Renault Trucks Relocation To Volvo's Warwick HQ

In a move that makes absolute business sense, Renault Trucks and the rental arm, BRS, are to relocate to Volvo Group headquarters in Warwick. What makes less sense in the light of the move is why Renault Trucks recently invested £5 million in moving sites in Dunstable less than five years ago. More ironic still is the fact that BRS moved down from Warwick in 2009 to join Renault Trucks in their new headquarters.

The logic behind the move to Warwick next August is sound - join together the parts that customers don't see to gain economies of scale. That means that back office functions.

The company is also investing in the Warwick site - Gino Costa, Managing Director for Renault Trucks says: "A further investment of £480,000 in training and workshop facilities at Warwick means our employees would have broader career progression and long-term development opportunities."

Renault Trucks are keen to stress that this is not the start of something larger - the merging of dealer networks, for example. Costa continues, "The Volvo Group companies co-located in Warwick operate as separate businesses with separate senior management teams; this would continue following the recommended move of Renault Trucks and BRS."

Costa concludes: "It is clear that Renault Trucks and BRS will continue to be separate brands within the Volvo Group and will continue to have their own customer-facing sales, marketing and aftersales teams. The recommendation has been made to benefit from efficiencies of corporate back-office functions. The Renault Trucks dealer network will also remain independent.

Ultimately, making sure that our investment is where our customers are going to see real benefits is vital to the future success of Renault Trucks and BRS. This move would help to continue to bring high quality products and after sales service to our customers."

Volvo have spent some money on the Renault brand recently - about two billion Euros including product development, the industrial base and operations. It seems that they mean what they say that the brands will be kept separate in the eyes of the customer, but behind the scenes the companies will work more closely.