MC Group Newsletter #2 by michigandesignprint

MCNEWS Second Edition

Welcome to the second edition of MC News! As we close out Quarter 2, it’s time to catch up on all the exciting developments and achievements within MC. This quarter has been filled with personal and professional milestones that showcase the incredible talent and dedication of our team.

In this edition, we’ll be highlighting some key successes and developments across the company. Whether it’s an award, a completed project, or a personal achievement, we love hearing and sharing these stories.

A special shoutout goes to our Thurrock depot, which seems to have had a particularly busy quarter. Their accomplishments are a great testament to their teamwork.

We are also excited to introduce a new feature in this edition: “Meet the Team.” This section will help us get to know our colleagues in other depots better, putting a face to the name.

We hope you enjoy the updates from across the business and continue to let us know about your successes. If you have anything you would like to share in the next edition email: emily.waller@mcgroupltd.co.uk

MESSAGE FROM THE MD

Welcome to the second quarter newsletter for MC Group.

As you can see from the content the activities and investment of the Companies within MC continues at pace.

We are now over halfway through the current financial year and after a period of irregularly high UK inflation and the market imposed higher interest rates aimed at attempting to curb rising costs, we are seeing a return to a more normal economic market.

The unusual inflation driven market we have experienced in recent times has presented us with both opportunities and challenges as indeed now will the adjustment back to a more normal competitive environment.

Truck manufacturers have raised prices higher in the last two years than they did in the previous ten years and whilst this has given us some opportunities with our own margin on new truck sales and indeed residual values on our disposal contributions the downsides are plentiful too.

Due to the availability of new vehicles returning to pre Covid levels the residual values in the preowned market for trucks could no longer keep pace with prices being demanded by the truck manufacturers and the inevitable has happened with now an oversupply over 4- to 5-year-old vehicles in the marketplace.

Higher interest rates have also increased the costs for Operators in both the new and pre-owned markets coupled with higher operating costs for utilities and consumables have unfortunately meant that many commercial vehicle operators, particular those in the general hire and reward sector, have failed to survive and we are now in a new phase for the UK transport Sector of increase consolidation amongst our customers and an ongoing battle to retain and secure our business with a fewer number of operators.

We are committed as a business to continue to offer a competitive efficient total transport solution in what is shaping up to be a very tough market for the second half of the year.

We will continue to invest and will prioritise strong credit worthy customers who want to engage in long term relationships and will not allow ourselves to join the downward spiral of many of our competitors in offering short term solutions at whatever the cost need to be.

We have a strong financial foundation in which to support this difficult period and with the great teams we have within MC I know you will continue to make us amongst the most successful Companies operating in the sector. Thanks to everyone.

Simon Dawson Managing director

DEPOT DEVELOPMENTS

THURROCK

Thurrock Gets a Makeover

After a good few months in porta cabins Thurrock’s fresh new look has been unveiled, and what a transformation it is!

In line with MC’s commitment to upgrading facilities across our dealership for both customers and employees alike Thurrock was the latest depot to have their refurb complete.

The open plan airy feel complete with striking new imagery has given the depot a new lease of life. Now open and ready to continue providing our customers with a great service in a way befitting the MC brand.

GM Eric Millar is delighted with the new open plan look with a modern and professional feel, he says ‘it’s been a great boost for the team and the customers can’t believe the transformation.’

MC Hammers

Remarkable Achievement at VISTA 2023-24

We are thrilled to report that our incredible team, the MC Hammers from MC Truck and Bus Thurrock, earned a place in the semi-finals of the Volvo International Service Training Award (VISTA). John Walker, Danny Fallows, Sam Jones, and Zach Bentley demonstrated exceptional skills and secured their spot after clinching second place in the UK competition.

To put into context how significant this achievement is, VISTA is the largest service market competition in the world, with around 16,000 participants globally. Reaching this stage is no small feat and is a testament to the hard work and expertise of our team.

While the team put on a valiant effort and didn’t quite manage to secure a spot in the world finals, we are all immensely proud of what they have achieved. Well done, MC Hammers! Same time in two years? We can’t wait to see you go even further in the future!

