Combining a personal approach to helping customers with a national reach and big name diagnostic equipment, Alex Gillbanks’ Impact Diagnosctics is providing UK independent workshops with an option for a bespoke diagnostic offering. Here, he introduces himself to the PMM audience.
After studying motorsport engineering at university, and then working for a successful race team for a number of years, I entered the diagnostics industry in 2004. After working for two large diagnostic suppliers and learning vast amounts in the trade over these years, I made the decision to start my own business and Impact Diagnostics was born.
We began full time trading at the start of 2017 and have become the UK’s fastest growing specialist diagnostics supplier. Over the last five years, we have gone from strength to strength, even in spite of the pandemic and the challenges it has brought with it. I have been selling diagnostic equipment for over 18 years now and am proud to say that the first garage I ever sold diagnostics to is still a customer to this day!
The rapid expansion of Impact Diagnostics required me to take on another employee. Luke was my top choice and he joined the company in 2021. He has 25 years’ experience working for a number of motor factors as well as being workshop manager for a large unit on the south coast. He brings with him a wealth of knowledge of the motor industry. Being a small team, we are able to assist our customers further than ever before and can continue to this day to provide individualised support in ways that larger companies simply cannot. Building up the team was imperative to scale and continue to support our customers.
Despite the team growth, we still are able to supply equipment at very competitive prices. We know that running a workshop is an expensive business, and we aim to keep those costs low for our customers.
Partnering with leading manufacturers to offer customers a wide variety of options has been the ultimate key to success – every workshop is different, with varying degrees of needs and wants from their diagnostics tools and services. Our wide range allows us to service all needs.
We are the main UK agent for Thinkcar products and official dealers for Autel, Autocom, OTOFIX, Telwin, Rosstech and the new multimeter from N2 Neuron.
Operating from a small base in Sevenoaks, we can supply and, more importantly, service equipment nationwide. Quality products and service are very important and every product is hand-picked to fit neatly into the product range. Because Impact Diagnostics is 100% independent, we can give tailored product advice and direct the customer to the product that best suits their requirements, rather than overselling the most expensive (but not the most appropriate) product. Only recently, we were asked by a customer if we could price match against a competitor on a particular product. However, on further discussion, we were able to find him a more suitable product for £1,400 less over a two-year period! All equipment sold is thoroughly tested in our own workshop, and by a group of trusted local garages, and won’t be sold unless quality, functionality and value are all guaranteed.
We have recently taken on the Thinkcar range of equipment as the UK main agent. Thinkcar products have been developed over 20 years and offer exceptional value in comparison to the mainstream brands. Thinkcar products allow cloud programming on their own servers, functions include BMW Cip programming as well as VAG software updating. Over the next couple of months, we will be releasing our own remote programming and diagnostics service for the ThinkCar range. This will be run by multiple specialists in the UK and Germany.
We are really excited about ThinkCar Max in particular – it really is the ultimate ‘tech in your draw’, and is the most powerful modular programming diagnostic tool, with intelligent programming function available for Audi, BMW, LAND ROVER, Mazda, Mercedes-Benz, Nissan, Porsche, Seat, SGM, Skoda, Subaru, VW and more.
We are now offering free product demonstrations for the entre ThinkCar range, held at your garage! Also we are offering an up to £1,000 cashback option (T&Cs apply) on purchases of the ThinkCar Max (Euromaster) – to find out more, click here.
Feedback
Simon Hooper from Broadstairs MOT Centre: “I have dealt with Alex at Impact Diagnostics for the past 16 years. Alex is at the forefront of technology and his knowledge base is second-to-none. He is on the tools himself, so you have confidence because he is not just a salesman, but a fellow technician. He is always on hand to give advice on new equipment and has sound technical guidance too.
“Alex keeps me up-to-date with technical information and equipment upgrades. He is honest when advising on equipment needed and how it will meet our particular business needs. Dealing with suppliers that are like-minded makes business far easier.”
