LKQ Digraph secures national contract with Go-Ahead

Components distributor LKQ Digraph has secured a national contract with Go-Ahead, one of the UK’s largest public transport operators, to supply commercial vehicle parts across 74 vehicle maintenance locations.

The contract went live on 7 September, with LKQ Digraph using LKQ’s national distribution infrastructure to provide next-day delivery across Go-Ahead’s UK operations.

The agreement marks a significant expansion of LKQ Digraph’s work with major fleet operators and follows its move to a fully national operating model.

LKQ Digraph customers can now access its commercial vehicle proposition through more than 250 LKQ locations, supported by 13 Regional Fulfilment Centres (RFCs) carrying up to 8,000 commercial vehicle parts and LKQ’s T2 distribution centre in Tamworth, where 20,000 lines are available for overnight distribution into the branch network.

For Go-Ahead, the model has reduced delivery times from typically two to three days to next day, helping its teams access the parts they need more quickly and minimise vehicle downtime.

Nick Bellwood, business director at LKQ Digraph said: “Winning the Go-Ahead contract is a major milestone for LKQ Digraph and a great example of what our national model now allows us to do.

“Go-Ahead operates across 74 locations, so it needs a partner that can provide consistent coverage and service wherever its vehicles are based. By combining LKQ’s national distribution network with the specialist commercial vehicle expertise we have built over almost 50 years, we can give customers that scale without losing the knowledge and service they rely on.

“What is particularly exciting is the potential to build on the initial parts agreement. We want to work with Go-Ahead as a long-term partner, helping it keep vehicles moving today while exploring how other capabilities from across LKQ can support its fleet in the future.”

Quality was reportedly a key consideration in the partnership. Go-Ahead operates stringent testing processes before committing to new parts, with LKQ Digraph’s product quality and supplier relationships supporting the successful agreement.

The initial contract is already creating opportunities for further growth, says LKQ, with additional products undergoing testing now. The two businesses are also exploring how wider LKQ capabilities could support Go-Ahead as its fleet evolves. These include battery repair and remanufacturing through LKQ Electriq as Go-Ahead continues its transition towards electric buses, opportunities to maximise value from end-of-life vehicles through LKQ Synetiq, and future specialist training through LKQ Academy.

Sebastian Golby-Meek, head of procurement and strategic contracts at Go-Ahead, said: “This is an exciting new relationship for Go-Ahead, and we are looking forward to developing our partnership with LKQ Digraph. We selected LKQ Digraph for its combination of national coverage, next-day parts availability and commitment to quality. Its distribution network and facilities are industry leading and will help reduce the time our engineering teams spend waiting for parts, enabling us to get vehicles back on the road more quickly.

“Just as importantly, we see real value in working with a partner that shares our approach to sustainability, quality and performance.”

LKQ Digraph’s national model combines LKQ’s distribution infrastructure with dedicated commercial vehicle expertise. Customer calls are routed through four specialist CV call centres covering the North, South, Central England and Scotland, where specialist sales advisors support parts identification and ordering.

The business also operates imprest stock locations for more than 140 customers, helping fleet operators keep commonly required parts closer to the point of use and reduce vehicle downtime.