HiQ Director Predicts ‘Bright New Dawn’

HiQ Retail Director Andy Morris has already set a bold New Year’s resolution for the fast fit company in response to “one of the busiest years imaginable.” HiQ, which has over 120 centres nationwide, announced a national franchise programme designed to speed up the transfer of Goodyear Dunlop owned stores long-term franchise agreements. If that wasn’t enough to keep them busy, the company also embarked on the first year of a three-year sponsorship of the British Touring Car Championship.

Looking forward to 2009 Morris is optimistic: “Our company New Year Resolution is to offer ‘fast fit you can be sure of’ and that is our new company message that you will be hearing more of. It will be relevant to every single one of our centres. It has certainly been a hectic year, but one which has put us in a far stronger position now than we were 12 months ago.

“We are unique in becoming the only national fast fit chain to unveil a radical franchise programme, and the results already show us that we are an attractive proposition to so many franchise partners, in spite of the economic climate we find ourselves in. Far from ‘selling off’ our centres, we are making a bold, sustained commitment to our network, and see this model of partnership as the best way to achieve success. With the franchisees we already have on board, and the new additions to be announced shortly, we are proving that partnership brings greater knowledge, meaning we can out perform company owned equity solutions.”

To coincide with HiQ’s national franchise programme, the company is significantly investing into its systems and online services to attract more customers and position the company as leaders in online fast fit technology. Each franchisee will be given greater exposure on the website, allowing every business manager to communicate directly to his or her customers, through interactive podcasts and blogs.

“While the New Year will present its share of challenges and opportunities, we feel that we have never been better prepared to deal with them,” Morris concluded.

Preston HiQ ‘bucking credit crunch trend’

Meanwhile managers at HiQ, Blackpool Road, Preston claim business has “never been better” with an average of 1,000 tyres a month being sold at the site. Corporate communications manager, James Bailey reportedly told the Lancashire Evening Post: “Even though we are in the midst of a credit crunch, people are not buying new cars like they used to and are instead turning to reputable centres like ourselves.”