Devonshire motors in line for award
Devonshire Motors is a finalist in the Bodyshop of the Year category in the Motor Trader Industry Awards 2015 for the work carried out by its accident repair centre, which has a team of 25 led by centre director Graeme Bennett.
It is up against two other bodyshop operators, and Motor Trader says that whoever wins ‘needs to show how it has successfully implemented best-practice initiatives, from efficiencies to customer care, while incorporating strategies to increase throughput and win new business. Entrants will need to show year-on-year business successes and explain why they think they are setting new standards for the bodyshop sector.’ A judge visits the dealership and reports their findings to a panel of industry professionals. In addition, the dealership has to submit a 500-word supporting statement.
Success would make it a Motor Trader Industry Awards treble for the Braunton Road dealership. Dealer Principal Nathan Tomlinson won the Dealer Principal of the Year trophy at 2013’s awards, while two years before that the dealership scooped the Aftermarket Innovation gong. This year, Devonshire Motors was named Dealer of the Year by Mitsubishi Motors UK at the manufacturer’s annual conference for UK dealers, where it also picked up a 25-year long-service award.
Nathan said: ‘We are delighted that Devonshire Motors Accident Repair Centre have made it through to the finals and it’s well deserved by Graeme and the team. Body repair is often a semi-invisible part of the dealership function and these guys really deserve the spotlight.
‘Their contribution is essential to our business, and the quality of work they produce and the care they put into it deserves every bit of recognition there is.’
The winners of this year’s Motor Trader Industry Awards will be announced on Wednesday 8 July at a gala dinner ceremony to be held at the five-star hotel Grosvenor House in Mayfair, London.
