Protyre expanding Delphi training portfolio

Protyre Autocare has partnered with Delphi since 2018, leveraging the Delphi Academy e-learning platform that offers over 300 interactive modules to enhance the learning experience through technical articles, videos, and simulations. It credits the partnership with driving a significant diversification in the Protyre service portfolio – since collaborating with Delphi, general servicing and repair work have risen from 15 per cent to 40 per cent of Protyre’s operations. The tyre retailer now intends to support its growth plans by offering “well over” 1,000 bespoke Delphi training sessions this year.

Commenting on this expansion of the Protyre-Delphi partnership, Protyre retail director Stan Watson notes that “training investment is crucial if you want to stay at the top of your game.” He adds that “we know we can rely on Delphi to ensure our technicians excel in their roles and adapt to the latest automotive advancements.”

Alignment with core values

Protyre currently operates from 184 branches across the country and has plans to grow its network by up to 20 per cent annually. It considers the bespoke Delphi-developed training programme key to aligning all branches with Protyre’s core values of ‘honesty, care and expertise’.

“It’s admirable to see such a big player investing in staff to this extent,” comments Luke Garratt, UK technical services manager at Delphi. “Protyre is giving its employees an opportunity to grow from having minimal experience to becoming a fully qualified Master Technician.”

Expanded partnership: Protyre’s Stan Watson (l) & Delphi’s Luke Garratt (Photo: Protyre)

Holistic approach

Training takes place at Delphi’s advanced training centre in Warwick, distinguished as one of the UK’s largest IMI-approved technical training hubs. The program adopts a holistic approach, blending classroom theory, online learning, and hands-on workshop sessions.

A selection of courses cover fundamental training topics. An additional focus is Delphi’s advanced driver assistance system (ADAS), electric vehicle (EV), and F-Gas training courses.

“Everyone that’s engaged with Delphi has been blown away by the quality of training,” says Stan Watson. “There isn’t anybody else in the UK that can provide this level of training – Delphi is at the forefront.

“Despite traditionally being a tyre business, we’re very forward-looking and have expanded our offer to a full range of autocare services,” he adds. “We’ve trained all our service technicians to IMI-level EV standards. It means that as our loyal customers begin to make the switch to EV, we’ll continue to have the skills and expertise needed to meet their demands. Looking further ahead still, we’re well placed to benefit from Delphi’s new hydrogen training too.”

Seven million tyres a year

Protyre dates back to the 1970’s when parent company, Micheldever Group, first opened a garage in Winchester. Micheldever went on to become one of the largest independent tyre wholesalers in the UK, today selling seven million tyres nationwide. An acquisition by Sumitomo Rubber Industries (SRI) in 2017 brought accelerated growth for Micheldever Group’s retail brand, Protyre.