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Shrewsbury independent garage unveils ambitious expansion plan – ‘Go big or go bust’

Halfway House in ShrewsburyHalfway House

Shrewsbury independent garage Halfway House is planning to expand its business to 11 sites in the next seven years. The garage, a Point S member, has taken its first step with a £45,000 investment in a state-of-the-art second facility in Shrewsbury. As part of its expansion plan, Halfway House will create customer service and marketing roles, as well as adding more skilled technicians. Commenting on the company’s plans and warning against pessimism in the aftermarket, owner Russell Hughes said the independent sector’s “success will hinge on willingness to invest and adapt to emerging opportunities.” He summarised Halfway House’s strategy as “go big or go bust.”

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Related news:

  1. Point S building on UK investment 
  2. Point S Launched in UK Market
  3. Iverson Tyres also bought by Halfords
  4. Point S UK targets automotive service network leadership by 2035
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GSF Car Parts CEO reaffirms commitment to garages live on BBC Breakfast News

The CEO of one of the UK’s most important motor factors has discussed the implications of tariffs for the aftermarket on national television. Steve Horne, CEO of GSF Car Parts told BBC Breakfast the company will attempt to soften the blow to independent garages as the impact of the trade tariffs unfolds.

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Related news:

  1. LKQ Euro Car Parts headline sponsor for Automechanika Garage Awards 2024
  2. IAAF conference ‘a great success’
  3. IAAF regional meetings to offer state-of-the-art member facility tours
  4. New owners & execs at GSF Car Parts
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Tickets Now on Sale for the BIG Awards 2025

The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has announced that tickets for the British Independent Garage (BIG) Awards 2025 are now available. This year’s highly-anticipated event will take place at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on Friday, 12 September 2025. As the premier awards ceremony for the independent garage sector, the BIG Awards offer an evening dedicated to recognising and celebrating outstanding achievements across the industry.

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Related news:

  1. IGA’s BIG Awards drives the profile of independent garages
  2. IGA Announces BIG Awards for 2024 
  3. IGA shortlisted for Covid Champion award
  4. IGA opens entries for IGA’s British Independent Garage Awards 2024
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IGA to meet Minister to discuss ‘stagnant’ MOT fee cap

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The Independent Garage Association (IGA) is pleased to report that it has been invited to a meeting by The Future of Roads Minister Lilian Greenwood MP, to discuss the critical financial challenges posed by the stagnant MOT fee cap, which has not seen an increase in over 14 years.

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Related news:

  1. IGA works with DfT on MOT fee review
  2. IGA urges against MOT discounting
  3. Shapps: MOT extension plans ‘under review’
  4. ‘Time to end MOT extension’ – IGA
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One millionth workshop transaction milestone for Garage Industry Trends

More than one million independent garage transactions have now been logged on Garage Hive’s real-time data platform, Garage Industry Trends. The website tracks average invoice value, future bookings, labour rates, net promoter score (NPS) and shows demand for repairs and maintenance by vehicle age and fuel type.

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Related news:

  1. Garage Hive launches ‘Garage Industry Trends’ website
  2. Didcot’s Scotlands Ash Garage launches website
  3. Garage Industry Trends passes 500,000 transaction milestone
  4. Servicesure Autocentres welcomes launch of The Motor Ombudsman
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Independent garage AJ Fleetcare wins The Motor Ombudsman’s National Garage Star Award

A family-owned independent garage in Leeds was the overall national winner of The Motor Ombudsman’s 2024 Star Awards. AJ Fleetcare became the third independent garage to claim the award since 2020. The motor industry accolades allow consumers to recognise businesses accredited to one or more of The Motor Ombudsman’s four Codes of Practice, or individual staff members, for delivering an exceptional level of service. This can be at the point when customers buy a car, have it maintained, or during the process of making a purchase or a claim on a warranty.

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Related news:

  1. The Motor Ombudsman launches Garage Stars 2021 Awards
  2. Tyre specialists shortlisted across Garage Star Awards regions
  3. LKQ Euro Car Parts headline sponsor for Automechanika Garage Awards 2024
  4. Simon Graeme Auto Service Centre named Servicesure Autocentre of the Year
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Stimulating growth, electric vehicle infrastructure and addressing the skills shortage

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Hella EV servicingHella

Shortly after the UK Labour Party completed its landslide victory in the General Election, ushering in the first major change of the UK government’s leading party in 14 years, associations from the country’s automotive value chain detailed what challenges await the new prime minister Keir Starmer and his incoming administration over the next five years.

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Related news:

  1. Roads spending, Brexit caution, business rate relief in spring Budget
  2. IGA works with DfT on MOT fee review
  3. Positive reactions – UK automotive industry upbeat about 2020 budget
  4. IGA requests enhanced furlough scheme from chancellor
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Government small business initiative welcomed by IGA

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The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has responded to the Government’s latest Initiative to Boost Small Businesses. The increase in the VAT registration threshold from £85,000 to £90,000 is welcomed, as it will provide relief to 28,000 small businesses, allowing them to invest more in their operations and expand their enterprises. Additionally, the freeze on the small business rates multiplier for the fourth consecutive year is particularly welcomed as it will safeguard over one million properties from higher bills, contributing to financial stability and security for many garage owners.

