August 2014 August | Page 46

Wall to wall excellence Hamish Kiddle’s Car and Truck Auto workshop in Sasolburg epitomises the e-CAR way, winning numerous e-CAR Workshop of the Year awards since 2009. When not winning the title outright, the business has been a runner-up, such is its propensity for consistent performance. A t the time of meeting Hamish, the interior of the premises was being painted, having just been expanded to accommodate more vehicles. Hamish is proud of the extensive equipment in his workshop, which are all paid for, including a number of Bosch diagnostic tools. With these, he can accurately diagnose any make of vehicle quickly, meaning that no customer is ever turned away. Hamish says that it is very important to be involved in every aspect of the business and to know it inside and out. “The office side of the business has to operate optimally at all times. It needs to provide me with every detail about the business, from stock levels to the number of sick days taken by my staff, to detailed customer accounts and everything in between,” he explains. The business makes frequent use of DieselElectric Vereeniging’s delivery service, which sometimes delivers parts four times a day. “Ultimately, you must eliminate the guesswork from everything, and that applies to the process of servicing vehicles as well. The other critical aspect is customer care, making the customer feel good. We send out an SMS informing our customers as to the progress of their vehicle’s repairs, for example - they always appreciate that,” he says. Apart from performing a multitude of services on private individuals’ vehicles, his business also receives work from government, repairing and maintaining emergency services vehicles regularly. He says keeping stock levels up is critical to success and at any time has approximately R800 000 worth of e-CAR’s preferred supplier stock in his storeroom. ➲ Hamish is a Bosch trained auto electrician and chairman of the National Representatives Council (NRC) of e-CAR Hamish is adamant about regularly training his staff members - for which he has also been recognised and awarded - and is very complimentary about the quality of training provided by Bosch. ➲ The team stands in front of its wall of excellence, proudly displaying their awards Apart from keeping the business at the forefront of technology, this training has allowed him to offer a unique six-month warranty on all workmanship. “I insist on training my guys all the time and I pay them well, so they are both skilled and happy. We joined the e-CAR network in 2007 and it has worked out very well for us,” ➲ The extensive signage and e-CAR branding identifies the business and depicts the quality of brands involved at all levels he states enthusiastically. To join the fastest growing workshop network in South Africa and to add a new dimension to your business, contact Wilfried Langenbach at 086 000 3227 (086 000 e-CAR) | words in action 44 august 2014