The entire business contributed to the record results, with the company’s managing director Bob Anderson pointing to the success of the auction operation, but especially to the wider portfolio of support services.

‘Record sales at auction and online are the output of a great deal of hard work to differentiate the SMA proposition,’ he commented. ‘We have worked to create value on our Inspect & Collect services working alongside fleet managers; our Technical Services preparing and repairing vehicles; our state-of-the-art distribution and transportation operation and in the creation of focused auction events such as our Low Emissions Vehicle Auctions and online e-Auctions.

‘Our goal is to give buyers and vendors more reasons to use our services. What we are creating is a total package that in these days of “lean” operating processes enables both audiences to operate more effectively and efficiently. We know that not all of our customers use the entire SMA portfolio, but we know that many regard our investment as representing the type of support they find reassuring. The result has been more vendors and more buyers.

‘Looking ahead, yes there is more used stock coming to market – for us this is simply an opportunity!’