Apollo Motor Group has embarked on an expansion plan to grow to 10 sites by the end of next year, following the acquisition of an eighth site in Tonbridge.

The new site, which was formerly Porsche approved repairer B&J Coachworks, is Apollo’s second acquisition this year. It follows the purchase of a bodyshop in Basingstoke in February.

Apollo Motor Group’s expects its turnover for 2009 to be £16.9 million following the acquisitions, meaning the company would jump from number tenth to seventh position in the AM50.

Graham Eyles, Apollo Motor Group joint managing director, said locations for two more sites were likely to be in the West Country and Brighton.

The Tonbridge site will have a throughput of 2,300 vehicles a year and will predominantly carry out work for Norwich Union.

The former Porsche body-shop was not big enough
singularly, so Apollo Motor Group added another unit, which takes the site to around 15,000 sq ft.

Eyles expects the business to be running to full capacity by the end of November.

The number of staff at the Tonbridge site will increase from the current 15 to 24.

Equipment from B&J Coachwork remains, but Eyles said Apollo Motor Group will be investing about £120,000 in new kit, including ovens and jigs.

He added that it was a good location near to Tunbridge Wells and the Kent border.

Apollo Motor Group’s other sites include two in Portsmouth and Chichester and Southampton and Yeovil. The group now has a capacity to repair more than 14,000 vehicles a year.