May 2021

MAY 2021 AFTERMARKET 27 Above: Judge Andy Savva www.aftermarketonline.net garage. There likely to be other garages who will have been inspired by our win last year, and if everyone in the trade steps up their game and strives to be the best garage, then hopefully one day our industry will be much more respected. Any developments since Aftermarket last visited? We are currently looking at extending the second site. We are going to put a MOT bay in there, rather than having to do them all out of the one site. We have also recently taken on more staff. We have now gone up to seven front-of-house staff, and we have taken on three new apprentices, and another technician. It has made it better for all the team. We have effectively over-staffed. This means that when someone is off sick, or something has gone wrong on the job, or there has been a delay, then there is enough staff to take up the slack rather than have everyone rush around struggling. It means we can work in a more linear fashion. There are no peaks and troughs of stress and pressure. It makes it a nicer environment for everyone. This last year has been about trying to perfect the two garages we have, to have everything systemised. This means when we eventually go to garage number three, effectively it can all be done from the rule book. If you have not already entered Top Garage, you have until 31 May to throw your hat back in the ring As you know, Top Garage has been thrown open again for those who did not enter last year and reach the latter stages. It is a fantastic competition, and we want as many businesses as possible to enter so more of you get the opportunity to win, and win big. Overall, across Top Technician and Top Garage there are £30,000 in prizes to play for, and anyone that enters now could be the one lifting the trophy when Saturday 9 October rolls up, more of which in a moment. You have until Monday 31 May to enter – that’s the second May Bank Holiday in case you did not realise. Those of you who have entered before will recall the process. It starts with an initial online quiz, and goes from there. We have weighted the competition so that everyone competes against similar-scaled operations. So, at the final stages, businesses will compete in these categories: Businesses with 1-3 staff Businesses with 4-6 staff Businesses with 7-9 staff Businesses with 10-plus staff To enter just go to www.aftermarketonline.net and click on the “take the quiz” button. Then follow the instructions, using the Top Garage 2021 voucher code: tg#21#rd1 If you make it through the online rounds, and the mystery shopping phase, you will find yourself facing the judges, including David Massey, Andy Savva and a host of other big names at the live final on Saturday 9 October. You don’t have to wait long to find out who won either, as the Top Technician and Top Garage Awards Evening takes place that night at the Jurys Inn Milton Keynes. The winners from both competitions will receive a massive basket of prizes from the sponsors, worth up to £30,000 as previously mentioned. We just want to make sure you remember that! Further information Make sure you keep an eye on www.aftermarketonline.net and as well as Aftermarket magazine and Aftermarket’s fortnightly newsletter for updates. Top Technician and Top Garage are sponsored by Snap-on, Varta, TechMan, Motul, Philips and LKQ Euro Car Parts, and come to you in association with ABC Awards, ADS, the Garage Equipment Association (GEA), the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) and the Independent Garage Association (IGA). Sponsored by: Having the recognition of being the best garage allows customers to open up and trust us more ”