The previous year had brought a lot of challenges to face for the independent aftermarket, and to deal with them alone is really difficult. Because of this more and more garages recognizes the need of associating in garage chains. The year 2014 had been dominated by topics of improvement of image of the independent aftermarket, as well as improving the quality and competitiveness of independent garages in comparison to OE garages, including following free competition rules by car manufacturers. Reasonable solution to the problem seems to be tightening co-operation within the chain and implementing quality standards for services, based on purpose-made programme for chain garages development, including several elements. The first of them is an audit, measuring the advantages of a garage and diagnosing points to be improved. Next, caring for the image of a garage and full support in employee development.
Offered programme of Manager Academy made it possible to train all the employees responsible for customer service in a garage, free of charge, and thanks to this a visit in a garage will become more friendly.
Professional repairs are also supported by well built technical training programme and dedicated programmes supporting purchase of garage equipment.
Just like in previous years, especially for members of Inter Cars SA chains of garages, i.e. Q-Service, Perfect Service, Q-Service Premium and Q-Service Moto, there were special regional meetings. As our experience shows, such meetings are the best way to discuss above matters and implement them in practise. Additionally the meetings are a form of a "support group", as always during the meetings there are panel discussions, thanks to which the participants can share their experience and concerns with others. It is important because participants pass information on new problems to other members of the chain. They can also get solutions to those problems if other garage owners have had similar ones in the past.
A way to increase the power of independent aftermarket seems to be tighter cooperation with SDCM, represented by Alfred Franke, and also establishing MOVEO - an organization associating independent garages, and being an ambassador of Polish automotive market in the legislation work of the government. Inter Cars garage chains associate over 1,000 garages. It is a great force, and focussing it on directed activities will result in substantial increase in importance of the group in negotiating solutions. There were four regional meetings in 2014.
For a start
On the last weekend of September, members of garage chains had a meeting. These were people from brach groups: Gorzów, Poznań, Szczecin, Wałcz, Zielona Góra and Gdańsk. The venue of the meeting was Hotel Marine in Kołobrzeg.
The schedule of the first day was quite tight. Just after check-in, the guests took part in an official lunch. After that, there was a conference. Wojciech Twaróg, Member of the Management Board of Inter Cars SA. spoke as the first one, telling about new things and changes in garage chains associated by Inter Cars S.A. He was followed by Alfred Franke, President of SDCM, with his presentation on "Automotive Industry 2014". The participants leant about the condition of the market and about dominating trends.
The conference was ended at 6:00 p.m. and the guests relaxed in hotel amenities. At 8 p.m. all the participants gathered at a solemn dinner. This meant that lobby talks were moved to a restaurant where they were continued till late at night. Performances of Limo Cabaret and winner of Talent Show, Sabina Jeszka were the evening stars.
Important topics
A weekend in a luxurious hotel is a good chance to hear from customers about all their problems that they have to face on a daily basis and also to share know-how about running a business in the chain. The second meeting took place on 4 October 2014 in DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, in Józefów nearby Warsaw. The main points of the meeting were the conference and panel discussion, during which Alfred Franke, President of SDCM spoke to the visitors. In his speech he delivered a presentation on "Automotive Industry 2014". The world independent automotive aftermarket is a huge potential with estimated value of around € 750-800bn, where Europe accounts for € 180-200bn. Whilst Poland is one of the fastest growing markets with large potential. Unfortunately, potentially strong environment of independent garages, having no organization fighting for their rights, have no possibility of influencing on economical decisions in our country. For instance, in Poland, there are around 19.5 thousand independent garages servicing passenger cars and trucks and 1.5 thousand OE garages. The scale is incomparable, nevertheless car manufacturers have a dominating vote and are being listened to when it comes to law regulations in our country. That is why the idea of creating garage associations for common fighting for the rights of garage owners, is so important.
Similar point of view was presented by Jerzy Maliński, co-founder of Automotive Employer's Organization - MOVEO. He emphasized the need of involvement of independent aftermarket in creating favourable business environment for the industry.
Besides them, also Wojciech Twaróg, Member of the Management Board of Inter Cars SA. and Tomasz Ładosz, manager of Garage Chain Department spoke. During an intense and essential discussion, the participants had a chance to share their opinion and experience. Involvement of chain members in the discussion is a proof of how important such meetings are. They are a chance to learn about the point of view of chain members and their needs, and also help to find the right solutions to the problems.
Difficult talks
A meeting in Arłamowo, on 15th November had a very similar form. Particularly live discussion was seen during a presentation delivered by Jerzy Maliński, representing the Automotive Employers' Organization MOVEO. During his speech, he presented the changing situation of the automotive market, speaking mostly about the coming era of telematics. This is a huge area of the market, which value is estimated, according to a survey, to be between € 2.5bn in 2014 and € 18bn in 2025. Without cooperation of independent garages, the market may be dominated by OE garages before long. This is why there is such a need of building up employers' organization composed of garage representatives, in order to take advantage of the potential of small companies, and to protect the market and the interest of independent garages themselves. Jerzy Maliński emphasized the fact that MOVEO wants to be an organization representing above mentioned interest.
Also the matter of change in regulations for MOT inspection stations was discussed. After the discussion, Alfred Franke spoke supporting the organization of garages, which could become a counterweight for organizations representing car makers.
End of season in Wisła
The last regional meeting took place on 29-30 November in Stok hotel in Wisła. The participants had a chance to enjoy themselves in luxurious hotel, and also to enjoy additional attractions, such as performance of cabaret group and a concert. But not only the pleasure was important during this event. Like in other places, also here there was a conference with market experts. The image of independent automotive aftermarket was one of the issues discussed. Unfortunately the public is still convinced that only OE garages delivers services of top quality. Another unfavourable factor is not obeying EU regulations on car repairs within guarantee period. According to law, the driver can perform repairs in any single garage he wants. In practice, in Poland this law is not obeyed, and there are very often cases when and OE garage refuses to perform a guarantee repair if the car had been repaired in not authorised garage before. Our industry should fight also such malpractices.
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