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North Eastern vehicle expert invests in staff
Sixty drivers at a North East business are today celebrating achieving top marks for an accredited qualification.
As part of its commitment to staff development, senior management of North Eastern Tyre and Autocare (NETA), which boasts eight outlets across the region, invited the large group to complete an NVQ Level two in Delivery and Carrying Goods.
And, with a 100 per cent pass rate, every one of the 60 drivers who took part in the course, has a reason to celebrate. In fact, such was Steve Martin’s approach to the NVQ, he was invited to attend an award ceremony at The Sage in Gateshead, recognising the outstanding achievements of Gateshead College students completing NVQs. 35 year old Steve was awarded Student of the Year in his category.
NETA Senior operations and logistics manager, John Potts commented:
“It’s no surprise that Steve has been awarded this special recognition. His approach to completing the NVQ was the same as his approach to his job: with dedication, commitment and a desire to be the best that he can.
“Steve is an excellent member of the team, always smiling, even when the temperature is below zero and he is unloading an 18 tonne truck full of tyres! He’s an example to us all.”
Steve, who has worked with NETA for four years, scored particularly highly on all elements of customer service in the qualification, so is now even better placed to travel across the North of England delivering tyres to NETA depots across the region. The class two wagon driver from Guisborough, explains the importance of the staff training:
“One of the benefits of working for a large organisation such as NETA is that there are the systems in place which focus on staff development, meaning that workers like me are given opportunities to improve our career prospects. Training allows us to enhance our skills and knowledge which results in better working relationships both with our colleagues and our customers.
“The NVQ is aimed at drivers like myself whose job involves multi-drop deliveries and customer interaction. Because we were able to carry out most of our training at the depots, the course assessor could really tailor the content to our every day work.”
Following NETA’s announcement earlier this year of a substantial increase in the company’s annual turnover of ten per cent to £43 million, it seems the recent batch of staff training has come just in time. Not only did the subject matter of NVQ focus on maintaining the safety and security of loads, but it also taught the drivers methods and procedures to ensure that their delivery schedule is planned as efficiently as possible, as well as focussing on the provision of excellent customer services.
Gavin Marshall, managing director of the Middlesbrough-based tyre, exhaust and vehicle servicing company which employs over 350 people, said:
“As an accredited Investors in People organisation, it is crucial that we continually invest in staff training. We value our staff and the importance of their role in helping us achieve our future growth plans.
“In the current economic climate, where there is turbulence in the employment market, it is paramount to invest in our staff, thus providing them with the qualifications necessary for career progression, as well as ensuring that they are equipped with the skills necessary to give our customers the best possible customer service.”
Starting life as a tyre garage in Brotton in Cleveland 37 years ago, North Eastern Tyre and Autocare now boasts five warehouses and eight service centres throughout the region which specialise in all aspects of vehicle maintenance. Earlier this year, NETA announced a £3m investment in the acquisition of 15 retail trading outlets from HiQ.

Expansion, recruitment, training, investment, success!

Not words many of us are used to reading recently, but one North East business is bucking all the trends and developing a strengthened portfolio of retail outlets to realise its tyre and autocare vision.

North Eastern Tyre & Exhausts achieved Fastest 50 status for the second year running based on an impressive turnover of £43 million at the Company’s year end September 2008.

With the figures for 2009 looking to come in at around £52 million, the Company is already looking forward to securing a Fastest 50 place for the third year running in 2010.

Much of this rapid growth is due to the acquisition of 15 HiQ Fast Fit centres late last year, which took the retail outlet tally from 8 to 23 overnight. The company is now in a position to offer its huge range of tyres, exhausts, batteries and exceptional vehicle servicing from the Scottish Borders down through Northumberland, County Durham, Teesside and Yorkshire.

The NETE owned HiQ stores are now benefiting from a two-year programme of investment, refurbishment and development, with a £2million rebuild of the Leeds based store.

The Leeds HiQ store will set the new industry standard for fast fit with a state of the art workshop and customer waiting environment. The store opens it doors to the public on 1st December.

Managing Director, Gavin Marshall said “We are very pleased with the continued growth and are delighted with our people for rising to the challenge and helping us achieve our ambitious plans. This year our focus is on training and personal development so all of our 400+ staff have the confidence in their skills to deliver the Company’s exacting standards to our customers”.

Every level of the business is being given opportunities to train, develop and achieve role specific qualifications. With drivers and workshop staff completing vocational qualifications, management training for senior and middle managers, and individual training such as project management and excel expert.
 
North Eastern Tyre and Exhausts are now entering their new financial year with some exciting projects on the horizon, such as the launch of a new e-commerce website, allowing customers to purchase tyres online and book a convenient fitting time at any of its stores. The Newcastle store, based on the Silverlink, is looking forward to developing its status as a motorcycle tyre specialist.

The Company’s original 8 retail stores, branded North Eastern Tyre & Autocare, have always prided themselves on offering exceptional customer service and vehicle care standards.  Many stores offer the unique proposition of comfortable, café style waiting areas, with leather sofas, free internet access, children’s play area, daily newspapers and a very good cappuccino.

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