Bush Tyres opens new Wakefield depot

BA Bush & Son has opened a new commercial depot in Wakefield. BA Bush says it will invest significantly in new mobile tyre fitting technologies and vans based at the new site to deal with the growing number of agricultural and commercial fleet customers who live in and around Wakefield. The depot is backed by the company’s tyre distribution arm, BAB Distribution, and will link up strategically with the company’s existing network of branches. With nearby branches in Rotherham, Knaresborough and Goole, this group can serve the thousands of businesses and farmers who live and work in that catchment area.

The branch’s Senior Management team and key workers are already working hard getting set up ahead of the planned official opening in June 2024. The team is led by branch manager Tracy Whittlestone. She started at McConechys in 2019 as assistant manager, before her promotion to manager in 2021. Paul Rhodes will be Whittlestone’s assistant manager. Rhodes has worked for 14 years as a mechanic for Gordons tyres, making the move to GW Tyres, before joining McConechys in June 2021. This gives Paul broad knowledge of both sides of the depot, front and back of house.

BA Bush appoints Wakefield branch team

The BA Bush Wakefield depot team (Photo: BA Bush & Son)

The management team will be joined by fleet inspector Kevin Wood. For the best part of 40 years Wood has working within the tyre industry. Initially starting as a commercial technician for ATS where he saw promotion to assistant manager. Over the next 25 years his attention focused on fleet inspections where typically he would inspect between 800-1000 vehicles per month.

Andrew Mann and Elliot Birkby take up the fleet technician roles at the new branch. Mann is highly experienced, with more than 30 years in the tyre industry. He joined McConechys in 2021. The knowledge and experience that he brings is key to coaching and mentoring the next generation of fleet technicians, BA Bush says.

Birkby is the most junior member of staff, with three years of experience. BA Bush lauds his enthusiasm and professional work ethic. With Mann as his mentor, BA Bush says it is “convinced that Elliott has the potential to become a real key member of the Bush Tyres team.”

BA Bush became a recognised Tyre dealer short after the Second World War. Fast forward to 2024 and that small business which grew from humble beginnings in the small village of New Bolingbroke, Lincolnshire, has grown to include 33 tyre depots, and remains in the ownership of the same family.