Garage visit 45 www.aftermarketonline.net APRIL 2025 “Having that little bit of extra financial freedom also meant we could invest in the wheel balancer at the same time,” Andy said. “It’s the fastest and most efficient in the world and simulates road pressure to identify even the slightest inconsistencies.” Andy said the premium bay had already had a positive impact on the firm and was a hit with customers. Kingswinford Tyres, which is approved by the AA and RAC, has 13 employees and offers wheel alignment, tyre replacement (both on and off site), tyre pressure management system refit, OEM exhaust replacement and alloy wheel repairs to hundreds of private and company customers. The firm turned to BGWM in Dudley to provide external advice and guidance on its expansion plans, completing a GROWTHMapper diagnostic tool and accepting referrals to Innovate UK and the Investment Readiness Programme. It was the business support specialist’s ability to navigate the different funding programmes that proved pivotal, resulting in a successful application for a £27,000 grant. Toni Ball, finance administrator at Kingswinford Tyres, said BGWM had opened the eyes of all involved in the business to opportunities, “making a complex landscape very simple to navigate”. Ball said: “I’m in little doubt that the proactive nature of the support we’ve received has ensured we completed our expansion plans a good six months earlier than expected. This means we can be first to market with the high-end premium tyre fitting service.” BGWM in Dudley, which is managed by Dudley Council and funded by the UK government through the UK Shared Prosperity Fund, is supporting more than 600 companies based in the borough. This package of support includes advice from local business growth advisers, grant programmes to improve productivity and expedite the businesses’ journey towards net zero, innovation support and assistance for entrepreneurship and startup businesses. Delivered by Oxford Innovation Advice, the local business growth advisers provide an information, diagnostic, brokerage, and account management service to support local businesses and budding entrepreneurs. A special focus is placed on helping firms in key local sectors. Donna Watkins, business growth adviser for BGWM in Dudley, said: “Andy, Toni and the team at Kingswinford Tyres have fully embraced the support that’s available to them and were open to discussing a host of ideas that they had for their company. “Having someone from the outside looking in helped identify several improvements and, importantly, resulted in the firm receiving a grant of just over £27,000. This has proved to be a pivotal moment in moving the business onto its next stage of growth.” Meanwhile, Andy said he is focused on making the business the best it can be. “We have one site only and are concentrating on that and the mobile service across the Midlands as it’s my belief that when controlled by someone with a passion for the company we can make it the best that the West Midlands and beyond has seen. “We don’t believe we can do this with multiple sites.” Grant has been pivotal moment toward next stage of growth
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