Reason for surge in productivity at EAC Telford
Insight driven by data has fuelled growth at EAC Telford by transforming the way in which its workshop operates. CVW reports.
EAC Telford, an established independent garage in Shropshire which opened the shutters to its brand-new commercial vehicle workshop for the first time in March, stands as a testament to the transformative power of management software.
At the heart of its journey towards expansion lies a garage management system which garage owner, Mark Kettle, says played a pivotal role in the success of his business. Having easy access to reliable business data, such as insightful management reports, can be transformative to the way in which a workshop operates. By streamlining workflows and tracking the complete customer journey, garages can make big business gains.
With the help of detailed garage management reports and streamlined workflows, EAC Telford experienced a surge in productivity. Demand for commercial contracts was on the rise, prompting Mark to seize the opportunity to expand further into the commercial vehicle sector, culminating in the recent opening of a third site.
Effective decision making
The newly built workshop covers 7,500ft2 and is staffed by eight technicians and two front of house service advisors. Upstairs, a new spacious office area serves as the headquarters for EAC Telford. From here, Mark, along with his wife Jane and their general manager, oversee all operations with an impressive three-screen setup, positioned to overlook the office, enabling them to monitor and make decisions effectively.
It’s by observing this business data that Mark has successfully grown his business. Having quickly outgrown a second site, Mark invested more than £100,000 into the opening of his new flagship centre which caters to the needs of his growing list of commercial clients.
“It was always a dream of mine to own a three or four garage business,” says Mark. “I genuinely don’t think I’d have been able to push the boundaries and realise that dream without Garage Hive.”
Mark’s decision to first embrace Garage Hive in 2019 was met with initial scepticism. Having experienced promises of revolutionary software solutions in the past, Mark was understandably cautious. However, his reservations were quickly dispelled as Garage Hive proved to be more than just another system – it became an indispensable tool, driving efficiency and growth.
“There’s nothing else like it out there,” continues Mark. “We have a real-time overview of everything. We track activity, analyse performance, and implement improvements. Only by monitoring and acting on this data have we managed to maximise efficiency, boost sales and improve customer retention.”
The success of EAC Telford’s expansion is in part due to the adoption of Garage Hive. Mark’s certain that it enabled better management of the business, allowing him to focus on strategic growth initiatives.
“With reliable data, garage owners and workshop managers can analyse workflows, pinpoint where efficiencies can be made and implement them,” explains Ray Dilsons, managing director of Garage Hive.
An intuitive service schedule serves as a central hub for all workshop activities, providing instant access to essential information such as bookings, workload, and staff availability. Designed to be efficient even under pressure, creating and managing job sheets is a straightforward process using the system.
Milestone
Checklists and vehicle health checks, mean technicians can perform inspections and provide updates as work progresses. Meanwhile, notifications ensure front-ofhouse staff are kept updated of pending checklists, promoting timely approval and action. Garages can customise items, descriptions, and categories, as well as import supplier part numbers, adding flexibility and convenience to inventory management. The system also supports the creation of default labour lines and categories. It means job sheets are automatically populated with predefined data, particularly beneficial for fixed-priced servicing.
The opening of EAC Telford’s new commercial site marks a significant business milestone, showcasing Mark and Jane’s ambition, dedication, and keen eye for market opportunities within the automotive industry.
