Wild Ax Joins Up With Rapido

- Peter Baber

Van converter WildAx has been bought by the Rapido Group – the latest in a series of takeovers in the UK industry this year.

The West Yorkshire-based company is the French group’s first acquisition in Britain, which it describes as “an essential country in the universe of recreational vehicles”. It already owns Westfalia in Germany and Fleurette in its home country. Alongside Rapido itself, it also manufactures the Dreamer and Itineo brands. It says the WildAx acquisition allows it to strengthen its presence in key European markets.

Duncan Wildman – who founded WildAx 12 years ago, and has seen it grow every year since to the point where it now produces 150 ’vans a year – told Practical Motorhome he had been planning to move to larger premises from its current rather hemmed-in site in Elland, and to make changes to some of its working practices. He says he was impressed by the “nice feel to the management team” at family-run Rapido.

“I was reassured by this that we would have a good working relationship and be able to work together to grow the company,” he said.