Meet the dealer - Johnson & Perrott - Cork Independent News

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Meet the dealer - Johnson & Perrott

Written by Staff Reporter

Thursday, 20 March 2008

For generations Johnson & Perrott have been an integral part of Cork’s motoring heritage. Incredibly this venerable company have been catering to the transport needs of the people of Cork in one form or another for nearly 200 years.

They began trading from their Emmet Place (then known as Nelson place) premises in 1810 providing horse drawn carriages and traps to citizens of Cork. Ever since they have remained at the heart of the business in Cork making the transition from the south of Ireland’s leading carriage maker to one of Cork’s pre-eminent motor dealers with ease.

With the increase in use of motor vehicles the company expanded further, they sold their first motorcar, a De Dion Bouton 2 3/4 horsepower in 1903.

In 1904, James Johnson entered into a partnership with his son-in-law Humphrey Perrott, together with Humphrey’s son William, to form the partnership Johnson & Perrott. James Johnson died soon after, and Johnson & Perrott Ltd was incorporated in 1907.

The business was run by William Perrott’s son-in-law James Whitaker, and James’s son David came into the business in 1957. They became a main Vauxhall Bedford dealer in 1925 and opened their Douglas Road showrooms in 1968. In 1969, Phillip Whitaker joined the company taking over the running of the Douglas road showroom.

In more recent times the company have continued to expand, becoming a major force in car and van rentals through the 70s and acquiring Avis franchises in the 1990s.

Today Johnson & Perrott are one of Ireland’s leading motor dealers, still controlled by the descendants of the company’s original owners, a true family company and success story. Not content to stand still however, Johnson & Perrott have big plans for the future.

In 2005 the company announced they would move to a new state-of-the-art showroom complex at the new Mahon Point Retail Park.

After their major investment Johnson & Perrott now occupy one of the most modern showroom complexes in the country offering their customers an unrivalled experience.

Although leaving Emmet Place after 96 years was undoubtedly an emotional move for staff who have been with the company for many years, the future is indeed bright for this institution in the Cork motoring scene.

Johnson & Perrott’s investment will ensure the continued growth of a company that now employs more than 300 people. The new showrooms offer customers three franchises under one roof, Volvo, Honda and Land Rover in a 4,000 sq ft showroom over two floors.

At the same time, the Douglas Road showroom continues to thrive offering customers a wide range of new and used cars being home to the Opel, Kia franchises as well as the base for Johnson & Perrott’s Mercedes Commercials and Mitsubishi Commercials operations.

Now firmly established as one of Cork’s best known dealerships the company continues to thrive due in no small part to the incredible loyalty shown by their customers. As marketing g manager Andrew Whitaker points out, repeat business is the cornerstone of any successful motor dealership.

“Without a doubt customer service is key to success. We have customers who come back year after year and they do that because they know we will look after them and their cars. The fact that we are a family business means that our good name is very important as it reflects on all of us involved with the business, it’s really our customers that make us successful and we never lose sight of that. It great to see people coming back with their children or even their grandchildren when it’s time for another family member to start driving,” said Andrew.

With such a long history in Cork Johnson & Perrott have seen many changes in Irish motoring, from the very beginning to the latest trends. Andrew added, “We will be here for our customers offering the best service and value for whatever type of model from each of our brands that the public want”.

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