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Related news:

  1. IGA works with DfT on MOT fee review
  2. Brexit vote means uncertainty for motor trade – Scotlands Ash Garage
  3. IGA requests enhanced furlough scheme from chancellor
  4. IGA applauds UK Prime Minister’s initiative to boost apprenticeships and support small businesses
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IGA applauds UK Prime Minister’s initiative to boost apprenticeships and support small businesses

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The Independent Garage Association (IGA) “enthusiastically welcomes” the recent announcement from the Prime Minister’s Office unveiling a comprehensive reform package aimed at strengthening small businesses across the UK. The IGA notes with satisfaction that concerns previously expressed to MP Robert Halfron, minister for Skills, Apprenticeships, and Higher Education, have been addressed in the recent announcement and commends the government’s commitment to fostering apprenticeships and reducing regulatory burdens, recognising the significant positive impact these measures will have on the automotive sector.

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Related news:

  1. IGA works with DfT on MOT fee review
  2. Roads spending, Brexit caution, business rate relief in spring Budget
  3. IGA requests enhanced furlough scheme from chancellor
  4. Trust My Garage Code approval ‘stirs up interest’
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LKQ Euro Car Parts headline sponsor for Automechanika Garage Awards 2024

Automechanika Birmingham

Aftermarket motor parts group LKQ Euro Car Parts will return for the second consecutive year as headline sponsor of the Automechanika Birmingham Garage Awards 2024, hosted by the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF). Celebrating the country’s best automotive technicians, the awards will be presented on Wednesday, 5 June at the UK Garage and Bodyshop Event at NEC, Birmingham. The second awards will feature an expanded number of award categories, going from eight in 2023 to 10. They demonstrate commitment and dedication in the garage sector to ensuring affordable mobility in the UK over the past few years. The awards are accepting nominations until the closing date on 29 March here.

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Related news:

  1. IAAF presents PACT with 2018 Service Supplier of the Year Award
  2. ‘Best event for years’ – IAAF Annual Awards & Dinner 2019 a roaring success
  3. Aftermarket suppliers can remain open in Covid-19 lockdown
  4. The Motor Ombudsman launches Garage Stars 2021 Awards
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IGA opens entries for IGA’s British Independent Garage Awards 2024

The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has opened entries for the British Independent Garage of the Year Awards 2024. The awards offer a diverse range of categories to recognise excellence in the independent automotive sector. Independent garages and industry suppliers in the UK can enter online now on the Independent Garage Association website.

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Related news:

  1. IGA Announces BIG Awards for 2024 
  2. Access to technical information more important than ever – IGA
  3. IGA urges against MOT discounting
  4. IGA welcomes SMF report on UK mobility
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IGA Announces BIG Awards for 2024 

The Independent Garage Association (IGA) will run a “bigger and better” British Independent Garage of the Year (BIG) Awards event in 2024. Following the resounding success of its 2023 BIG Awards, where the IGA presented each of the category winners with a £1,000 cash prize, alongside an array of prizes from the event sponsors and also donated £10,000 to the motor industry charity BEN.

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Related news:

  1. IGA’s BIG Awards drives the profile of independent garages
  2. IGA BIG Awards Raises £10,000 for Automotive Charity Ben
  3. Accolade for Inverness garage
  4. Independent garages welcome SERMI scheme
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IGA offers subsidised MOT training to upskill industry

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IGA

IGA will offer large subsidies on MOT training for their members from 1 November 2023. These include a 40 per cent reduction in the cost of MOT tester training and a 50 per cent reduction in the cost of MOT manager training for a limited period. “Due to the challenging times we are facing as a sector, the IGA feels it is appropriate to provide support to members and help them with the cost of upskilling their staff, as we enter the busy period for MOTs,” announced Stuart James, IGA chief executive.

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Related news:

  1. IGA launches MOT training campaign
  2. Progress Recruitment to roll out new MOT Tester Training more widely through IGA
  3. IGA works with DfT on MOT fee review
  4. ‘Time to end MOT extension’ – IGA
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IAAF regional meetings to offer state-of-the-art member facility tours

IAAF

The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) is taking its activity direct to its aftermarket membership with the arrangement of several regional meetings across England in mid-October. With the exclusive meetings providing members with insight into the Federation’s activity, IAAF is taking its message on the road, with hosts offering visitors a glimpse behind the scenes at their state-of-the-art facilities. Meetings are planned for Tuesday 10 October, Wednesday 11 October and Thursday 12 October at IAAF members Ring Automotive in Leeds, SMP Europe in Nottingham, and Hella in Banbury respectively.

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Related news:

  1. IAAF joins global automotive Right to Repair movement
  2. IAAF: Kia guilty verdict a major victory for aftermarket’
  3. IAAF Conference to focus on implications of Brexit
  4. Future of aftermarket under the microscope at Industry Briefing
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IAAF joins global automotive Right to Repair movement

The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has joined other global association leaders to support the critical global Right to Repair movement by signing the new right to repair position statement. The statement enumerates the core beliefs of the movement and the objectives and intended outcomes of right to repair legislation. Importantly, the document sets out ten best practice principles to developing a framework for right to repair legislation that any supporting country can use and adapt to their needs.

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Related news:

  1. AFCAR formed to champion independent automotive aftermarket rights
  2. Wendy Williamson to become IAAF chief executive
  3. IAAF conference targets eCall, type approval and internet parts
  4. John Sergeant to host IAAF Annual Conference
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