DEPOT DEVELOPMENTS

MC THURROCK WINS UK VAS Dealer of the Year

We are thrilled to announce that Danny Fallows and Sam Jones from our Thurrock depot have won the prestigious European VAS Dealer of the Year award! Their exceptional performance has set them apart as the top VAS dealers in the UK and across Europe. The awards are based on a stringent set of criteria, detailed below and assessed thoroughly by VAS.

The VAS Dealer of the Year awards are based on a stringent set of criteria, thoroughly assessed by VAS, including:

• VAS Case Handling: The dealer must handle at least 25 VAS cases as a repairing or home dealer during the rolling year.

• Repair Lead Time: Improvement in the dealer’s repair lead time.

• GOP Speed: Improvement in the speed at which GOPs (Guarantee of Payment) are provided when acting as the home dealer.

• Whitelist Usage: Percentage of GOPs given as whitelist and improvement in this area.

• Timely Payments: VAS invoices paid within 30 days and improvement in this metric.

• Invoice Quality: Percentage of correct invoices and improvement in invoice quality.

• App and eService Usage: Percentage of updates via the app/web and improvement, as well as the percentage of cases with 100% app usage and improvement.

• Complaints: Rejected complaints and complaints closed without financial consequence negatively impact the evaluation.

• Availability as Repairing Dealer: Refusals to attend will negatively impact the evaluation.

The awards ceremony, held in Brussels, included a packed schedule with team-building activities, a visit to VAS and their factory, and concluded with a gala dinner where Danny and Sam were announced as the winners.

This award is testament to the effort and dedication of the entire team involved at Thurrock, from Customer Service Reps to Shift and Service Managers, who have all contributed to this success.

Congratulations to Danny and Sam and the wider team for this incredible achievement. This award shows commitment to excellence and sets a high standard. Well done!

DEPOT DEVELOPMENTS

HYTHE

Celebrating Years of Experience at Hythe

There’s officially decadeswell, actually centuries-worth of experience at Hythe. This year, we celebrate Paul Elson, Ray Miller, and Kelvin Adams, who have each reached the remarkable milestone of 25 years of service. What an amazing commitment to MC! We bet they could tell us some stories.

But the milestones don’t stop there. Dave Laing from the bodyshop has completed an outstanding 50 years of service this year! Read on to hear more from him and his incredible journey at MC.

We would like to extend our thanks to Paul, Ray, Kelvin, and Dave for their hard work and loyalty over the years. Your dedication and contributions have been invaluable. Here’s to many more years of excellence and service!

50 25 YEARS SERVICE

DEPOT DEVELOPMENTS

BURGESS HILL

What a Difference Some Paint Makes

Meanwhile, Burgess Hill is in the midst of its very own renovations. The new signage will be arriving imminently, and the difference the fresh paintwork has made to the workshop is truly impressive. This freshen-up aligns perfectly with our company image, and we think it looks fantastic. The revitalised appearance not only enhances our visibility but also creates a more inviting environment for our team and customers alike.

MC White

MC Grey

DEPOT DEVELOPMENTS

MAIDSTONE

Lighting it up with Solar

At our Maidstone depot we have made a significant investment in sustainability by installing a new roof on the main workshop, complete with 244 solar panels, the expanse is pretty vast and you can see the sheer scale on our social media channels. These panels are projected to produce an impressive 47,000 kWh of energy annually.

This initiative means that 25% of the power we use at Maidstone will now come from solar energy, resulting in a substantial reduction of our carbon footprint. Specifically, we are set to save 23 tonnes of CO2 emissions each year, marking a major step forward in our commitment to environmental responsibility.

This project not only supports our sustainability goals but also demonstrates our innovative approach to energy management. We’re proud to adopt green energy solutions and look forward to seeing the positive impact this will have on our operations and the environment. We will keep you updated as we continue to explore new ways to reduce our environmental impact and enhance our sustainability efforts.

244 solar panels

Producing 47,000 kWh

Saving 23 tonnes of CO2 emissions CO2

SALES SUCCESS

Steve Moon says...

