Awards go to vehicle firm for top service
Kevan Old says the key to running a good business is to go above and beyond for customers.
“The main thing is to treat people the way that you want to be treated.. I guess I expect good service from other people so I do my best to make sure that it what I do too.”
The owner/operator of Central Taranaki Automotive was recently recognised for his efforts when he won the Best Male Service Person category at the Stratford Press Romeo Awards. He wasn’t the only one held in high regard.
His wife Wendy, who works in the office, was nominated and a finalist for the Best Female Service Person category and workers Ricky Howells and Isaiah Hemopo was were both finalists in the Best Youth Service Person category. The business was also a finalist in the Best Presented Business category.
Kevan says it was a bit of a surprise winning the category, especially since he won the same award back in 2009. The business had won multiple awards over the years and Kevan says communication, being approachable and a tidy workplace are part of the winning formula.
Kevan and Wendy have owned the automotive repairs and servicing business since 2012 and Kevan has been a mechanic for 35 years. He is well known as the Stratford Volunteer Fire Brigade volunteer deputy chief fire officer, involved in the fire service for for 23 years. Heavily involved in the community, Kevan was also on the Stratford Primary School board of trustees for nine years and is often found mentoring and helping out other business owners in the district as well as charitable trusts.
The couple — who have three girls — Haylee (23) Megan (20) and Deanna (17) — have recently expanded the business, building an extension to the workshop and upgrading the showroom.
Kevan says he was proud of the business and the team behind him.
“It’s a team effort. I took the award but I couldn’t have done it without the team.”