Servicesure provides big brand support for independent garages

Being part of GSF Car Parts gives workshops the national strength to deliver a local service

Servicesure provides big brand support for independent garages

It’s 20 years since The Parts Alliance, now known as GSF Car Parts, established the Servicesure Autocentre network. Today, it’s the fastest-growing chain of garages in the UK, with more than 650 Autocentres across the country – a number that’s growing all the time.

It’s not hard to see why; the programme was created with input from independent garage owners who are at the forefront of the industry, listening to the needs and demands of customers, seeing first-hand the challenges faced by technicians, and understanding the pressures that can make a difference between failure and success.

Crucially, all Servicesure Autocentre members retain their independence, so remain free to deliver the local service their customers have grown accustomed to, while enjoying the benefits of being backed by GSF Car Parts, a company with a £330m turnover and 2,500 employees.

The national motor factor’s network of 180 branches means a garage has access to the right parts, at the right prices, when it needs them. And following key announcements at the Supercharged for Success conference at the end of 2023, the company is expected to open even more branches, while investing more in staff training and communications.

It’s why there’s never been a better time to join the Servicesure Autocentre network.

The programme is designed to identify service and repair opportunities to help an independent garage grow, while offering an array of business support services aimed at saving a garage owner time and money.

Garages also enjoy the benefits of Servicesure’s National Warranty on parts and labour, which provides reassurance to the end users. If a GSF part fails because it’s faulty or incorrectly fitted, the customer can have a replacement fitted for free.

One garage in Wales called upon the warranty when a customer’s car broke down on the way home from France. PSS Autocentre’s manager, John Willcox, said: “The customer had a clutch kit failure for their Volkswagen when they were travelling home from France, so we found a Servicesure garage close to the docks at Dover and put a call in to the Servicesure team to see if they could help.

“All it took was one phone call from us and the Servicesure team sorted it, so it’s a phenomenal example of the national warranty working well. We always explain the national warranty to our customers and it’s a fantastic benefit because it gives people the confidence to come to an independent garage.

”When I think about how much it would have cost us to recover that vehicle from Dover ourselves, it clearly shows just how valuable it is to be a Servicesure member.”

From a branding perspective, Servicesure offers support that could otherwise be out of reach for an independent garage.

All members get branded clothing for technicians and front-of-house staff, a full marketing support service, website creation and hosting, sponsorship opportunities and brand awareness via Servicesure’s social media channels.

First impressions count, so Servicesure ensures consistent branding across all forms of media, from workshop signage to website, and reception area literature to customised workwear. And because Servicesure invests in national marketing, new and existing customers will have pre-existing knowledge of the brand and its values.

‘Big enough to cope, small enough to care’ would be a cliché, but there’s a reason why Servicesure operates under the banner of ‘Local Service, National Strength’.

Servicesure also puts its weight behind several sub-brands tailored to the needs and interests of motorists in 2024. These include Batterysure, Brakesure, Clutch Expert, Oilsure, Visionsure and, with one eye on the 2035 ban on the sale of new petrol and diesel cars, EVSure.

Each one is instantly recognisable and tailored to the most common tasks carried out across the UK’s independent garage network, day in, day out. When Servicesure launches a nationwide marketing campaign focused on one of these sub-brands, it’s the members who benefit; customers will be searching online for their nearest garage.

It’s also worth remembering that only Servicesure members are invited to enter the annual Autocentre of the Year Awards, which celebrate the best independent garages in the UK.

Good branding goes beyond a nice logo, which is why Servicesure provides the substance to sit behind the style. A trusted warranty, investment in electric car training and a prestigious awards ceremony are just some of the benefits of aligning a small independent garage to a big brand.

Have your say!

0 0

Lost Password

Please enter your username or email address. You will receive a link to create a new password via email.