Company History
Bridgend Garage was founded in 1930 as a haulage firm becoming the first operator in Ayrshire to run articulated trucks. The change from haulage contractor to garage took place in 1950 when Hugh McLaughlan, founder, opened the first Bridgend Garage in Old Glasgow Road, Kilwinning carrying out car repairs and selling fuel.
Hugh's sons Daniel and Alexander, now owners of the Bridgend Group, joined their father in 1966 , helping the business to expand over the next 20 years from the traditional garage into associated motor trade operations - used car sales and vehicle service facilities such as accident repair. Additonal premises were bought for used car sales and accident repair work. In 1993, accident repair operations were moved to its current location at Burnside on Old Glasgow Road, Kilwinning where today it incorporates the most advanced technology.
In 1980, Bridgend decided to take on the little known Colt Car Company franchise, now Mitsubishi, becoming one of the first dealerships in the country to take on the Japanese franchise. The Mitsubishi franchise along with service and repair were expanded and developed at premises in East Road, Irvine. Today, they are the longest established dealer in Scotland. By attaining the highest customer satisfaction record they were awarded dealer of the year.
In 1996, Bridgend acquired the 6 acre Riverside site, opposite the original premises of Bridgend Garage. During the latter half of 1999 work began on the site, in the shape of a multi million pound investment. The result was West of Scotland's largest dedicated used car complex, expanded workshop facilties and vastly expanded valet and preparation areas.
In 2006, Bridgend Garage took its first steps out of North Ayrshire and into South Ayrshire. A 5 acre site was acquired at Heathfield and Ayr Autoplex was launched. This was Bridgend's second Used Car Supermarket serving the whole of South West Scotland and incorporating full service, valet, preparation facilities.
The Bridgend Group now comprises seven departments whose operations encompass new and used car sales, service, maintenance, MOT and accident repair. The company is still family owned and run with 13 members of the McLaughlan family in key positions.
"Our company has been built on loyalty and trust, a family operation that has stood the test of time."
