AUTOSMART WINS UK FRANCHISOR OF THE YEAR GOLD AWARD

Business takes top prize for its commitment to investing in research and development

Autosmart, the largest manufacturer and supplier of professional vehicle cleaning products to the automotive trade in the UK, has won the British Franchise Association HSBC Franchisor of the Year Gold Award.

The business took the top prize for its commitment to investing in research and development in order to diversify its product offerings and cut costs.

As a result, Autosmart saved its customers 30 per cent in costs and still achieved record sales of £37.2 million, while maintaining the quality of its products.

“Winning Gold in the bfa HSBC Franchisor of the Year Awards is fantastic motivation for our staff and franchisees, who have all worked so hard over the past year to put us in this position,” says Sophie Atkinson, managing director of Autosmart International.

“We have been franchising for more than three decades and are committed to adapting and changing our business model to meet the needs of franchisees, customers and the auto industry to provide the highest quality products and services, while continuing to build on the efficiency of the business.”

Other award winners included Home Instead Senior Care, which took silver in the Franchisor of the Year category, and Driver Hire, a specialist transport and logistics recruitment company, which took bronze.

Cost and purchase management consultancy Auditel won the HSBC Franchisee Support Award, while Cafe2U, a mobile coffee provider, took the Express Newspapers Brand Builder title.

The winning franchisors were praised for being the most enterprising, ethical franchisors in the UK, regardless of business sector or size.

Brian Smart, director general of the bfa, says: “Congratulations to all our exceptional winners.

“The judging panel was presented with outstanding examples of fresh thinking, brand development and franchisee support, confirming that it has been another great and innovative year in UK franchising.

“Now in their 23rd year, the awards continue to inspire the next generation of franchisors and franchisees by highlighting the success and best practice driving our industry.”