Q2 has been all about managing the influx of trucks that were due to land. Our sales and PDI teams have done a fantastic job getting these trucks turned around and out the door. As a result, we have registered 329 Volvos and 30 Isuzus year-to-date.

While the market remains challenging and our total market registrations are slightly down year-on-year, there is a silver lining. MC has increased its market share year-on-year, meaning we are growing in a diminishing market—a positive sign for our business. The construction sector is showing signs of activity with promising quoting activity.

Notably, Paul Cogger secured an order from F M Conway, marking the first time we have ordered tippers for them in over 10 years. This resurgence in activity is encouraging.

Truckfest South East, both of which promise to be highlights. Plus we will see the first Aero models for customers this month.

On a sad note, we will be losing Jack Nutley at the end of June as he pursues other business interests outside of the industry. We are very sad to see him go, as he has been a valuable member of our team for the past eight years. We thank Jack for his tremendous effort and the results he has brought to MC and wish him all the best and success in his new ventures.

We have ordered trucks for the following customers:

R Swain x 13 heavy haulage units

Chantacre x2 FMX Tippers

Southern Cranes X1 FM 8x2

Essex Tankers x1 FM Unit

Star Platform 1 x FMX 8x2

T Denne & Sons x2 FH units

Ferns Surfacing x 5 FMX Grabs

Alcaline X2 FH Aero

Rabbit & Dowling 1 x FMX 8x2

Buildstop X2 FE 6x2 Rigids

Basingstoke Skip X1 FL

Skiploader

Windsor Waste x3 FM Skip loaders

T J Waste x1 FMX 8x4 Hookloader

Michelmersh FMX 8x2

JCY Steel x3 Isuzu N75

T & M Plant x1 N75

Woodlands Diary x1 N75

Sweeptech FH Tag

S G Limburn FH Tag

General Express x3 FL Curtains

Castledene FH Aero 6x2 Unit

RIDE AND DRIVE EVENT

2024

This month, MC Truck and Bus is thrilled to host our very own Ride and Drive event at the iconic Brands Hatch. Designed to showcase the new range of Volvo Trucks as they tour the UK, this event promises to be an exciting and informative day for our customers.

We have put together a full experience, allowing our customers to view all the latest trucks in one place with the added opportunity to test drive some of the models. To ensure our guests get the most out of the day, a range of experts will be available to discuss the broader product and service offerings.

The Volvo trucks on display will feature a mix of diesel and electric models, including the new Aero cab, the Volvo FM low entry cab, and the electric FH and FM. This diverse lineup will provide a comprehensive view of Volvo’s latest innovations and advancements.

Set against the backdrop of the renowned Brands Hatch circuit, customers will have the perfect environment to explore at their leisure. A designated road route will allow them to

put the new trucks through their paces, offering a genuine feel for their performance and capabilities.

Enhancing the day will be Volvo experts such as Rachel Botcher from Volvo Connect, who will delve into telematics and safety systems. John Comer, Volvo UK Product Manager, will discuss new product developments, and Mark Collin, Electric Sales Engineer, will be on hand to talk all things electric. Our own MC Rental team will also be present, offering insights into our rental, contract hire, and used trucks services.

We hope this event will not only answer our customers’ questions but also provide a deeper understanding of the Volvo product range as we move forward. All of this will unfold against the thrilling backdrop of a world-famous race track, making for an unforgettable experience.

RENTAL FLEET GROUP

Here Dave Hutchins reflects on the first half of 2024 from a rental perspective.

As we look at the first half of 2024, it’s clear that we faced some challenges coming off a tough Q4 in 2023. The haulage industry has seen a concerning number of companies struggling under difficult financial circumstances. Despite these pressures, our Rental business continues to operate at a good rate, demonstrating our resilience and adaptability.

We have seen the return of chassis and vehicle supply to pre-COVID norms, although we still face issues with getting bodies built

Nevertheless, our flexible business model has equipped us well to navigate these challenges. In 2024, we have added 221 vehicles to our fleet, with another 116 vehicles on order. Nearly 70% of these new vehicles are already allocated to customers on longterm contracts, highlighting our strong market position.

