Dave Wolfenden
2014 saw turnover increase by 12% for Ferndown and Andover based Abacus Vehicle Hire, with trade increasing at their hire centre in Andover which opened in 2011, and the welcome return of many corporate clients who have seen their own businesses increase and so require additional transport. The diverse choice of vehicles on the 600 strong Abacus fleet received a £1.2 million investment in 2014 to ensure that the average age of cars, vans, trucks, minibuses and motorhomes is maintained at 2.5 years.
“I’m delighted with the results as it’s a very real barometer as to how many of our customers are returning to a more confident level,” said Dave Wolfenden, Managing Director and founder of Abacus. “People we have supplied vehicles to since 1985 are fortunately returning to their level of pre-recession demand.”
In the spring, Abacus will complete a £500,000 extension to its Andover Hire Centre with a unique undercover vehicle check in/out area and will offer employment to an additional three people, and there will also be a delivery of 20 new motorhomes following a £810,000 order now placed in time for the new season.
Abacus and its sister company Horton Commercials was launched in Dorset in 1985 currently employs a team of 48 to provide a full range of vehicle hire with a current fleet of 600 vehicles, also specialist vehicle servicing, bodybuilding and repair facilities. In 2006 the company opened its motorhome hire division which now operates solely from Andover.
