YORKSHIRE BUSINESS IS THE UK’S BEST

A West Yorkshire retailer is celebrating after winning a national annual award.

Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire) is now the number one Volkswagen van centre in the UK after being crowned the 2011 ‘Most Valued Van Centre’ at a recent awards ceremony.

The Cleckheaton-based van centre faced competition from 70 other van sites from across the UK, and built upon its success from 2010 where it was presented with the silver award for the ‘Most Valued Van Centre’.

Andrew Caygill, director at the Cleckheaton-based business, was delighted to have reached the top.

He said: “To have achieved this status makes me very proud and honoured to be working with such a dedicated group. This is a great achievement for the whole of the van centre team, as everybody has pulled together to bring in this fantastic performance.

“We believe providing excellent service is central to our business success and are absolutely delighted that this has been acknowledged by winning this award.”

Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles closely monitors all aspects of its van centres operations from customer satisfaction and aftersales through to business performance.

YORKSHIRE UNITED FOR £1m BUSINESS

A West Yorkshire retailer is celebrating one its biggest account wins this year, after linking with a Leeds-based national company.

Lexia Solutions Group, which deals with a range of environmental issues, has instructed Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire) to supply up to 100 commercial vehicles for its fleet.

An initial order of 25 Crafter and Caddy vans has just been delivered, worth approximately £300,000.

Marius Kerr, Lexia Solutions Group’s head of group procurement, said: “The various businesses within Lexia have different requirements in their commercial vehicles, something Volkswagen easily fulfilled.

“Volkswagen’s Crafter is a particularly good vehicle for use within the Bagnall, Thermac and Rhodar divisions.

“But it was the customer service we received from Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire), in particular Jason Bradley, that made it a simple decision to choose them.”

Andrew Caygill, brand manager at Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire), said: “This is a fantastic account win for the company and provides evidence of our customer service excellence standards.

“We look forward to providing Lexia with their fleet of commercial Volkswagens and keeping them on the road.”

YORKSHIRE WORLD CHAMPION GIVEN LOCAL BOOST

A world champion kayaker from Leeds is heading off to the biggest events of the year in luxury thanks to a unique sponsorship.

The deal with Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire) means Claire O’Hara from Meanwood is now able to concentrate on competing in the World Cup this weekend in Germany and European Championships in Austria later this month.

Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire) has specifically kitted out a new Transporter T-5 van, allowing enough room for Claire and two other GB team members to travel with all their equipment to the events.

There’s even enough room for a sleeping area for Claire to rest during the thousands of miles on the road.

The 28-year-old is completely self-funded, leaning heavily on her job as sports co-ordinator at Notre Dame College and sponsorships to allow her to compete in world events.

Claire said: “These two events are massive for me and without this sponsorship from Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire), I’d be really stuck. It would be similar to paddling my kayak without any paddles!

“This is the second year I’ve received help from the van centre and I hope to reward the generosity by bringing home at least one medal.”

Andrew Caygill, brand manager at Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire), said: “Claire is a fantastic ambassador for Yorkshire and Britain, so it was an easy decision to loan her the Transporter T-5 and help her compete in Germany and Austria.

“Everyone at the van centre wishes Claire well in her quest to become European Champion.”

Claire currently world champion in the ‘squirt boating’ category of kayaking and is hoping to add the European ‘freestyle’ title this month.

To find out how Claire gets on in the World Cup and European Championships go to her website www.claireohara.co.uk