From January to April, our fleet utilization rate stood at 95%, slightly below our target of 98%. However, as we move into the third quarter, we are seeing a high level of enquiries. With the potential for interest rates to decrease and a restoration of market confidence, we hope to see a steady increase

BDM BREAKTHROUGHS

These developments highlight our strategic efforts and successes in expanding our parts and service business, reinforcing our market position and fostering customer loyalty.

Dennis Parts Initiative

We have identified 17x Biffa and County Council workshop sites, because recent customer feedback has informed us that our Dennis/ Volvo parts are much more competitively price than Dennis Eagle’s. This has given us a strong advantage in these specific markets, which has given us more of an impact and the opportunity to sell more parts.

Enterprise Flex-E-Rent Partnership

Enterprise Flex-E-Rent, which manages and maintains Highways Agency vehicles, spent around £40,000 on parts and services in April & May. After working to try and win this business for over a year we are hopeful this ongoing account will continue to grow. This relationship has opened up future opportunities, particularly the potential for MoT prep and presentation for AA vehicles at our Maidstone, Thurrock, Burgess Hill, and Witham locations.

Expanding with Go South Coast

Go South Coast, one of our largest customers for front counter parts would like us to expand our presence by arranging for us to put more parts impress stock in more of Go South Coast sites. This move will enhance our service and availability, solidifying our relationship with this key customer.

Biffa Front Counter Parts Expansion

We are continuing to expand our Biffa front counter parts sales by identifying parts that have not been purchased in over a year. With extra support from Volvo (as Biffa is a national fleet customer) we are fostering customer loyalty and enhancing our offerings.

New Front Counter Parts Business

We have secured new front counter parts business with new customers, resulting in a combined total spend

Used Vehicle Maintenance Contracts

In April & May we secured 7x new maintenance contracts, this is a great boost to our workshops.

PARTS OPERATION FEATURE

This edition we are taking a closer look at our Parts Operation and the impact it can have across the whole business.

MCTB Parts operation is a key part of our overall business, employing 45 dedicated specialists in various roles. Here’s a closer look at the team:

• 26 Parts Supervisors, Parts Advisors, and Parts Specialists

• 12 Delivery Drivers/Warehouse Support Staff

• 7 Warehouse Support Staff

We currently hold £3.5 million of stock in our warehouses, turning over approximately 7.5 times per year, which generated an impressive £26.2 million in parts sales in 2023. Despite being a key part of the MCTB operation, Parts Operations are often referred to, in the industry in general, as the “silent killer” because too much stock that doesn’t turn over fast enough can seriously impact cash flow.

Our Key Objectives:

• Keep our workshops serviced with the right part, first-time, on time.

• Service our front counter customers with the right part, first time, on time.

• Ensure our PDI (Truck Sales) vehicles have the correct parts to be delivered on time with the correct accessories and PDI fitments.

In collaboration with Volvo, we have achieved a 96% first-time pick rate for parts, whether held in our own stock or available overnight from Volvo. In 2023, our Parts Operation handled 853,000 part lines, broken down as follows:

• 546,136 via our Workshops

• 307,000 via our Front Counter teams

Every part line is looked up and checked via IMPACT, reviewed for technical notes, picked, and booked out to a Workshop Order or Front Counter Order. This means our Parts Advisors and Parts Specialists handled an average of 32,807 part lines each in 2023, which translates to an average of 131 part lines per working day!

Our Parts Delivery drivers and vans travel tens of thousands of miles each year, delivering parts to our customers, ensuring a timely and efficient service.

But It’s Not All About Sales …

Stock holding and stock management are equally crucial. When a part is manually ordered (not automatically refilled from Volvo’s stock at Gent or Rugby), we have roughly 20 days (5 days for Isuzu) to decide whether to return the part if it’s not required. This careful management helps avoid overstocking or stocking parts that may never be sold again, as these parts are not normally considered for Volvo’s quarterly buy-back.

Key Stock Management Activities Include:

Stock Inventory Checks

Our entire £3.5 million stock is checked approximately 1.5 times each year through monthly perpetual stock checks by our dedicated Warehouse and Parts Teams.

