Although well familiar to garages in the Iberian Peninsula, Ryme (that’s “ReeMay”, not “Ryhme”) will perhaps need some introducing this far north – although not for long, as the garage equipment supplier continues its rapid spread throughout the British Isles. PMM ’s Kieran Nee sat down with the company’s managing director Nick Austin to find out what they have to offer to UK garages.
Hi Nick, thanks for speaking to me today. The garage equipment sector relies on personal relationships as much as anything else, so could you begin by introducing yourself and telling us a bit of your history in the sector?
I started in the industry at the age of 16 as an apprentice panel beater on a YTS scheme on £29.50 a week and always felt at home in a garage. One day I saw a job advertised in a local paper from a Crypton distributor looking for a salesman. In those days there was no such thing as being ageist and it stated you needed to be 23 or over. Nevertheless, I gave them a call and said I was only 21 but felt people in garages talk garage language and they gave me a try. Since then, I have been incredibly fortunate to have continued working with large, reputable equipment manufacturers. I struggle to understand how people can knowingly sell poor quality products and fortunately I’ve never had to.
I have sold a vast range of products such as lifts and MOT bays, diagnostics, emissions, wheel and tyre products, commercial products such as brake testers and shaker plates, and ATF lanes.
Ryme will be a new name for many of our readers, but you’re not a new company, right?
Ryme was founded in 1982 in Burgos, Spain and is focused and dedicated to the design and development of products to continuously improve the vehicle inspection market.
We are now in over 85 countries. Our UK business model is to offer these same highquality products. We do manufacture vehicle lifts, although, as with most manufacturers, there is always a gap that you need to fill with an alternative product if you want to offer the complete solution to your customers. Nevertheless, this will need to meet our quality standards. We are currently working on two ways to market, both distribution and direct sales with installation through our service team or an approved contractor.
Does the UK need another garage equipment supplier? What sets Ryme apart?
Ryme has successfully supplied products and implemented turn-key testing programs worldwide. Why shouldn’t the UK automotive industry also have access to these products and services too. For me, what sets us apart is undoubtedly the product quality. This will be realised in the UK and will be one of the key elements of our success.
Finally, what are your trade show plans for this year? Are you coming to Mechanex in November?
Yes, we exhibited at Mechanex Harrogate and will be at Sandown Park in November. We were also at the Road Transport Expo at Stoneleigh Park in June. We are looking forward to showing our products there and meeting new and existing customers.
