July/August 2019

As this issue of Aftermarket went to press, the finals for Top Technician 2019 and Top Garage 2019 were just hours away from taking place. The following businesses competed to become winner of the second ever Top Garage competition: n Businesses with 2-5 staff Performance 3000: Yeovil, Somerset St Andrews Services: Whetstone, Leicestershire CT Cars Ltd: West Horsley, Surrey Millers Motor Services: Launceston, Cornwall Declan McCormack Vehicle Repairs: Chippenham, Wiltshire n Businesses with 6-10 staff Five Star Auto Centre: Huddersfield, West Yorkshire Bryan Swales Auto Repairs: Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway Cheltenham and Gloucester Autocentre: Staverton, Gloucestershire Bridge Motor Company: Withington, Manchester Fitch Autos: Brownhills, West Midlands Donnellan Auto Services: Oranmore, County Galway, Ireland n Businesses with 11-plus staff Ruellans Garage: St Helier, Jersey Cedar Garage: Worthing, West Sussex A1 Autocentre: Dagenham, Essex MOT City: Winnersh, Berkshire HallCraft: Cradley Heath, West Midlands Managers and owners from these businesses faced the panel of judges at the final, which took place at the RMI Academy of Skills in Southam on Saturday 22 June. Meanwhile, the following techs competed during the day to win Top Technician: Dean Andrew: DNA Vehicle Services, Bodmin Adam Critchley: AC Autotech, Birkenhead Neil Currie: Robertson Gemini, Dumfries & Galloway Declan Robinson: Philips Volkswagen, Lisburn Dave Weston: Snows Kia, Guildford Winners were announced that evening at the Top Technician and Top Garage Gala Dinner 2019, being held at the Jurys Inn Milton Keynes. The September issue of Aftermarket will include a full rundown on the finals, as well as the events at the Awards Dinner. 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. For more on Top Technician and Top Garage 2019 turn to page 30 NEWS 6 AFTERMARKET JULY/AUGUST 2019 www.aftermarketonline.net Top Technician/Top Garage 2019: The finalists HELLA named as GM Supplier of the Year HELLA was recently named a Supplier of the Year for 2018 by General Motors during its 27th annual Supplier of the Year awards ceremony. “We are incredibly proud to be named a 2018 Supplier of the Year by our valued customer, General Motors,” said Joerg Weisgerber, CEO of HELLA Electronics for North and South America. The Supplier of the Year award winners were chosen by a global team of GM executives. Winners were selected based on performance criteria including customer care and aftersales, and logistics. During the event, GM recognised 133 of its best suppliers from 15 countries. Ford award for NGK NGK Spark Plugs has been named as a top global supplier at the 21st annual Ford World Excellence Awards. The company was presented with a Smart Brand Pillar Award by Hau Thai-Tang, Ford Chief Product Development and Purchasing Officer, and Linda Cash, Ford Vice President, Quality and New Model Programmes. Michael Schwab, President and CEO of NGK Spark Plugs (U.S.A.) said: “This is quite an accomplishment, and it is an honour to be recognised by Ford for exceeding expectations for quality, cost and performance.” Thai-Tang added: “Ford’s annual World Excellence Awards recognise our top-performing suppliers for their contributions to our success. Suppliers like NGK play an instrumental role in helping us achieve our vision of being the most trusted mobility company.” Sponsored by: