Investment fuels firm’s ambition

Photo: Darren Robinson

HOWARTH Bros director Lewis O’Neill in the inspection garage that has been set up with a £400,000 investment.

A FAMILY firm that has been part of the Oldham business community since 1907 has invested more than £400,000 to create a new test and inspection division.

Howarth Bros, based in Heyside, started life as a haulage company when horse-drawn carts were a regular feature on the highways of Oldham.

These days the company can boast a state-of-the-art inspection facility to match any in the country.

Howarth Bros, now run by directors Janet O’Neill and her son Lewis (32), these days operates as a trailer-hire business and has a fleet of more than 100 units.

Lewis said: “It’s my intention that Howarth Bros will become a one-stop destination for the commercial vehicle sector, not only in Oldham but regionally.

“We have a mechanical repair shop, a fabrication division and a paint facility, and with the addition of the testing facility we can provide any service to the haulage industry.”

The firm has invested heavily in a Swedish wheel alignment system, the only one in the independent sector in the UK.

The ompany’s new testing station, which works with Driver and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) approval and employs inspectors from the agency, has been created in 7,500sq ft of spare capacity on the spacious site off Higginshaw Lane.

“In addition to the compulsory testing of heavy goods vehicles, we can also carry out tests of vehicles carrying dangerous goods and test vehicles which have to comply with low emission legislation,” added Lewis.