Vehicle firm on the move

ONE of Saddleworth’s iconic businesses, Dronsfield Mercedes, has relocated to Royton.

The family-run operation, formerly at Dobcross, is Europe’s largest independent supplier of Mercedes cars, commercial vehicles and parts. It also has a global remit.

It has opened streamlined, purpose-build premises on a nine-acre site in Mossdown Road, Royton, to improve customer services and facilities.

The company, which opened 40 years ago, decided on the move from Wall Hill Mill in Saddleworth because it was “bursting at the seams”.

Now the new fast-track systems and process of new orders has lead to subsequent rapid growth and it has already increasing its work force to a total of 48.

And new facilities, coupled with technical skills, mean a vehicle can be stripped down in less than an hour.

The significant increase in storage also offers customers a fast-track computerised parts service.

The company released the Wall Hill Road site because it is no longer suitable for modern employment use. Access improvements alone would have cost over £1 million.

The site is for sale for private development with planning permission for 40 houses and apartments.

Dronsfields claims this development would guarantee the new access, significantly improve highway safety and open up the way to exclude heavy goods vehicles permanently from Wall Hill Road.

A Dronsfield Mercedes spokesperson said: “Our Royton operation offers workshop Mercedes-trained technicians and we charge a fraction of the cost of dealer prices.”