The AA’s Driving Services Operation Expands Internationally With The Purchase Of VVCR In Holland.
The acquisition will enable the AA, via its expanding Driving Services portfolio, to deliver strong, robust and credible road safety programmes internationally.
The AA has today confirmed that it has acquired Dutch-based VVCR of Rijssen, Holland, as its first step into the international road risk management marketplace. The purchase price has not been released.
VVCR will remain a separate legal entity but will operate as a trading division within the Driving Services operation which currently includes AA DriveTech, AA Driving School, BSM, Intelligent Data Systems and Peak Performance brands. It will continue to trade as VVCR in its core markets for the foreseeable future.
The VVCR (VVCR Europe or VVCR International) team are experts, like AA DriveTech and Peak, in managing the risks associated with driving for work throughout the world.
With more and more corporate organisations looking to source a unified, consistent European/global approach to occupational road risk, the company is ideally placed to deliver road risk programmes through its established international network.
VVCR provides consultancy services, driver profiling, and driver training including e-learning in multiple languages for 25 different jurisdictions. It has strong accredited and academic links with the Central Institute for Test Development (CITO) in Holland and Cranfield University for its online portfolio.
Patrick Hekkert, owner and CEO, will continue to lead the business and oversee its growth supported by the extensive resources available from the AA’s UK operation.
Commenting on the acquisition, the AA’s Driving Services M.D, Jim Kirkwood said: “This acquisition is part of our long term strategy to position the AA’s Driving Services business on a global stage. It is our intention to be the clear European leader in driver education and road safety services within the next 3 to 5 years. Alongside other recent complementary acquisitions, we now have the capability to deliver occupational road risk programmes internationally for major multi-national corporate, leasing and insurance organisations. We believe we are unique in being able to deliver such a fully integrated approach.”
Patrick Hekkert, VVCR CEO said, “We have worked with AA DriveTech in particular for several years and are delighted to finally bring together our two complementary organisations to deliver high quality, consistent and effective driver training for corporate organisations internationally. I believe the client and cultural fit is perfect as we both have the same vision of working together to eliminate road death and serious injuries. My team in Rijssen and I are delighted to join the AA family for the exciting journey that lies ahead for us all.”
