PM Impressed by Taxi Maker

01/03/2010

The sustained growth of Cab Direct’s manufacturing output has attracted the interest of Prime Minister Gordon Brown. 

Brown singled out the company’s Glasgow manufacturing plant for an extended personal visit.  He met several shop-floor workers on the assembly line, as well as holding discussions with directors about current issues affecting the taxi trade.

Cab Direct is a key part of the highly successful Allied Vehicles Group, which has spearheaded a quiet manufacturing revolution over the past seven years.

Established with just 18 employees in 1993, the group began its own manufacturing operations in 2003.  Since then the company hasn’t looked back, with production rising to more than 2,500 vehicles per annum.

The company now employs more than 350 people, including local area managers based throughout the UK.

Quality Products 

The Prime Minister witnessed the wide-ranging development, engineering and production activities at Cab Direct and was impressed by the company’s range of specialist products. 

Cab Direct works in partnership with leading automotive manufacturers like Peugeot, Citroen, Fiat, Volkswagen and Mercedes-Benz to produce wheelchair accessible cabs tailor-made for the UK’s hard-working taxi trade.

These include full specification hackneys like the prestigious Mercedes-Benz M8, the economical Citroen EuroTaxi and the UK’s favourite hackney cab, the Peugeot E7. 

The company is constantly seeking to enhance its product range to meet the needs of modern-day cab operators.  Recent new releases include the deluxe Volkswagen Kudos MPV and the economical and popular Peugeot Premier.

Praise

Mr. Brown took great interest in the full range of products made at Cab Direct.  He also particularly praised the firm’s commitment to training and development, including its support for modern apprenticeships. 

“You’ve certainly got a very enthusiastic young workforce here,” said Mr. Brown. 

Vehicle assembler Paddy Tonner was one of the workers surprised to find himself chatting with the Prime Minister. 

Paddy comments: “The PM asked how I was and how long I’ve been here.  He also asked how long it takes for us to make a vehicle and said that wheelchair accessible cars and taxis are really important because of the difference they make to the people who need them.”

“Of course it was a great honour for us to have the Prime Minister come and see what we do here,” adds Cab Direct co-chairman Michael Facenna. 

“Glasgow used to be world-renowned for its engineering but sadly so much of that has gone now,” he continued. 

“I think, though, that the PM was genuinely pleased and perhaps a bit surprised to see that we’ve created so many manufacturing jobs here in the UK.”

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