AUTOSMART TAKES GOLD IN 2008 FRANCHISOR OF THE YEAR AWARDS

Autosmart International, the UK’s leading manufacturer and supplier of premium quality vehicle cleaning and maintenance products, has won the Gold Award in the British Franchise Association’s (bfa) 2008 Franchisor of the Year Awards.

Autosmart International Ltd., received the winner’s trophy from bfa President, Sir Bernard Ingham, at a glittering Awards luncheon held at London’s Sheraton Park Lane Hotel last week (Thursday 22nd May).

The Awards, sponsored by Express Newspapers and HSBC Bank, seek out the top performing franchisors in the UK, rewarding individual excellence and highlighting the increasing influence of a market sector now worth £12.4 billion a year.

The theme for this year’s Awards was ‘now and then, five years on’, with franchisors having to demonstrate the developments they have brought to their businesses in the past five years. Moving with the times doesn’t always mean making radical changes, as Autosmart International has successfully demonstrated. Against a shifting backdrop of emerging markets and new product sectors, its focus over the last five years has been its core business principles and what it knows it does best.

In 2003, following a management buyout the company was keen to find a way to drive the business forward. Shunning fancy marketing strategies and radical business ideas, Autosmart’s call to action was to re-focus its franchisees on selling by demonstration and to increase the number of sales units. Results were dramatic, sales have risen by half again to £15 million.

By having a sound grasp of what works and sticking to what it does best, Autosmart has firmly established a business model that would take the company and its franchise network forward to a secure future.

Autosmart franchisees have experienced first hand the benefits of the re-focus. Improved product and sales training has enabled franchisees to develop profitable businesses, no matter what their previous experience.

Managing Director of Autosmart, Sophie Atkinson, said: “This award recognises that together we have built a really successful and sustainable business. I am so proud that our performance has been singled out as exceptional. My thanks go to our dedicated network of franchisees and head office staff for enabling this to happen.”

Director General of the bfa, Brian Smart, said: “This year’s competition was extremely difficult to judge, with high quality contributions from many of the entrants.

“Autosmart stood out amongst the short-listed companies and deserves recognition for their outstanding achievements. They have continually developed their business model to support their network of franchisees, ensuring they maximise growth whilst building a sustainable and profitable business.”

Express Newspapers’ Classified Advertising Director, Justin Mafham, added his praise of the company’s achievement: “Autosmart have shown just how adaptable a good franchise operation can be and we look forward to sharing their success story with our readers.”

Head of Franchising for HSBC, Cathryn Hayes, added: “Autosmart has consistently developed products and services to meet new customers’ needs.

“We at HSBC are committed to delivering the same level of service to our customers in franchising – a growing sector we have been supporting for more than 20 years.”

For more information on the world of franchising, please visit www.dailyexpressfranchise.com or www.thebfa.org.