News...

December 2009.

Experienced industry figure joins Paragon’s Senior Management Team

Paragon Group has today confirmed that it is strengthening its senior management team by recruiting Neil Burrows as Business Development Director.

This new group wide role will include taking overall responsibility for all account management and client relations. Its creation reflects Paragon’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement of the service offered to all clients across its three businesses – Paragon Automotive, Paragon Fleet Solutions and Paragon Remarketing.

Neil will also take responsibility for delivering a coordinated marketing, new business and corporate communications strategy for the group. His role will strengthen the senior team of directors, working alongside Stephen Hucklesby, Steve Maltby and Andrew Hetzel.

Neil brings over 25 years of automotive experience, most recently as Managing Director of Goodyear Dunlop’s HiQ Fast Fit Franchise. He has previously held senior sales and marketing positions with Audi UK, Nissan Europe and with Goodyear Dunlop.

Discussing the appointment, Stephen Hucklesby said: “This is an extremely strong appointment for Paragon Group. Neil has an outstanding automotive industry pedigree and his recruitment represents our commitment to continuously improving the service that we can offer all our clients. Paragon Group has performed extremely well in recent years and this recruitment is another significant improvement to the strength of our top team.”

Commenting on his appointment, Neil Burrows said: “This is an extremely exciting opportunity to join a company at the heart of the automotive industry. I am keen to work alongside Paragon Group’s talented team, helping to build strong relationships with customers over the coming years.”

March 2009.

Paragon are pleased to announce their acquisition of significant elements of The Camden Group

Paragon, the UK’s leading fleet vehicle processing and captive fleet management company has acquired significant elements of The Camden Group from the administrators, Zolfo Cooper, in a rescue deal closed on Tuesday 3 March 2009.

As part of the deal, Paragon has purchased 150 acres of land and vehicle processing facilities across two of the company’s sites at Islip and Corby in Northamptonshire. Paragon has also acquired Camden’s stake in a Joint Venture in Livingston, Scotland. This deal will secure significant employment within the group.

Stephen Hucklesby, Managing Director, Paragon Automotive, said: “Our acquisition marks a major milestone for Paragon Automotive. We believe that this deal adds significant strength to our existing vehicle processing business, and despite the challenging trading conditions that the industry as a whole is experiencing, we have confidence that our enlarged business can weather the storm. We look forward to working with our new colleagues as we plan for the long-term future of our combined businesses.”

He adds: “Paragon’s strategy to date has been to listen to the customer and put them firmly at the centre of all we do whilst maintaining a robust operating model. We believe that this approach is relevant in this situation and will enable us to continue to align closely with our customers to ensure that we are delivering value in this cost competitive, demanding environment. Business sustainability is vital in the current climate and this acquisition adds further confidence to Paragon’s future and as a result, the stability we can offer our customers.

“We are committed to providing and delivering quality to all our customers at all of our sites. The acquisition of Camden Fleet Solutions is good news for our existing customers as our expertise continues to grow.”
 

September 2008.

Fiat completes overhaul of dealer used vehicle remarketing systems

As part of its on-going business development plans, Fiat UK has appointed two new suppliers to complete a wholesale overhaul of its dealer remarketing programme and ultimately support the network in selling more used cars.

With the ultimate aim of reducing the time it takes to collect, prepare and then deliver used vehicles to dealers, at the same time maximising residual values, Fiat now has one of the most efficient higher volume remarketing systems in the industry.

Vehicle processing and specialist fleet management company, Paragon Automotive, has been appointed to manage the preparation and defleet refurbishment of all daily rental and internal fleet vehicles returned to Fiat.

Paragon’s service includes inspection, collection and vehicle preparation, with all work being processed through its bespoke body and mechanical workshops at Thurleigh, Bedfordshire. The vehicles will then be distributed to Fiat Approved dealers and other buyer networks using Paragon’s fleet of 80 transporters and 100 single movement drivers.

