What makes us different to everyone else

Help fleet operators like you increase vehicle safety whilst saving every year

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Here’s how
Centrad was born

With Centrad, you get the efficiency and delivery of a huge corporation but the personal relationship
and support of a tight-knit team. We are renowned for our customer services and attention to detail
with every CCTV package sold.

Not-to-mention, our founder, Geoff Cross operates fleet vehicles himself so if anyone understands the
frustrations fleet operators suffer, he certainly does.

Fast Fact

> 80,000

Cameras installed

> 15,000

Successful installations

> 65%

Reduction in speeding

> 150

Trained engineers
nationwide

100%

Defence in fraudulent
accident claims

> 25%

Reduction in insurance
claim costs

Founder

Headshot of Geoff Cross, Centrad's Managing Director
Geoff Cross
Managing Director

I’m Geoff Cross, Managing Director here at Centrad. You might not know, but I used to be a fleet operator. So, I know the challenges and frustrations you’re facing with theft, vandalism, and of course, insurance claims.

In fact, back when I owned a fleet, we knew all too much about  insurance claims, but that’s a story for another day. That’s what gave  me the idea for Centrad – because I know how much of a pain those  issues are. I wanted to solve that problem.

I understand the issues you face, which is why we help fleet operators  like you increase vehicle safety through CCTV and telematics AND  save thousands of £ every single year.

The Centrad Story

September 2003
September-2003

Geoff Cross, then aged 17, takes the leap and starts Central Buses with one vehicle, operating an hourly bus service on Route 7 between Perry Common and Birmingham.

Summer 2006

Having spent significant costs on printed destination blinds and being unable to find a cost-effective electronic solution, Central Buses directors, in partnership with a supplier in the Far East, developed and produced a prototype electronic LED Destination Display for its own fleet. The prototype was quickly proven, with a further order for another half a dozen units placed shortly after to allow the full fleet to be retrofitted. 

Autumn 2006

A business plan was developed to sell the displays to other UK bus and coach operators under the trading name Centrad (Central Trading). The LED Displays would be launched at approximately half of the price of the alternative systems on the market at that time. 

Winter 2006

Centrad started trading with a soft launch in the Coach and Bus Week magazine. Its first customers included A2Z Travel, D&G Buses, GHA Coaches, Andybus, Helms Coaches, and North Birmingham Busways. 

Autumn 2007

Centrad exhibited at the Coach & Bus Live exhibition at Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre for the first time. 

Summer 2008

Central Buses' insurance premiums started to dramatically increase, primarily because of several ‘cash for crash’ incidents on route 98 between Small Heath and Ward End. These claims proved increasingly difficult to defend. Centrad started to develop an onboard CCTV system. 

Spring 2009

Centrad launched its four-camera digital CCTV system, having been extensively tested and trialled on the Central Buses fleet. 

June 2010

Centrad relocated to new premises along with the Central Buses business – an 11,500 square foot warehouse facility just outside Birmingham City Centre. 

October 2014

Centrad launches its 8 and 16 camera systems along with its initialCentrad Live’ solution for remote video playback and download.

October 2015

Central Buses wins ‘Bus Operator of the Year’ at the Route One Awards. 

November 2016

Central Buses wins ‘Bus Operator of the Year’ at the Route One Awards for the second year running.

February 2018

The 31-vehicle Central Buses operation is sold to Rotala PLC to allow the directors to focus on the growing Centrad business. 

Summer 2018

Centrad continues to grow with the gain of significant accounts, including Malcolm Logistics, British Airways, and the Post Office. 

November 2018

Centrad acquires freehold office space in Amber Business Village, Tamworth.

Spring 2019

Centrad launches Centrack – its advanced tracking platform for fleet operators who require extensive reporting. 

Spring 2020

In response to the Coronavirus Pandemic, Centrad launches an onboard temperature check system for bus and coach operators. 

December 2020

Centrad doubles sales turnover, despite the pandemic, as further significant accounts join the Centrad family, and demand for HGV safety technology increases with the introduction of the ‘Direct Vision Standard’ in London from March 2021. 

Spring 2022

Centab is launched – Centrad’s industry-leading multipurpose vehicle tablet featuring a range of mobile applications, including Vehicle Check for driver walkaround checks. 

Spring 2023

Centrad releases its range of ‘AI’ camera solutions, providing proactive real-time alerts to fleet managers of any high-risk driving behaviour, including mobile phone usage, distraction, smoking, and driver fatigue. 

Summer 2023

Cenhub is launched – Centrad’s brand-new video telematics and fleet management platform. 

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