One of Essex's biggest companies is set to expand even further.

Frating-based Manheim Auctions Colchester - which has an annual turnover of £242m - is set to invest £150,000 into further development.

Car world - Alan Crouch, general manager of Manheim Auctions Colchester (19647-1) Picture: STEVE ARGENT

Alan Crouch, general manager, said the Manheim car auction group - which has a combined turnover of £550m - was established in 1945 and is the largest operator of vehicle auctions in the world, with auction sites in France, Australia, New Zealand, USA, Canada and Frating.

Mr Crouch, who has worked at the site on Colchester Road since July, said the company intends to expand the auction buildings and improve technology.

Manheim, which employs 150 people and can store up to 7,000 cars on the Frating site, wants to build another car repair workshop.

On the technological side, Mr Crouch said hand-held computers could now be used to help with car inspections.

He explained Mannheim had "every make and model of every car" stored on hand-held computers.

Mr Crouch said even though January had been a "record-breaking" month, the company was still concerned about car tax charges which Chancellor Gordon Brown is expected to increase after the Budget in April.

Published Wednesday, February 20, 2002