Ford Pro Technology Helps Locate Stolen Transit Van

Lewis Spindlove, a mobile bartender in the UK, is a widely recognized staple at weddings and festivals with his custom-built Ford Transit van. At parties held in unusual locations and venues, Lewis serves a variety of drinks and cocktails from a £15,000 specially-made pop-up bar. His business took a severe hit recently when his van, filled with valuable equipment, was stolen from his home outside of Bristol.

The theft came as a shock because Lewis was expecting to bartend at a wedding later that day. His first concern was for the bride and groom, who had made a point of booking Lewis and his special gold pop-up bar. He feared that he would have to miss the event on top of losing the van that had thousands of pounds’ worth of merchandise inside it. 

Thankfully, technology and quick thinking came to the rescue. Lewis was able to borrow a gold-finished bar to ensure the wedding would go on as planned. After reporting the theft to the police, he made use of Ford Pro Telematics, which uses integrated car monitoring technology. The technology quickly identified the van’s location in Nottingham, hundreds of miles away. Police located the vehicle and its contents, and after repairs, it was back in service two weeks after the theft.

Lewis commented on the experience, stating, “The bride and groom had ordered a bespoke bar complete with gold mirrors and bar tops. It absolutely looked the business, but when I came to drive to the venue, the van was gone. I was so relieved that my Transit has a built-in tracker that played a key role in me getting my van back.”

The incident demonstrates the growing problem of auto theft, particularly for van-based businesses. In 2023, these businesses contributed roughly one trillion euros to the economies of the EU and the UK. For Ford Pro, combating auto theft is a top priority. The company offers a range of security solutions and alerts for suspicious activity to assist in protecting the livelihoods of business owners.

Hans Schep, General Manager of Ford Pro Europe, added, “We want Lewis, and all our van customers, to have complete confidence in their vehicles’ security. But, if the worst happens, we’re happy to be here to support the hardworking people who drive our communities and economies.”

Lewis’s story serves as a reminder of how crucial vehicle security is for small businesses, and how important technology may be for recovery efforts. Thanks to Ford Pro’s advanced technology, Lewis was able to safely recover his van and get back to work!