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me. I know people who have got this far in the competition really look at their businesses, it has made people concentrate even harder on their actions and their plans.” Strategy At the end of the day, we asked the judges how they had found the experience. MOTUL’s Andy Wait said: “It was interesting to hear how each particular garage, in their area of the country, was approaching the challenges of today and tomorrow. What was also interesting was how some had recognised their next customer demographic, what their requirements are, and how they are aligning their business to it. It was also fascinating to discuss the age of the owners, versus their strategy and methodology.” Richard Armstrong from Philips/Lumileds was bowled over by those taking part: “Today has been the opposite to what I expected. I thought it would be more technical, with me asking technical questions. I have had the pleasure today of sitting in front of the most professional, ethical, forward-looking and competent garages I have ever met in 35 years of working in the motor trade, without exception. This is called Top Garage for a reason, as I have had the good fortune to meet nine of the very best garages I have ever come across in my life.” Reflecting on the day, Leo Freebairn, National Sales Manager for hosts and sponsors TechMan added: “Supporting workshops and technicians at grassroots level is a privilege and we can see how much it means to be in a genuine competition. At the same time, we were truly surprised to learn that more than half of the finalists in Top Garage are using TechMan to run their workshops. It is a recognition of all the hard work and effort that goes into the system from the TechMan team, and a genuine pleasure to see it being used by the best garages in the country.” Top Technician -Top Garage Awards Evening and the winners The Top Technician and Top Garage Awards Evening was once again a big event. Held at the Jurys Inn Milton Keynes, the night saw almost 300 guests enjoying themselves, while also waiting to see who had won what in the two competitions. Attendees included contestants from both competitions, as well as many other people from garage businesses, sector suppliers, sponsors and representative bodies. Following the drinks reception, hosted by Distrigo, the guests filed through to their tables and the Awards Evening kicked off. Before we found out who had won what, Andy Savva offered some of his trademark wisdom. As we reached the awards section, the sponsors were on hand to present prizes. Top Technician 2021: Presented by Snap-on Winner: Kevin Toms FRL Auto Services, Dartmouth, Devon Runner-up: Simon Parkinson WDMDL Electrotech, Manchester Top Garage 2021 Business with 1-3 staff; Presented by MOTUL Winner: CM Automotive, Bristol Business with 4-6 staff; Presented by VARTA Winner: Fergies German Vehicle Specialists, Thatcham, Berkshire Business with 7 -9 staff; Presented by LKQ Euro Car Parts Winner: Hillclimb Garage, High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire Businesses with 10-plus staff; presented by TechMan Winner: Jackson & Philips Automotive Services, Leighton Buzzard, Bedfordshire Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Philips/Lumileds The last award of the evening was the inaugural Top Technician and Top Garage Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Philips/Lumileds, with its first recipient being Wendy Williamson, who recently retired from her role as IAAF Chief Executive after fighting the corner for the aftermarket for many years. “I am proud to have received this prestigious award, and I will treasure it always,” she said. With that, it was all over for another year. Worry not though, as Top Technician and Top Garage 2022 will soon be upon us. Prestige and a £30,000 prize fund; What’s not to like? Watch this space. 36 AFTERMARKET NOVEMBER 2021 TOP TECHNICIAN AND TOP GARAGE Above: Richard Armstrong, Wendy Williamson and Andy Savva www.aftermarketonline.net 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).