Trigano looks to expand Auto-Trail plant in Grimsby

Booming UK sales have driven an expansion plan for Auto-Trail in Grimsby.

Auto-Trail is part of the French group, Trigano and originally set up a production plant at the Europarc facility when it moved there from Immingham in 2002. Two facilities have been built at the complex and the plan is now to add another 5,000 sq m to the current 11,000 sq m by joining them together.

Explaining the reason for the investment, Stuart Turpin, Joint Managing Director of Auto-Trail said, “Owning a new motorhome has become increasingly popular. New motorhome registrations in the UK have risen by over 25% in the last three years. The latest award winning Grimsby built motorhomes are very much in demand, not only here in the UK, but also in Australia and New Zealand. Should the current trends continue, within the next two years we are in danger of reaching our production capacity. Therefore, it is vitally important that we plan for the future”.

Currently there are 175 people employed at the Europarc facility. Stuart commented, “Long term we could double capacity, but it won't be a flick of the switch, it will be gradual. As we grow there will be jobs.”

The UK is currently the third largest market for new motorhomes in Europe, behind the likes of Germany and France, following the collapse of the Italian market. Sales in the UK are currently showing the biggest percentage increase in Europe through the first four months of 2015. In the last year a total of over 72,000 new motorhomes were registered throughout Europe.
 
Here in the UK, in addition to the Auto-Trail and Tribute motorhome ranges, Trigano also imports the French built Chausson motorhomes, Roller Team and Rimor motorhomes whose factories are situated in the  Tuscany region of Italy. Benimar motorhomes are situated in a facility on the outskirts of Peñíscola in Spain.

Together in the UK, the Trigano brands account for around 30% of all new motorhome sales.

Trigano Group CEO, Mr François Feuillet said, “I am extremely pleased with the growing popularity of all Trigano products within the UK. Looking forward, I, together with my team are very positive about the future. For that reason, I feel now is the right time to invest further and expand our UK production facilities in Grimsby.”

You can read an exclusive interview with François Feuillet, the head of Trigano, in the August issue of MMM. Buy a copy here. You can also read an exclusive interview with Stuart Turpin and Dave Thomas in the November issue of MMM, order your copy here.



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