Wayne Thomas New Garage Equipment Association President

Wayne Thomas was appointed President of the Garage Equipment Association, (GEA), at their recent AGM, which was held at the GEA offices in Daventry, on 21 April 2009. Thomas takes over from Gary Shepherd, managing director of Rotary Lift UK, who has served as president for the past year. Thomas, who is currently managing director of GEMCO Equipment Ltd, commented: “The GEA has become recognised as our industry’s body, for example, it’s currently assessing and accrediting vehicle lift installation and service engineers. This accreditation scheme will drive-up the standards within our industry and provides our customers with greater peace of mind. During my term as president I will constantly influence the GEA in improving the standards of the garage equipment industry.”

Giving his inaugural speech, Thomas said the GEA refused to give in to the current “downturn in the economy” by going ahead with its annual dinner at the Hilton Metropole Birmingham on 29 April 2009: “I am honoured this evening to be standing here as GEA President, to greet you all, and to poke a finger in the eye of recession, and to prove life and business must go on. The event raised over £2500 for the motor industry’s charity BEN.