New jobs lined up for Sandy as Copart UK expands operation centre

Global leader in online vehicle remarketing and recycling, Copart UK, has announced expansion plans for its Sandy operation centre, which "could potentially create around 40 new jobs in the area".

Plans for the 27-acre expansion of its Sandy site are yet another strand of Copart’s extensive reinvestment strategy, which combines a programme of land acquisition with "continuous improvement at existing sites" and "reinvestment in transport, services, and technology".

The planned expansion will provide a total of just under 60 operational acres at Sandy and will double the annual storage capacity at this location to 80,000 vehicles.

Phil Briggs, Copart UK’s director of Operation Centres, Transport and Engineering, said: “Our plans to develop a further 27 acres at this location will further strengthen our storage capacity for customers operating in Bedfordshire and surrounding areas in the South East of England.

“The planned expansion at our Sandy operation centre is set to double our operational capabilities at this location, enabling us to continue providing industry leading vehicle storage and services.”

Bedfordshire is an area in which Copart has made a significant investment this year. The company’s Customer Excellence Centre opened at Franklin Court, Bedford earlier this year, housing Copart’s growing customer service functions, including their Claims Settlement, Customer Support Centre, Vehicle Engineering and Operational Audit teams.

This announcement follows recent updates about expansions at Copart’s Operation Centres in Bristol, Wisbech and York, as well as plans for a new 31-acre site in East Kilbride which will double the company’s operational capabilities in Scotland.

Jane Pocock, managing director of Copart UK and Ireland, said: “Having recently opened the doors to our new Customer Excellence Centre, these expansion plans for our Sandy Operation Centre will further strengthen our presence and operational capabilities in Bedfordshire and will provide more future employment opportunities in this area.

“Despite the challenges of the past year, it has been and continues to be, an exciting period of growth and re-investment for Copart. We have never stood still and are determined to keep pushing forward with our ambitious growth programme, throughout what is going to be another exciting year ahead.”

Subject to all relevant planning permissions, Copart anticipates the additional 27 acres at the Sandy operation centre, which currently employs around 80 people, to be operational by December 2021.