Hampshire-based Seward Accident Repair Centres is continuing its expansion on the south coast with the opening of its ninth bodyshop and appointment of a group process manager to boost manufacturer approvals.

Trading under the name Langstone Accident Repair Centre, the new 14,000sq ft facility in Havant includes the latest environmentally friendly equipment, an aluminium repair bay and spray booths big enough to accommodate long wheel base and high top vans. Seward claims it will create 25 new jobs and repair 60 vehicles per week.

The opening is Seward’s sixth in the last five years, and closely follows its new facility in Southampton, opened five months ago. This rapid growth has helped it double its turnover in the last four years.

As part of its expansion, the group has appointed Jay Commander as group process manager, responsible for implementing PAS125 across its nine sites, with completion scheduled for mid 2008.