Key Dates in The Unipart Story


When many people think of Unipart, they recall a company that revolutionised the automotive aftermarket in the 1970s.

A lot has changed since then; Unipart is now a highly diversified company bringing a wide range of benefits to clients in the rail, technology, retail, automotive, financial and public sectors.

Each of our client relationships is unique, but what is common to most is how Unipart enables significant cost reductions, improvements in capacity and customer service, and a level of engagement with employees that delivers real commercial benefits.

Our operations today span three major areas: logistics, manufacturing and consultancy. But across all three, there is a single approach that enables us to deliver more than our clients expect. We call that The Unipart Way.

To understand some of the major events that have helped to shape our Group, please click on the relevant tab below. For more details on many of the events, please click here.

To download our corporate brochure click here.

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2007 – New contracts

New contracts with Habitat UK & Pets at Home.

2007 – European Supply Chain Excellence Award

Unipart Nuneaton wins the European Supply Chain Excellence Award

2007 – Consultancy work with HMRC

Unipart Expert Practices, the Group’s consultancy arm established. 150 ‘expert practitioners, begin consultancy work with HMRC

2007 – launched Gate to Great
2007 – launched Gate to Great

The Gate to Great development framework launched. A core aspect of the Unipart Way, it aims to develop the skills and talents of all employees

2006 – Multimillion pound distribution and repair centre

Unipart and Vodafone announce plans to establish a multimillion pound distribution and repair centre at Nuneaton

2004 – Unipart new clients
2004 – Unipart new clients

Unipart new clients include BskyB, Homebase and Jessops

1999 – Vodafone
1999 – Vodafone

Unipart wins Vodafone as a new customer.

1999 – Unipart acquires Partco Group

Unipart acquires Partco Group making it the largest supplier of aftermarket parts in Britain

1998 – Unipart supports the Government’s New Deal

Unipart is among the first businesses to support the Government’s New Deal initiative

1997 – The Unipart Way
1997 – The Unipart Way

The Unipart Way is launched

1997 – 49% share in National Railway Supplies
1997 – 49% share in National Railway Supplies

Unipart acquires Railpart and a 49% share in National Railway Supplies

1997 – Unipart opens four new joint venture

Unipart opens four new joint venture factories including Kautex Unipart Ltd and Unipart Eberspacher Exhaust Systems

1997 – Faculty on the Floor launch

The first ‘Faculty on the Floor’ learning centre is launched at Unipart’s site in Kent

1996 – New Chairman of Unipart Group

Lord Sheppard of Didgemere named as Chairman of Unipart Group

1995 – Duke of Edinburgh visits Unipart House
1995 – Duke of Edinburgh visits Unipart House

HRH The Duke of Edinburgh visits Unipart House to see how the recommendations of the Tomorrow’s Company report are being brought to life

1994 – John M Neill made Commander of the Order of the British Empire
1994 – John M Neill made Commander of the Order of the British Empire

Group Chief Executive John M Neill made Commander of the Order of the British Empire for his 20 years of outstanding service to and leadership in the automotive industry.

1994 – Unipart’s silver jubilee

Unipart celebrates the silver jubilee of the Unipart Brand

1993 – Best Factory in Britain award

Unipart’s Coventry manufacturing site wins Best Factory in Britain award by Management Today/Cranfield University.

1993 – Unipart U
1993 – Unipart U

Unipart is first company to set up its own corporate university, the Unipart U.

1992 – The Lean Machine opens

Secretary of State, the Rt. Hon. John Patten MP, opens Unipart employee health and fitness centre, The Lean Machine