Welcome to the 14th edition of Torquing Point!
Did you miss the latest Exec Update? Don’t worry, you can take a look at each update by scanning the QR code below.
Remember, this newsletter is for you, so please continue to send us any content including charity fundraising events and your favourite photos. You can do this by emailing –comms@allianceautomotive.co.uk
We hope you enjoy this edition!
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Congratulations to the latest recipients of our Value Champion Awards in April and May:
Stephen Madle (People) nominated by Chris Wickers
Darren James (Performance) nominated by Keith Mayne
Patryk Krzyzanowski (Performance) nominated by Keith Mayne
Darren Harper (People) nominated by Shouna Wahid
Gareth George (Performance) nominated by Timothy Preston
To be eligible for the awards, employees must be nominated based on how well they have embodied our company values in their day-to-day work and how they have contributed to the success of the company.
Natalie Kurek and the rest of the CCA team wanted to wish Steve Westerman a very happy 35th work anniversary.
Natalie said: “Steve started his career with FSG back in May 1989 and has evolved through the group with the various acquisitions of GROUPAUTO, FPS and now AAG.
Steve is a valued member of the CCA team and currently manages the Group Refinish and Consumables categories.
Hannah Davies, Group Contract and Compliance Assistant, recently won an award at the Army Cadet Charitable Trust (ACCT) UK Excellence Award Ceremony.
Hannah said: "We support thousands of Army Cadets and ACF Adult Volunteers in the UK to access activities and development opportunities that make a positive impact for life.
In his spare time, Steve can be heard on the terraces of his beloved Sheffield United selling football programs. His strapline ‘Programs three fifty’ has made him a legendary resident at Bramell Lane and he is adored by many of the supporters."
If you would like to wish a colleague a happy anniversary or birthday, be sure to send your submissions to comms@allianceautomotive.co.uk.
The nomination process is simple and can be completed through AAG Benefits, just scan the QR code.
The ACCT UK Excellence Awards are a distinct recognition scheme aimed at promoting and supporting non-military programmes offered by the Army Cadet Force (ACF).
It takes drive and determination to keep the non-military programme going. Adult volunteers are spread thin and already give so much of themselves in time
and commitment. Running these wider activities in the ACF is not easy, but it’s very important. ACCT UK works hard to actively promote the diversity of activities and support them through charitable grants.
I won the President’s Certificate for Excellence in Community Service.
This has been after months of raising money for the Royal British Legion, including donations of selection boxes to the local food bank and Easter eggs to a local children’s home and much more.”
Well done, Hannah!
We are pleased to announce the acquisition of Allwoods Automotive.
Allwoods is an LV business and operates from four branches based in Nottingham, Newark, Lincoln & Grantham with sales of c£5.7m and 40 employees. The business is an existing GROUPAUTO member.
Please join us in welcoming them to the AAG family!
We are delighted to announce that Tom Whiley has been promoted to the new position of Senior Commercial Manager (Product – Pricing & Data), effective from 1st June 2024, reporting to Bob Ackroyd.
In this new position, Tom will have responsibility for Product Pricing & Data including the PIM (Informatica) project. Tom already has many touchpoints in these areas and his skill set will enable the teams to drive projects and improvements to a faster completion.
Please join us in congratulating Tom on this new position and wish him every success.
Take a look at vacancies by scanning the QR code.
MARIA MCCULLOUGH TAKES ON A NEW ROLE
We are pleased to announce that Maria McCullough is leaving her role as Garage Networks Manager to venture into a new role. As of 1st July, Maria will take on a fresh challenge as Trading Group Client Relations Manager, reporting to Andy Brook Smith.
Maria has been instrumental in the success of AutoCare, launching the programme in the UK 20 years ago. AutoCare surpassed 1,000 members in 2023 and under Maria’s stewardship has won countless industry awards, including Best Garage Concept at the CAT Awards on multiple occasions. Maria received the Lifetime Achievement award for her services to the Industry at the CAT Awards in 2023.
Join us in congratulating Maria on her new position!
