September 2019

finalists had all done well. It would be the end of the evening before they found out who had won. Top Garage – the final Not long after Top Technician got into gear, the finalists for Top Garage found themselves going in to meet the judges. As the newer competition moves forward it is finding its shape. Where last year, a small number of businesses competed for a single title, won last year by Worthing's Cedar Garage, this year there were three trophies up for the taking: Businesses with up to five 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 Businesses with 6-10 staff: Five Star Auto Centre, Huddersfield, West Yorkshire Bryan Swales Auto Repairs, Castle Douglas, Dumfries & Galloway Hillclimb Garage, Downley, Buckinghamshire Cheltenham & Gloucester Autocentre, Staverton, Gloucestershire Bridge Motor Co., Withington, Manchester Fitch Autos Limited, Brownhills, West Midlands Donnellan Auto Services, Oranmore, County Galway, Ireland 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 They were not going to get that trophy so easily though. To get to the prize, they needed to get through the judges first. A rotating team of industry experts was ready to probe the prospective candidates. They included David Massey from ADS Automotive, Julian Woods from the GEA, Kevin Perks from our hosts the RMI, Andy Taylor from sponsors TRICO, and none other than The Garage Inspector himself, Andy Savva. Just to mix things up, last to arrive was Auto iQ's John Batten, which gave the panels chance to have a reshuffle mid-morning, to keep everyone on their toes. During each half hour session, the various owners, managers and team members had to deliver a presentation on their business, and then face some very searching questions looking at everything from labour rates to marketing plans and everything between. Unlike last year, each business had the option of taking up to five team members into the sessions, so at least they had a shoulder to cry on if things got tough. Luckily, it was a very friendly process. So how did the finalists see the process? Mike Randino from Performance 3000 said: "There were a few questions I was asked that I was not prepared for, but I was just open, honest, and hopefully it was enough to get us to win." Asif Ali was from Five-Star Autocentre. He really enjoyed the final: "The experience has been brilliant. It is overwhelming to have been a finalist for Top Garage 2019, and to get to this stage is an accolade on its own. Whether we win or not, being a runner up is as good as winning for us." It was part of the ongoing team effort of being in business for Asif: "This would not have been possible without the backing of my team, and my members of staff." Martyn Langbridge from Cheltenham & Gloucester Autocentre observed: "It has been a fantastic experience, I absolutely loved it. I found it very rewarding and it has been a great journey." Kevin Porter of St Andrews Services credited the judges with creating a positive atmosphere: "David Massey is quite relaxing, he puts you at your ease and allows you just to talk. Generally, what I was doing was talking, telling them what my everyday is. I enjoyed it. The stress was before, not knowing what to expect. On the drive down my stomach was in knots. However, the moment I walked in the door it was friendly smiling faces. I think it went well." Phil Miller and Rachel Miller run Miller's Motor Services. They both enjoyed the day: "It was brilliant," said Phil. "We learned a lot, especially things where we need to improve on from the questions we have been asked." Rachel interjected: "The whole process has been really good, from writing the statement, to wondering whether they were going to call, to the video etc. It has been really interesting. Anyone that enters Top Garage and gets to the final, they are here on merit and ability. There is no shame in not winning. Getting to the finals is a massive thing. There are 30 AFTERMARKET SEPTEMBER 2019 TOP TECHNICIAN-TOP GARAGE 2019 www.aftermarketonline.net Above: Industry gurus enjoy Awards Dinner with Aftermarket’s Editor