Serial Number Management

Units with serial numbers must be checked and logged against a vehicle via Volvo’s systems.

Surcharge Management

At any given time, we can have up to £400,000 (over 1,000 units) of core units awaiting credit. Each core unit must be checked and managed to ensure we receive credit from Volvo or that the customer has paid the surcharge and kept the core unit. Surcharged parts often change part numbers, so they must be carefully managed within our Core Management System.

Warranty Parts Management

Parts replaced under the manufacturer’s warranty must be kept for up to 90 days, logged, stored, and managed until we are clear to dispose of them.

Obsolescence Management

It’s crucial to manage stock levels to minimize obsolescence. If stocks are not managed properly, we end up with vast amounts of obsolete stock, potentially resulting in significant write-offs.

Warehouse management

Ensuring all parts have the correct warehouse location, making sure we have the fastest moving parts where they can be accessed easily and the warehouse space is maximised.

Failure to manage these key functions could cost us thousands of pounds in unforeseen charges, and stock write-off, highlighting the importance of our meticulous approach to parts operations.

Our team’s hard work ensures that we maintain high standards and efficiency, supporting our workshops and customers effectively. Here’s to continued success and meticulous management in our Parts Operation!

STAFF SPOTLIGHT Meet The Team

Welcome to our new feature, “Meet the Team,” designed to help us get to know our colleagues across the business and at other depots we might otherwise not get to meet. In each edition, we’ll introduce a different team member, sharing a bit about their role and their journey with MC. This month, we are excited to introduce Sarah Grant from our Witham depot.

Witham Customer Service Representative (CSR) –Sarah Grant

For those who haven’t had the pleasure of meeting her, this is Sarah. Sarah joined the MC Witham team five years ago as a Customer Service Representative after moving to the area. Sarah has become a key member of the Witham team and a favourite among our customers, thanks to her friendly nature and exceptional skills in her role. But Sarah’s journey with MC doesn’t stop there. In line with our commitment to developing internal talent and supporting our team’s growth, Sarah is now training to handle invoicing.

Chelsea Potter, who is overseeing Sarah’s training, reports that Sarah is enthusiastic and picking up the new skills very well. Chelsea has been really enjoying the training process, noting Sarah’s eagerness to learn and her quick grasp of the invoicing procedures. She said, “I am sure everyone at Witham would agree when I say Sarah is an asset to the team at Witham, she always goes above and beyond to help anyone and I believe she will be a great addition to the admin team.”

We’re excited to see Sarah continue to grow and contribute even more to the team. Keep up the fantastic work, Sarah.

Star of the Quarter

Congratulations to Dylan Kirby, MC Rental driver, who not only is one of our youngest HGV drivers but is also representing the company making us proud.

He received a glowing compliment after assisting MCTB delivering to customer Bushcade in Essex.

“Following a delivery to us this afternoon Steve has asked me to email you both to express his genuine thanks and appreciation to Dylan the driver. Steve could not have asked to meet a nicer young man…he has a fantastic attitude and work ethic despite his age and it was a privilege for Steve to have met with him…MC couldn’t have a better ambassador representing their company. We believe in giving recognition where recognition is due…the world needs more Dylan’s and he could definitely teach some people a thing or two! I’m not sure if you operate a recognition scheme as a company but if you do we would like to nominate Dylan for this!”

This is fantastic, well done Dylan, keep up the excellent work.

Special Mention

Witham Technician - Jamie Tucker

Paul Eaton would like to extend a huge well done to Witham technician Jamie Tucker. Jamie has successfully come through the MC apprentice programme, and since completing his apprenticeship, he has become one of Witham’s best technicians.

In addition to his workshop technical skills, Jamie also handles VAS callouts with great efficiency. His dedication and hard work have made him extremely well-liked and respected by the entire team. Well done, Jamie! Your achievements are a testament to the success of our apprenticeship programme and your personal commitment. Keep up the fantastic work.

