D&D Autos collects top honours at prestigious business awards
Ashford garage D&D Autos has been named 2015 Business of the Year by Kent Invicta Chamber of Commerce at its annual ceremony.
This is the latest in a string of successes for the Bosch Car Service garage at the awards, having previously taken the top accolade for Excellence in Customer Service in 2010 and 2011, as well as being highly commended for Business of the Year in 2010. This year, D&D Autos beat off strong competition from companies across the region, including building contractor Baxall Construction and social marketing agency Sleeping Giant Media.
“We were thrilled to be nominated as a finalist in the Business of the Year award and to win was really something special, especially as we were up against two very worthy finalists,” said Derek Pestridge, managing director of D&D Autos. “Winning this award was the ultimate reward for our 32 years in business and is testimony to the hard work and commitment from the team at D&D Autos.”
A family-run garage since it opened over 30 years ago, D&D Autos provides a wide range of services, using equipment and expertise to suit individuals and fleet owners. The garage has also been recognised within the automotive industry, being named as Large Garage of the Year runner-up in the 2015 CAT awards, as well as picking up IAAF’s Garage of the Year in 2011.
The Bosch Car Service national network of garages, comprising of 500 members in the UK and Ireland, is a Bosch programme to provide motorists with a high quality and technically competent alternative to main dealer car servicing and repair, for all vehicle makes and models. All Bosch Car Service garages work to a Code of Practice approved by the Trading Standards Institute.
In addition to online marketing support, signage and a customer care programme, garages have access to Bosch training schemes and technical expertise. The Bosch Car Service website also makes finding a garage in the network straight forward, thanks to an easy-to-use postcode search facility.
Rhian Kendall, Bosch Car Service concept manager, added: “We’re thrilled to see another member of the Bosch Car Service network recognised for its investment in customer service and excellent workshop practices. Congratulations to everyone at D&D Autos for picking up another award.”
Customers interested in booking an appointment with D&D Autos should contact the team on 01233 504765, or visit www.ddautosashford.co.uk.
ENDS
Photo [L-R]: Steve Hodges (Business Development Manager), Richard Pestridge (Customer Service Manager/Director), Matthew Pestridge (Workshop Manager/Director), Carole Barron (University of Kent, Director of Innovation & Enterprise), Derek Pestridge (Manager Director), and Lorraine Fuller (Operations Manager)
Press contacts
Rachel Burgess – rburgess@torqueagencygroup.com or 020 7952 1076
Matt Sanger – msanger@torqueagencygroup.com or 020 7952 1079.
About Bosch
The Bosch Group is a leading global supplier of technology and services. Its roughly 360,000 associates worldwide (as per April 1, 2015) generated sales of 49 billion euros in 2014.* The company’s operations are divided into four business sectors: Mobility Solutions, Industrial Technology, Consumer Goods, and Energy and Building Technology. The Bosch Group comprises Robert Bosch GmbH and its roughly 440 subsidiary and regional companies in some 60 countries. Including its sales and service partners, Bosch is represented in roughly 150 countries. This worldwide development, manufacturing, and sales network is the foundation for further growth. In 2014, Bosch applied for some 4,600 patents worldwide. The Bosch Group’s strategic objective is to create solutions for a connected life. Bosch improves quality of life worldwide with products and services that are innovative and spark enthusiasm. In short, Bosch creates technology that is “Invented for life.”
The company was set up in Stuttgart in 1886 by Robert Bosch (1861-1942) as “Workshop for Precision Mechanics and Electrical Engineering.” The special ownership structure of Robert Bosch GmbH guarantees the entrepreneurial freedom of the Bosch Group, making it possible for the company to plan over the long term and to undertake significant up-front investments in the safeguarding of its future. Ninety-two percent of the share capital of Robert Bosch GmbH is held by Robert Bosch Stiftung GmbH, a charitable foundation. The majority of voting rights are held by Robert Bosch Industrietreuhand KG, an industrial trust. The entrepreneurial ownership functions are carried out by the trust. The remaining shares are held by the Bosch family and by Robert Bosch GmbH.
Additional information is available online at www.bosch.com, www.bosch-press.com, http://twitter.com/BoschPresse
*The sales figure disclosed for 2014 does not include the former joint ventures BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH (now BSH Hausgeräte GmbH) and ZF Lenksysteme GmbH (now Robert Bosch Automotive Steering GmbH), which have since been taken over completely.
