CAT Awards – Time To Nominate

Yes, they’re back – the CAT Awards 2011 are looking for their first nominations of the year. In total, at present there are eight Awards up for grabs, including:

1. Garage of the Year – sponsored by Euro Car Parts
2. Factor of the Year – sponsored by Motaquip
3. Retailer of the Year – sponsored by Haynes
4. Supplier of the Year – sponsored by Corteco
5. Technician of the Year – sponsored by Castrol
6. Person of the Year – sponsored by Nulon
7. Green Innovation of the Year
8. Lifetime Achievement Award

As you should know by now, the CAT Awards are the most prestigious in the aftermarket. This is because, for SEVEN of the eight categories, YOU nominate the contenders and YOU then vote for the winners.

The only Award you don’t decide is the Lifetime Achievement prize, which is decided by the CAT team.

All this means that the CAT Awards are the most sought-after in the industry, because they are the independent aftermarket’s Awards. Here’s how it works:

PHASE ONE – Nominations, now to September 30th

Nominations are now open. You can nominate in two ways. Either fill in the form you’ll find printed at the moment in CAT and send it in, or drop editor Emma Butcher an email - emma.butcher@haymarket.com – with your suggested nominees. You can nominate once, you do not have to nominate in every category.

PHASE TWO – Voting, October 1 st to December 15th

Phase two takes place entirely on this website. From October 1st, just access our secure voting site and click for the finalist in each category that you want to win. You can only vote once and all voting will be strictly monitored independently.

PHASE THREE – The Awards Ceremony

The Awards Ceremony will provisionally be held on Friday,  January 28th (venue to be confirmed). So keep that date in your diary! There will be a luncheon first, followed by a speech from a guest of honour, then the presentations will be made.

So NOMINATE here now by dropping editor Emma Butcher an email – emma.butcher@haymarket.com – with your suggested finalists. We look forward to hearing from you.

SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR

Bosch
Twice CAT’s Supplier of the Year, Bosch needs no introduction. It has been a pioneer of new technology ever since 1886. In 2009, it has invested heavily in its training schemes and Bosch Car Service network (the only OFT-approved scheme on the market), updated its popular KTS range of diagnostic equipment and launched a raft of other innovations.

Denso Aftermarket Sales UK
Denso Aftermarket Sales UK was established in 2003 as the company’s 1^st ‘localised’ aftermarket operation in Europe. The last 12 months have seen Denso’s growth accelerate with a raft of new product launches, including cabin filters and thermal systems. It is also gaining kudos among the trade with its sales support and training programmes.

Haynes Publishing
With a heritage that stretches back more than half a century, Haynes has become synonymous with automotive repair and in recent years has capitalised on its brand status with a range of gifts to support sales of its manuals – 1m have been sold in the UK in the last year. The company is a staunch supporter of the Right to Repair Campaign.

Klarius
Klarius is an OE and aftermarket supplier of exhaust systems, catalysts, lambda sensors, filtration systems and shock absorbers. It has 3 production facilities and 4 distribution platforms in the UK, France, Italy and Spain. The company has actively campaigned for the introduction of catalytic converter and exhaust type approval legislation.

Motaquip
Established in 1981, Motaquip supplies a comprehensive range of all-makes parts to more than 200 distributors. Its Partnership Programme, launched 10 years ago, has helped more than 59 motor factor start-ups into business, while its Garage Programme now has more than 400 members. Its electronic parts catalogue gets more than 1m hits per month.

NGK
NGK has been active in the UK since 1975 and today is the brand leader in the UK spark plug aftermarket. Central to its strategy has been a commitment to delivering “the perfect match for every engine”. It is an aftermarket favourite not just for its glow plug, spark plug and lambda sensor ranges but its levels of service and customer incentive schemes.

UK Batteries
The recession hasn’t stopped UK Batteries from growing in 2009. Among other developments in the last 8 months, it has installed a new IT system, relaunched its Platinum brand with new labeling and POS material, secured the rights to the iconic Oldham, Tungstone and Crompton brands and acquired 2 new distribution sites in Northern Ireland and Corby.

