1 PERSON OF THE YEAR: sponsored by CAT

GARY BARAK, Chicane Marketing

Gary co-founded aftermarket PR company Chicane and is a well-known personality in the industry, which he has served for more than 24 years since working for CAT mag in the late ‘80s. His industry work includes setting up the AutoExCel trade show initiative and winning political backing for the BSI Kitemark.

DAVID MAIN, BEN

As BEN’s CEO, David strives to widen awareness of the charity to the independent aftermarket, making sure that all workers know they have somewhere to turn in the event of a personal crisis. He successfully steered the charity through the recession and is now spearheading a multi-million pound care home redevelopment.

BRIAN NEWELL, TRW

An electrical engineer by trade, Brian, TRW’s technical manager, has racked up 20 years in the aftermarket and 34 in the wider auto industry, experience which he now puts to good use through his involvement with the Xponentia initiative, which, in the last year, has delivered training to 3600 mechanics.

TONY SACKETT, Unipart

IAAF Having been in the trade for more than 35 years, Tony is one of the independent aftermarket’s most well known and active personalities. He is not only a director of Unipart but also finds time to lead sector thinking as president and chairman of the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation.

MIKE WEBB, CAAR

Mike has been chief executive of the CAAR retail buying group for just two years. The former Haynes Publishing UK sales director has been credited by his members for his “dynamism” in putting independent retailers back on the map, and bringing them value for money deals with some of the UK’s largest suppliers.

2 SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR: sponsored by Corteco

Robert Bosch
CAT readers’ Supplier of the Year in 2008 and 2009, Bosch is keen to reclaim its title. The company supplies more than 2 million parts a year and its OFT-approved Bosch Car Service scheme was recently rated best out of all garage networks investigated by consumer watchdog Which?

Denso Aftermarket Sales UK
Over the last 24 months, Denso has grown from predominantly a supplier of ignition parts to become an almost full service offering. It is credited with providing top class aftersales support and training and strives to make expensive OE technology available at aftermarket prices.

Klarius
Klarius was an aftermarket favourite in the exhaust sector but since taking over aftermarket giant Quinton Hazell in February 2010, has upped its offering exponentially. Just six months after takeover, the company brought QH back to profitability. The company also successfully campaigned for cat type approval in the UK.

NGK
NGK is the brand favourite in the UK spark and glow plug aftermarkets. Central to its strategy has been a commitment to delivering “the perfect match for every engine”. It is held in high regard not just for its glow plug, spark plug and lambda sensor technology but its levels of service and customer incentive schemes.

Saxon
Brand management company Saxon is a favourite among retailers and is probably best known for its success with Magic Tree. Despite pursuing a partnership strategy with supermarkets, it is deeply committed to its independent customers, offering regular offers, bespoke marketing material and a dedicated field team.

3 MOTOR FACTOR OF THE YEAR: sponsored by Motaquip

AUTOPARTS, Glasgow

Part of the Arnold Clark dealer group, Autoparts’ customers have nominated it in their droves. It has 47 branches and its group buyer, Craig McCracken, is credited with “breaking down the boundaries between industry sectors and highlighting]the emerging opportunities for the independent aftermarket”.

EAST ANTRIM MOTOR FACTORS, Carrickfergus

East Antrim Motor Factors is just one of three branches of Norris Brothers, founded more than 40 years ago. And CAT readers clearly agree with the owners’ commitment to “no waffle and no false promises”. “Professional, friendly staff with excellent product knowledge,” said one nomination

EURO CAR PARTS, Wembley

ECP’s growth has been staggering. Today, the factor giant offers almost national coverage from more than 75 branches. This year, the company has opened a 400,000 sq ft national distribution hub, announced a new garage network with Bosch and reported profits for 2009 of £17m.

GMF MOTOR FACTORS, Swansea

Not content with holding the 2010 Factor of the Year title, GMF’s customers have nominated them again. This family-owned firm now boasts 10 large distribution centres and more than 150 employees. It distributes to a customer base of over 300 accounts using a fleet of 80 vehicles.

MOTOR SERV, Milton Keynes

Established in 1989, Motor Serv is one of the UK’s largest single-site factors. It serves trade and retail and sells online. Its computerised inventory and online vehicle recognition system help identify the right part first time. “A people-orientated factor, second to none for customer support,” said one nomination.

4 RETAILER OF THE YEAR: sponsored by Haynes


EURO CAR PARTS, Wembley

Euro Car Parts now has a retail outlet at almost all of its 75+ sites, so it’s no surprise to see the company nominated in the Retailer of the Year category. ECP promises motorists savings of up to 70 percent on parts, tools and accessories.

GRAHAM GOODE RACING, Leicester

The Graham Goode Performance Centre employs 25 people and boasts a multi-million pound turnover from a stock of some 180,000 product lines. The Lutterworth site boasts a 6000 sq ft superstore and conversion workshop.

