Bell earn chance to keep on trucking.

Byline: Alan Plews

A well-known name has disappeared from the Teesside commercial vehicle sector.

Rycrofts, of Stockton, lost out to Newcastle-based Bell Truck Sales in the bidding for the renewal of the Mercedes Benz van sales and truck servicing franchise.

As part of its worldwide restructuring DaimlerChrysler, the parent company of Mercedes-Benz, reviewed its franchises throughout the UK.

Rycrofts will now concentrate on developing other franchises to add to its stable of Mercedes-Benz and Smart cars.

However, the Bell organisation, which added the 50 Rycroft staff to its workforce, is currently leasing part of Rycroft's Preston Farm unit while its own premises at Cowpen Lane Industrial Estate, Billingham, undergo a refurbishment of at least pounds 750,000, expected to be completed by the end of September.

Bell Truck Sales will continue to operate from Rycroft's premises at Spennymoor.

A Top 200 North-east company, it was set up by the Bell family in 1974 and now employs 154 staff.

Five years ago it took over the Rycroft franchise for the sale of Mercedes-Benz trucks over 7.5 tonnes in Teesside and North Yorkshire.

Yvonne Bell, a director, said: "Taking over the van franchise now consolidates our position in the area.

"Mercedes-Benz has shown a lot of confidence in awarding us the total franchise for its vans and trucks in the Teesside and North Yorkshire areas.

The integration of the Rycroft branches into the Bell Truck Sales fold is being overseen by director John Twyzell with overall responsibility for the area coming under Gary Graham, the dealer principal for the Tyne Tees region.