Since our last edition of Torquing Point, there’s been a lot of charity fundraising happening! Take a look below at what your colleagues have been up to:
Anthony Urmston-Toft takes on the Tough Mudder
Anthony Urmston-Toft, Internal Auditor for H&S and Quality, will be taking on the Tough Mudder challenge this summer. He said: “I am taking part in Tough Mudder this year as a close friend of mine is going through the toughest fight! It will be their second bout with throat cancer. I've watched them keep going and fight with more determination than I've seen before. So, the least I can do is raise awareness and money for an amazing cause. Help me raise £501 for this amazing charity!”
Be sure to send a good luck message to Anthony and make a donation by scanning the QR code.
Chantal runs Cancer Research’s Race for Life
Chantal Wilton-Woodhouse, Data Analyst, recently took part in the Cancer Research UK Race for Life 5k, in Milton Keynes on 9th June 2024.
It’s not too late to make a donation! Just scan the QR code and show Chantal some support.
Stuart Swann takes on his 16th Great North Run
Stuart Swann, Assistant Manager at TMS Penrith, will be taking part in this year’s Great North Run in Aid of The Great North Air Ambulance.
This will be Stuart's 16th Great North Run, in that time he has dressed up as Elvis, The Hulk and Santa. He is repping his Santa costume again this year and is currently growing his beard which will be dyed the week before.
If you would like to donate, please scan the QR code.
We supported Chris Wickers with raffle prizes!
Chris Wickers is a member of the Motex Chelmsford team who spends a significant amount of time volunteering outside of work. He is involved in various charitable organisations, including Hospital Radio Chelmsford, where he serves as a Trustee and Treasurer. Hospital Radio Chelmsford is a registered charity that is celebrating its 60th anniversary in September. Chris is also a Vice Chairman of the Volvo Owners' Club, which
has chosen UK Sepsis Trust as its charity of the year.
Both of these charitable organisations are holding raffles this year to raise money for their respective causes. Chris approached the Comms Team and requested support by providing prizes for the raffles. We were happy to help, and we contributed an Amazon Echo Dot and Firestick to assist in raising funds for these worthy causes.
This year, NAPA Racing UK has teamed up with Ben to raise crucial funds and awareness in the automotive industry.
So far, they have already taken part in the Race Across Britain, as well as hosting dedicated race weekends where Ben colleagues get the opportunity to be a part of the grid personnel. Additionally, their outreach team are available to talk to those attending the races, and exclusive bears can be purchased from the NAPA Racing UK shop, with £5 of each sales being donated to Ben.
So far we have raised: Over £5,500!
As you may know, this year the Workshop Pro Team taking part in the National Three Peaks Challenge in order to raise vital funds for Ben Automotive Industry Charity.
The National Three Peaks Challenge involves climbing the three highest peaks of Scotland, England and Wales, often within 24 hours. The total walking distance is 23 miles (37km) and the total ascent is 3064 metres (10,052ft) - twice the ascent of the Yorkshire Three Peaks, over a similar total walking distance.
They will take to the peaks in September with a target of raising £10,000!
Scan the QR code to make a donation!
"I WOULD NOT HAVE MADE IT THROUGH WITHOUT THEM"Dylan Wyatt, Assistant Branch Manager
"BEN CONTACTED ME AND HELPED ME WITH COST OF LIVING EXPENSES"
Snetterton was the first of two weekends where NAPA Racing will be supporting Automotive Charity Ben, with staff and guests from the charity promoting Ben as our grid personnel and the infamous “Ben Bear” making an appearance across our socials to raise money and awareness for the charity.
For the NAPA Racing BTCC team, it was another weekend featuring podium finishes. Ash chalked up another BTCC championship record in race 1 of the weekend.
Race 2 saw a welcome return to the BTCC podium for Dan Cammish with a strong 2nd. After qualifying an impressive 3rd and 4th on the grid, Ash Sutton and Dan Cammish raced to finish where they had started, with Dan Rowbottom 10th and Sam Osborne 16th.
It was another strong weekend for the NAPA Racing MINI teams in the JCW and JCW Sport Championships. Jamie Osborne returned to the podium with an awesome 2nd place finish, setting the fastest lap in the opening round of the weekend. Jamie continued this form all weekend with two 4th’s and a 5th in the weekend's 3 other races. In the MINI JCW Sport class, it was 3 out of 4 race podiums for Cam Richardson, results that leave him second in the JCW Sport Championship and Rookie Cup. After a stellar opening
two rounds of the season seeing him in 2nd place in the Championship, Lewis Selby endured what can only be described as a “character-building” weekend with a series of unfortunate events hampering his challenge.
