Celebrating A Decade of Excellence: BB Commercial Vehicle

A Single Van, A Man, and A Plan…

A decade ago, Barry Briggs, a man with his trusty van, decided to grab an opportunity in the sector he’d been working in for 30 years, by setting up his own business in the busy world of HGV and LGV services. BB Commercial hit the road.

His expertise in the field has led the company to become a specialist in HGV and LGV servicing and repairs, including: LOLER examinations; servicing and weight testing; trailer servicing; all types of repairs; and even 24/7 emergency breakdown cover.

Comprehensive Services

• Tail Lift Repairs and Maintenance

• LOLER (STE) Testing

• Accident Repair and Breakdown Services

• 24/7 Emergency Breakdown Assistance

• Inspection and Calibration

• Tachograph Repairs

So, as the business celebrates its 10-year anniversary, let's look back at where it all began.

In 2014, Barry Briggs took a leap of faith. Armed with expertise and a vision, he saw an opportunity to provide a reliable truck and trailer test and maintenance service. So, with nothing but personal grit and a van, BB Commercial was born. 

Barry says: “When the business opportunity came to work with local companies, I had no idea just where it might lead to. But now, 10 years later, we are agents for many of the UK’s leading road haulage businesses. By being committed to providing excellent assistance 24/7 365 days a year, we have been able to grow.“

A few of BB Commercial's customers include

• Epwin Group
• KRL Logistics
• TIP
• Dawsons Group
• Nationwide Transport Services Ltd
• Clive Cowern Transport
• TNS365
• Avara Foods
• Furniture Link

Many Milestones

From those early days, the journey has been anything but easy. Yet, every challenge was met with determination.

In 2015, the first major milestone was achieved. Barry hired his first employee, starting a process of continuous growth that has created a professional team of 11 engineers and support staff.

BB Commercial’s initial home was a commercial unit in Broseley, Shropshire, consisting of a couple of offices and a storage area. However, as demand for its services grew, so did the need for space.

Then on Valentine’s Day two years ago, BB Commercial moved into a 7,500 sq ft facility in Telford - which is now a DVSA/VOSA certified service centre.

Becoming a DVSA Tachograph Centre in 2023 was the firm’s proudest achievement, says Barry. To date, that is.

The milestone, which took between 8 to 10 months of rigorous hard work to achieve, stands as a testament to BB Commercial’s commitment to service excellence and compliance.

Extensive training was needed. Facilities were upgraded. Procedures were put in place and applied. BB Commercial could prove it meets the stringent standards set by the DVSA.

The company now provides a comprehensive range of tachograph services, from inspection and calibration to repairs and retrofitting across a wide area including; Shropshire, Staffordshire, Mid Wales, and the West Midlands.

Barry says: “Becoming a DVSA Tachograph Centre was a monumental task, but it underscored our commitment to providing the highest standards of service to our clients.”

Our Key Milestones:

Adapting to Change

The industry has changed dramatically over the years, especially in areas like health and safety, meaning BB Commercial has had to continuously adapt and innovate.

Barry says: “Health and safety has been the biggest change we’ve had to adapt to as it has fundamentally changed the way we work. But we’ve welcomed the challenge. It has encouraged us to become a more diligent workforce. And safer practices are very often more productive.”

The growing demands of modern logistics have also shaped the operations. With shops open longer and delivery expectations higher, the number of trucks on the road has increased significantly.

Barry says: “Trucks never stop moving, so we’ve had to adapt to this. We don’t stop moving either.”

Telford’s expansion, now one of the fastest-growing towns in Europe, has brought new opportunities and challenges for BB Commercial. Due to Telford being a logistical hub, it has given them the opportunity to expand their reach, and now serve nationwide to organisations such as Dawsons and the NHS.

Barry commented on the importance of sustainability in their operations: “We try to repair as many things as possible instead of just fitting parts. We recycle as much as possible and get waste oil sent away for recycling.”

Giving Back

Barry says: “Our success story would not be complete without acknowledging the importance of community. At BB Commercial, we believe in giving back and supporting those around us.”

One of their proudest initiatives is their partnership with the Friendly Bus, a community transport charity in Shropshire. 

BB Commercial supports the Friendly Bus through charitable donations and services for their vehicles. The company’s work helps the charity support many people in the community increasing their mobility and independence.

Barry adds: “We help the Friendly Bus as much as we possibly can, trying to keep their invoices to a minimum and keeping them on the road.”

A Massive Thank you

Reaching this significant milestone could not be achieved without the customers and team, and BB Commercial wants to highlight its profound gratitude.

Barry says: “Their trust and hard work have been the pillars of our success. Our customers and team have been the backbone of BB Commercial. Without their unwavering support and dedication, none of this would have been possible.”

The First of Many Decades

BB Commercial’s small beginnings – a man with a van, but also an ambitious plan – has taken Barry and his growing team a long way. And that journey will continue. Barry is determined BB Commercial will have an exciting future.

As he says: “Here’s to the next decade of BB Commercial. May it be defined by growth, success, and unwavering commitment to our clients and community. Thank you everyone who has worked for us or with us for being an integral part of our journey!”