Scotland Ash News

Scotlands Ash Garage has appointed Jordan Montgomery as its new apprentice, with the independent garage laying out plans to invest in the business’ growth.

Scotlands Ash is committed to helping secure the future of the independent motor trade and the new appointment reflects its goal to inspire and support the next generation of technicians.

Montgomery is also undertaking his Vehicle Maintenance Level 1 Diploma through the City of Oxford College at Blackbird Leys alongside his apprenticeship, providing him with both practical and theoretical skills required for the role.

The new apprentice will join Oxfordshire’s leading garage which has more than 30 years’ experience delivering excellent, honest service to the local area.

Scotlands Ash proprietor, Peter Welch said: “We are delighted to welcome Jordan to the Scotlands Ash family and are looking forward to helping him succeed as a fully qualified, experienced technician.

“I’m certain that the team will take him under their wing and offer their full support to ensure he is as comfortable as possible here and has access to professional training and helpful advice when needed.

“Jordan’s appointment is one of the several steps we are taking to continue the growth of the business, meet constant high demand and fulfil the local community’s motoring requirements.”

The independent garage is a certified TerraClean service centre, as well as offering a wide range of services, including: MOTs, car & van servicing, general repairs on all makes and models, and also tyre fitting. And, with a large fleet of complimentary courtesy cars, the garage avoids any inconvenience to the customer, always offering a fully reliable service.

TerraClean, the deep engine cleaning service to reduce emissions and restore performance, is expressing the importance of regular servicing and using TerraClean as a form of preventative maintenance to effectively tackle modern vehicle problems.

Carbon and fuel deposits seriously hamper a vehicle’s performance, reduce BHP and MPG and increase emissions as well as reducing the lifespan of various engine components.

Through TerraClean, the removal of carbon at regular service intervals restores engine performance and allows for a cleaner fuel burn, thereby reducing emissions and extending the engine life. The result is a reversal of an engine’s “natural aging process” and provides motorists with an improved driving experience.

Since its launch in the UK, TerraClean has been successful in reducing emissions on all types of petrol and diesel vehicles including, passenger cars, taxis, commercial vehicles, motorbikes and tractors with close to 70,000 vehicles benefiting from the process.

TerraClean now has 450 service centres within its network and is continuing to expand and raise awareness of frequent preventative maintenance.

Members within the network are located throughout the UK and are specifically trained to use a vast array of TerraClean tools, including its EGR / DPF cleaning tool that revives blocked DPFs.

With it now being illegal to remove a diesel particulate filter if fitted as standard, this specialist tool offers motorists a cost-effective solution when their DPF warning light appears, without falling foul of the law.

Martin Dowd, TerraClean managing director said: “Failure to adhere to regular servicing intervals plus the illegal removal of diesel particulate filters (DPFs) are contributing to a wider problem of increased air pollution.

“With new laws coming into place, vehicle servicing is changing and we encourage motorists to take action and use TerraClean as a form of preventative maintenance to not only ensure their vehicle is roadworthy, but most importantly maximise their motoring experience.”

With the nation voting to leave the European Union, Scotland’s Ash Garage proprietor, Peter Welch, is beginning to assess the implications this has for independent garages, stressing the importance of transferring EU legislation into UK law.

Although the process is in the very early stages and the motor industry cannot be sure about the effect this will have on the trade, Welch believes that current legislation promotes choice for motorists in regards to servicing and repair.

Under European legislation, consumers have the right to use any garage for non-warranty work during the statutory warranty period.

This legislation protects a motorist’s right to choose a garage over its dealership network to service or repair their vehicle, and despite no immediate changes taking place for at least two years until Article 50 of the Treaty on the European Union is triggered, initiating the formal process of leaving the EU, it is unclear whether the result of the referendum will be to the benefit of the independent automotive trade.

The UK automotive aftermarket currently employs more than 345,000 people and there is also an uncertainty surrounding the UK’s employment law as legislation originating in the EU has been the main source of employee protection legislation over the last 15 to 20 years.

Scotlands Ash Garage proprietor, Peter Welch, said: “Although the future is unclear, all EU legislation will be reviewed by the UK government and with urgent issues taking priority, any legislation affecting the motor trade may not be reviewed for up to ten years.”

