Bentley Motorhomes enters liquidation

Bentley Motorhomes, the multi-award-winning motorhome manufacturer that went into receivership in August, has been bought by a caravan manufacturer.

Vanmaster, a Lancashire-based manufacturer of quality caravans, has acquired the Bentley name and business from the administrator, Begbies Traynor.

Richard Saville the administrator responsible for the sale said he was very pleased the business has been sold, although was disappointed it could not have be sold as a going concern. The sale, he said, has been completed and all of the tangible assets of Bentley Motorhomes have now passed to Vanmaster, including the Bentley name and motorhome design and production equipment.

The directors of Vanmaster are now working with suppliers and other interested parties with the objective of recommencing production at Bentley’s Mexborough factory.

It is planned that some of the staff laid off when the motorhome manufacturer went under will be re-employed by Vanmaster. It is also understood that Vanmaster is in discussion with the Gordon Bentley about how his skills can be used in the company.

Vanmaster is also meeting with the Bentley dealer network about which, if any, of them will sell Bentley motorhomes again when production restarts.

However, Ian Thompson, Vanmaster managing director, said when production of Bentley motorhomes restarts, it will be at a lower volume than previously. “We will not be mass production, we will be direct selling to customers.”
He also said that a primary focus of the on-going discussions with Bentley’s suppliers is to ensure that Vanmaster will be able to honour the warranty cover on Bentleys that are already on the road.

Lesley Thompson of Vanmaster, added: “This is a unique opportunity for two award-winning companies involved in the manufacture of high-quality caravans and motorhomes to work together to continue to innovate and deliver positive customer experiences.”