Car retailer helps 'Mocember' raise £5K for care units

A local business manager, who secured sponsorships to grow facial hair, has raised £5,000 for two Devon hospitals after they both treated his new born son.

Joel Tucker, who works at Barnstaple Volkswagen, organised a ‘Mocember’ with friends and family to raise money for Barnstaple and Derriford hospitals, after his baby son, Jenson, received emergency treatment following a complicated birth.

The fund was boosted after Barnstaple Volkswagen’s brand manager, Andrew Smale, offered to help Joel’s campaign.

‘Mocember’ participants then competed for the best shaped facial hair award at the campaigns grand finale event hosted by The Half Moon Inn, Sheepwash.

Speaking of the event, 27-year-old Joel, said: “It was great fun comparing everyone’s facial hair and it was all for a fantastic cause, a special thanks goes out to Anna Jones for organising it all.

“I’d also like to thank my family, friends and Barnstaple Volkswagen for contributing to the £5,000 we’ve raised for Barnstaple and Derriford hospitals, which both gave exceptional care to my son.”

Jenson was born on 25 November but was admitted to Barnstaple Hospital after suffering complications during his birth.

He was soon transferred to Derriford Hospital to receive the specialist treatment he required.

Andrew Smale, brand manager for Barnstaple Volkswagen, said: “We’re pleased that we’ve been able to help Joel raise money for a fantastic cause.

“Joel was going through a difficult time, and it makes me proud to know that all of the staff pulled together in the same direction when a colleague needed it most.”

Baby Jenson is now on the road to making a full recovery at home with his family.
If you would like to make a donation towards the cause, please donate here.

PLYMOUTH RETAILER BOOSTS SENIOR MANAGEMENT

A Plymouth retailer has boosted its senior management and sales team to meet the growing needs of the business.

Murray Volkswagen Van Centre has appointed general manager, Matthew Stott, to lead the site in Plympton. He’s joined by Jason Matthews and Stefan May, who will form part of the sales team.

Matthew, from Plympton, has been with Murray for ten years and was promoted to the role after working as a sales executive, sales controller and operations manager for the Skoda site next door.

The 31-year-old said: “I am delighted to be taking on this new role. My aim is to continually develop the exceptional level of service that customers expect.

“Our new sales team is now in place to drive sales forward, making sure that customers are offered the right service and advice, whatever their reason for visiting or getting in touch.”

Jason (42), from Higher Compton, and Stefan (33), from Estover, bring over 30 years’ experience in the sales industry, including 15 years in the motor industry.

Matthew continued: “Jason and Stefan are valuable additions to the team and will compliment the sales team currently in place at the van centre.”

SWINDON APPRENTICES ARE HIRED!

Three years of hard work and training have paid off for two Swindon apprentices after they qualified as a technicians with the town’s Volkswagen, Mann Egerton.

Matthew Ford (23), from Grange Park and Kieran McDonnell (23) from Swindon, joined the Frankland Road retailer in 2008 as apprentices, and have now achieved personal goals to become fully-qualified Volkswagen technicians.

Both Matthew and Kieran are now focusing on their next goals of becoming master technicians, a process which will take a further five years of training.

Mann Egerton Volkswagen’s service manager, Graham Beasant, said: “Matthew and Kieran have both worked diligently during the training programme and fully deserve to reach technician status.

“They are both accomplished and confident technicians and everyone at Mann Egerton is pleased they are forging good careers for themselves.”

Matthew and Kieran completed ‘A’ levels and worked in various jobs before deciding they wanted a career in the automotive industry.

Kieran said: “I’m over the moon to have qualified as this is really the only job I’ve ever wanted to do. I really enjoy the work and I’m looking forward to taking even more qualifications and specialising in particular Volkswagen vehicles.

Matthew added: “We’re both really grateful to Mann Egerton, because they have shown faith in our abilities and backed our ambitions by spending money on the training programme.”

It costs over £40,000 to train a candidate to technician status with further investment to continue developing a technician.

LIVERPOOL BUSINESS CULTIVATES SUCCESS WITH GREENTHUMB

A Liverpool retailer is celebrating one of its biggest account wins, after linking with the UK’s leading lawn treatment company.

GreenThumb, a nationwide franchise with over 200 branches, has instructed Liverpool Volkswagen Van Centre to supply up to 300 commercial vehicles for its fleet in 2011.

An initial order of almost 100 Caddy Maxi vans has already been delivered this year; by the end of 2012 GreenThumb’s entire fleet of almost 700 vans will be solely Volkswagen.

GreenThumb provides feed and weed treatments for more than 450,000 lawns throughout the UK.

David Collison, GreenThumb’s marketing manager, said: “GreenThumb is a rapidly expanding business and we were happy to partner with a like-minded company in the supply of our company fleet.

