There was a big turnout of prospective new members at the AutoMester Open Evening in Athlone, with garages owners travelling from as far afield as Mayo and Kerry to attend. The full service garage concept held the event, to provide garages interested in joining the expanding network, with the chance to learn about the many benefits of the programme and to meet existing members and find out about the impact it has had on their business.

 
On the evening, there was a presentation on the comprehensive range of services and support offered by AutoMester including, garage management software, access to technical information, online OE parts identification and ordering and both technical and business training. There was a particular focus on the marketing and branding aspects of the programme, which includes everything from signage and workwear, to brochures, flyers, adverts, PR, text and email campaigns, social media support and campaigns, a dedicated garage website and a customer rewards programme called AutoMester Rewards Club. It was emphasised that all marketing tools were jointly branded and how being part of AutoMester offered both quality and price benefits for marketing activity.

The prospective members also got to hear from existing members about other useful elements of the programme, such as information exchange between AutoMester garages on technical issues, tool lending between members and interest-free financing on diagnostic equipment from HELLA Gutmann Solutions.

Indeed the potential for positive interaction between member garages was well illustrated on the night as garage owners discussed difficult issues they faced and AutoMester members who also had their quarterly conference prior to the open evening, were able to suggest solutions based on the their own experience and the tools and support services available to the network.  

AutoMester Concept Manager Sandra Schade commented, "We were delighted with the open evening turnout and very pleased by the quality of the garages expressing an interest in joining the network. The feedback we got was that the garages thought the tools and the support services in the programme were excellent and were particularly impressed by the way that AutoMester is member driven and allows garages to maintain their independence while also being part of something bigger.”

For more information contact the AutoMester Team on 01-517-5805, or visit www.automester.ie.