EXCLUSIVE CLUB FOR STOCKPORT DUO

A Stockport retailer is celebrating as two of its staff join an exclusive club after being recognised for their outstanding services to the automotive industry.

Lily Heeley and Steve Simcock were presented with Volkswagen Gold Pins for exceptional and long service to the brand, at a recent ceremony in London.

The Volkswagen Gold Pin is the highest international accolade given by the brand to individuals. Only about 20 people are awarded the Gold Pin every year.

The duo have together served 50 years with Volkswagen and at Smith Knight Fay in Stockport, having both started as apprentices in 1986.

Lily, (41) from Stockport, is the new vehicle supply manager, while Steve, (41) from Hazel Grove, is the retailer’s master technician.

“I’m thrilled to have been awarded a Gold Pin, it’s a huge honour to be recognised by Volkswagen UK, said Lily.

“Both Steve and I started on apprenticeship schemes at the same time and it’s great to be sharing this success with him.”

Steve added: “I thoroughly enjoy my job and couldn’t have achieved this without the support of my colleagues.”

Smith Knight Fay Volkswagen’s brand manager, Paul Colman-Smith, said: “I am very proud to have two colleagues awarded a Gold Pin in the same year, it’s an exceptional achievement and my congratulations go to both Lily and Steve.

“I am delighted that their long service and high calibre of performance has been recognised nationally.”

GEE CROSS YOUNGSTER IS OFF TO A FLYING START

Three years of hard work and training have paid off for Gee Cross' James Kidd after he graduated from his technician apprenticeship.

The 20-year-old joined Smith Knight Fay Volkswagen in Hyde from school, joining the Volkswagen apprenticeship programme to start his career in the automotive industry.

Smith Knight Fay’s brand manager, Thomas Koutsavakis, said: “James has worked exceptionally hard during his apprenticeship to become a skilful service technician; he will be a brilliant asset to the team.”

James said: “I’m so pleased to have completed my apprenticeship. All I have ever wanted to do is work with cars and I’m very grateful to have been given the opportunity to become a specialised technician.

“I’m very grateful to Smith Knight Fay and Volkswagen for investing time and money in me so I can do a job I want to do. I plan on taking the training level to become a master technician soon.”

To date Smith Knight Fay has invested over £30,000 in training James to technician standard and will continue to invest their time and money so he can progress to the next step and become a master technician.

It will take James approximately six years of further training to qualify as a master technician and another £100,000 of investment from Smith Knight Fay.

NEW LOOK SALES TEAM FOR BOLTON BUSINESS

A retailer has boosted the career of three Bolton men, after promoting them to be the site’s new look sales team.

Smith Knight Fay Volkswagen has given Mike Critchley (35), Ian Wood (27) and Dean Ashworth (30) the task of running the businesses growing sales department.

Led by new sales manager Mike, the new team will be tasked with keeping the retailer in the top ten performing Volkswagen sites in the country.

He will be assisted by sales controller Dean and business manager Ian.

The retailer was named the seventh out of 215 in the country in 2010 and Smith Knight Fay’s brand manager, Barry Morrison, is thrilled all three have accepted their new roles.

He said: “Mike, Ian and Dean have shown great enthusiasm and ability during their time at Smith Knight Fay, and the promotions are just reward for their efforts.

“All three played big roles in the business being named one of Volkswagen’s best for customer satisfaction in 2010 and I know they will strive to make the site number one in 2011.”

Mike, who previously worked as a hairdresser, concluded: “We’re all delighted with the promotions and want to continue progressing our careers even further in the coming years.

“It’s a great place to work at and we can’t thank Barry and Smith Knight Fay enough for believing in us.”

BUSINESS’ SERVICE QUALITY RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION

A Bury business is celebrating after being named one of the top Volkswagen retailers in 2010.

Smith Knight Fay Volkswagen was recognised by Volkswagen UK for its high levels of customer satisfaction on sales, service and parts; finishing sixth out of 215 sites nationwide.

Volkswagen monitors all retailers ensuring all areas of the business are performing according to Volkswagen standards and targets. The One Business Awards then recognise the top 25 retailers in the UK.

Steve Thomas, brand manager at Smith Knight Fay Volkswagen, said: “I’m delighted the business has achieved such a high position in the country.

“In the current economic climate, it’s vital for businesses to ensure consumers are pleased with the service they receive.

“This recognition is testament to the hard work from all staff in the retailer, as it requires everyone working together to achieve this award.”

BUSINESS’ SERVICE QUALITY RECEIVES NATIONAL RECOGNITION

A Bolton business is celebrating after being named one of the top Volkswagen retailers in 2010.

Smith Knight Fay Volkswagen was recognised by Volkswagen UK for its high levels of customer satisfaction on sales, service and parts; finishing seventh out of 215 sites nationwide.

