Celebrating 65 Years of People, Pride and Precision
Mackworth Vehicle Conversions has been building commercial vehicle bodies for decades; with roots on our Derby site dating back to the 1960s. From a small Derby workshop to a national name in vehicle conversions. Thank you to every person who made this possible.
Motoring on since 1959
For 65 years Mackworth has designed, built and converted vehicles that keep UK businesses moving. This anniversary is a moment to celebrate the people behind every conversion — the workshop teams, engineers,
designers, office staff and partners whose skill, care and teamwork have shaped our story.
1959
The beginning
Mackworth’s story starts with the Kay brothers in Derby, repairing and rebuilding ex-army vehicles for commercial use. Their engineering skill and reputation for quality workmanship quickly attract attention.
1960
A new base and capabilities
The business moves to Ashbourne Road in Mackworth. With the move comes change: the workshop now carries out bespoke body building and HGV tipper work, laying the foundations for future growth.
1970s - 1980
A name recognised in vehicle manufacturing
Demand grows and the Mackworth name becomes well known within the industry. The business develops specialist expertise in tipper bodies and exhibits at major national trade shows, establishing market credibility.
1980s
Expansion under Arlington Motor Company
Under Arlington ownership, the product range widens to include milk floats and light commercial vehicles. This period marks an important diversification into multi-sector vehicle solutions.
1990s
Part of Lex
Commercials/
RAC plc
In the 1990s, LEX Commercials acquired the business, transforming it to include a DAF and MAN dealership alongside a body shop dedicated to conversions.
2006-2010
Large scale programmes and growth
New contracts, including Ministry of Defence work and high-volume refurbishments, drive investments and expansion across the business.
2011
Strengthening expertise and a new identity
Mix Vehicle Conversion Specialists is acquired and relocated to the Derby site. The combined capability leads to the creation of Mackworth Vehicle Conversion Specialists, bringing body building and conversion expertise under one brand.
2013
Leading the way in Type Approval
With the arrival of VCA type approval, Mackworth becomes one of the early adopters, investing in design and compliance to meet new regulatory standards.
2015-2019
Investment, growth and specialist capability
The business secures key national contracts including specialist Bomb Squad refurbishments and invests in a dedicated van conversion workshop, a £1m facility completed in 2019.
2019-2024
Part of Motus UK
Now operating as part of the Motus UK group, Mackworth strengthens partnerships, welcomes staff long-service milestones of 30 and even
50 years, and continues to build award-winning conversion solutions for fleets across the UK.
2026 & Beyond
A brand new era
The business enters its latest phase as Mackworth Vehicle Conversions, introducing new products such as Streamline Pro and reaffirming its commitment to innovation, engineering excellence and customer focus.
Grant Ashenden
Role in one sentence:
I would describe my role as vital to the business in keeping everyone safe and the business compliant with all matters relating to H&S.
What satisfies you most
What satisfies me is when we have acted on a near-miss/safety concern and intervened before it has escalated or injured someone.
Proud project:
One of my proudest achievements is the H&S week we created across the MVS division. Nothing like this had been done before and the results were outstanding. Improving a safety culture is difficult but the figures of reported incidents/near misses following that week were noticed across the division and to the wider audience across Motus UK.
Mackworth Moment:
Creating a TikTok that received over 4.6k views on the MVS channel.
My favourite part of working at Mackworth:
My favourite part of working at Mackworth is the teamwork and relationships between all employees at every level
One-word summary:
Innovative
Emma Ockhuis
Role in one sentence:
I support the sales team by coordinating communications, streamlining processes and ensuring every client interaction runs smoothly.
What satisfies you most
I’m most fulfilled when I can turn a challenging situation into a positive outcome for both the customer and the company.
Proud project:
My first big project was managing the Ongo Homes contract — 89 vehicles across 11 different spec builds. I tracked every vehicle, coordinated subcontractors and met the customer who said they were very pleased with the quality of our work. That customer satisfaction made all the effort worthwhile.
Mackworth Moment:
Hosting a South African BBQ (Braai) Day — a relaxed day that brought the team together outside work.
My favourite part of working at Mackworth:
My favourite part of working at Mackworth is the people — everyone’s willing to help out, share a laugh and work together.
One-word summary:
Family
Come and join the Mackworth team!
Interested in a career with Mackworth? We’re proud of our people-first culture. We’re always looking for skilled technicians to join our team,
if you’re ready for your next opportunity, email us your CV or visit our careers page to learn more about opportunities with Motus Vehicle Solutions
- Decades of experience in commercial vehicle conversions
- Approved by all major chassis manufacturers
- Fully type-approved builds and bespoke designs
- Skilled team across engineering, design and build
- End-to-end service – from concept to delivery
- Strong supply chain partnerships for added value
