Crossgar brothers beat 1,400 to take eBay award for their global auto parts business

Crossgar brothers have won a UK-wide eBay award, shortlisted from 1,400 applicants.

Michael and Christopher Cleary, who established auto parts business Genuine Parts UK (NI) in 2017, were awarded Family Business of the Year at the eBay for Business event.

Designed to recognise and celebrate the UK’s best small and medium-sized businesses, the eBay for Business Awards took place in London this week.

The brothers also received an Anchor eBay store subscription free for one year with Concierge access plus £1,000, and will benefit from a package of business support from eBay’s small business team.

Win: Michael and Christopher Cleary

Co-director of Genuine Parts UK (NI) Ltd Michael said: “From the first job lot of automotive parts there have been many challenges, but we’ve come a long away.

“We’re extremely proud to be named as eBay’s Family Business of the Year, and this really is testament to hard work, commitTWO ment and long hours paying off.”

Both brothers still have fulltime jobs while growing Genuine Parts. The company, which has a turnover of over £100,000 in two years, has also taken on its first part-time employee, another member of the family, Ellen-Louise Cleary.

Co-director Christopher added: “Some months after we launched the business we were contacted by car manufacturers with offers to buy their stock.

“This was the game-changer for us, and from that moment on our company has grown significantly with our eBay orders being shipped internationally.”

Rob Hattrell, vice president of eBay UK, commented: It’s truly inspiring to see the brothers growing what has become a global business from their family’s kitchen table.”