Volkswagen monitors all retailers ensuring all areas of the business are performing according to Volkswagen standards and targets. The One Business Awards then recognise the top 25 retailers in the UK.

Barry Morrison, brand manager at Smith Knight Fay Volkswagen Bolton, said: “I’m delighted the business has achieved such a high position in the country.

“In the current economic climate, it’s vital for businesses to ensure consumers are pleased with the service they receive.

“This recognition is testament to the hard work from all staff in the retailer, as it requires everyone working together to achieve this award.”

BRANDLESHOLME MAN CROWNED SALES EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR

A Brandlesholme sales executive is celebrating after winning an exclusive annual award for the second successive year.

Simon Davis, who works at Bury’s Volkswagen retailer, Smith Knight Fay, was presented with the prize of ‘sales executive of the year’ for the 13 northern branches of Inchcape’s Volkswagen retailers.

The 29-year-old beat off competition from over 70 colleagues to secure the award that is given to the sales executive who receives the most amount of customer satisfaction, delivers a service in line with company standards and sells the most amount of vehicles.

He said: “I can’t believe to have won this award again and I’m delighted customers think of me so highly.

“Customer satisfaction is my main priority, as without customers you have no business.

“I thoroughly enjoy my job and look forward to defending my title this year.”

In 2010 Simon sold 364 cars, over 20 per cent more than in 2009. His customer satisfaction rating is one of the highest in the UK, with 97 per cent of his customers completely satisfied with the service they received.

Smith Knight Fay Volkswagen’s brand manager, Steve Thomas, said: “Amazingly Simon has been working in the automotive industry for just over two years, but he is clearly a positive role model for other sales executives.

“Many of his customers recommend him to their friends and family so he obviously deserves this award.

“In the current economic climate, it’s vital for businesses to ensure consumers are pleased with the service they receive.”

FEMALE APPRENTICE MAKES THE MOTORSPORT GRADE

A Bury apprentice has been selected from hundreds of applicants to be part of a new Volkswagen Group motorsport team.

Vicky Moorby, who is learning her trade as a car technician at Bury Volkswagen retailer Smith Knight Fay, impressed judges with her knowledge of motor performance at a team selection day recently.

The process was extremely competitive, after Volkswagen receiving over 300 applications from Volkswagen Group apprentices all over the UK for just 12 positions.

The 18-year-old is the only female in the team and spoke of her delight at securing a prestigious place on the motorsport team, that will last for a year.

She said: “I’m thrilled that I have this very rare opportunity to apply my knowledge and enthusiasm to motorsport

“I owe a great deal to Smith Knight Fay and Volkswagen, they’ve given me so much already with my apprenticeship and this feels like the icing on the cake – I’m so excited.”

Following her selection, Moorby and her team-mates supported a Skoda Fabia rally car at an event in Worcestershire, where it performed rides, drives and public displays.

Smith Knight Fay’s brand manager, Steve Thomas, said: “Vicky has great passion about her job and her hard work has paid off by this reward.

“It’s great for the region to have a representative working for a national team and that Smith Knight Fay Volkswagen is training apprentices to the highest standard.”

Now half-way through her three-year apprenticeship course, the car enthusiast reaffirmed her desire to reach great heights as a motor technician.

Vicky added: “This is the only job I have ever wanted to do. I’m building my knowledge base and experience all of the time and I’m determined to reach the very top of my profession.”

CHRISTINE CELEBRATES 30 YEARS AT RETAILER

A grandmother who thought she wouldn’t last a week in a job, has just celebrated 30 years with the same company.

Christine Varley from Ramsbottom arrived late on her first day at Bury’s Volkswagen retailer, but survived and is now considered ‘part of the furniture’ at Smith Knight Fay.

The 63-year-old was presented with a bottle of champagne and flowers from the company’s UK head, Conor McCormack, in a pre-planned surprise visit.

Christine said: “I started after my children went to school and now consider this a huge part of my life.

“I only work part-time now and was getting ready to go home when Conor to surprised me to thank me for my service.

“I was very shocked but delighted with the wonderful flowers and champagne; it’s an honour the company’s boss has spent time coming to see me

“Since my husband Stephen died my job means everything to me and I have some good friends here. The atmosphere is brilliant and it’s like working as part of my extended family.”

But it all could have been so different for Christine after getting lost on her first day in 1980.

She added: “I didn’t think I’d last the rest of the week after arriving late, never mind 30 years!

“Everyone has been brilliant about my anniversary, it’s one of the reasons I come to work every day with a smile on my face.

“Will I be here in another 30 years? We’ll have to wait and see!”

Smith Knight Fay Bury’s brand manager, Steve Thomas, said: “Christine is part of the furniture here and everyone enjoys working with her.

“Conor’s surprise visit had been planned months in advance and he felt it was important to thank Christine for all her hard work, enthusiasm and dedication to her job.”