NETE Wins Michelin Five-star Award

Newcastle is home to one of the top six Michelin accredited tyre centres in the UK, the manufacturer has announced. North East Tyre and Exhausts’ new centre on the Silverlink Business Park, Wallsend, North Tyneside has just received Michelin accreditation, a standard which certifies high quality premises, expert staff and exemplary customer service.

NETE is the first centre in North England and one of just six centres to have achieved this advanced standard anywhere in the UK. According to the company, the Michelin accreditation programme is designed to raise the standards of the tyre distribution industry in the same way that the famous Michelin Guide has done for restaurants and hotels over the past 100 years.

North East Tyre and Exhaust Centre was founded 35 years ago by the Darcy family and there are three generations still working for the business today. The firm has grown steadily to have seven branches in the North East and 250 employees. The Newcastle branch has recently benefited from further substantial investment with a giant new warehouse to improve stock holding to 6000 tyres and 3000 exhaust systems to give the customer even better service. NETE prides itself on a one-hour rapid response service to its many commercial vehicle operators.

Michelin’s Accreditation Programme is designed to create a clear level of integrity and trust – the key complaint in many automotive customer services. Likewise the scheme’s unique signage is designed to provide consumers with “the assurance that their purchase enquiry will be treated professionally, by staff who have thorough product knowledge, published pricing information, ample parking and service facilities,” the company explains. No doubt the fact that the scheme also associates accredited centres with one of the world’s most recognised brands is also useful.

Jonathan Brett, programme development manager for Michelin UK says: “Customer expectations of service are rising. A visit to a Michelin Accredited Centre will now be a more rewarding experience with better-trained staff, improved customer facilities and a thoroughly professional service. We have especially recognised that these outlets need to be female friendly as women are a major buying group representing 40 per cent of the UK market – the highest in Europe. Our mystery shopping will ensure these high standards are maintained as the accredited network grows. For the Dealer, higher standards mean more customers and more repeat sales. It all makes very good, modern business practice.”