First Stop Tyre & Car Services has confirmed our reports on 14 September that the network has established a franchise partnership with one of the most successful garage depots in Devon, Pilgrim Tyres. Three new jobs are being created in the process. It is First Stop’s first partnership with a former HiQ franchise.
First Stop Tyre & Car Services has revealed its striking new rebrand at a flagship store in Birmingham. The Auto Workshop, headed up by father-and-son team Steve and Graham Todd, has become First Stop’s latest partner. Five new jobs have b
Bridgestone UK retail manager Mark Widdows has confirmed that the first tyre retailer to sign up to the newly-revamped First Stop programme is Cardiff-based A&A Tyre & Auto Services.
When Mark Widdows left HiQ to head up the First Stop project as UK retail network manager, Bridgestone EMIA in October 2019, it was a fair guess that the revamped First Stop would end up competing with HiQ for the role of leading UK tyre retail franchise operation. However, six months into the role, Tyres & Accessories met up with Widdows and learnt that the new First Stop retail proposition has both ambitious plans and a comprehensive franchise offer.
Following the news that Goodyear has bought one of its largest and longest-established HiQ franchisees, Easy Tyre and Autocare, Tyrepress got in touch with executives in order to find out more. For example, how much money changed hands? And, considering the latest purchase is the second acquisition of its kind, is Goodyear planning to go full-circle with retail ownership? The short answer is no. But a Goodyear/HiQ spokesperson did say “the acquisition of Easy Tyre and Autocentres further strengthens the competitive advantage of Goodyear and HiQ”, adding:
All of Quick Lane’s 15 centres now offer MOT testing. The news follows the Bracknell site’s attainment of MOT testing certification from the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
Quick Lane, which has been operating as a franchise in the UK for a year, sees the burgeoning MOT market as a key source of business, with dedicated bays, equipment and testers in each Quick Lane location. Its strategy to provide motorists with convenience with confidence, together with a service that fits around driver’s needs is paying off, with plans to extend the network further throughout 2020.
Goodyear Tyres UK Limited has acquired Easy Tyre and Autocentres, which runs 17 HiQ branches as a franchisee.
Easy Tyre and Autocentres’ branches span from Telford to Kettering, in a geographical area with a high value car parc and, according to Goodyear, represent the “second step” in the company’s ongoing retail strategy. All sites will become Goodyear’s equity operating under the HiQ brand going forward.
Kwik Fit’s first Italy National Convention has taken place in Milan, celebrating the network’s growth to 57 centres. The event, with its title “Choose Kwik Fit. Being Kwik Fit” highlighted the strength of the Kwik Fit brand, with specific reference to Italy, and focused on the shared values of the company and its franchisees.
First Stop has recruited Mark Widdows to the senior position of UK retail network manager after working with Goodyear Dunlop for 20 years, where he latterly served as national franchise manager for the HiQ network. The recruitment is seen as a statement of intent, as First Stop aims to grow its network and position itself as a major player in the fast-fit sector.
Point S has expanded into the Philippines market. Connecting with the 7,641 islands that make up the Philippines is seen as a strategic move, following the operations expansion into India and Malaysia. According to the company, it will significantly increase Point S’s footprint in the Asian and global tyre landscape.
The extension of First Stop’s fast fit network has continued to accelerate with the addition of Uncle Tom’s Motorist Centre. The Harlow based garage’s owner Laurence Nicholls has 45 years of experience, making Uncle Tom’s a mainstay in the community. He said the decision to become a First Stop partner would enable his business to continue improving and adding more strings to its bow.
Tyre maker Bridgestone has ranked 10th in the 10th annual list of Australia’s 10 best franchises, as voted by franchisees across the country.
Kwik Fit has begun automotive repairs and servicing at its 10th location in Hungary, with the addition of a new centre in Kecskemét.
The opening ceremony for the centre was performed by Olympic medal winning wrestler Norbert Növényi and István Bogasov, Kecskemét city councillor, who joined centre owner Gyorgy Meszaros to mark the start of operations. Gyorgy Meszaros is running the Kecskemét centre under a franchise agreement with Kwik Fit Hungary. Meszaros has operated a car dealership on the site since 2003 and saw a Kwik Fit franchise as a way to offer customers a full range of automotive maintenance and repair services under an internationally respected brand.
Australia’s JAX Tyres is now entirely owned by Hankook Tire. On 23 January, the South Korean firm acquired a 100 per cent stake in the franchise network of tyre retailers from its principal shareholder, company chairman Fred Hurrell, and others. The deal covers 83 outlets in the eastern states of Australia. While Hankook Tire hasn’t disclosed the sum it paid for JAX Tyres, Pulse shares that market observers estimate a KRW 100 billion (£68.8 million) price tag for the transaction.
HiQ has added Manchester tyre store PPM Autocare to its franchise network. The store, which has a good local reputation according to HiQ, will reopen as HiQ West Gorton. Commenting on the decision to move to the HiQ Network, workshop manager Phil Statham, said: “Having previously worked for HiQ I knew how PPM would fit well into the network. The level of support and communication we received prior to joining the HiQ network was excellent. It made the move to a HiQ branded store seamless. We are excited to see where the future takes us with HiQ.”
First Stop
The Auto Workshop; First Stop
Bridgestone, First Stop