Garage Focus 17 www.aftermarketonline.net MAY 2026 they can do it, why can’t we?” From that point, the awards became more than just an event. It became a target. What followed was not an overnight transformation, but a structured effort to improve; entering the competition, falling short, learning from the experience, and going again. Barry used each attempt as a learning exercise, identifying weaknesses and gradually implementing improvements. And it worked when, at the third attempt, Lawson Autotech came out on top as the winner of the 7-9 employee category at the 2025 Top Garage Awards. Building the foundations for growth A significant part of the business’s improvement came down to structure and recognising personal limitations. Barry is candid about the fact that one of the biggest changes had to happen in himself. “You’ve got to admit where you’re weak,” he explained. “Then either learn how to improve, or bring in people who are strong in those areas.” That thinking led to Laura Guild joining the business in 2020. With experience from managing larger teams, Laura introduced processes and operational discipline that had previously been lacking. And, over time, that allowed the business to grow from two people to a team of ten. Of course, with growth came new challenges. Managing people, maintaining standards and ensuring consistency required a different approach. This is where standard operating procedures (SOPs) became critical. “When you’re small, you think you can just tell people what to do,” Barry admitted. “But as you grow, that doesn’t work. It has to be written down. It has to be consistent.” For many garage owners, this is a key barrier to growth. What works for a two- or three-person operation does not scale. Without clear processes, growth quickly creates confusion. Closing the circle One of the most interesting developments since then has been Barry’s decision to give something back to the sector that helped shape his own journey. Earlier in 2025, Lawson Autotech launched its own industry event, the Thistle Auto Revival conference. The idea is simple: bring garage owners together, create a space for open discussion, and share practical experiences that others can learn from. The first event attracted over 100 attendees, with a strong mix of Scottish and English businesses making the trip. For Barry, it represents something of a full-circle moment. Having once been inspired by conversations at industry events, he is now creating those opportunities for others. “It’s about showing people that they’re not alone,” he added. “And that they can do this too.” Thanks to the success of the first event, plans for the next event have recently been released, taking place in Alloa on 6 February 2027. Lessons for the wider sector What makes Lawson Autotech’s story particularly valuable is that it is not built on a single breakthrough idea or piece of technology. Instead, it is the result of a series of relatively straightforward but often overlooked decisions: Talking to other businesses and learning from them, being honest about weaknesses, putting structure and processes in place, building the right team, and, perhaps most importantly, taking action. None of these steps are unique. All are within reach of most independent garages. The difference, as Barry’s experience shows, lies in actually doing them. And it demonstrates that for those willing to take that step, the potential is there.
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