RETAILER OF THE YEAR: sponsored by Haynes

Anderson’s Motor Stores, Tadley
Anderson’s pitches itself as a “small business with big business skills”. Opened more than 30 years ago by the late Roy Anderson, it is now owned by Terry Nash. The company says it has succeeded in the “big boy” motor trade by adopting the latest computer technology and stocking a wide range of products.

Betta Motoring, Scarborough
Betta Motoring is a member of the A1 Motor Stores network. Situated on Queen Street, it claims to be Scarborough’s biggest high street and online independent seller of car parts, accessories and performance products. The shop also stocks motorcycle accessories and is a supporter of the Right to Repair Campaign.

Dunlop’s Auto Shop, Glasgow
Family-owned Dunlop’s has been in business since 1967 and has always moved with the times. Supplying everything from car seats to spark plugs and wheels, the shop prides itself on being “one of the most modern auto shops in the east end of Glasgow”. Dunlop’s has a sister factoring operation on the other side of Glasgow.

Revolution Performance Motorstore, Gateshead
Founded in 1997, Revolution specialises in alloy wheels, tyres, performance and styling modifications. Its purpose-built headquarters boast a showroom and workshop kitted out with the latest technology, including the Hunter4 wheel alignment tracking machine to cater for 4×4s, SUVs, fast-road or track day monsters.

GARAGE OF THE YEAR: sponsored by Euro Car Parts

ABP Motorsport, Crewe
Established in 1964, performance and tuning specialist ABP has a heritage in rallying and circuit racing in cars such as the Honda Integra Type R “now producing 250bhp at 9000 rpm”. ABP is a Motor Codes member and a Cheshire Trading Standards Golden Spanner approved garage, scoring an almost perfect 97% in a recent mystery shop.

Automotive Diagnostic Solutions Ltd, Preston
Automotive Diagnostic Solutions is a technician training, equipment sales and consultancy company led by well-known diagnostics guru Frank Massey who has amassed his expertise over 35 years in the trade. The business specialises in fuel injection and vehicle electronics and also offers REVO and RICA ECU upgrades.

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, the garage has invested in high-end diagnostic kit as well as training for its technicians, including ATA. It is a member of the Trading Standards Buy with Confidence scheme.

Dakar Cars, Dartford
Since winning the 2009 CAT Garage of the Year title, Dakar has increased its customer base and taken on more staff. The garage also achieved a Highly Commended Award in the Dartford & Gravesham Business Awards this summer. Dakar is a member of the Motor Codes Code of Practice and the Good Garage Scheme.

JAZ Porsche, Wembley
JAZ is owned by Steve and Claire Winter. Founded in the early ‘90s, JAZ, with its team of engineers boasting 50 years of combined Porsche servicing, racing and restoration, has grown to become a respected independent Porsche specialist. It services any model, from a 356 to a 996, as well as rare modern and historic racing machinery.

TJ Hall and Son Ltd, Sandford-on-Thames
Father and son Tim and Robert Hall, who is CAT’s 2009 Technician of the Year, are keen advocates of training and standards. Placing customers at the heart of their business, they offer a fixed price menu for servicing and have signed up to the Motor Codes Code of Practice, Retail Motor Industry Federation, Good Garage Scheme and Foxy Choice.

PERSON OF THE YEAR: sponsored by Nulon

Andy Buttfield, general manager, Jayar and chairman, IFA
Andy is set to retire at the end of 2009 after a lifetime of work in the aftermarket. He is general manager of Jayar Components and has been looking after distributors’ interests as chairman of the IFA buying group for 3 years. “Andy freely gives his time to anyone who asks for help,” says one of his peers.

