July/August 2019

JULY/AUGUST 2019 AFTERMARKET 31 www.aftermarketonline.net do them all out of the one site. We have also recently taken on more staff. We have now gone up to seven front- of-house staff, and we have taken on three new apprentices, and another technician. It has made it better for all the team. We have effectively over-staffed. This means that when someone is off sick, or something has gone wrong on the job, or there has been a delay, then there is enough staff to take up the slack rather than have everyone rush around struggling. It means we can work in a more linear fashion. There are no peaks and troughs of stress and pressure. It makes it a nicer environment for everyone. This last year has been about trying to perfect the two garages we have, to have everything systemised. This means when we eventually go to garage number three, effectively it can all be done from the rule book. The finals As we went to press, Top Technician 2019 and Top Garage 2019 were about to reach a collective conclusion for the year. After months of online tests for many, and live semi finals and finals for the lucky few, winners were about to emerge. For Top Technician there would be a winner and runner up. Within Top Garage, there would be winners within each section reflecting business size. Before anyone got the chance to polish their trophies, they had to win them. The business end of getting these took place at the finals for both competitions, held at the RMI Academy of Skills in Southam. For five technicians and a handful of businesses it was be the conclusion of a year’s graft and grift, getting through the online rounds, and the live rounds. Following the finals, the winners will be announced at the Top Technician and Top Garage Awards Dinner 2019. When you read this, you will probably know who the winners are. We are very envious of you, future readers. The dinner is set to be major event, and we are sure many of you were there too, and are thinking fondly about the enjoyable and successful evening, hosted by TV presenter and journalist Helen Fospero. She will introduce the sponsors, who will then present the winner and runner up of Top Technician and winners of the various awards within Top Garage with their prizes. For more information visit www.toptechnicianonline.co.uk Vintage year 2019 has been another vintage year for the competitions. Top Technician provided another all-surprises rollercoaster that kept everyone guessing as to how it would all end, right to the end. This is what the sector has come to expect from the competition, now in its 17th year, and soon about to turn 18. Top Garage started last year, and in its second run it has matured and is gradually establishing itself as the business competition for the sector. More and more businesses are lining up to take part as its reputation grows. If you have been keeping in touch with Top Technician and Top Garage 2019 and want to get involved – why not do it? 2020’s run will begin in the autumn. Get involved, take part and it could be you lifting one of the trophies and taking home the prizes. Further information Make sure you keep an eye on www.aftermarketonline.net and www.toptechnicianonline.co.uk as well as Aftermarket magazine andAftermarket’s fortnightly newsletter for updates. Top Technician 2019 and Top Garage 2019 are sponsored by Snap-on, TRICO and Euro Car Parts. They come to you in association with ABC Awards, Auto iQ, the Garage Equipment Association (GEA), the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF), and the Independent Garage Association (IGA). Top Technician and Top Garage Awards Dinner 2019 Pre-Dinner Drinks Reception Sponsor: TechMan. In association with: Right: Testing times