celebrate 25 years in business

UAN Affiliate Essex Motor Factors have just reached their 25 year milestone in business. Founded by Trevor and Christine Little on 16th April 1991, after being approached by a previous owner who was looking to retire. After long consideration, they both decided that they would take on the challenge of running a Motaquip Motor Factors.

“It wasn’t my first priority”, said Christine. “Trevor was always coming home with some mad scheme or another and running a motor factor was the latest one”. Trevor had some 13 years under his belt as an AA Patrolman, so had some automotive experience although factoring parts to garages was not key. “He really wanted us to run a static and touring caravan parK”, Christine continued. “His dream was to sit on a ride on mower in the sunshine!”

After much discussion they duly took over the business. Christine had previous business knowledge as her parents ran a busy newsagents, which she helped in, and subsequently ran for a short period. However, on the very same day that the Littles took over their new business, another one opened up – Braintree Motor Factors. This was previously a customer to the Motaquip branch which had also taken the decision to try his hand at running a motor factor. Braintree continued to buy from the Littles but very soon ran into debt and was duly bought out in 1993 by Trevor and Christine, making them a two branch operation.

Maldon branch was opened in September 2001 by Trevor and their son, Rob, bringing the branch network to three. In September 2005 after being trained by mum and dad, Rob moved to Coventry, where he has subsequently become a Director of Coventry Motaquip, who are a UAN Affiliate. To date, Essex Motor Factors employs 43 staff, and runs 19 vans across its 3 branches. Witham expanded in 2006, followed by Maldon in May 2015.

In 2005, a decision was made to move away from Motaquip, and join the UAN. The name was changed from Motaquip to Essex Motor Factors after being handed 30 days’ notice to remove all Motaquip references, and was rebranded accordingly.

To say that Essex Motor Factors is a family run business, would be an understatement! Trevor and Christine are joined in the Braintree branch by their son Matt and their daughter Kirstie, who became Directors five years ago. Their beautiful Granddaughter Annabelle has a purpose built crèche above the offices so that she is close to her mum and grandparents on a daily basis. Inside the business are another Husband / Wife, Brother / Sister and Uncle / Niece teams. Six of the staff have 20+ years at Essex and six other staff have 10+ years.

It may not be everyone’s ideal working model, but it’s a very happy working model for everyone who works in the three branches, run by the Little family, over the past 25 years. UAN are very proud to have Essex Motor Factors as an Affiliate within the Group, and congratulate them on their longevity, and look forward to celebrating the next 25 years!