Peter Cox, national sales manager, Motaquip
Peter is an advocate of training and standards in the aftermarket. He championed the Motor Codes Code of Practice from the very start and recently has channeled Motaquip’s efforts into a new apprenticeship scheme providing employees of any business working with the supplier the chance to gain NVQs in subjects including parts supply and customer service.

Jim Mazza, MD, GAU and chair, R2RC
Head of the influential GAU buying group and chairman of the UK’s Right to Repair Campaign, Jim has achieved what many would have thought impossible: bringing together all sectors of the aftermarket to campaign for a level playing field and helping to turn decision-making heads in the UK and Europe.

Brian Spratt, chief executive, ADF
Brian has been an active and vocal campaigner for the independent aftermarket since he joined the ADF in 1992. A vociferous supporter of Right to Repair, he is renowned for campaigning against anti-competitive behaviour by VMs. He was also responsible for pushing through the new ATA accreditation for parts operatives.

Grant Taylor-Smith, training manager, Bosch
A self-confessed technical anorak, Grant is head of technical training development for gasoline, chassis and body systems. An auto electrician by trade, he joined the company in 2001 and is a champion of training. “He has an awesome knowledge and a great way of transferring that to others,” says one technician.

GREEN INNOVATION OF THE YEAR: sponsored by Denso

Corteco: ESS low friction oil seals
ESS low friction oil seals, a 1^st for the aftermarket, are designed to cut CO2 emissions by 2% and reduce fuel consumption. Corteco calculates that if every vehicle in Europe used the seals, total fuel consumption cost could be cut by some €13bn. The seals deliver less friction and have a longer lifetime.

Klarius: Racing catalyst
The new Klarius racing catalyst has enabled racing championships based on production cars to become green before the legislation demands it. The Klarius racing cat reduces fuel consumption and significantly reduces emissions while still maintaining peak power, something only expensive bespoke products have been able to do until now.

Valeo: StARS
StARS – a Starter-Alternator Reversible System – is a microhybrid starter-alternator that cuts the engine when the vehicle is stationary and starts it again when the brake pedal is released or gear engaged. It generates fuel savings of up to 15% and can reduce CO2 emissions by 15%. Leading the field, it is now available to the aftermarket.

Watt Carbon Offset: Tree planting for carbon neutral driving
This is a new initiative due for launch in November 2009. Pitched as a gift idea, the company will plant a number of willow trees based on engine size and annual mileage to offset the lifetime CO2 emissions of any vehicle. The package includes a window sticker declaring: “This car is completely carbon neutral”.

MOTOR FACTOR OF THE YEAR: sponsored by Motaquip

Barum Auto Parts Ltd, Barnstaple
Directors David Payne and David Knight first opened Barum’s doors for business in 1990 and have since grown the company to become one of the largest suppliers of auto parts in the West Country. The factor now occupies 5 large sites and runs 44 delivery vehicles in the region.

Euro Car Parts
Established as a small parts and accessories shop in 1978, ECP has enjoyed impressive growth. Today the group offers almost national coverage from more than 65 branches operating a fleet of 450 vans. It has invested heavily in infrastructure this year, in May completing a £2.5m computer system upgrade.

GMF Motor Factors Ltd, Swansea
With more than 20 years in the aftermarket, this family-owned business now boasts a HQ, 10 large distribution centres and more than 150 employees. It distributes to 300-plus accounts using a fleet of 80 vehicles on the road five and a half days a week. GMF’s mantra is “deliver the right part, first time, on time”.

Highland Motor Parts, Inverness
Highland Motor Parts is a home-grown company established in 2001. It was founded by a group of local people with experience in the motor trade and stocks a wide range of items, including brakes, exhausts, batteries and filters. It strives for excellence, delivering throughout the Highlands of Scotland.

Motor Serv Limited, Milton Keynes
Established in 1989, Motor Serv is one of the UK’s largest single-site factors. It serves trade and retail and has recently expanded into internet sales. The showroom stocks a wide range of parts and accessories, while a computerised inventory and online vehicle recognition help identify the right parts, first time.