Voting is now open for the 2012 CAT awards. Please use the link below to cast your votes for your industry heroes using our secure voting system:

VOTE HERE

If you want to remind yourself of this year’s nominees, you’ll find their information below. Happy voting and good luck to all our nominees!

CAT Awards 2012 – the nominees

Supplier of the year

Which business deserves to win in 2012?

• Brake Engineering – was formed in 1981, and has been providing quality brake components for the past thirty years.
• European Exhaust and Catalyst – has been trading in automotive exhausts since 1973.
• Autoelectro – was established in 1986, and now supplies re-manufactured starters and alternators all over the UK.
• Federal Mogul – is one of the trades largest companies, employing 45,000 people in 35 countries.
• Febi – was formed in 1844, and now has more than 20,000 OE quality spare parts for sale to the trade.
• Corteco – part of the Freudenberg group, Corteco offers 18,000 products to the market.
• NGK Spark Plugs – began in the 1960’s to serve the motorcycle market. Today it describes itself as a brand leader in the UK spark plug market.

Garage of the year

• Anglo Continental Cars, Bletchley – was a Motor Codes Golder Garages award winner in 2010.
• Jet Wheel Tyre, Benfleet, Essex – is the latest Jet Wheel Tyre depot to open, the group boasts excellent customer care.
• D&D Autos – is an award-winning, family owned business and is part of the Bosch car service network.
• TJ Hall and Son, Oxford – were our runners up in 2010, can they win the award this year?
• ABP Motorsport, Crewe – our garage of the year in 2010 and 2011, will ABP make it a hat trick in 2012?

Retailer of the year

• Car User – based in Nuneaton, the company boasts that their store will ‘have what you’re looking for.’
• Discount Autoparts, Cambridge – was established in 1982 and is a family owned business.
• The Wilco Stores – Wilco has branches throughout East Anglia, East Midlands, Yorkshire, Lincolnshire and Nottinghamshire.
• Motabitz – 99% of customers said they were happy with A1’s Motabitz service, having served the local community for 25 years.
• Motorworld – adapts to keep those bread-and-butter customers happy by offering what motorist’s want, and at reasonable prices.

Factor of the Year

Is your business a winner?

• Kevin Cooper Motor Factors – has been in the supply business for over thirty years, serving the South West and beyond.
• Autoparts, Glasgow – is part of the Arnold Clark group, founded 54 years ago and turning over more than £2 billion.
• General Traffic, Crewe – was formed in 1983 and now operates from 15 locations around the country.
• GMF Motor Factors – has 10 branches stretching from Chelthenham to Llanelli.
• Euro Car Parts – has 90 branches nationwide. Each day 1750 ECP vans make over 30,000 deliveries.
• Motorserv, Milton Keynes – was formed in 1989 and now operates from two sites, Bedford and Milton Keynes.
• Andrew Page – has 58 branches, and has been delivering parts to the motor trade for a staggering 93 years.

Person of the Year

• Emma Ward – has been described as being “respected and liked throughout the industry.”
• Colin Parlett – has been nominated to recognise his “genuine love of the industry,” and his undying efforts with the RMI.
• Brian Childs, NGK – was nominated by ex-CAT published Jim Foster as “deserving more recognition from the industry.”

Aftermarket Worker of the Year

• Steve Leys -is nominated as being the “nicest and most loved man in the aftermarket.”
• Donna West, ECP – “no matter what the workload or however tight the deadline, Donna remains calm and focused.”
• Derek Pestridge – Derek has overseen the successful move of his business to a purpose built £1.5 million workshop.

Technical and Safety Innovation of the Year

Vote for YOUR industry heroes

• Thule – has an easy-fit solution for winter snow chains, and has already won this year’s Grands Prix for Automotive Innovation award at Equip Auto.
• Andrew Page – is doing the aftermarket a real favour by holding special training courses in hybrid technology for workshops.

Lifetime Achievement Award

A CAT panel of experts will be deciding who in the industry deserves this prestigious award. Last year John Haynes was rewarded for his years of long service to the motor trade. But who will take home the lifetime award in 2012? Stay tuned.