Firm chooses Paisley as new West of Scotland hub

Commercial vehicles firm AM Phillip is proving the automotive industry can have upbeat stories during the Covid-19 pandemic.

Where many businesses across all kinds of sectors have been struggling, the 65-year-old Scottish firm has not only maintained a positive attitude but is actually growing into Renfrewshire.

Among the many developments, the specialist haulage and LCV group is expanding from its east coast and north-east heartlands to the west coast, and will cover the whole country.

AM Phillip will be opening a new centre in Paisley for those wanting to buy vehicles from the Italian brand.

The new operation, which will be based alongside authorised franchise repair specialists McKinnon & Forbes in the town’s Clark Street, is set to be up and running by next month, just as lockdown eases.

Not that the restrictions have prevented AM Phillip from progressing with its ambitious plans in the 18 months since Rob McWilliam became managing director.

That’s partly because the company played a key role in keeping blue-light vehicles and other essential delivery motors on the road during the restrictions.

But Rob’s successful automotive career covering both cars and commercial vehicles means he has also brought a wealth of experience to the business.

So, aside from expanding the network, the company is set to build new, bigger headquarters in its hometown of Forfar in Angus. And there are plans to relocate and grow the firm’s presence in Glenrothes, Fife.

Such is AM Phillip’s level of confidence, it has also been on a recruitment drive - taking on a dozen employees in various roles over the last two months.

However, potential clients in the west of Scotland can rest assured that there will be a very knowledgeable team to help them buy the right vehicles for their needs at the new Paisley centre.

Rob said:“We are moving key staff into the new centre so that we will be able to hit the ground running both in terms of new and used vehicle sales.”

“There’s been a big boom in haulage, from HGVs to vans, during lockdown as people have switched to online buying and we see the sector growing in the next few years.

“The good news for firms needing commercial vehicles in Scotland is that we are there to help them - whether it’s for buying or maintaining their fleets.”