To further enhance the service, Fiat has also appointed JTK Remarketing to provide a web based used vehicle remarketing system which integrates across all Paragon’s activities to provide Fiat dealers with online access directly to all centrally available used vehicle stock.

This move is already having an impact, instilling additional confidence across the dealer and buyer networks during tough economic conditions, with Fiat’s used volumes increasing.
 

September 2008.

Alfa Romeo raises remarketing standard

click here to read full story.

February 2007.

Paragon Automotive Ltd acquires QEK (UK) Ltd

Paragon Automotive, the UK based vehicle processing and logistics company has today announced the acquisition of the share capital of QEK (UK) Ltd and its UK based parent VAM (UK) Ltd from its US parent QEK Global solutions for an undisclosed sum.

QEK (UK) Ltd, supports automotive manufacturers and retailers with a range of core and specialist vehicle management services from fleet management & planning to events & remarketing.

Paragon has experienced exceptional growth since its inception in April 2005 and this acquisition is a significant step in positioning Paragon as the market leader in vehicle processing and logistics across the vehicle lifecycle. This acquisition will extend the portfolio of products that can be offered to the combined customer base.

Paragon’s winning strategy has been to listen to the customer and put them firmly at the centre of all they do and they believe that this performance based approach will enable them to exploit the synergies between the businesses to the benefit of the customers.

QEK (UK) Managing Director, Jim Olexa, will continue as MD of the QEK business.

When asked about the new operation, Mr. Olexa said; “The new combination will allow Paragon to move into new market sectors, for example, the comprehensive overall management and technical support of high profile prestige fleets. When client needs arise, Paragon now has the physical capability and expertise to provide our clients with a full array of automotive services, including volume in-fleet and defleet management and administration. The combination of the two businesses will create a true and proven cradle to grave solution for UK automotive clients.”

QEK (UK) will continue to operate from its current base at Upper Heyford, Oxfordshire and will continue to operate under the QEK brand for the short term.

Stephen Hucklesby, Managing Director, Paragon Automotive comments;

This is a very exciting opportunity for Paragon to expand our service portfolio and to develop our nationwide service when so much of the industry is in a state of flux. This acquisition creates significant scale for Paragon, however we will continue to listen to our customers to ensure we maintain our personal approach and maintain our reputation for doing what we say we will do.
 

July 2006.

Paragon Automotive expands with the opening of the new Grimsby site

Paragon Automotive to Open Grimsby Site and Expand Transporter Fleet Paragon Automotive Limited (http://www.paragonautomotive.co.uk), the vehicle processing company supporting many of the top motor vehicle manufacturers, today announces significant expansion with the purchase of a new site in Grimsby and investment in 15 new vehicle transporters.

The new site, which is ideally located to handle vehicles arriving in the Humberside ports, will service Paragon’s growing client base of motor manufacturers and car rental companies. It builds upon the company’s network of processing centres, which also includes Thurleigh in Bedfordshire, Immingham in Lincolnshire and Kirriemuir in Angus, Scotland. Together the sites now provide over 160 acres of vehicle storage and 250,000 sq ft of vehicle processing facilities.

In addition, investment in 15 new transporters brings the number in the company’s fleet to 45 to meet the demand of Paragon’s growing business.

Stephen Hucklesby, managing director of Paragon Automotive Limited, comments: Paragon’s expansion also includes the creation of a new post of Client Relationship Director, to which the company has appointed Judy Ward.

Paragon is a fully-funded business created by professionals with over 30 years experience in the fleet and logistics industries. In just over 12 months, it has become one of the UK’s foremost providers of volume vehicle processing and logistics.

Paragon Automotive Limited is based at Thurleigh Airfield, which occupies 100 acres of concrete hard standing for storage and 120,000 sq ft of vehicle processing facilities. The site is equipped with state-of-the-art vehicle refinishing and bodyshop facilities.

In addition to Thurleigh, Paragon now operates centres in Grimsby, Immingham, and Kirriemuir. These three locations provide a further 60 acres of vehicle storage and a supplementary 130,000 sq ft of vehicle processing facilities.