Pictured above: Colin Rodrigues (left), corporate partner,
Hawkins Hatton, Darren Harris (centre), Autorite, Gary Riley,
HSBC
A West Midlands based recovery and maintenance business is
driving ahead under new ownership.
Autorite (Willenhall) Limited, which was established in 1982,
has been acquired by Darren Harris and his holding company Midlands
Properties. Mr Harris is also a director of Autobits Scrap
Metal which operates a mile away from Autorite on the Ashmore Lake
Business Park in Willenhall.
Hawkins Hatton, the Dudley based corporate law firm, acted for
Mr Harris advising him on all aspects of the business and asset
purchase as well as the transfer of the five acre site whilst HSBC
Bank in Wolverhampton helped fund the transaction.
Autorite specialises in heavy and light vehicle recovery 24
hours a day. It has both car and commercial vehicle workshops and
carries out all types of vehicle repairs and maintenance. Autorite
is a car MOT testing station and can prepare and present all
commercial vehicles for test to ministry standards.
The business employs 20 long serving and loyal members of staff
whose futures have been secured following the acquisition.
Commenting on the purchase Mr Harris said: "Autorite has a solid
customer base benefitting from a full range of nationwide recovery
services which we service 24/7 365 days a year through our own
capability and a network of AVRO approved partners."
Colin Rodrigues, corporate partner for Hawkins Hatton said: "By
acquiring the business the new owners have not only secured
employment for the majority of the staff, but can ensure the
company drives forward positively on the back of their plans to
invest further in growing the customer base and services."
Kevin Skym, area director for HSBC, said: "Our bank was
supportive of Autorite and will be for other similar businesses who
can demonstrate their ability to repay borrowings out of trading
profits".
For more information about Hawkins Hatton, please visit their
website here: www.hawkinshatton.co.uk