Serving the Teesside Business Community | 75
BODY TALK
By Michael McGeary
CPD UNVEIL AMBITIOUS
EXPANSION PLANS
One of the country’s leading builders and repairers of
commercial vehicle bodies has announced ambitious
plans to double in size over the next three years.
C
PD Bodies was established in 2002
and specialises in custom-built
premium quality truck and van bodies,
manufactured at its base in Bowesfield Lane,
Stockton.
The firm already has an impressive track
record, employing 140 people and being
nominated for numerous industry awards,
including being named Teesside Business of
the Year in 2017.
Managing director Cathal Doocey is
confident 2019 will be a year of further
progress and expansion, although he
promises that existing clients can be assured
of receiving the high standards of service
they have come to rely on.
“In the last two years we’ve managed to
grow the business, winning new contracts
with companies such as LEX Autolease and
Europcar, without disrupting the outstanding
service we provide for our current
customers,” he says.
“Strengthening our management team
has helped change for the better the way
in which we work, and that’s an ongoing
process.
“I’ve also spent time in Europe looking for
new methods of working that can help us
improve. That’s led to us bringing in German
manufacturing consultants to work with us
for 12 months.
“Their experience includes working with
Mercedes, Daimler and Formula 1 teams -
and that’s the level of professionalism I’m
aiming for here.”
Doocey says the secret of the company’s
remarkable growth is ensuring that every
single vehicle is manufactured to the highest
standards, as well as constantly striving to
exceed customer expectations.
They have stayed ahead of their
competitors by utilising the latest
technologies, including an online customer
portal that allows customers to get an update
on the progress of their project in real time.
The portal reduces the need for phone
calls, which ultimately saves the client
both time and money. CPD have also
become market leaders in adopting Vehicle
Certification Agency Whole Type Approval,
ensuring that designs meet specified
performance standards.
The firm works with a wide range of
manufacturers and is currently building an
average of 60 Mercedes, Ford, Nissan and
Peugeot chassis cabs per week – 35 tippers,
10 dropsides and 15 Lutons.
However, the introduction of a new lean
production line will see these numbers
increase by 30%, beginning with tippers.
CPD currently has 15 acres of storage
and just over 60,000 sq ft of workshop,
spray booth and quality bay facilities, with
the capacity to hold up to 1,000 vehicles.
The site is fully equipped with the latest
CCTV systems, along with 24-hour manned
security.
From January 2019 it will add a new, fully
functional 6,000 sq ft unit that’s purpose-built
for welfare vehicles. The firm is also in the
final stages of completing a further 6,000 sq
ft unit, which is currently being used for pre-
wiring vehicles.
These developments will enable them to
manage the increasing volume of vehicles
now coming through the business.
Work starts in February on new offices for
the business team, ensuring their working
environment matches the excellence of the
company’s workshops.
“We’re immensely proud of our journey
and although we plan to double in size in the
next three years, we promise we’ll never
lose sight of our priority to offer exceptional
customer service and deliver high-quality
builds,” says Doocey.
“We are forever grateful for all the support
we receive from new and existing customers
because we know that, without them, our
business wouldn’t be where it is today.”
Professionalism
- CPD Bodies MD
Cathal Doocey.