CPD Bodies steers the future of light commercial vehicles in the right direction through unparalleled innovation
CPD is leading the evolution of light commercial vehicles (LCVs) through a commitment to innovation, quality, and customer-driven solutions. At its core, CPD is dedicated to delivering customized, high-quality vehicle solutions that offer exceptional value – consistently and on time. Each LCV is engineered to meet clients’ exact needs while ensuring durability for daily operations. With a diverse product portfolio, CPD provides vehicles for every requirement, whether transporting raw materials, carrying maintenance equipment, or performing a variety of other essential tasks. Safety, compliance, cost-effectiveness, and longevity remain at the heart of every build, with an emphasis on providing vehicles that meet the highest industry standards while offering practical, long-lasting solutions.
Over the past 15 years, CPD has made it a priority to stay ahead of industry trends, ensuring that its product offerings are always aligned with the evolving needs of its customers. This forward-thinking approach has allowed CPD to remain competitive in a highly dynamic sector, where the demand for specialised, high-quality LCVs is continuously growing. Through continuous improvement and close relationships with clients, CPD has developed a reputation for reliability, expertise, and exceptional service.
Managing Director Cathal Doocey shares CPD’s inspiring journey:
“Prior to starting the business in 2015, I was working in my family’s business, which I found rather challenging to navigate at times. There was another business trading on our site with a ten-year lease, which they sought to exit after three years. Consequently, I decided to leave the family business and take over the business next door, retaining its two staff members along with its machinery. Facing difficulty securing an overdraft, I obtained a small loan from one of my parents, thus marking the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey. While I lacked expertise and hands-on experience in the production side of the business, I was a skilled salesman and possessed the ability to attract customers. My skills were complemented by my team members, who excelled in vehicle construction. The progress we have made since our early days has been remarkable. From relatively humble beginnings, as we enter 2025, we have evolved into one of the fastest-growing businesses in England’s Northeast, with a truly national footprint,” he says.
Cathal’s journey to success has been driven by an unwavering determination to build something lasting and meaningful. Despite facing challenges early on, his ability to navigate the complexities of business and his strong focus on customer satisfaction have been pivotal in CPD’s rapid growth. The business has moved from strength to strength, making a significant impact on the LCV market and earning the trust of clients across the UK.
Technology & innovation
Joining the conversation, Tom Pearson, Commercial Director, delves into CPD’s wide range of products and services, and explains how that offering has expanded over time. “Originally, we specialized in vehicle conversion and bodybuilding, encompassing a variety of chassis types, tippers, lutons, and drop-side products mainly tailored for the commercial market. Two years ago, we diversified our services by including chassis sales too, rather than solely focusing on the backend operations. Presently, we are further diversifying by offering panel van conversions and related products, thus giving our customers more choice. This customer-centric approach not only enhances our current offerings but also enables us to plan our product and service launches strategically for the next three-to-five years. By the time this article is published, we will have introduced CPD Finance, our in-house finance service that allows us to broker finance solutions directly for our customers, giving further flexibility in the payment options customers expect to see from us. Last November saw the relaunch of CPD VanDemand, a service centered around the panel van conversion market, with the added option to acquire ready-to-use products. As part of this service, we offer a quick turnaround time of seven days, which is a unique selling point compared to the standard six-to-eight week lead time conversion typically offers. We aim to continue diversifying our product range alongside our standard offerings, while also developing more bespoke solutions tailored to meet our customers’ specific needs,” he enlightens.
On the topic of innovation and technology, Tom sheds light on the advancements CPD has implemented in its production process to address customer needs more efficiently. “Nine years ago, we implemented a bespoke production platform to improve visibility within our own operations. This platform enables us to closely monitor the progress of builds, measure efficiencies, and ultimately, address any inefficiencies we identify. Over time, the platform has evolved into a customer-facing portal, which is a unique proposition in the industry. Through this portal, customers can track the status of their orders in real-time at any point, viewing whether it is going through the workshop process, quality control checks, or ready for collection. This real-time visibility addresses a growing customer demand in the market, and we have already successfully met that need. Furthermore, our investments in workshop facilities, such as our paint shed and spray booths, reflect our commitment to sustainability. Our efforts to separate and reuse paint align with our upcoming sustainability strategy, which is set to be fully launched in summer this year,” he continues. 
Beyond enhancing transparency and communication with customers, CPD’s eagerness to adopt cutting-edge innovations has empowered the company to boost its range of all-electric vehicles. “When it comes to all-electric vehicles, there are key considerations regarding the regulations around storage. In response to this, we are actively working towards developing solutions that address these challenges with partners like the VBRA. Collaborating closely with original equipment manufacturers (OEMs),
we are striving to ensure that the modifications we make to these vehicles not only meet the necessary regulatory standards but are also suitable for our end users. Having met and exceeded the Zero Emission Vehicle (ZEV) mandate with the number of electric vehicles we introduced last year, we are committed to maintaining this momentum in 2025. Despite the current challenges surrounding the adoption of electric vehicles in the LCV market, which are similar to those faced by hydrogen-powered technologies, we are determined to continue leading the way in this space,” Tom informs.
The company’s focus on sustainability has led it to explore electric and hydrogen-powered vehicles, both of which hold great promise for reducing the environmental impact of LCVs. CPD is committed to staying ahead of regulatory changes and ensuring that its vehicles meet the highest environmental standards. By working closely with industry experts and regulatory bodies, CPD is helping to drive the transition to cleaner, more sustainable vehicle options for businesses across the UK.
Reflecting on the LCV market’s compatibility with hydrogen technologies, Tom points out the obstacles making the adoption of such technologies difficult. “Hydrogen is an exciting opportunity in the automotive industry, but it comes with challenges like those faced by EVs, particularly concerning infrastructure development, rollout, and ensuring domestic production to avoid imports from overseas. However, the implementation of hydrogen is predominantly focused on larger vehicles, leaving a missed opportunity in the LCV market for the exploration of emerging technologies.
To fully leverage the potential of hydrogen technology, and ensure it meets the specific needs of the market, there must be improved collaboration between OEMs and end users. Once the appropriate infrastructure is in place, hydrogen can be harnessed as a waste product of certain manufacturing processes. If we can capture it in an efficient way and distribute it around the country, it could lead to exciting prospects for embracing hydrogen technology in the UK,” he concludes
CPD is driven by a bold vision – continuously innovating, embracing emerging technologies, and refining its solutions to meet customer needs. By combining transparency, efficiency, and sustainability, the company is shaping the future of LCVs in the UK and beyond. CPD is committed to staying at the forefront of industry advancements and ensuring that its customers have access to the highest-quality vehicles and services. As the LCV market continues to evolve, CPD is determined to remain a leader in innovation and a trusted partner for businesses looking to invest in the future of their fleets.
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