Left: Top Garage 2023 winner Cleevely Motors is a team win, not just an individual win, and we can’t wait to get back to work on Monday and smash it like we do every single day.” The prize from Delphi was an Alpine F1 exclusive tour and lunch and jackets or hoodies for two. Businesses with 4-6 employees: Presented by TOPDON Links Automotive, Cheshire Co-owner Rick Jobbins said: “Winning for us feels amazing. This was our first time taking part. We entered to push ourselves out of our comfort zone, stop ourselves from stagnating and find out more about how to do business. We learned so much from the process of competing. We were also surprised about how much it made us reflect on our business and look at the nuances of what we have going on. We have come away with loads of new plans to put in place.” The prize from TOPDON for the business was a Phoenix smart. Business with 7 -9 employees: Presented by MOTUL Cleevely Motors, Cheltenham Owner Matt Cleevely said to Aftermarket: “We are over the moon. I am so proud of everyone who works in the business. This is the third year in the finals for us, and we have been constantly improving as a result. This competition means the world to us. We wanted to win it – and now we have. It’s not going to stop us though. We are coming back in the 10-plus employees category next year.” MOTUL provided the prize here, which was a Weekend World Superbike day. Businesses with 10-plus employees: Presented by TPS Oldfields Garage Services, Herefordshire We caught up with another highprofile winner next, when we spoke to the owner of Leominster-based Oldfields Garage Services Tim Benson just after he and his team found out they had won in their class. He said: “It’s been amazing to win. It was a really good category this time, with so many good garages in it. I did my best with the presentation, but even then you still don’t know.” The prize for Oldfields, from TPS was a Lego Volkswagen T2 camper van worth £170. Multi-site: Presented by ALLDATA Europe Shaikly Motor Company, Essex Colchester-based Shaikly Motor Company were 2022’s multi-site winners, and they held onto their title for 2023. Commenting on their victorious sophomore showing, owner Michael Shaikly said: “I’m extremely proud of all the team. It’s a testament to the fact that we have some great people. Just getting here tonight makes you a success though. We have learned from the Top Garage process every year, but we have also learned that you need to go with you passion and stick with it.” The business received a regal prize from ALLDATA Europe in the form of a £250 Majestic Wine voucher. Top Service Advisor: Presented by TechMan James Wheatley, Uckfield Motor Services, East Sussex Commenting on his win, James said: “I’m a bit overwhelmed – I’ve never won anything in my life before. It’s been a good experience, and obviously it was great to win. I’m really proud.” The prize for James and the wider team was a year’s garage subscription to TechMan. Ben Workplace Health and Wellbeing: Presented by Ben AAK Auto Service, Kent Upon AKK Auto Service being named as the first-ever winner of the newfor-2023 Ben Workplace Health and Wellbeing Award, M.D Anthony Jahlly said: “For me this was the best award to win of the whole night, without a doubt. The fact that we can put something back and that we are doing something for Ben is great. I couldn’t be happier. We were also up for the 10-plus employees award, but the one I wanted was Ben, and the one we got was Ben, and I couldn’t be any happier. I’m buzzing.” On if they will be looking to defend their Ben title next year, Anthony added: “I want us to be setting the standard, to be the trailblazer for next year and every year after that.” AAK’s prizes for this award included a Snap-on cooler truck, a pair of TOPDON jackets, a £100 Marks & Spencer voucher from TechMan, and a model F1 car and other goodies from Delphi. They also received a £50 gift voucher from BookMyGarage, a £200 hotel voucher from ALLDATA Europe, a Lego set from TPS and a MOTUL merchandise voucher. A final congratulations to all the winners, and well done to everyone else who took part. While Top Technician and Top Garage 2023 have now ended, it will not be long before we announce the opening of Top Technician and Top Garage 2024. Keep your eyes on Aftermarket for more on that. Top Technician and Top Garage 2023 come to you in association with the Garage Equipment Association (GEA), the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) and the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI). Full Event Partners: Snap-on, TOPDON, TechMan, Delphi Technologies, BookMyGarage, ALLDATA Europe, TPS and MOTUL. 38 AFTERMARKET NOVEMBER 2023 www.toptechnicianonline.co.uk TOP TECHNICIAN AND TOP GARAGE 2023 Below: Top Service Advisor 2023 winner James Wheatley
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