Salford Van Hire and JDS Truck & Van are both celebrating their 60th anniversaries in 2025, marking six decades of partnership and growth within the UK commercial vehicle sector. To commemorate the occasion, Salford Van Hire has added ten new Renault Trucks to its fleet, each featuring a special livery with the Manchester worker bee, reflecting the company’s roots in the city. These vehicles, supplied by JDS Truck & Van, highlight the longstanding relationship between the two companies.
Growth from Humble Beginnings
Salford Van Hire was established in 1965 by Raffaello Bacci, who started the business with a single van. The company quickly expanded, reaching a fleet of over 100 vehicles within four years. A key factor in this early growth was the introduction of unlimited mileage hire, a first in the UK at the time. Today, the business operates more than 6,500 vehicles nationwide from depots in Manchester and Leeds, and remains family-run under the leadership of Managing Director Alessandro Bacci. The company employs 350 staff, some of whom have served for over 40 years.
Fleet Expansion and Service Offerings
The relationship between Salford Van Hire and JDS Truck & Van began over 30 years ago with the purchase of the company’s first Renault Trucks Midlum. The current fleet includes around 1,500 Renault Trucks vehicles, with 250 vans added in the past two years. The range covers trucks from 12 to 44 tonnes, supporting a variety of customer needs. Salford Van Hire offers solutions from spot hire of single cars to long-term contract hire of specialist vehicles, including refrigerated trucks, tippers, dropsides, curtain-siders, and box bodies. Much of the fleet is serviced at the company’s purpose-built Manchester site, while the Renault Trucks dealer network, including JDS, provides essential maintenance support.
Focus on Efficiency and Customer Service
Operational efficiency is a key focus for Salford Van Hire, with fuel economy and vehicle reliability being important considerations for both the company and its customers. The business also emphasises flexibility and customer support, aiming to provide tailored solutions for a wide range of requirements. The partnership with JDS Truck & Van and the wider Renault Trucks network is seen as vital in maintaining high service standards and minimising vehicle downtime.