ATS Euromaster is responding to a significant rise in its service, maintenance, and repair (SMR) workload by launching a recruitment campaign for new technicians.
The company has seen:
📈 41% increase in commercial vehicle servicing
📈 27% rise in brake changes
📈 8% growth in MOT bookings
A combination of factors is behind this surge in demand, with the fleet sector adapting to changing vehicle replacement cycles and the fallout from Rivus' restructuring playing a major role.
The latest BVRLA Outlook Survey suggests that, despite improvements in the supply of new cars and vans, many fleet operators are holding onto older vehicles longer than usual. This is a legacy issue from the pandemic-related supply chain crisis, which saw delays in new vehicle production.
As a result, older fleet vehicles are requiring more frequent SMR work to remain roadworthy. ATS Euromaster has also reported a surge in Class 7 MOTs, driven by the growing number of vans servicing the booming e-commerce sector.
Another key driver of increased workload for ATS is the recent major restructuring at Rivus, a competitor in the fleet maintenance sector. Rivus has announced:
Closure of 48 light commercial vehicle garages
Reduction of its overall network from 78 to just 30 sites
This drastic downsizing comes after Rivus lost a key fleet maintenance contract with BT Group, forcing the company to cut costs due to its "heavy cost base" and outdated business systems.
Mark Holland, Operations Director at ATS Euromaster, highlighted the impact of this restructuring on the wider market:
“Following the announcement that one of the UK’s largest fleet management companies lost a major telecom utility customer, the company has announced a major restructure with 48 of its garages closing.
“Along with other providers in the market also closing service branches, this has substantially reduced the number of market suppliers of which we look to be a partial beneficiary.”
With fewer competitors in the SMR market, ATS Euromaster has seen a direct influx of new business, prompting its push for additional qualified technicians.
ATS Euromaster is also making significant strides in electric vehicle (EV) servicing. The company reports that 49% of its maintenance staff are already trained to work on EVs, with plans to increase this to 85% by the end of the year.
With the fleet sector accelerating its transition to EVs, this investment in specialist training positions ATS Euromaster as a leading SMR provider in the evolving market.
Why is ATS Euromaster expanding its technician workforce?
Due to a 41% rise in commercial vehicle servicing, 27% more brake changes, and an 8% increase in MOTs—largely driven by fleets keeping older vehicles longer.
What role does Rivus' restructuring play?
The closure of 48 Rivus garages has reduced competition in the SMR sector, diverting additional work to ATS Euromaster.
How is ATS preparing for EV servicing?
Currently, 49% of ATS technicians are EV-trained, with plans to reach 85% by year-end.
What’s driving the surge in Class 7 MOTs?
The increase in e-commerce and dotcom delivery vans has led to more MOT demand for larger commercial vehicles.
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