Euro Car Parts, has today acquired 27 former Unipart Automotive branches.

Following negotiations with Unipart Automotive’s administrators, Mark Orton, Will Wright and Jonny Marston from KPMG, Euro Car Parts has been able to secure the future of sites across England, Scotland and Wales, taking the ECP network to 194 branches.

Martin Gray, CEO of Euro Car Parts, said: “We are delighted to have acquired these 27 branches and may yet acquire more.

"Over the last few days we have been working hard to identify which locations fit into our growth strategy. This deal clearly demonstrates our determination to deliver industry-leading levels of service and availability.  

“Most importantly, we are optimistic that many ex-Unipart Automotive employees from these locations will now join Euro Car Parts. We look forward to helping them to continue their aftermarket careers and bring an end to the uncertainty and stress these past weeks have brought them and their families.  

“In addition to the site acquisitions, we are also thrilled to announce that last week alone we made offers to over 100 ex-Unipart employees. During the next 12-18 months we will create 1,500 new positions, so I meant it when I said last week that we would go the extra mile to assist them. This proves we are serious about attracting, developing and growing the very best talent within our sector.

"As Euro Car Parts controls 100% of its own operations, logistics, warehousing and infrastructure and with a network approaching 200 branches, we are uniquely well placed to help and support all repairers across the UK.  Continuity of service is paramount to the garage and for their customers.

"Those garages looking for a fast, seamless transition from existing MAM software packages to ECP Autoworks Online, our own GMS system, should contact their nearest branch for immediate help and advice."

The 27 locations are as follows:  Acton, Avonmouth, Ayr, Bangor, Bath, Bury St Edmunds, Cambridge, Dundee, Dunfirmline, Elgin, Enfield, Folkestone, Grantham, Guildford, Keighley, Kendal, Llandudno, Loughborough, Newark, Norwich, Perth, Sittingbourne, Sunderland, Swansea, Wigan, Worthing and Wrexham.

Unipart Automotive went into administration last month.

Another 33 bought taken over in a deal offered jointly by parts firm Andrew Page and The Parts Alliance. This deal saved around 500 jobs and means Andrew Page has taken 21 branches and The Parts Alliance another 12.

Peter Sephton, chief executive of The Parts Alliance, said: “It has been sad to see the decline and demise of Unipart Automotive. We have worked hard to interview and re-employ close to 500 talented individuals whose great experience and skills will benefit The Parts Alliance and our customers.

“Those re-employed include people at all levels, from senior members of the national accounts team and regional directors to parts advisors, branch managers, business and operations specialists.

“We take great care to allow prospective colleagues to understand us and our values and get to know them.

"All too often I see employers making knee-jerk reactions and false promises, offering jobs to people they have never seen or who have never seen and evaluated them. These are people’s lives we are dealing with and it impacts their communities and families, so we owe it to all our colleagues to be open and transparent.”

> Anyone with questions about the acquisition - and their employment status - can contact Katy Broomhead, at KPMG, at katy.broomhead@kpmg.co.uk.