The Temsa Sales UK dealership expects further growth after recently delivering its 150th new coach from the Turkish manufacturer in little more than two years, Director Andy Garratt has said.
His comments follow the decision by him and fellow Director Kevin Procter to sell four coach operating businesses to the Go-Ahead Group. They continue to jointly own the Travel Caledonian coach holiday undertaking, but Andy says that the recent deal with Go-Ahead will allow more time to be devoted to expanding Temsa Sales UK.
The 150th new vehicle registered by the dealer is a HD12 (pictured, above) handed over to Your Coach Hire of Berkshire. The milestone sits against the business having supplied its first coaches in 2022. Temsa deliveries will continue throughout 2024 and there is already what Mr Garratt calls “a large quantity” of orders in place for 2025.
Further stock examples of the MD9 midi and the full-size HD12 and HD13 are due this year. “We want to be in a position where we can always offer stock,” says Andy. “Not overstocked, but where we are able to satisfy customers’ needs.”
The other vehicle focus for Temsa Sales UK rests on it hope to introduce a high-capacity coach. Details of that potential model are still to be confirmed but it is expected to be a lower-height example with 3+2 seating to give a capacity of 70 or more.
On growth of the dealership so far, Andy says that parts and service support has been as important as vehicle availability. “We put our heads on the block and ordered a large stock of parts from the beginning,” he notes. Those components extend to some other marques in addition to Temsa
“We have learned more about parts requirements and lines that move quickly, which has led us to increase levels where necessary. We are also looking to expand out staff number, including service engineers.
“Kevin and I have both long been operators, so we understand the need for service and parts. Recently we received a call on a Sunday after a customer’s coach was damaged. On Monday morning the necessary items were pulled together and dispatched to the operator that day.”
In addition to interests in Temsa Sales UK and Travel Caledonian, Kevin has retained his Procters Coach and Bus Sales business. It will continue to be overseen by Joe Cunningham.
Temsa Sales UK expects to receive “a good amount of used stock” arriving over the coming months and Mr Garratt advises that he and Kevin are always interested in speaking with operators that are looking to sell vehicles.
