On the back of the AutoCare Conference and Trade Show, a total of 270 delegates attended a four day business event at the EPIC SANA resort in the Algarve.
The event was built on the format of previous years with a formal business program, informal interaction between members and suppliers and an element of time built in to enjoy the five star location and unseasonably warm weather.
Member’s had the opportunity to speak with key suppliers to the group about their specific businesses in meetings scheduled in advance.
The conference session was an opportunity for members and suppliers to hear the GROUPAUTO views of the industry, to hear first-hand the strategy of the group, the additional investment in people, the positive results from the GROUPAUTO activity and the projects that are being worked on for the benefit of members and suppliers alike.
Nigel Morgan Managing Director of Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket UK Ltd commented “The event was very well organised and professionally run from start to finish. As a supplier sponsor the opportunity to hear the messages and meet with the members who represent a significant proportion of the business in an atmosphere conducive to good business is invaluable and a worthwhile investment.”
Jim Mazza the GROUPAUTO Managing Director said; “The amount of hard work involved in putting these events on is hugely worthwhile when you consider the positive results of bringing people together to not only tell them what their group has done and is doing, but more importantly to give us the opportunity to listen to their views and to take direction from them”.
He added: “I am truly appreciative of the time our members and suppliers were able to spend with us and for the opportunity to clearly demonstrate that a professionally run trading group focussed entirely on the membership with considerable dedicated resource and a willingness and an ability to invest on behalf of our members allowing them to concentrate on running and managing their own businesses produces great results for everyone concerned.
Who could argue with that given our group is the largest, is now six times the size it was ten years ago and has delivered terms improvements for member in the past twelve months alone of £3.4 million!”
Lyndon Smith a member delegate at the event remarked: “I wouldn’t miss this event for anything. The chance to meet with suppliers, other members and the GROUPAUTO team in such an atmosphere is just fantastic. GROUPAUTO is an integral part of my business and I’m grateful to Jim and the team for all the help they provide me.”
