Aftermarket November 2022

NOVEMBER 2022 AFTERMARKET 37 www.aftermarketonline.net MEET THE WINNERS Aftermarket was hot on the trail of the winners from Top Technician and Top Garage at the Awards to get their immediate reactions to winning B ecoming a winner in Top Technician or Top Garage can be one of those pivot points in your life where everything suddenly changes, or it can reinforce the fact that you are on the right course. Top Technician winner In the latter camp, we found Top Technician winner Andrew West on the night just after his big win. Owner at Erme Valley Autos in Ermington, Devon, this country garage has been serving a wide client base for many years now, and Andrew has spent that time honing his skills, a fact recognised by his win in Top Technician 2022. We asked him how it felt to be the winner, after having taken part over so many years: “It’s fantastic” said Andrew, and a relief – I’ve actually finally done it.” We asked him what his next goal was; “To have a game of golf tomorrow!” It was well-earned. Andrew received a £1,000 cheque from Aftermarket and a host of prizes from the sponsors. From Snap-on, he received a Zeus Diagnostic platform, while VARTA provided an iPad. Blue Print and Febi bilstein gave Andrew Marshall Headphones and a restaurant voucher, while TechMan provided a generous high street shopping voucher. Motul’s prize was a two tickets for a Goodwood Revival VIP day, and TPS rounded off the bundle with a brand-appropriate Volkswagen T2 Camper Van Lego set. Top Technician runner-up We next spoke to runner-up John Hall. He too was a long-term participant in the competition, but had last been in a semi-final in 2012. He said: “I am really shocked. I thought I did fairly well, but to come second is really great. Considering it is my first time in the final, I did better than I expected. I will absolutely be entering again next year. It is all good experience, and we all learn something from it, and that is the main thing to take away. ” He also won a range of prizes from the sponsors. Snap-on provided a Triton D8 Diagnostic Platform, while Blue Print and Febi bilstein proffered a Meguiar Deluxe Car Care Kit plus a restaurant voucher. John’s prize from Motul was a day at the British Superbike championship, while TPS served up a bottle of Moet. All five Top Technician 2022 finalists also received a wheel along bag from Snap-on, along with limited edition Snap-on jackets, and swag boxes from TechMan. Top Garage Winners There were five categories in Top Garage this year, with the all-new multi-site class having been added for 2022. In addition, alongside the garage competition was the related Top Service Advisor award. Businesses with 1-3 employees A&J Fleetcare, Leeds Winning in the category for the smallest businesses this year was Leeds-based A&J Fleetcare. The business is owned and run by husband and wife team Alan and Jeanette Landale. Speaking to Jeanette after the announcement, she told Aftermarket: “Winning is amazing, unbelievable in fact. I’m so proud of us. The business has been going for 19 years, and this is the first award we have ever won, so it is very special. It is out of this world. I can’t describe how we feel at this moment. It’s amazing.” Blue Print and febi bilstein provided the prize for A&J Fleetcare in the 1-3 employees category, which came in the form of a – Nespresso Coffee Machine with pods. Businesses with 4-6 employees Billingborough Cars and Commercials, Lincolnshire Director Russ Houlden was surprised and delighted to win: “I was over the moon when they announced the name of the business. Who would have thought that family-run business in Billingborough could win Top Garage?” As winner in the 4-6 Above: Top Technician winner Andrew West Below: Top Technician winner and finalists