Aftermarket May 2022

N owhere is probably a bit of an over- dramatisation, but as a runner-up in Top Technician 2021, Simon Parkinson certainly shot out of left-field. When he came second in the competition last October, he was a jobbing tech, using experience accrued from many years as an electrical engineer working on the railway network in combination with a growing automotive knowledge. This was being bolstered by ongoing training with the likes of Frank Massey, Andy Crook, James Dillon, Rob Drinkwater, Mark Carter and Steve Scott. Then on 1 December he opened the doors at Motolec, his specialist automotive electrical business based in Bury, Greater Manchester. Big things have small beginnings and all that, so we started by asking Simon if cars had already figured as an interest before he went pro: “It was something I've been interested in as a hobby for years. I used to help neighbours out with electrical problems on their cars, even while I was still at primary school. Then, I got involved with this garage, the one I ended up reopening, on just a casual basis.” He explained: “A few years ago, when work was quiet, one of the garage's neighbours put the owner in touch with me about repairing a damaged module, and it started from there. I would pop in for a cup of tea sometimes, and often if the phone rang, while he was talking I would just finish the job off. He would come back and he would say ‘oh, it’s 58 AFTERMARKET MAY 2022 GARAGE VISIT www.aftermarketonline.net We pop in on 2021’s Top Technician runner-up, and find out about his brand-new auto-electrics business FROM OUT OF NOWHERE back together?’” Things moved forward from there: “A lot of the jobs that were coming in he couldn't take on because he didn't have the information system, training or tooling. He had a portable scope, but he didn't know how to use it. Their core market was rotating electrics. It was originally linked to a local factor, and they split it into two separate businesses. As technology progressed from basic switching to body control modules, he was getting left behind.” Ultimately in 2017 the owner opted to move on and rented out the space. While Simon was not in a position to take it on at that time, when the opportunity came up again in 2021, he was more than ready: “My main work up until then had been testing signalling systems on the railway. It brings in good money, but it's hit and miss. Ultimately it wasn't sustainable. Then, last summer I heard the guys who were currently renting the garage were leaving. “I was at the point where I was ready to take on the business. I had done training over the past few years with the view of going down this route. I had even looked at all the other small units around on the local industrial estates. This workshop is about 50 metres from my house, so it's just a case of walk around the corner and you are there.” Training On the training he continues to undertake, Simon said: “Five years ago I had no clue about where to obtain Above: Simon Parkinson