Welcome Gina

Gina Ritrovato has joined MC Rental as our new Director of Business Development. Gina brings a wealth of experience and a dynamic approach to her role, where she will develop new business opportunities. A key focus for Gina is enhancing our social media presence to amplify our online exposure. Since joining, Gina has concentrated her efforts on our LinkedIn channel, resulting in a remarkable 25% increase in followers. We are excited about the growth and engagement she will continue to drive across all our social media platforms.

Please join us in welcoming Gina to the MC Rental team!

MCWelcome

Good Luck MC Third Year Apprentices

We want to extend our best wishes to our 3rd year apprentices who will soon be undertaking their End Point Assessments (EPAs). You’ve worked incredibly hard to reach this point, and we’re confident that your dedication and skills will shine through. Good luck to each of you - your future in the industry is bright!

We would like to give a warm MC welcome to all who have joined the team as at end of February 2024.

Lee Boniface

Tammy Cogger

Lee Boniface

Simon Hughes

Gina Ritrovato

Lyle Orange

Robert Wyllie

Christopher Abercrombie

Lewis Choules

Stuart Crozier

George Drake

Jake Curtis

Nigel Reely

Ryan Wyatt

Craig Baker

Aaron Evans

Shaun Stokes

Lee Chester

Kamruz Zaman

Troy Thompson

Lucia Ringer

M C Rental

Larkfield

M C Rental Larkfield

M C Rental

Larkfield

M C Truck & Bus Burgess Hill

M C Truck & Bus

Burgess Hill

M C Truck & Bus Hythe

M C Truck & Bus

Hythe

M C Truck & Bus Hythe

M C Truck & Bus Maidstone

M C Truck & Bu Southampton

M C Truck & Bus Southampton

M C Truck & Bus Thurrock

M C Truck & Bus Central

Casual Driver MCR

Fleet Administrator (Casual)

Rental Driver

Director of Business Development (MC Group)

Business Development Manager

Parts Specialist

Repair Technician

Apprentice Bodyshop Technician

Workshop Cleaner/General Duties

Repair Technician

Shift Manager

Service Technician

Shift Manager

Diagnostic Technician

Repair Technician

Service Manager

Parts Sales Advisor

Customer Service Representative

Service Administrator

HR SPOTLIGHT

NEW LEGISLATON EFFECTIVE APRIL 2024

Did you know that employees now have the right to apply for unpaid carers leave?

Carers leave is to provide care or make arrangements for a dependant who has a long term care need.

Please refer to our intranet page http://mctb-web/www/policies.htm for further information. All family friendly policies can be found on our intranet. Including forms for applying for paternity leave and maternity leave.

Location

Intranet l Personnel l Policies l Family leave

ISUZU CARE CHAMPION

Tracey Butler from MC Maidstone Wins Isuzu Care Champion of the Year 2024

We are thrilled to announce that Tracey Butler, Customer Service Representative at our MC Truck and Bus Maidstone depot, has been honoured with the Isuzu Care Champion of the Year Award for 2024. Amongst over 60 Isuzu dealers, Tracey emerged as the top performer, a testament to her dedication and excellent service.

Tracey has an impressive track record as she previously placed third for the Isuzu Care Champion award in both 2022 and 2023, showcasing her consistent commitment to customer care.

The Isuzu Care Champion award is based on several criteria. Recipients must provide comprehensive and concise information, including detailed timings, and maintain consistent communication with customers. The award criteria also include daily updates to the Isuzu Care system with the status of vehicles in the workshop, covering technical work or parts, and ensuring customers are informed throughout the entire process from booking to diagnostics to completion. Positive feedback from a Customer Liaison Executive and examples of outstanding customer service stories are also essential components for this award.

Having been with MC for over 21 years, Tracey is an asset to our team. Her dedication to putting customers first has made her a favourite among our clients. Tracey expressed her surprise and joy at receiving the award, stating, “I was really shocked when they told me. I enjoy my job and love working with our customers, so this award was totally unexpected yet the icing on the cake. It feels great to be recognised, and I’m pleased I seem to be doing a good job for everyone!”

Tracey is eagerly awaiting her trophy to be engraved so we can proudly display it.

Please join us in congratulating her on this fabulous achievement.

