The new owners of Mercedes-Benz Trucks dealer Sparshatts Truck & Van have "exciting plans" for the future of the business after acquiring it for an undisclosed sum.

The major shareholders in the new business are entrepreneur Steve Rooney and his brother Paul, Sparshatts’ former truck sales manager.

Completing the new ownership team are financial director Peter Davies and chairman Sid Sadique, the group managing director of NRG Fleet Services and Riverside Truck Rental.

Steve Rooney said: “This acquisition marks the culmination of a long-held dream for Paul and I.

"We have exciting plans for major investments in our people and in our facilities, and are looking forward to working in a spirit of close partnership with the team at Mercedes-Benz Trucks HQ.”

He added: “We are privileged to be representing the finest range of trucks currently available, while there is a huge amount of goodwill locally in the Sparshatts name.

"However, this is also a business with great potential for growth and I’m confident that through modernisation and the introduction of new, more efficient processes, we’ll be able to exploit this to the full.”

Sparshatts of Kent employs around 200 people and posted a £76 million turnover last year. Founded in 1975, it trades from headquarters in Sittingbourne, with other branches located in Ashford, Dartford and Tonbridge.

Although it is now fully focused on the sale of Mercedes-Benz and Fuso trucks, Sparshatts continues to provide 24-hour maintenance and repair back-up for vans as well as heavier commercial vehicles.