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Safety has been a major focus of the programme, with investment in advanced onboard technology and safety features that reduce risk for drivers, customers and the wider public. Providing a safer, more modern working environment also supports driver retention and recruitment.
“ The fleet plays a key role in visibility and brand presence. Well-presented, consistently branded vehicles reinforce our market identity and reflect the standards we uphold across the business,” he elaborates.
“ Furthermore, we’ ve taken a measured approach to developing our branch network, focusing on upgrading existing sites andd expanding into new locations where appropriate. Across the estate, we’ ve invested in refreshing older sites, improving layouts and enhancing the overall customer experience through better merchandising, branding and shop environments. In some cases, we’ ve relocated branches to larger premises to remove capacity constraints and enable us to broaden our product offering.”
Investing in improvements
These recent developments, including new or relocated branches in Sunderland, Nottingham and Glenrothes, reflect Burton’ s continued investment in the network, despite a challenging market backdrop. Securing suitable property for expansion remains a challenge, particularly where large yard space and strong locations are required.
“ We are focused on growing from positions of strength, particularly across the South of England, Wales and Scotland, and on expanding from the East Midlands into key urban areas,” Ian elaborates.“ Over time, reaching around 50 branches is a realistic ambition. Selecting the right location requires aligning several key factors. The property must meet our operational requirements; the location must have the potential to support a strong customer base; and, critically, we must have the right manager and team in place to lead the branch. Bringing those elements together at the right time is essential to setting up a new site for long-term success.”
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