Farmer Autocare acquired by Kerr’s Tyres Group
- By editor
- 11 minutes ago
- 2 min read
Car-servicing and maintenance business, Farmer Autocare, has been acquired by Belfast-based Kerr’s Tyres Group, bringing together two family-run organisations.
Founded by Sir Tom Farmer in 2003, Farmer Autocare has grown rapidly over recent years. It now operates at 21 sites across Scotland, including six in Edinburgh, and employs almost 200 people, many of whom have been with the company since its beginning. It will continue to operate in Scotland under its existing management team, led by managing director, Colin McNeill.
Kerr’s Tyres Group was founded in 2002 by Norman Kerr in Antrim and now has more than 27 retail sites, a large commercial tyre business and a tyre-distribution group. The retail business provides tyres, services, maintenance and repair across Ireland.
Over the next five years, the group plans to expand to 250 sites throughout the UK. Backed by its investors, Chiltern Capital, this expansion will be achieved by acquiring industry-leading businesses, like Farmer Autocare, to create a national chain of centres.
A spokesperson for the Farmer family said: “The Farmer Autocare business has been built and grown on the key principles that Sir Tom Farmer brought to the car-maintenance and servicing sector over his 60 years in the business: look after your customers by offering good value, with excellent customer service and look after your people by giving them quality jobs and great opportunities.
“When Kerr’s Tyres Group approached us, we quickly recognised a shared belief in how our businesses should operate and a natural fit between the two organisations.
“We also saw an opportunity to accelerate the expansion plans that were already in place. There are tremendous prospects ahead for Farmer Autocare under the guidance of an experienced owner such as Norman. This will be good for Scottish motorists and good for all colleagues at Farmer Autocare.”
Photography: Tony Marsh, of front row, left-right, Norman Kerr and Colin McNeill