The NAPA Racing UK team scored a first win of the 2024 Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship season on a fine weekend at Thruxton, allowing the Ford team to remain out front in the title race. Here are just a few highlights from Thruxton:
Three podiums in a day for Dan Cammish
First 1-2 of the season
Cammish had climbed to third at the start but a charging Sutton moved back through into the podium spots on lap two and then overhauled both Cook and leader Adam Morgan to grab his first victory of the season and retain his championship lead. Cammish also got ahead of Morgan to secure another second place finish and cap his strongest weekend of the year to date, meaning his now holds fifth in the standings.
Osborne would score his second points finish of the weekend in 13th place, with his results across the weekend seeing him retain third in the Jack Sears Trophy.
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The NRF Tech Training Van is a hub of activity, constantly on the move to different locations and customers. Here's a snapshot of what a week might look like:
The week begins with the van pulling up at the Motor Factors to meet with the BDM. NRF colleagues then discuss the plans for the day and head to their first call. Ultimately, they will visit in the region of 10 garages to answer their technical questions, promote the NRF brand, discuss warranty procedures, and the benefits of the NRF products. They also offer free technical/ practical training sessions that will benefit the garage. The mechanics will come to the van and learn about the different training modules that NRF can deliver and the latest in automotive cooling technology.
on the AC system. The focus is diagnosing different issues on the system as well different methods of leak detection and the diagnostic sight glass. The training session normally lasts 3 hours. The training is designed to be as interactive as possible and encourages the mechanics to ask questions. Once the training has finished, NRF pack up and move onto the next arranged training session to conduct a fun and challenging training session with ERG valves and fault codes using their diagnostic tools.
as calls to Motor Factors who have requested workouts to arrange dates. It's also a time to write further training presentations, technical articles and follow up on any emails.
Throughout the week, the NRF Tech Training van is not just a vehicle but a catalyst for change, bringing tech education and opportunity directly to garages. The impact extends far beyond the van's physical presence, igniting curiosity and fostering connections that can shape the future.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, the van heads to a recently visited garage to deliver some hands-on technical training
The van arrives to the Motor Factor, and the NRF team set up the van with all the equipment in preparation for a busy evening of answering the garages technical questions and general conversations about the NRF cooling products and the benefits of using them. NRF host basic workshops on different components to engage the mechanics and generate interest. The mechanic then moves on to the next stand with some NRF freebies and some knowledge.
The week wraps up with follow-up calls to garages visited on Monday, to book dates for any training that has been requested, as well
Take a look at our favourite photos submitted this month!
Have you got any images you would like to share? Send your photos to comms@allianceautomotive.co.uk next edition.
NAPA Truck Clutch Kits
NAPA Summer Screen Wash
NAPA Racing Car Mats
NAPA has made an appearance in the June edition of AutoScene magazine. You can find NAPA on the front cover, an inside full-page ad, 2 editorial pieces, and priority billing in their UK Garage & Bodyshop Event show guide.
Apec Clutches launch
Apec ABS Rings launch (Apec Truck)
Apec Power Steering Pumps
Apec Steering & Suspension
Thank you to everyone who entered the last Torquing Point competition, congratulations to the winner, Mike Westaway from Mill Autoquip Newton Abbot. We will be in touch to send out your Amazon Echo Dot & Firestick soon!
Can you f ind the 10 sunshine emojis in this newsletter? You could be the next winner of an Amazon Tech Bundle (Echo Dot & Firestick).
Send your submissions to comms@allianceautomotive.co.uk to be in with a chance of being our next winner.
Happy search
We encourage everyone to share any ideas, suggestions, or feedback on the AAG UK&IE Newsletter with the Communications Team, by emailing comms@allianceautomotive.co.uk
Did you miss out on last month’s edition? Scan the QR code to take a look!
April & June Anniversaries:
Congratulations to our colleagues 25, 30 work anniversary in between April and June 2024!
Scan the QR code to see our long service anniversaries article and learn some interesting facts about the year they started with AAG.