Our History

For over 80 years, we have offered a comprehensive range of products and services for each of our customers. We are continually adding to our offering and our state-of-the-art truck and van centre ensures we are maximising fleet uptime and reducing running costs without influencing the quality of the services we deliver.

Starting out in a sleepy, little, Cambridgeshire village and formerly known as Welch Group Garages, WTL opened in 1940 for the sole purpose of servicing a fleet of 12 HGV vehicles which belonged to its sister company, Welch's Transport Ltd. By 1951, it acquired its first Bedford Truck and Vauxhall Car dealerships and has been dealing with local businesses and the public ever since. By the mid-1950s, Welch's Transport Ltd had grown to 200 vehicles; all being regularly serviced by WTL.

Over the years, WTL has been part of a number of truck franchises: Through the 1980s it was ERF; the 90's saw the introduction of MAN and, very recently, WTL has become a Renault Trucks franchise. That's not to say WTL now deals only with Renaults; over 75 years of experience means we can deal with all major truck and van manufacturers at our two, state-of-the-art facilities.


Truck & Van Centre Timeline

  • 1940
  • 1952
  • 2009
  • 2015

1940 saw the Welch Group Garages open in Foxton, Cambridgeshire

Welch Group Garages acquired a Vauxhall car dealership and Bedford Truck agency.

Welch Group Garages turns back to its roots from the 1940’s and 50’s to concentrate on truck and van sales, servicing and parts. Rebranding itself as WTL Truck and Van Centres.

Stapleford depot and the ‘Top Garage’ close after 75 years of faithful service and, in January of 2015, move 5 miles down the road to Welch’s brand new, multi-million pound, custom-built transport and commercial Duxford site; a great facility designed to see the group through the next 80 years!