The accident repair sector has seen further consolidation this month, as major groups capitalize on small repairers leaving the industry.

Just Car Clinics has increased its network of bodyshops to 17 with the acquisition of two sites from Ilkeston Co-Op. And Autodex has grown to eight sites, with the purchase of a 15,000sq ft bodyshop in Kensington.

That comes only two months after its launch of Autodex Ascot, a 12,000sq ft facility. A further London-based site is expected to be announced in the coming months.

Ilkeston’s repair centres in Grantham and Ilkeston employed 30 staff who have transferred to JCC. The buildings will be rebranded under the Just Car Clinics name and a 12-week integration plan will be enacted to put in place the processes and systems used throughout the group.

Barry Whittles, JCC chief executive, says: “Since the middle of September we have added an additional four locations to the Group.

“These developments are the result of 12 months of careful research to identify locations which meet our selection criteria.

“We are confident that the businesses can be rapidly integrated into the Just Car Clinics Group.” A spokesman adds: “The location of these two new branches complements Just Car Clinics’ existing facilities by expanding the Group’s geographical coverage, while being close enough to existing sites to share resources and balance workflows.”

Disposal of the bodyshops marks the final step of Ilkeston Co-op’s withdrawal from the motor industry.

This withdrawal began two years ago with the sale of car dealerships in Derby, Ilkeston and Nottingham.

Last month it sold its franchised dealerships in Grantham and Lincoln to Advantage Motor Group, following Ilkeston’s merger with Midlands Co-op.