debut at the CV Show, to be held at the NEC Birmingham between 30 April-2 May. “Some of our capacity for growth is based on the potential for this vehicle,” says Mr Clissett. “It will take us into a new sector and I am sure that it will be of interest to many of our existing customers as well as new ones.”
