JCT600’s Audi deal with Kao Group

The deal is for the exclusive supply of company cars to bath and body products company Molton Brown and professional haircare companies Goldwell and KMS California, which are all parts of the Kao Group.

JCT600, a Bradford-based family business with 42 dealerships throughout Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Lincolnshire and the North East, declined to disclose the exact value of the agreement, but said it was a six-figure sum. The deal is likely to see JCT600 supply the Kao Group with around 100 vehicles a year.

The majority of these vehicles will be Audi A5 Sportsback models, as well as a selection of Audi A1 and Audi A3 models and some Audi Q3 models. “This deal is a marriage made in heaven. It’s fantastic to bring together three prestige brands which have so much synergy,” said Mike Papworth, group Audi fleet sales manager for JCT600 Audi.

“We were able to convince Kao that instead of having a disparate car policy across various brands, it should adopt a unified company car strategy delivered by JCT600 Audi.

“We have invested a considerable amount of time in developing the relationship with the company. Having sent in numerous demonstrators, every one delivered on time by a uniformed driver, our commitment to outstanding customer service became evident and we were able to convince the company that our proposal is the best solution for their fleet needs.”

Nik Butcher, total reward manager, EMEA for the Kao Group, said that the move to Audi-only company cars “fits well with our premium brand”.

In the year to the end of December 31, 2011, JCT600’s turnover was £623m, up 1.3 per cent from £613m in 2010, according to the firm’s annual results issued in April last year.

JCT600 sells brands including Aston Martin, Audi, Bentley, BMW, Ferrari, Maserati, Mercedes-Benz, Porsche and Volkswagen.