FEATURES
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PAGE: 05
EDITION: 1
THE development of the Arnold Clark organisation has progressed at
such a hectic pace -- particularly in recent years -- that it comes as
something of a surprise to discover that the company's origins go back
something like 35 years. That was when Arnold Clark opened what was to
become the first of many dealerships, in Park Road, Kelvinbridge,
Glasgow.
Nowadays, with most major car distributorships being moved away from
the city centres, it might seem an unlikely location. It wasn't in 1954.
Park Road was right in the heartland of Glasgow's big car and motorcycle
retail area which was concentrated on and around the St George's Cross
end of Great Western Road.
At that time there were upwards of two dozen major showrooms jostling
for business within yards of each other -- and most were thriving.
The timing, of course, was just right. Britain was still emerging from
post-war austerity and for the first time the man in the street was able
to regard the acquisition of his own motor vehicle, not merely as
something to be vainly wished for but as an attainable expression of his
new-found economic freedom.
It was almost inevitable that a well-managed car dealership would
succeed and that of
Arnold Clark certainly did.
Well-proven business strategies were applied from the outset, not the
least being that if you consistently give your customers the kind of
service you would like others to give you then they will keep coming
back -- and bringing others with them.
An astonishing 22 Arnold Clark branches are now spread across the
centre of Scotland -- plus one in England. All are wholly owned by Mr
Clark, whose ability to retain total control of what is now a huge
enterprise can only be described as remarkable.
Chairman and joint managing director, Arnold Clark shares a formidable
workload with his long-term friend, the other joint managing director,
Mr Glen Gall, who has been with the group for three decades.
Mr Clark takes a particular interest in the service and after sales
side of the business, with Mr Gall taking charge of all aspects of sales
and marketing.
For both men, the workload is immense. Neither considers it surprising
that after spending most of their working lives in the motor trade,
anything less than a seven-day week, 12 hours each day, feels a bit like
playing truant.
The group now sells around 6000 new cars in Scotland every year. New
owners are found for a further 14,000 used cars and, with over 2500 used
vehicles constantly stocked, the group can claim to offer the widest
choice in the trade. Name your model and the chances are that at least
one branch of Arnold Clark will be able to supply it -- and probably in
the preferred colour and trim level.
And that's just the tip of a very large iceberg.
Arnold Clark contract hire, under the guidance of managing director
Hugh Wallace, is now Scotland's biggest contract hire operator with a
current fleet totalling 20,000 vehicles. The division operates
nationwide, customers ranging from the single car business to medium and
very large concerns in both the private and public sectors.
With leasing and contract hire showing every sign of becoming even
more popular in future, the scope for development offered to the
contract hire division of the group is such that, in time, its
activities may well eclipse even those undertaken by the sales of new
and used cars.
In fact if you add the present level of business generated by the hire
drive division, at the moment given its own identity and run by Jeffrey
Clark, son of the chairman, it already does.
Jeffrey Clark and his staff have 1400 rental cars plus 350 vans and
light commercials to look after and the rates charged for these compare
favourably with dedicated hire drive specialists.
Other impressive figures are turned in by the group's involvement in
providing transport for the disabled.
The Arnold Clark organisation was appointed by Austin Rover to supply
vehicles under the motability scheme, initiated when the Government
phased out the familiar invalid tricycles. The latter served a useful
purpose for a while, but were inclined to be unstable, poorly equipped
and could not carry passengers.
Replacing them with ''proper'' cars which could be equipped with hand
controls and which could carry a whole family was a progressive step and
Arnold Clark covers the whole of Scotland and the North of England
''buying back'' around 8000 vehicles annually, these having been sold
and serviced by the group.
Another underpublicised fact is that the group is now Scotland's
biggest coachbuilder with no fewer than 12 bodyshops operating under its
banner. Again fully equipped and expertly staffed, these can handle
everything from scratched paintwork to major accident repairs and are
strategically sited throughout the group's operational area.
Given the number of cars which are handled in an average year, it goes
without saying that the service and parts sector of the group handles an
immense amount of work.
These operate in every branch and provide efficient and cost-effective
work as part of their franchise. All of the mechanics are factory
trained and have access to modern diagnostic equipment which helps keep
costs to a minimum.
Service departments can offer fixed price ''menu servicing'' at only
#35 for any make of vehicle -- and no appointments or pre-booking is
necessary.
The group as a whole takes great pride in the standard of after-sales
and customer care service, a point underlined by the fact that the
Tollcross,
Edinburgh, Peugeot Talbot dealership has just received a Golden Lion
Award from the car manufacturer -- one of only two of these coveted
trophies to find its way to Scotland.
Parts and accessories? Again an important part of the day-to-day
running of the group. Stewart McAulay is parts director and he looks
after the complex business of keeping 22 outlets fully stocked as well
as running a wholesale distribution service to other dealers. Austin
Rover, Vauxhall, Renault and Peugeot Talbot parts are offered with
express delivery and competitive prices guaranteed.
In all the Arnold Clark organisation provides direct employment for
11,000 people in Scotland -- most of them known to the chairman by name.
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