Garage visit 23 www.aftermarketonline.net MARCH 2026 mobile work callouts, except rare cases for regular, local customers,” Adrian said. There is also a focus on ‘future-proofing’ the business. Adrian said they are considering bringing in an apprentice to ensure succession when he finally decides to consider retirement. Joshua enjoys all work at The Garage, especially diagnostics, and any apprentice would learn a great deal from both father and son. “Training opportunities are limited locally, with most requiring travel or significant investment, but it’s something we’re looking into,” Adrian said. Having won the Top Garage accolade (for the 1-3 employees’ category), the business will certainly be an excellent training ground while continuing to serve the community and surrounding areas. Adrian said he found real value in the feedback he received from judges, leading up to the win last year. Feedback from the competitions was specific, actionable, and led to process improvements. “And of course, entering and winning the award brought increased local visibility, with new customers referencing local news articles that had reported the win.” Adrian proudly displays a banner highlighting the business’s Top Garage credentials that he had made shortly after the win. Wife Kim let slip that the team is likely to enter the Top Awards competition again this year and Adrian confirmed. “It does take a lot of time and commitment, but then you have to think about the value of the experience and the great feedback,” he said. The business was previously a Top Garage finalist for five years in a row and has been an IGA contest finalist for the last two years. “Smaller garages like ours do face challenges competing against larger ones in some competitions because of the differences in scale and resources, but our win goes to show what can be achieved.” In last year’s Top Garage competition judges praised the business for its genuine care for the local community as well as its clarity when explaining work to customers. The judges’ comments mirror support the business receives from customers, who value the professionalism and fair pricing of services. As I took my leave of The Garage the vehicles continued to arrive, Adrian was chatting to customers and Joshua was busy at work under the bonnet of one of the cars on the forecourt. Something tells me this workshop is going to continue to be a firm favourite for years to come. Team looking to bring in apprentice to drive business into the future Adrian, Kim and Joshua Adrian and Kim
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