Move to save 340 jobs at Mercedes dealership was a pre-pack, administrator confirms

The administrator of Mercedes truck dealer Roanza has confirmed that the sale of parts of the business and its assets earlier this week, which saved 340 jobs, was a pre-pack deal.

Grant Thornton UK LLP in Manchester was appointed to the Warrington truck and van dealer, as well as subsidiary Premier Vehicle Rental, on 8 September.

Roanza operated full service Mercedes truck and van dealerships under franchise from eight sites.

In a letter to customers, new chairman Sid Sadique (pictured) and director Ali Sharifi confirmed eStar Truck and Van was now the new name for the dealership in the North West and North Wales.

The letter said: “With immediate effect, eStar Truck and Van has taken over the previous Roanza dealerships at Warrington, Deeside, Liverpool, Stoke-on-Trent and Trafford Park.

“We will provide new and used truck sales as well as van and truck after-sales services at all of these locations and look forward to welcoming you.”

Sadique is described as “a long-established Mercedes-Benz customer”, having founded Riverside Truck Rental in 2006.

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In 2018, he purchased Sparshatt Truck & Van and joined the franchised Mercedes-Benz network.

Referring to the purchase of Roanza, Sadique said: “We looked at the franchise proposition from a strategic point of view and realised that given the different service points and offerings we already have, the opportunities to ‘cross-sell’ made for a compelling business case.

“You’ll always face challenges with a new venture like this, but there’s nothing fundamentally wrong with this business.”

Wolfgang Theissen, Mercedes-Benz Trucks MD, said: “We are delighted that Sid has chosen to seize this new opportunity to represent our brand.

“He has a proven track record of success in the commercial vehicle business and his investment has ensured our continued representation in this busy part of the country.”

The sale does not include the company’s operations in Doncaster, East Manchester and one of the two sites previously operated in Liverpool, which have all ceased to trade.

Around 80 positions have been made redundant at these three sites, around half of which were already furloughed.

A Grant Thornton spokesman said the sale was achieved upon the appointment of the administrator and he added: “The buyer was a trade player, not existing management.”