Buckley Tyre Service beats biggest dealers to be best in the business

Flintshire-based Buckley Tyre Service has been named the best tyre dealer in the UK after picking up the hotly contested Tyre Retailer of the Year Award at last night’s National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) Awards.

The independent dealership initially won the Small Retailer category, before going on to be crowned the NTDA’s overall Tyre Retailer of the Year – a flagship award which pitted the business against the winners of the Medium Retailer (up to 25 centres) and Large Retailer (national) categories.

It marks a successful 45th anniversary year for the business, which was founded by John Atkin and his late father Michael in October 1974, initially operating from a small tin shed. Today the company, which is a Michelin Certified Centre, employs 25 people, and pulls in motorists and motorcycle riders far beyond any ‘territory’ you’d normally associate with a fast-fit firm.

The NTDA Awards, presented by comedian Mark Watson, took place at Birmingham’s International Convention Centre in front of 600 senior industry figures – and John admits he was ecstatic when his company was announced as the winner of the evening’s top award.

“It was the first time we’d ever entered, so to go home having won our category and been named the best tyre dealer in the country was a magnificent result,” he says. “It’s testament to the hard work of every member of my team; we’re all absolutely chuffed. It doesn’t get more special than going head-to-head with some of the biggest tyre companies in the country, and winning!”

In recognition of his father’s key role in founding the business, John chose to wear his father’s dinner jacket to the event. “It didn’t really fit me, but I wanted a part of him to be with me last night. He’d have been very proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

Key to Buckley Tyre Service’s success is a focus on customer service which is instilled into every member of the team, and where the average length of service is an impressive 14 years.

“We constantly remind ourselves that we are only as good as today,” explains John, who is a hands-on owner and still regularly fits tyres in the workshop. “We might have been trading for 45 years, but you’ve got to keep that standard going day-in, day-out, just like a Michelin Star restaurant. This means being on the case all the time, every day, and making sure our level of service is the same every time a customer comes in.”

He adds: “I can’t say enough about the support Michelin has given us since we joined the Michelin Business Professional network for motorcycle tyre specialists six years ago, and then the Michelin Auto Professional network for car tyre dealers earlier this year. They are just like us; so professional in everything they do – and they bring huge value to our business.”

Andy Aylward, Michelin’s Retail Programme Manager for the UK and Ireland, says: “This is one of the very best examples in the country of how to run an independent tyre dealership.

“Every single person on the team knows their role inside out, and works hard to deliver complete customer satisfaction. We use the Google reviews this business generates when we’re training other dealers; it’s a shining example of just what’s possible when everyone’s pulling in the same direction.”

Buckley Tyre Service has been based on the same site since day one. Over the years it has bought the shops at the front, and land at the back and side, to make it one of the largest independent single tyre depots in Wales, situated on a 1.5-acre site.

For more information visit https://www.buckley-tyres.co.uk/

Ends

Michelin, the leading mobility company, is dedicated to enhancing its clients’ mobility, sustainably; designing and distributing the most suitable tyres, services and solutions for its clients’ needs; providing digital services, maps and guides to help enrich trips and travels and make them unique experiences; and developing high-technology materials that serve a variety of industries. Headquartered in Clermont-Ferrand, France, Michelin is present in 170 countries, has more than 125,000 employees and operates 67 tyre production facilities which together produced around 190 million tyres in 2018. (www.michelin.com)

For further press information please contact:
David Johnson, Michelin Press Office
Tel: + 44 (0) 1782 402341      Email:
d.johnson@michelin.com

Dan Jones or James Keeler, Garnett Keeler PR, Inver House, 37-39 Pound Street,
Carshalton, Surrey, SM5 3PG
Tel: +44 (0)20 8647 4467   E-mail: dan.jones@garnettkeeler.com / james.keeler@garnettkeeler.com

MICHMAP/112/19


About Michelin

Michelin is building a world-leading manufacturer of life-changing composites and experiences. Pioneering engineered materials for more than 130 years, Michelin is uniquely positioned to make decisive contributions to human progress and to a more sustainable world.
Drawing on its deep know-how in polymer composites, Michelin is constantly innovating to manufacture high-quality tyres and components for critical applications in demanding fields as varied as mobility, construction, aeronautics, low-carbon energies, and healthcare.
The care placed in its products and deep customer knowledge inspire Michelin to offer the finest experiences. This spans from providing data- and AI-based connected solutions for professional fleets to recommending outstanding restaurants and hotels curated by the MICHELIN Guide.


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