Scotlands Ash offers a wide range of services, including: MOTs, car services, van services, general repairs on all makes and models and also tyre fitting. And with a large fleet of complimentary courtesy cars, the garage avoids any inconvenience to the customer, always offering a fully reliable service.

Double British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) champion, Colin Turkington, sponsored by TerraClean, scored Subaru’s first ever Dunlop MSA BTCC victory on 5 June at Oulton Park as well as winning the opener at Croft Circuit 18 – 19 June.

With Turkington securing pole position on Saturday 4 June and going on to perform successfully once again in Sunday’s opening race, it is an historic result for the Japanese marque.

Following safety concerns with Turkington’s Silverline Subaru BMR Racing Levorg’s fuel system at Thruxton, he was forced to sit out of the previous three races but reemerged in strong form in front of more than 40,000 people in the Oulton Park crowd.

Turkington’s second win of 2016 has now moved him towards the top ten in the standings with 81-points to his name.

TerraClean recently launched its brand new advert across a number of digital and satellite channels nationwide and its sponsorship of Turkington is another example of its commitment to reach the mass market to benefit its network of workshops.

Phillip Dowd, TerraClean sales director, said: “It was great to attend Oulton and experience the excitement of the BTCC firsthand and I’d like to congratulate Colin on making history with his breathtaking win.

“This is a fantastic promotional opportunity for the TerraClean brand and we’re confident that it will raise awareness of our engine decarbonising service and drive custom into our network. We will continue to show our support throughout the series and wish Colin luck in his next race.”

Randstad Ltd’s engine de-carbonising service, TerraClean, has revealed it has chosen Teenage Cancer Trust, as its headline charity for 2016.

TerraClean is a keen supporter of charity and the team and its network of workshops regularly carry out fundraising activity. At its recent conference, it raised more than £900 Teenage Cancer Trust.

Phillip Dowd, TerraClean sales director, said: “Teenage Cancer Trust is an incredibly valuable cause and we hope to raise as much money as possible for the charity. The services it provides are vital to many young people in the UK and we are proud to show our support, as well as promote the charity’s life-changing work across our network.”

With around seven individuals aged between 13 and 24 diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK, Teenage Cancer Trust is the only charity committed to providing world-class cancer services for young people in the UK. The life-changing care and support provided ensures young people do not have to face the challenges of cancer alone.

Scotlands Ash Garage, an independent garage from within the TerraClean network, has first-hand experience of how cancer can affect young people as its proprietor’s own daughter was diagnosed with a nerve sheath sarcoma at the age of just 20. Thanks to some pioneering treatment and the support from family, friends, the NHS and local authorities, Peter Welch’s daughter, Libby, is now fully recovered.

TerraClean hopes that its support will raise awareness to the work Teenage Cancer Trust carries out, transforming young peoples’ lives for the better. All money raised will be donated and will help to improve the quality of life and chances of survival for young people with cancer.

In addition to creating a variety of fundraising opportunities across its vast network, TerraClean will also emphasise the charity’s fundamental work throughout its communication outlets such as its newsletter, social media sites, website and presence at exhibitions.

To find out more about the charity or how to donate, please visit its website: www.teenagecancertrust.org

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The following article is running in a trade magazine:

Peter Welch

Although the National Living Wage has been introduced to positively support the general workforce, it may not have such a beneficial impact on small businesses. Finding experienced technicians can already prove difficult for independent garages and this new legislation may not help the issue.

From April, garages will have to assess their pay structure to ensure any over 25s working for the company are being paid correctly according to law. In some cases, particularly areas of unskilled work, this may result in increasing an individual’s salary without increasing their productivity.

Small businesses often do not have access to big budgets, and therefore need to carefully structure teams to work efficiently as it becomes increasingly difficult to stretch funding to employ new staff.

As it stands, the new legislation does not affect us as we’re based in a high-wage area, but as I know from various companies within the trade, it is sure to affect others.

On the other hand, the introduction of this new system may incentivise employees and give them the added motivation to work harder, helping small businesses thrive with a limited workforce. It will also give those not currently working a reason to find employment, therefore increasing those paying towards tax, benefitting the economy.