CELEBRATING

WITH DAVE LAING

Dave began his career with us 50 years ago, and in honour of this incredible milestone, we had the opportunity to sit down and hear all about his time at MC. Our conversation was not only insightful but also filled with humour and a lot of great memories. Join us as we delve into Dave’s experiences, learnings, and reflections from his remarkable journey with us.

Congratulations on 50 years with us! Can you tell us about how you first got started in the truck repair and bodyshop industry?

The original company I was working for was being taken over and the contenders were Channels or MC, luckily MC won as they took all the staff and I’ve been here ever since.

What was your first day on the job like, and how has the company changed since then? I was here to help the builders for a few weeks and on day one I had to paint the toilets, that’s what I was there for. At the end of two weeks, they kept me on and I became a trainee. I can remember my first week’s wages was £21 and that included 10 hours overtime!

Over the years, you must have seen many changes in technology and techniques. What’s been the most significant you’ve witnessed?

There’s too many to mention, every day’s a school day as they say.

Can you share a particularly memorable moment or achievement from your career here? Making 50 years without dropping down dead!

What’s the most challenging repair job you’ve ever tackled, and how did you manage to get

Loads of them, every one comes with its own

What advice would you give to someone just starting out in this field?

(Laughing) Think seriously before you commit! No not really, I would say be prepared to be flexible as no day is ever the same.

How do you stay motivated and passionate about your work after all these years?

It’s paid the mortgage and bought the kids up, what’s the point of chopping and changing. Later on life it’s paid for some good holidays! But really I just enjoy hitting things with big hammers. The bigger the hammer the better, that’s why I never work on cars.

Can you share any tips or tricks that you’ve learned over the years that might help your

(Chuckling) Mind your fingers!

At this point current Bodyshop Apprentice walks in and laughs “he says stay quiet and do

It was really clear to see a friendly bond between the team, as Lewis leaves Dave says “he’s a good lad he is”

What has been the most rewarding aspect of

Seeing the vehicle go out the door, like when you’ve seen a bus all smashed to pieces and it eventually leaves all shiny.

What hobbies or activities do you enjoy outside of work?

I enjoy archery, shooting and metal detecting. I’ve found loads of interesting things over the years from bent bullets, military cap badges and even a penny 50 years older than me!

Who has been the most influential person in your career, and why?

I liked working with my old friend Mickey Bye. I did a course on painting, welding, fabrication and panel beating – he’s the one that got me into what I do. I liked working with him and wanted to be like him, Mick was good at what he did.

Looking back, is there anything you wish you had done differently in your career?

Nothing I can think of.

As someone with a wealth of experience, what do you see as the future of truck repair and bodyshop work?

If there’s going to be vehicles unfortunately there’s going to be accidents which means there will be damage that needs repairing.

If you could pass on one piece of wisdom to future generations of technicians, what would it be?

I’ve worked with so many apprentices over the years but mainly work hard and enjoy what you do.

What’s your favourite truck model to work on, and why?

A big red London bus. I just like repairing them. I like a big repair job, I know what I’m doing everyday

Do you have any funny or interesting stories from your time on the job that you’d like to share? We went to Ireland for four days to look at how they repair buses. We landed and were on the phone to the driver picking us up as he said he couldn’t see us, he eventually asks what airport we are at, we tell him and he immediately replies, ‘give me 20 minutes.’ He was at the wrong airport!

If you could work on any vehicle in the world, past or present, what would it be and why?

I’ll work on anything, it’s all part of the job.

I’ll cut cabs in half all sorts, we just don’t do one thing.

Word Search Winner

Firstly, we need to announce the winner of last editions Wordsearch Competition.

Well done … Hannah Scruton!

You are the proud new owner of a Volvo jacket.

Please contact Emily to claim your prize emily.waller@mcgroupltd.co.uk

MCNEWS Edition 2 Crossword Competition

Do you fancy the chance to be our next winner and choose your own Volvo jacket?

Fill in the crossword, with words relating to this edition, correctly and send your answers to:

emily.waller@mcgroupltd.co.uk and correct entries will be entered into a draw, with the winner announced in the next issue.

Good luck!