Car fitting firm sees upturn in downturn

Nov 5 2008 by Chris Knox, The Journal

A CAR fitting business expects to see its turnover rocket from £350,000 to £2m in five years as more motorists look to improve their existing vehicles as a way of dealing with the credit crunch.

Blyth-based garage firm HiQ is set to open new sites in Sunderland, Derwentside and Alnwick in order to capitalise on the wave of hard-up motorists putting off the purchase of a new car in favour of improving their current one.

The new garages, which will open next month, are part of a £80,000 investment by director Alister McGill and will bring the North East chain up to five sites.

The entrepreneur, who set up the chain two years ago, also plans to more than double his 12-strong workforce to 27 once the new sites open and will also be investing a sizeable amount in new technology.

He is also looking to expand its services, which range from tyre fitting to full MOTs, and is looking to invest £7,500 in hi-tech diagnostic equipment which can be used to uncover a range of faults.

“We are really bucking the trend in the motoring trade”, Mr McGill said. “Whereas retailers are having a tough time shifting cars as a result of a drop in spending, we are finding that an increasing number of people are keen to fix up or improve their current vehicles as a cost-cutting alternative. This also allows them to cut down on their emission as well as the cost of fuel.”

The firm, which Mr McGill runs as part of Birmingham-based Goodyear Dunlop, operates a dedicated “drop-off” service which has proved popular among its customers.

“I really believe that we provide our customers with the kind of personal touch that has helped us to quickly establish a very strong reputation and grow our sales,” said Mr McGill.

“Many other garages quote a price and then when they’re finished with the job, think nothing of adding to it. Our car drop-off service is also very much appreciated by our clients, who are often too busy to come and pick their car up.”