“Volkswagen’s Caddy Maxi is proving very popular with our franchisees, particularly with its excellent fuel efficiency.

“The customer service we received from Liverpool Volkswagen Van Centre combined with the financial and service package, made it a simple decision to choose them.”

David Cowan, brand manager at Liverpool Volkswagen Van Centre, said: “This is a fantastic account win for the company and provides evidence of our excellent customer service standards.
“We look forward to providing GreenThumb with their fleet of commercial Volkswagens and keeping them on the road.”

NATIONAL REGCONITION FOR YORKSHIRE BUSINESS

A West Yorkshire van centre is celebrating after receiving national recognition for its work in 2010.

Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire) was named runner up in Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles ‘Most Valued Van Centre’ 2010, at a glittering award ceremony in Canary Wharf, hosted by Sir Trevor McDonald.
The Volkswagen business, based in Cleckheaton, competed against 71 other UK van centres for the award at the annual ceremony.

Volkswagen Commercials Vehicles closely monitors all aspects of its van centres, from customer satisfaction and aftersales through to sales and key business performance. Scores are collated throughout the year, accumulating in the annual result.

Andrew Caygill, director at Volkswagen Van Centre (West Yorkshire), said: “We are delighted to have received this honour, especially as it recognises the best van centres in the country.

“Winning the silver award is testament to the hard work all our staff put in during the year.

“In the current economic climate, it’s vital for businesses to ensure consumers are pleased with the service they receive, therefore it is essential we have a motivated and diverse team that all have the same common goal.

“Customers satisfaction is our main priority, as without customers the business simply wouldn’t exist.”

The Volkswagen Commercial Vehicle award ceremony took place at East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf which saw entertainment provided by X-Factor star and Queen of the Jungle, Stacey Solomon.

YORK RETAILER APPOINTS NEW HEAD

A York retailer has appointed one of the region’s most experienced automotive managers as its new head of business.

JCT600 Volkswagen Van Centre has appointed Kevin Fretwell to lead its commercial vehicle team, based in Clifton Moor.

The 51-year-old brings with over 30 years in and around the automotive industry.


He began his career as an apprentice technician in 1976, and has held key managerial roles for a number of major manufacturers in the region.

Kevin will be responsible for strengthening the Volkswagen brand and establishing new and maintaining existing relationships with businesses and van drivers in and around York.

The father of two said: “I’m thrilled to be taking this role and look forward to continuing the high quality of customer service.

“JCT600 Volkswagen’s friendly, professional and dedicated work force will make it an enjoyable working environment.

“My challenge is to expand the business and enhance our reputation in the local area and it is one that I’m looking forward to progressing.

“But the first task is spending time getting to know all of the staff and existing customers.”

“I’ve had an amazing start to 2011, after recently getting married.”

Higgs helps give Van Leeuwen pipeline to Aberdeen

A leading Midlands corporate law team has advised on the acquisition of a specialist pipe supplier by a tube and pipe distributor based in the West Midlands.

Higgs & Sons advised Van Leeuwen Wheeler on its acquisition of the Aberdeen assets of Mardale Pipes, a specialist supplier of duplex and super duplex stainless steel to the oil and gas industry. Mardale Pipes was purchased from its administrators for an undisclosed sum.

The acquisition sees Van Leeuwen Wheeler gain a 9,000sq ft warehouse at Dyce, together with stocks and machinery. The company is relocating its Dundee sales team to the new Aberdeen location and will be retaining members of the Mardale team.

Part of the Netherlands-based Van Leeuwen Pipe and Group, Van Leeuwen Wheeler has major stockholding hubs in Middlesbrough in the North East and Brierley Hill in the West Midlands with access to over 100,000 tonnes of tube in group stocks. With a growing presence in the offshore sector, the company supports operations in many of the major oil and gas fields around the world, both from its UK and European stocks and via mill direct supply.

David Ellis, a partner and head of insolvency at Higgs, led the team advising Van Leeuwen Wheeler. He said: "It was an interesting transaction that had to be completed in a very short time scale.

"We received initial instructions on Friday and had to liaise with Scottish solicitors dealing with the property aspects of the transaction in a different legal jurisdiction while negotiating the purchase with the administrators with a view to completing both the lease assignment and the purchase within a week.”

Van Leeuwen’s managing director, Jeff Blakey, is delighted with the outcome: “We have long recognised the importance of having an active presence in Aberdeen and this development gives us a stockholding capability at the heart of the oil and gas industry. With the acquisition of this strategic location, we are uniquely positioned to offer a large portfolio of materials backed up by the necessary technical expertise.

“David and his team were quick to respond and helped us complete this deal in record time.”

Higgs & Sons is an award-winning law firm employing 180 people. The firm is headquartered at Brierley Hill’s Waterfront Business Park and also has offices in Kingswinford.