VAN-TASTIC ADDITION TO CROUCH RECOVERY’S MODEL COLLECTION!

Derbyshire based Search Impex Ltd are pleased to announce the release of a 1:50 scale Mercedes Sprinter van, customised in Crouch Recovery’s livery.  

The models have been produced exclusively for Search Impex by WSI Models as a certificated Limited Edition (405 pieces).

Together with the earlier sell out releases of the Volvo FMX (8x4) recovery truck and the LTM 1090-4.2 mobile crane, the Mercedes Sprinter van is certain to be a very popular addition to Crouch Recovery’s steadily growing collection of models. 

Please note :  The model has been based on the Mercedes Sprinter van casting currently available in the WSI range and there are some differences in specification between Crouch Recovery’s actual Sprinter van and the model.  Crouch Recovery is fully aware of this and accepts the differences.

Based in the Leicestershire village of Kibworth Harcourt, Crouch Recovery was established in 1948 by George (known as Old Jack) and Mary Jane Crouch.  The husband and wife team ran a small local filling station which also offered a vehicle recovery service – something which, at that time, was unique to the area.  For the next 20 years or so, the business grew steadily and in the 1970’s, they were joined by their son, David who helped his parents with the day to day running of the filling station.  David, however, took a particularly active interest in developing the recovery side of the business – something which, as evidenced by today’s operation, proved to be a sound strategic decision!  Whilst the filling station is no more, David and his wife, Barbara, have gone on to oversee the evolution of the business into one of the fastest growing recovery operators in the UK and Europe.  Moreover, with their  sons, Adam and Richard, also fully involved in the business, it now embraces three generations of the Crouch family. 

With new, purpose built headquarters just a stone’s throw away from the site of the original filling station (the buildings and recovery yard of which still remain owned and used by the business), Crouch Recovery now operates a 24 / 7 control room to manage breakdown and recovery requests.  Operating from 6 depots, the Company’s “home territory” covers the whole of Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Warwickshire but extends the length and breadth of the UK and into Europe via a strong network of compliant agents.  And being based in the Midlands has the added geographical advantage of allowing quick access to routes to the rest of the UK, as well as across to the Continent.  

With an impressive fleet now in excess of 100 vehicles ranging from heavy recovery trucks, mobile cranes and heavy duty low loaders, through to on & off road winching gear, light recovery trucks and a fleet of 24 hour service vans, Crouch Recovery is able to deploy the correct equipment to deal with any given situation.  

Perhaps best known for heavy recovery services, the Company recently featured in the Channel 5 documentary “Trucking Hell” which provided a good insight into the nature of the work and the difficulties faced by specialist recovery operators.   Anyone who has seen the series will also have seen a wide selection of Crouch Recovery’s vehicles in action including, no doubt, the service van on which the 1:50 scale models have been based.  

Models, available from Search Impex whilst stock lasts, are priced at £46 each (including UK delivery & VAT).  

For details of availability of this and other models, collectors can visit the Search Impex website at www.search-impex.co.uk or call on 01332 873555.

Ken Thomas
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