JET WHEEL TYRE, Essex

Jet specialises in tyre servicing, wheels and wheel alignment, batteries and exhausts. It was named Pirelli’s Performance Centre of the year for 2009 and is one of only 14 tyre dealers in the UK to have achieved this top ranking.

LK PERFORMANCE, Cleckheaton

This retailer has grown sales every year since it opened in 2003. It is run by the proactive Mark Robertshaw, who has embraced the web and competes with local supermarkets by stocking premium product in niche categories.

5 GARAGE OF THE YEAR: sponsored by Euro Car Parts


ABP MOTORSPORT, Crewe
Last year’s CAT Garage of the Year, ABP, is back in the running. Established in 1964, the performance and tuning specialist owned by Chris Meredith has a heritage in rallying and circuit racing. ABP is a Motor Codes member and a Cheshire Trading Standards Golden Spanner approved garage, scoring the scheme’s first ever 100% in summer 2010.

ANGLO CONTINENTAL CARS, Bletchley, Milton Keynes
Julian and Michelle Glover took over Anglos in 1997. They employ four technicians and offer repair, servicing, tuning and motorsport services. Customers who got in touch with CAT were full of praise. “I’ve modeled my own customer service on theirs,” said one. Another said: “I can totally trust them and they always remember my name!”

BARRETT-LEE, Sudbury, Suffolk
Simon Barrett’s Barrett-Lee has invested heavily in diagnostics and specialises in BMW, Land Rover and Mercedes vehicles. The family-run business is an OFT-approved Bosch Car Service centre and a member of Motor Codes. It was the first garage in Suffolk to gain the prestigious BSI Kitemark for Garages.

CLAYTONS MOT & SERVICE CENTRE, Leeds
OFT-approved Bosch Car Service Centre Claytons is a family-run business set up in 1982. Boss James Clayton is deeply committed to training and is an ATA Master Technician. With a strong focus on customer service, the website features an ‘Ask James’ service for free, no-strings advice. Bucking the recession, the garage grew by 10% in the first half of 2010.

COMPLETE CAR MAINTENANCE, Surrey
CCM has been in business since 1992 and operates 7 ramps at 2 branches in Ewhurst and Ifield, near Crawley. Under the leadership of Stuart White, it has invested in high-end diagnostic kit as well as training for its technicians, including Automotive Technician Accreditation. It is a member of the Trading Standards Buy with Confidence scheme.

TWO TECHS, Dartford, Kent
Renault specialist Two Techs was founded by best friends Matthew Butler and Terry Brian in 2008 after the Renault UK dealer they worked for closed. Both are qualified Renault Technical Experts and their commitment to giving value for money service has already paid off with a growing customer base and financial performance exceeding expectations.

6 GREEN INNOVATION OF THE YEAR: sponsored by TRW

PISTON RING, Federal-Mogul

Federal-Mogul’s two-piece LKZ piston ring is claimed to reduce oil consumption by as much as half and decrease friction by up to 15 percent. It improves fuel economy and reduces CO2 emissions, prolonging the life of the engine oil.

TWIN TIP SPARK PLUG, Denso

Denso’s Twin Tip spark plug is now available to the UK aftermarket at an affordable price. It improves firing and boosts fuel efficiency by 1.2 percent, torque by 1.1 percent and decreases carbon dioxide emissions by 0.8 percent.

WATERLESS CAR WASH, Synionic

According to uswitch.com, washing with a bucket uses 32 litres of water. Synionic’s new Waterless Wash & Shine promises to wash and shine your car, getting rid of tree sap and bug stains, without using a single drop of water.

WINTER TYRE, Nokian Tyres

Nokian says its WR G2 eco winter tyre with low rolling resistance can cut fuel consumption by half over 100km, if the air pressure is correct. In tests its stopping distance from 100km/h on a wet road was 59m against 81m for a cheaper product.

7 TECHNICIAN OF THE YEAR: sponsored by Castrol

Our Technician of the Year is decided by a panel of independent judges and experts decided by CAT – including a representative of sponsors Castrol.

All nominees received will be considered, including every Technician of the Month featured in CAT magazine throughout 2010.

8 LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD: sponsored by Denso

Designed to go to a member of the UK Aftermarket who has dedicated a lifetime’s career towards the industry. To be decided by CAT panel

RULES

1. You may only vote once in each category
2. You may not vote for a company you own, or are employed by, or yourself
3. In the event of someone voting for their own company, or a company they are employed by, or themselves, all votes from that person will be null and void
4. You are permitted to vote for a company who may be a client, or a company you work with
5. The winner of the Technician of the Year category will be decided by a panel comprising experts nominated by CAT magazine and Castrol
6. The winner of the Lifetime Achievement Award will be decided by a CAT magazine panel
7. No correspondence will be entered into: the decision of the voters and of the judging panels is final