The upgrade will ensure it can keep pace with demand by increasing repair capacity at Camberly by up to 75 vehicles per month, adding further scale to the group’s operations. Looking forward, Sandown Coachworks is also exploring new sites for 2027.
The journey has seen the business evolve from a single-site operation repairing around 120 vehicles annually into a multi-site business repairing around 6,000 vehicles annually. LKQ, the complete solutions provider for all bodyshops of all sizes, has supported at every stage of Sandown Coachworks’ journey since it was acquired by owner Hadleigh Rossiter in 2014, from day-to-day supply through to long-term planning and growth.
As well as supplying the majority of the business’ dry goods and installing the relevant paint schemes and equipment, LKQ has provided consistent, hands-on account support to ensure Sandown Coachworks’ customers receive the best possible service. This includes access to specialist technical expertise, strong relationships with manufacturers and the influence needed to help the business work closely with insurers and key work providers.
Support is delivered at every level – including dedicated Account Managers through to senior leadership – with teams willing to escalate quickly when needed. Alan Richards, an Account Manager at LKQ, has held the relationship with Hadleigh and the Sandown Coachworks team from day one and now supports across all six shops.
This depth of partnership has helped keep work flowing through the workshop, from deploying technical support at short notice with colour-matching, to supporting last-minute requests when unexpected situations emerge, ensuring workflow and quality aren’t impacted and key-to-key times remain on track. Crucially, it has also given the business the confidence to invest in new equipment to increase capacity and plan for its next phase of growth.
Sandown has benefitted from tailored sustainability advice from LKQ. This includes guidance on more efficient repair processes, alongside the introduction of economical, environmentally accredited products, such as low-bake lacquer systems that cure at reduced temperatures, helping to cut energy use and bake times. This approach is further supported by the business’ own in-house environmental lead, who delivers ongoing training that ensure best practice is embedded across the workshop.
All Sandown Coachworks sites are signed up to the Accident Repair Industry Environmental Standard (ARIES), providing a structured framework for measuring, reporting and reducing environmental impact across the business.
Training has also played a key role in supporting scale and skills development across the business. Junior staff and apprentices have been upskilled through a combination of manufacturer-led courses and in-house specialist training facilitated by LKQ, helping Sandown meet technical standards for insurance networks and secure new manufacturer approvals, including Volvo accreditation – while also supporting staff retention and higher-value repair work.
Hadleigh Rossiter, CEO of Sandown Coachworks, said: “When I bought the business back in 2014, we were a single-site operation handling around 10 cars a month. Today, we’re a multi-site group repairing thousands of vehicles a year. We’re now looking to take our Camberley site to the next level and LKQ has just supported the expansion by fitting new ramps and equipment. That investment alone is set to increase our capacity by another 50 to 75 vehicles a month.
“LKQ is more than just a supplier of parts and equipment. It offers end-to-end solutions from aftersales support to training and even data insights. However, what really sets the business apart for us is the people. From account manager level right through to its senior leadership team, the support has always been hands-on and proactive. The team understands our business, growth plans and what we’re trying to achieve.
“Choosing LKQ was about backing a partner we knew we could rely on. Its industry knowledge and relationships, particularly with insurers and manufacturers, are second to none and have helped us open doors and grow faster. It’s a proper partnership and one we trust as we move into the next phase of growth.”
Pete Brookes, Sales Director at LKQ, said: “From day one, it’s been clear that Sandown Coachworks wasn’t standing still. Hadleigh had a clear plan for where he wanted the business to go, and our role has been to make sure supply, support and advice always focused on enabling that growth. This is increasingly important as we help our customers expand sustainably in such a dynamic and fast-changing industry.
“Whether it’s day-to-day parts availability, installing new equipment or helping the team meet the standards needed for manufacturer and insurer approvals, we’ve worked alongside the team as the business has grown. Seeing the business invest again and expand capacity is exactly why we want for customers like this, and we’re proud to be supporting the next stage of its journey.”
