TAKING CHARGE OF ELECTRICS

Nigel Hutson goes behind the scenes at the leisure vehicle specialists BCA

- Nigel Hutson

I take for granted. For example, who’s ever given a thought to how all of those electrical items operate just when we want them to?

I recently visited BCA Group in West Yorkshire, where I was given an informative tour of its three constituent companies by Sales and Marketing Director, Wayne Boyd.

BCA Group essentially comprises three firms – BCA Leisure makes wiring harnesses, control panels and power distribution units (PDUs) for leisure vehicles, while BCA Motion deals with battery boxes and smaller-scale wiring harnesses for panel van conversion manufacturers.

The third company, Pennine Leisure Supplies (PLS), supplies dealerships and other outlets with accessories such as lamps, kettles, cable reels, water pumps, electrical sockets and switches, as well as mains electric kits for van conversions.

BCA Leisure was founded in 1981 by Wim Batist. Before buying its first premises (a former mill in Mytholmroyd, a few miles from BCA’s current location), Wim would travel to the UK with his van and trailer loaded with touring accessories on a Monday morning, drive the length and breadth of the country throughout the week, selling his wares, then return home on Saturday to reload, ready for the following Monday.

Branching out 

At the time, the best-seller was Smat caravan towing mirrors, which he imported from Italy.

Wim’s father and brother ran a very successful dealership in the Netherlands, so you’d definitely say that touring was in the family’s blood.