HIGHLIGHTS:
• ESTABLISHED 20 YEARS AND HIGHLY PROFITABLE
• CORE BUSINESS IS PATIENT TRANSPORT
• OPERATING MAINLY ACROSS THREE COUNTIES
• FULLY TRAINED, POLICE VETTED STAFF
• FLEET OF 7 FULLY EQUIPPED VEHICLES
• CONVENIENT LOW COST PREMISES & PARKING
LOCATION:
Exeter
BUSINESS:
This long established and highly profitable private ambulance service operates a modern, well equipped, ambulance fleet to suit most patient transport needs. The business, which is a member of both the BAA and NAPAS and is registered with and approved by the Care Quality Commission, undertakes local, national and overseas patient transfers and provides a highly efficient and cost effective service to NHS and private hospitals and care homes, holding a valuable contract with Peninsula Purchasing Group, as well as handling travel insurance work. Most work involves transport within Devon, Cornwall and Somerset
All ambulance personnel are fully trained, experienced and uniformed, all staff are police vetted and all vehicles are fitted with satellite navigation, a vehicle tracking system, air conditioning and mobile communications equipment.
The business is operated from 2 adjacent leasehold units, each of c 103 square metres, providing secure indoor parking for 7 ambulances and also incorporating an office, vehicle washing facilities, 2 x WC’s, a staff rest room and separate store.
YEARS ESTABLISHED:
The current owners commenced trading in 1990
TRADE:
Please note that if a business is VAT registered, all figures exclude VAT.
Sales of £572,808 were reported in the last year accounts
NET PROFIT:
Abridged net profit has averaged close to £200,000 per annum for each of the last 3 years
REASON FOR SALE:
Retirement
STAFF:
The business is run by a husband and wife team supported by a full time administrator. There are 5 x full time ambulance crews (13 x full time and 5 x part time staff). These include fully qualified emergency medical technicians and care staff possessing First Aid certificates. Additional in-house training is also carried out to ensure adherence with specific internal systems and procedures which are covered in formal staff handbooks.
BUSINESS HOURS:
Transport is normally undertaken between the hours of 10am and 10pm, 7 days per week throughout the year but a 24 hour response service is offered.
BUSINESS PREMISES:
The premises comprise two neighbouring and secure light industrial units constructed under railway arches below Exeter St Thomas Station with space to park up to 4 staff vehicles immediately outside. The units may be described in more detail as follows:
Unit 20:
Railway arch of rendered brick construction with wooden double doors to the front elevation with internal walls and roof of corrugated steel panels. 17.2m x 6.4m approx overall internal floor area. Independent alarm system. Space to park 3 ambulances. Concrete floor to main part. Kitchen area with stainless steel sink unit in roll edged work surface with wall and floor cupboard. Block built disabled friendly WC facility. To the rear has been constructed a self contained, single storey office unit (4.4m x 3.0m approx of office space) with storage cupboard to one side, window overlooking the parking area, vinyl floor covering, two work stations, single armchair and coffee table and electric wall heater.
Unit 21:
Railway arch of rendered brick construction with wooden double doors to the front elevation with internal walls and roof of corrugated steel panels. 17.5m x 6.5m approx overall internal floor area. Independent alarm system. Space to park 4 ambulances. Concrete floor to main part. Vehicle washing facility. Block built WC facility for use by staff. To the rear an open wooden staircase rises to a mezzanine floor with Crew Room (3.5m x 4.1m approx – part restricted height), carpeted and accommodating a wooden table with 4 chairs, roll edged work surface to one wall with microwave, mini refrigerator and pc/printer and freestanding stainless steel staff locker unit. A wooden door gives access to a store room (2.9m x 2.9m) with vinyl floor covering, wooden storage shelving and a single wooden desk.
By informal arrangement the current owners have been able to use up to 6 parking spaces in an adjacent private car park.
VEHICLE FLEET:
The vehicle fleet currently comprises the following fully equipped ambulances:
4 x Mercedes Sprinter (1 x 53 plate 311CDI, 1 x 04 plate 316CDI, 1 x 54 plate 311CDI, 1 x 08 plate 313CDI) “High Dependency” ambulances (approximate combined value of £80,000)
1 x 10 plate Renault Master dual purpose ambulance (approximate value £50,000)
1 x 55 plate VW T5 Transporter dual purpose ambulance used for long distance work (approximate value £12,000)
1 x 61 plate Mercedes Vito 116 CDI “High Dependency” ambulance (approximate value £45,000 with hp of c £32,000 outstanding)
The approximate overall value of the vehicle fleet is therefore c £187,000 (December 2011) with finance of c £32,000 outstanding in respect of one vehicle only.
Note:
No warranty is given or implied as to their operational condition.
LEASE TERMS:
The premises comprise 2 x neighbouring light industrial units constructed under railway arches and held under separate leases from Network Rail. The units are for B1 or B8 usage.
The leases are in a standard form, on repairing and insuring terms and may be cancelled by the tenant subject to 6 months notice being given to the landlord.
Unit 20 requires quarterly rental payments of £1,321.25 (£5,285 pa) and Unit 21 requires monthly rental payments of £425.54 (£5,107 pa). Rent is index linked and adjusted annually.