EXCLUSIVE CLUB FOR MANCHESTER DUO

A Manchester van centre is celebrating as two of its staff joined an exclusive club after being recognised for their outstanding services to the automotive industry.

Rob Brown and Peter Davies 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 award each year.

The duo have together served almost 50 years with Volkswagen with many spent at the brand’s Manchester Van Centre in Trafford Park.

Rob (48) from Stockport is the sales manager, while Peter (55) from Baguley is the retailer’s highest qualified technician.

“I’m thrilled to have been awarded a Gold Pin, it’s a huge honour,” said Rob. “I’ve achieved many things in my career but this tops them all.”

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

The van centre’s head of business, Jim Hobson, said: “To have two members of staff awarded a Gold Pin in the same year is exceptional, my congratulations goes to both Rob and Peter. It shows we have the highest standard of staff in Manchester.”

Chris Craft, director at Volkswagen UK, said: “Rob and Peter thoroughly deserve their awards after providing invaluable service to the Volkswagen brand.

“Positive attitude and support of Volkswagen standards is an inspiration to all staff at Manchester and is demonstrated with the award of the Gold Pin.”

WATCH YOUR SCREEN WASH LEVELS

A Greater Manchester van centre has issued a safety warning to motorists following the recent ‘Big Freeze’.

The region’s official Volkswagen’s Van Centre has been inundated with motorists whose windscreen washer pumps and jets have failed during the cold weather, because they haven’t had the correct additives in their washer bottles; leading to many being unable to see safely through the windscreen.

In 2009 the centre fixed just six pumps or jets that had either stopped working or had blown a fuse, but in the first three weeks of 2010 over 25 have been repaired or fitted with a new fuse.

“The prolonged cold weather had led to an astonishing number of drivers experiencing pumps or washer jets freezing and either breaking or the fuse blowing,” said Jim Hobson, general manager, Volkswagen Van Centre Manchester.

“This can lead to windscreens becoming almost impossible to see through and an obvious safety hazard for motorists.

“To alleviate future problems in freezing conditions, motorists simply need to ensure the washer bottle is filled with a mixture of water and the correct additives.

“This should ensure the pump, pipes and jets work whatever the temperature, giving a safe clear screen for drivers to see through.”

With further cold weather forecast Jim is advising all motorists check their washer bottles are filled with correct levels of water and additives.

He added: “Any van drivers unsure about the correct levels can call into the Volkswagen Van Centre and one of our trained service advisors will help.”

For more information simply go to www.volkswagen-vans.co.uk/van-centres/manchester/