Thanks for all of your votes for the 2012 CAT Awards. We’ve been bowled over by both the number of votes cast and the quality of all our awards candidates. The very best of luck to all those nominated!

Voting for this year’s awards are now closed, but stay tuned to Catmag.co.uk for more information.

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

• 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

• 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

• 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.

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.

The CAT Awards 2012 nominations are open. It’s time for you, the CAT readers, to tell us who are the companies and individuals that really stand out in the independent aftermarket and really deserve to be recognised.

As ever, the nominations will be collated into a final shortlist for each category, and the winners will be voted for by you from September via the secure voting page on the CAT website.

As ever, we anticipate each category to be hotly contested and we fully expect the calibre of finalists to be higher than ever before.

We have introduced a few changes for the 2012 CAT Awards: The Garage of the Year and Factor of the Year Categories will now be split into two awards to recognise the difference between large-scale enterprises and the rising stars who’s focus is on serving a smaller catchment area. In other words, and forgive the use of the cliché: size doesn’t matter, it’s the quality that counts.

Another innovation for 2012 is the introduction of the Aftermarket Worker of the Year Award. This award is open to anyone who works within the independent aftermarket and we want to know who are the unsung heroes of our industry. Tell us who impresses you consistently with their commitment, passion and outstanding customer service.

The full list of categories is:

Supplier of the year

Retailer of the year

Factor of the year

Garage of the year

Person of the year

Aftermarket worker of the year

Technical and safety innovation of the year

To nominate, simply send an email to cat.awards@haymarket.com telling us who you want to nominate and why.

The road to winning starts here!

“I’m utterly flattered and I really didn’t expect it. To be voted for is quite special and it proves to me that my first 25 years in the aftermarket have been worthwhile.”

Those were the words of a very emotional Gary Barak, upon receiving the “Person of the Year” award at last year’s CAT awards.

Each year the CAT Awards recognise excellence from all sectors of the aftermarket industry. From retailers, garages and factors, to the people and companies that make this business great.

This year the awards are bigger and better than ever before, and it’s time to get nominating!

Is there someone in the aftermarket who you want to see recognised? Is there a company which not only delivers quality on time, but also with a smile? Are your customers always talking about a single person or garage in the aftermarket? Now is the time to see them raised above the crowd and applauded for their acheivements.

Winning a CAT award isn’t just a personal achievement, it’s also great for business. Last year’s Factor of the Year recipient GMF said: “We just want to say thank you. Winning has opened doors on all business levels.”

More details of how to nominate and how to vote will be published in the July issue of CAT. Until then, it’s time to start thinking about who you want to see holding those all-important trophies.

How to try and match the success of the 2010 CAT Awards? A pretty tough act to follow but our guests at the 2011 bash tell us they had just as good a time.

The venue – Twickenham Stadium – was fantastic. The Live Room provided a great backdrop for lunch and the awards ceremony and the Members Bar overlooking the pitch was the perfect setting for the after-event celebration.

It was particularly entertaining to see so many guests sneaking down the steps for a pitch close-up and wandering into the tunnel for a sneak around the changing rooms.

And, being a CAT event, it of course ended with Twickenham security politely asking a group of aftermarket heavy-hitters to please vacate the England changing room.

Former publisher Jim Foster has gone on record pointing the finger of blame elsewhere and insisting he was merely following others and was in no way whatsoever, at all the ring-leader in the mischief-making.

Jim did a great job last year as compere, and that was one area I knew he would be too tough an act to follow so I was happy to delegate that task to a professional. Star of Radio Le Mans and Goodwood, Henry Hope-Frost did the honours on stage and conducted a highly entertaining interview with our Lifetime Achievement Award winner, John Haynes OBE.

I took it as a thumbs-up for our choice of winner as guests sat captivated by his account of how the Haynes Publishing empire was founded and the growth it has seen over the last 50 years. Haynes also generously donated copies of their book commemorating the company’s first half century – and a great many of our guests took the opportunity to get their copy signed by the man himself.

At this point, I need to say a big thank you to the guys from Haynes, not just for providing the books as a gift to our guests but also for managing to persuade John to attend under the pretext of being interviewed on stage in lieu of a speaker.

None of the award winners knew beforehand that they would be successful, and that’s the way it should be. I’m also really grateful to the number of finalists who travelled long distances and in some instances, had to close their business for the day in order to attend.

CAT is also indebted to the Awards sponsors: Castrol, Corteco, Denso, Euro Car Parts, Haynes, Motaquip and TRW. Without their support and backing we wouldn’t be able to make the day a fraction of the event it has become.

A big thank you also goes to Silverstone Circuits for generously donating a Silverstone Experience track day as the raffle prize, won by Wyn Jones of GMF (he had quite a successful day!) which helped us to raise £770 for BEN.

All the feedback we’ve had from the day was tremendously positive and we look forward to making the CAT Awards 2012 even bigger and better.

You can read about all the winners in the forthcoming Awards issue of CAT Mag, and also here

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.

FACTOR OF THE YEAR 2011  - sponsored by Motaquip

AUTOPARTS, Glasgow

Part of the Arnold Clark dealer group, Autoparts’ customers have nominated it in their droves. The motor factor chain 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.

VOTE NOW

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR 2011 – 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.

VOTE NOW