RECORD sales and profits have been revealed by Kwik-Fit for the half year to August 31 as the company continues to expand. Already Europe's largest independent automotive parts repair specialists, the company has an aggressive expansion programme for the second half of the year with 30 more centres scheduled to open in the UK and a further 25 in Holland and Belgium. The company is also looking at expanding into Germany and Scandinavia.

In addition the company plans to continue to expand its tyre management fleet programme under which Kwik-Fit Fleet handles, on an exclusive basis, the tyre programmes for some of the UK's largest fleets including Lex Vehicle Leasing, Cowie Interleasing and Autolease. Kwik-Fit also intends to further develop its telemarketing insurance operation.

Kwik-Fit group turnover increased 9% to £240 million (1996: £220 million) with operating profit up 29% to £27.2 million (1996: £21.1 million) and pre-tax profits up 17% to £25.1 million (1996: £21.5 million).

The company currently has 888 tyre, exhaust and brake fitting centres of which 732 are in the UK and Ireland with 156 in Holland and Belgium, 145 mobile fitting vehicles which will reach 200 in the next six months, 25 trade distribution outlets in Holland, a 25% equity holding in Apples Car Clinics, a car servicing and MoT specialist operating from 75 centres, a 33% equity holding in Hometune Motoring Services which operates 92 mobile units and Kwik Fit Insurance Services.