Ford is taking its commercial vehicles directly to small business customers with an initiative displaying a cross-section of its range at B&Q TradePoint sites across the UK.

The first TradePoint VIP Event took place at B&Q’s store in Bolton, Lancashire, this month.

The two-day roadshow brought together around 30 equipment supply firms keen to demonstrate their wares to builders, plumbing and heating engineers, joiners, electricians, landscapers and decorators.

Ford is supporting 37 of the roadshows, from Aberdeen in the north east to Plymouth in the south west through to mid-November.

Regional dealers are providing manpower at each event and Ford is providing marketing support, which includes prize draws valued at £1,000.

Each B&Q TradePoint has thousands of registered customers on its books, each of which uses some form of business-related commercial vehicle.

“It is a great opportunity for Ford to meet trade customers and to demonstrate the attributes and benefits of Ford ownership,” said Steve Clary, Ford’s commercial vehicles director.

“Ford is an event sponsor, and at each event we will be displaying a variety of vehicles, including of course Ford Transit and Ford Transit Connect.”

The scheme is a joint initiative between Ford of Britain and its CV dealer network.

The potential for the programme was established by Ford dealer, Gordons of Bolton, which was key to the success of the first event.