New DAF Service Partner opens doors at DIRFT

GB DAF has opened its doors to a new, purpose-built truck servicing facility at the Daventry International Rail Freight Terminal (DIRFT); the UK’s largest, centrally located intermodal rail / road freight terminal.

GB DAF– DIRFT represents a £3.2 million investment from contract maintenance company, GB Fleetcare, and is the company’s third GB DAF location including service centres in Banbury and Gatwick.

The 1.6-acre site is situated on the A5 Watling Street, strategically located within the Golden Triangle of the Rail Freight Terminal, junction 18 of the M1 motorway and M6 / A14 interchange.

As an official DAF Service Partner, GB DAF joins the UK truck industry’s largest dealer network, boasting137DAF Dealer locations and covering the length and breadth of the British Isles; almost twice as many as its nearest competitor.

Facilities on site include a 15,000 sq.ft. workshop and is installed with additional infrastructures to accommodate electric- and hydrogen gaspowered vehicles, thus delivering future proof capability. Equipment includes gas alarms and a roof venting system, pit ventilation, 400-amp electricity supply and multiple ducts around the site to enable installation of vehicle chargers as required. There are five 28-metre, fully-equipped workshop bays and an outside parking area for 12 full-length articulated vehicles.

GB DAF will also become an Approved Tachograph Centre and a DVSA Authorised Testing Facility, thus providing a full MoT preparation, testing and certification service. A DAF and TRP Parts stock is also held on site.

“It’s been a long journey, but we’re thrilled to be here in what is the premier location in the UK for large scale logistics companies,” said GB Fleetcare Managing Director, Paul Grimes, “We identified the site in 2016 when Prologis, the owners of DIRFT, revealed plans for growth. We’ve worked extremely hard to build what we believe is the most modern, well-equipped truck servicing facility at the terminal and in precisely the right location. And, we’re just as delighted to be strengthening our relationship with market-leading DAF Trucks. Together,” he said, “we will bring unrivalled levels of service for DAF and mixed fleet operators.”

Ben Taylor is appointed as Service Manager at GB DAF after having completed an IMI level 4 training course with DAF over the previous 24-months. Ben heads-up six fully-trained DAF Technicians with plans to ramp-up recruitment in Q3 with a target of employing 21 DAF Technicians before the end of 2023.