Yorkshire construction company, Harris CM, is building the UK’s most interactive vehicle marketplace on Thunderhead Ridge in Castleford, for Yorkshire based independent car auction giant, G3 Vehicle Auctions.
The £4.6 million contract, located just off junction 32 of the M62 close to Xscape Yorkshire, involves the construction of an auction hall and office facility with a vast vehicle storage forecourt, alongside an adjacent de-fleet and refurbishment centre. A further structure to house a preparation and inspection area completes the new 14-acre development.
In total, G3 Remarketing is investing £12million in the new site, creating 30 new jobs in the local community, and once it is fully operational, it will enable the company to remarket more than 50,000 vehicles a year.
State of the art technology being incorporated into the development includes a new AI ‘drive-through’ vehicle inspection system which uses more than 20 cameras to inspect up to 85 vehicles every hour, as well as a multi-turntable imaging studio and specialist LUX lighting in the under cover viewing hall to showcase vehicles to potential buyers.
In addition, green initiatives include scalable facilities for up to 250 electric vehicle (EV) fast-charge points to support future demand for electric and hybrid vehicle remarketing, as well as solar power and water recycling systems.
Harris CM started work on the project earlier this year and despite the disruption caused by Covid-19, is still on track to complete work before the end of the year, ready for the site to open in January 2021. The scheme has been designed by HTC Architects and Dudleys Structural and Civil Engineering Consultants is providing engineering services, with Fulkers Bailey Russell providing employer’s agent and contract administration services.
Jason Adlam, CEO at Harris CM, said: “This is a fantastic project for us to work on, that is close to our South Elmsall HQ and it comes on the back of a great 2020 for us, even after the challenges posed by Covid-19. Once complete, there’s no doubt this development will add to the impressive portfolio of innovative and high quality commercial facilities that we have delivered for leading companies across all industries in recent years.”
Matt Dale, Joint Director of G3 Vehicle Auctions, said: “Seeing work progressing on this pioneering new development is hugely exciting for G3 and will help to cement our position at the forefront of the fast-moving motor industry, by creating a vast, purpose built and customer focussed facility.
“Whilst there has been a seismic shift to online-only auctions in reaction to the events of this year, we truly believe that a mix of digital and physical solutions is essential to support the automotive trade long into the future and that’s exactly why we’re investing heavily to create a true omni-channel experience to seamlessly merge both in our ever-changing industry.
“The centre will be packed with technology that has genuine purpose to help us open the best remarketing, refurbishment and asset management experience anywhere in the UK.”
Established in 2009, G3 Remarketing, has quickly grown into one of the largest independent vehicle marketplaces in the UK, offering thousands of cars, motorbikes and light commercial vehicles every month, from its existing premises on Premier Way near junction 30 of the M62.
