JCT600 Celebrates 80 Years with £1.33bn Revenue

JCT600 marks 80 years of family ownership with £1.33 billion in revenue, £20.1 million pre-tax profit, and over 2,000 employees across more than 50 locations

JCT600, one of the UK’s largest independent motor retail groups, is celebrating its 80th anniversary with the business reporting revenues of £1.33 billion and pre-tax profits of £20.1 million. Founded on 20 June 1946 as Tordoff Motors on Sticker Lane in Bradford, the company has grown from a one-site garage into a fourth-generation family business employing more than 2,000 people across over 50 locations in Yorkshire, the North East, and the Midlands. The group represents more than 20 vehicle brands including Ferrari, Rolls-Royce, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, and Volkswagen. Executive Chairman John Tordoff said reaching 80 years reflects the contribution of generations of colleagues, customers, and partners, and that the business has remained successful through dramatic industry changes by adapting while staying true to its founding values.

Why This Matters For Leeds

The Tordoff family remaining independent through four generations similarly mirrors Walker Morris and NG Bailey – Yorkshire firms that have grown without merging or listing. As a £1.33 billion family-owned business headquartered in Bradford and operating across Yorkshire for 80 years, it is one of the region’s most significant private companies. For Yorkshire’s economy, 2,000 jobs sustained by a single family business across the region is a contribution that spans communities from Bradford to the North East.

From Sticker Lane to £1.33bn

Founded by Edward Tordoff in 1946, the business was later transformed by his son Jack, who built it into one of the UK’s largest privately-owned automotive retailers. Jack’s sons John and Ian joined and helped shape the company for future generations. John Tordoff said the automotive industry has changed dramatically over eight decades and continues to evolve rapidly, but that colleagues remain the key to growth. He said the business is proud to have remained family-owned, keeping employees and customers at the heart of every decision. Colleague celebration events have been taking place across the dealership network throughout June.

“We’re really proud that 80 years on our fourth-generation family business is still leading the way. With our Yorkshire roots firmly intact we’ve been embracing the move to electric vehicles and an exciting wave of new brands into the UK market. We’re looking forward to what the future holds.”

— John Tordoff, Executive Chairman, JCT600

Adapting Through Eight Decades

The company has navigated major industry shifts including the growth of online vehicle retailing and the transition towards electric vehicles. JCT600 launched its online reservation platform in 2020 and completed its first fully online vehicle sale the following year. It continues to invest in its dealership network, digital capability, and EV infrastructure. The £20.1 million pre-tax profit reported weeks before the anniversary showed growth in used vehicle sales and aftersales performance helping the business outperform wider market trends.