One of Scotland’s fastest-growing private companies, T.O.M., has capped a highly successful year by launching a new venture.
T.O.M., which already specialises in vehicle rental, fleet management, commercial vehicle body manufacture, MOT testing, sales, servicing and repair, has expanded its operation to create TOMbuyanyvan.
In charge of the project is James Rafferty who said providing an opportunity for old and new customers to cash in on unwanted vehicles was a natural extension of the services already offered by T.O.M.
“We aim to be a one stop shop for customers using commercial vehicles, our knowledge and expertise in vans and trucks is second to none,” he said.
Mr Rafferty said TOMbuyanyvan was interested in all makes of van, truck or car and there were no restrictions on age, make or model. Entire fleets and even ‘non-runners’ will be purchased.
He said: “This is an opportunity for people to cash in on unwanted vehicles. On average, any commercial vehicle lying around will depreciate up to 3% of its value per day and many people don’t realise this.
“Many people have vehicles which are off the road either because they are damaged, unreliable or no longer suitable.
They lie around taking up space in yards and driveways when they could be bringing cash in for their owners. TOMbuyanyvan offers an easy and secure means of cashing in your vehicles without any of the common headaches associated with selling”
Mr Rafferty added that if a company wished to sell its entire fleet of aging vehicles and free up capital, T.O.M. would offer to hire new replacements and take responsibility for managing the whole process, saving the customer time and money.
The service is available at the T.O.M. headquarters in Airdrie and at its other sites in Ayr, Aberdeen and Broxburn and, from early next year, at the company’s new site in the Inverness region as well as online at the www.tombuyanyvan.com website.
Mr Rafferty said TOMbuyanyvan differed from competitors who have been criticised for giving one valuation online and a totally different price after the vehicle was inspected.
He said: “We have to inspect the vehicle to make sure that all the information given in the online assessment form is accurate but we don’t want to be severe with inspections, we offer fair values based on the current market. There is no transaction fee and we can collect the vehicle free of charge”
“It’s also a same day valuation, same day completion and same day payment so customers get their money quickly. We want to make the process as simple and hassle-free as possible for anyone looking to sell”
T.O.M., whose main base is in Airdrie, achieved a 41.1% rise in pre-tax profit earlier this year as turnover rose from £27.3million to £38.4m.
Its clients include most Scottish local authorities, the National Health Service and Scottish Water. It has a fleet of more than 5000 vehicles and employs around 350 people.
In September it confirmed it had acquired the commercial vehicle division of John R Weir in a £3m deal allowing it to expand into the north-east through the opening of a depot in Aberdeen.
Another site will be opened in the Inverness area in the spring and further expansion plans are also expected to be announced next year.
