A Legacy of Growth and Service Excellence

1990
Our Beginning
Sparks Commercial Services was founded on April 1, 1990, with a single Mercedes Sprinter service van. Michael and Julie Spark, both seasoned in the commercial vehicle industry, quickly built a loyal customer base. Within months, they were ready to expand, and the duo converted their passion into a one-stop-shop for commercial vehicle servicing. By the end of their first year, Sparks had moved into its first rented workshop in Newbridge and had hired two additional staff members.

1991
Building a Reputation
In 1991, Michael dedicated himself to working around the clock, answering calls 24/7 and completing every job, no matter the hour. Meanwhile, Julie managed accounts and marketing, ensuring the business grew steadily. The hard work paid off, and they soon added more staff to keep up with demand.

1992
Growth and Expansion
By 1992, Sparks expanded again, relocating to a larger facility in Rushington Business Park, Nursling. Julie left her full-time job to handle all administrative, accounting, and marketing duties, while the workshop became increasingly crowded. As the business flourished, Sparks made plans to move to an even larger facility to accommodate their growing operations.

1995
Looking to the Future
In 1995, Sparks moved to a larger workshop and yard in Nursling Industrial Estate. Recognizing the need for specialised facilities to support their expansion strategy, Michael and Julie began negotiations for a new site at Hounsdown Business Park in Totton.

1996
Adapting to Demand
By 1996, increasing demand led to 24-hour shifts at the Nursling site to maximize capacity. This expansion added 30% more service capacity to handle the growing workload.

2000
New Facilities and Major Investments
In 2000, Sparks took a bold step, securing a 1.5-acre site at Hounsdown. This major investment marked the beginning of a new chapter, with construction beginning later that year to build a dedicated workshop that could support their continued growth.

2001
Opening New Doors
By October 2001, Sparks Commercial Services opened their new, purpose-built workshop. The 5-bay facility featured full-length service pits, a steam-cleaning bay, and a driver waiting area. The new space allowed the business to expand its services and serve a wider range of customers.

2003
Expanding Reach
By 2003, Sparks' reputation spread across the South, prompting Michael and Julie to explore additional business opportunities.

2004
The Next Step
In 2004, they took over a struggling commercial vehicle workshop in Portsmouth, rehiring and rebuilding the operation with a focus on service excellence. By 2007, Sparks became the official Renault Trucks service agent in Portsmouth.

2008
Further Expansion
In 2008, Sparks added a 6th bay to the Hounsdown facility and acquired assets from RTC in Marchwood, becoming a Renault Trucks distributor and expanding their offerings to include new and used vehicle sales.

2010
The Next Generation
In 2010, Michael and Julie's son, Tom, began his apprenticeship as an HGV technician, followed by Matt in 2011. Their involvement marked the next generation of Sparks Commercial Services, ensuring the business continued to thrive.

2012
New Depots and Recognition
By December 2012, Sparks opened a new depot in Poole, extending their South Coast footprint. In 2015, Poole won its first award as the 3rd best Aftermarket Dealer of the Year for Renault UK. The company continued to grow, adding a state-of-the-art facility in Swindon in 2015, becoming an Iceland VMU contractor, and reaching five depots with 29 service bays.

2016
Awards and Milestones
In 2016, Sparks was nominated for and won the Aftersales, Workshop, and Maintenance Provider of the Year Award at the Commercial Motor Awards. The company also received multiple accolades for aftersales excellence at the Renault Dealer Conference, including Dealer of the Year for Southampton in 2018.

2020
30th Anniversary and Continued Growth
In 2020, Sparks celebrated its 30th anniversary, reflecting on the impressive growth and success achieved with a dedicated team. The company expanded further in 2021 with a larger workshop in Poole to meet increasing demand.

2022
Expanding to Exeter
In April 2022, Sparks Commercial Services opened a new depot in Exeter, further expanding their reach into Devon and the surrounding areas. This depot, previously a Renault Trucks site, offers a wide range of services, including breakdown cover and a tachograph center, helping Sparks better serve the trucking industry in the region.

With over three decades of steady growth and a focus on service excellence, Sparks Commercial Services continues to lead the way in the commercial vehicle industry.

2025
Dedicated Van Centre
Sparks acquired a former Nissan dealership (located at the foot of the M271 in Southampton). This is to be the first dedicated Sparks Van Centre set to open in the first quarter of 2025. This marks Sparks' entry into the B2C van retailing sector. The new facility will be a state-of-the-art van centre, offering both new and used vans and trucks for sale, alongside a comprehensive aftersales and servicing operation. Additionally, it will feature an EV education centre to support the growing demand for electric vans.