History of Jennings

In the early 1890's Septimus Jennings main hobby was repairing bicycles in his garden shed.

It developed so much that he gave his job up and started a business repairing and trading bicycles, moving into premises opposite the old Bridge Street showroom in Morpeth. S Jennings Ltd was formed in 1911 and the company moved to Bridge Street, Morpeth for sale of motor cars employing 6 people. In 1917, the company, by meeting Ford Motor Company's exacting standards, were appointed an authorised dealer for Ford motor cars.

Timeline

1903

Septimus Jennings began selling and repairing bicycles in Morpeth. First two Ford cars in Britain - Model As imported from the USA.

1911

Septimus purchased 55 Bridge Street, Morpeth to sell bicycles and the new mode of transport the motor car, employing 6 people. Ford Motor Company (England) Ltd incorporated to handle all Ford business in the UK.

1917

Jennings became one of the first Ford main dealers in the country. Fords war production of Model Ts increased and double shifts were introduced to meet war demands.

1917

Jennings became one of the first Ford main dealers in the country. Fords war production of Model Ts increased and double shifts were introduced to meet war demands.

1984

Jennings purchased Stockton dealership Ford Escort Cabriolet on sale (first Ford convertible in Europe for 20 years). Fiesta, Orion and Escort 1.6 diesel models introduced.

1992

Management buyout from the third generation Jennings family by Alan Bentley (Chairman and Managing Director), Nas Khan (Sales Director), Graeme Armstrong (Financial Director) and Robin Andrew (retired After Sales Director). Jennings purchased Washington dealership. Ford returned to the position of UK best selling car with 121,140 registrations. Ford Mondeo and Escort RS Cosworth announced.

1995

Jennings purchased South Shields dealership. Ford retained market leadership for nineteenth year in succession. Escort, Fiesta and Mondeo again held the top three places in the best sellers list. Nicky Dalkin was promoted to After sales director.

1996

Jennings purchased Gateshead dealership New generation Fiesta launched in January, introduction of the Ford Ka and revised Ford Mondeo models.

1997

Jennings were awarded the Ford Chairman's Award for Customer Satisfaction. Ford celebrated 21 years as the nation's favourite.

1999

Jennings awarded Middlesbrough area, and start building a state of the art dealership. Ford Focus awarded European Car of the year award, and is the best selling vehicle in its class.

2000

Jennings purchase Durham and open their brand new supersite in Middlesbrough. Their seven dealerships now span right across Tyne Tees.

2001

Ford add a new facility to their family by introducing Ford Rental based at their Middlesbrough dealership. New Maverick launched

2002

The split site ford dealership at Durham moves it's whole operation to Carville High Street, bringing Sales, Service, Parts, Bodyshop and Rapid Fit all under one roof. The Ford Fusion is launched.

2003

A new Commercial vehicle showroom is built on the Middlesbrough site and in June, Jennings Mazda, also in Washington, is launched. The first non Ford franchise in the history of the Jennings Group. The Ford Street Ka and the all new Mazda RX-8 are unveiled.

2004

Middlesbrough becomes a multi-franchise site, as purpose built showrooms are constructed, for the launch of Jennings Subaru and Jennings SEAT. The 7-acre site at Middlesbrough now houses the Ford, Mazda, SEAT and Subaru marques.

2005

History in the Making at Jennings, Jennings now the regions largest independent motor dealers undergoes some of the most important changes in its 100 year history. Alan Bentley group chairman steps down to let his team of Directors take the reigns. Jennings are now well established not just in the North East but have gained a growing reputation as one of the UK's leading Ford Dealer groups. Nas Khan the group sales directory for the past 13 years will now become Group Managing Director.

2006

Future looks bright, the all new Sunderland based Multi-franchise Supersite, is under construction. Not only hosting Ford, Ford Commercial and Ford Direct vehicles but will also include a bright new Mazda Dealership. The site is located on Wessington Way on the land previously owned by Ferguson's transport.