Sytner
Steady Growth
Expansion began slowly and steadily in 1993 with the acquisition of two midlands based BMW businesses and two years later diversification into other prestige marques began in earnest with the addition of Mercedes Benz, Ferrari and Audi. A year later Land Rover and Chrysler Jeep were added to the stable, with Porsche following shortly afterwards. By 1997, the prestige marques represented by Sytner were in double figures and the company decided to float on the stock market.
In 1998 a family-owned Jaguar and Land Rover business in Thames Ditton was purchased from Mr Guy Salmon. Mr Salmon had built a successful business based on providing outstanding customer service and today all Sytner Jaguar and Land Rover businesses bear his name.
The largest single acquisition in the Group’s history was made during August 1999 in the form of the Ixion Group. Overnight this almost doubled the number of dealerships in the Group and saw the addition of new brands; Saab, Volvo and Lexus.
From then on the Group continued to grow steadily, adding the Toyota brand to the Sytner portfolio. Sytner were conscious that the growth of the Group should be built on a culture of ‘Best Company’ and that the values and commitments of the business had to be robust when integrating new businesses. The Sytner Board firmly believed that if they recruited the best staff and provided the best training and working environment for them, they would in turn look after Sytner customers to the best of their ability. It made sound, simple business sense.
PAG acquisition
A landmark in Sytner’s history came in 2002, when Roger Penske, owner of the USA’s second largest car retail Group (Penske Automotive Group) approached Sytner with an interest in purchasing the Group. With complimentary business values and a shared motor racing background it provided an ideal opportunity for PAG to expand their operations in the UK and on 12 February 2002 an agreement was reached. With 129 dealerships in 19 States, PAG employ more than 11,000 people and support the Group’s ambitious growth plans. Being part of a global organisation provided Sytner Group with the opportunity to continually improve customer service, create some of the UK’s most outstanding dealership facilities and offer unrivalled choice by sharing best practice with their American counterparts.