I understand the reasons behind the change and it’s incredibly important to pay workers an appropriate wage to sustain the workforce, but I am slightly concerned about the negative effect it will have on small businesses within the industry; it may cause a chain effect throughout the supply chain as a direct result of rising pricing structures to cover the increased cost of labour, meaning the customer will inevitably have to fork out more.

With Arctic air leaving Britain shivering recently, the nation is still having to endure waking up to chilly mornings, icy windscreens and freezing fingers. However, the countdown to Easter is now underway, meaning spring is just around the corner, but until we can welcome the long-awaited thaw, we’ve prepared some advice to help motorists brace for the wintry weather and get safely through the most dangerous season for road users.

Gear up for the weather

When it’s icy outside, allow extra time to ensure you’re not rushing and worrying about being late for work or an appointment. This additional time will enable you to properly prepare for your journey, as well as drive slower and more carefully to avoid slippery patches.

Never drive without fully clearing your windscreen and windows of any ice as not only is it incredibly dangerous as it causes blind spots, but if your vision is obscured in any way, it could incur a large fine.

Always keep your car stocked with a full can/bottle of de-icer, a functional scraper and a pair of gloves. Use the heater settings to help quicken the demisting process, but ensure your engine is running as this could flatten the battery.

Remember, never try to cheat and use hot water on your windscreen; if the water is too hot it will crack your windscreen and could also spill onto the floor and freeze, leaving dangerous spots. Don’t rely on your windscreen wipers to do the job for you either, as this is a lengthy process and could damage them.

Although you may normally avoid them, plan your route via main roads as these are more likely to be gritted or thawed out.

If it has snowed, remove the snow from all of your light’s lenses and your roof as it will continue to fall down, impairing your vision. It may also drift back onto the car behind you which can be dangerous.

Ensure you’re fully charged

During winter, batteries are prone to more wear as they are forced to work a lot harder than usual. A significant decrease in daylight hours and colder temperatures mean a lot of motorists commute to and from work in the dark using the vehicle’s lights a lot more frequently, as well as the heater.

Avoid using electrical systems longer than necessary and turn off any non-essential functions. As mentioned previously, it’s important that heating systems, the radio and lights are not left on while the engine is off as this is a sure-fire way to kill your battery. It’s also advisable to turn off these functions when starting the engine too to prevent added strain on the battery.

With a lifespan on five years, we recommend replacing old batteries to save time and hassle spent on the side of the road.

Tread carefully

We would also recommend checking your tyres before heading off. The tread depth should be 3mm, and at minimum 2mm in the winter months; use the edge of a 10p coin to check this. Defective tyres can cause skidding, and don’t listen to the old tale that reducing tyre pressure can increase grip – it doesn’t.

Keep a clear view ahead

Winter is a bad time for visibility on the roads, whether it be the dazzling sun, icy windscreens, clouded windows from condensation, thick fog or dark commutes, there always seems to be something shielding a motorist’s view.

Scratches or chips can distort your vision if the sun is shining through your windscreen and so we advise you get them fixed as soon as possible.

Remember also to switch off windscreen wipers as they could freeze to the windscreen, damaging the blade.

Some specialist windscreen washer fluids contain antifreeze, helping to speed up the demisting process so it’s a good idea to invest in these. Please note, don’t use ordinary antifreeze as it will damage your paintwork.

Good lightbulbs are also a necessity for all motorists in the winter months, so ensure your lenses are always clean, as well as your number plate as you can be fined if it is illegible.

Prepare for the worst

Keeping a winter survival kit may sound extreme, but it can come in handy if your car breaks down in the cold weather.

Always carry an adaptable, car mobile phone charger as you never know when you may need to make an emergency phone call. It’s useful to keep a shovel and some grit in your car too to drive through slippery conditions. Storing extra bulbs is also practical as we all know good visibility is key during the winter.

We would also recommend packing a blanket and warm clothing during journeys as you may be heading straight into a warm building, but your car may have other plans and if you break down on the side of the motorway it is essential you leave your vehicle, whatever the weather.

Great news: The Chilton Road that runs from Upton to Hagbourne Hill is now open! We would also like to wish everyone a great and safe festive period. Merry Christmas!