ANDERSON CLARK MOTOR REPAIRS

SMTA Tell us about your work in the local community?

GC We recently installed a defibrillator on the outside of our building with public access 24/7. It has already been used once so far.

Every Christmas we give money to a local charity who buy Christmas presents for children who are unlikely to receive anything.

A primary school just a short distance from our garage received a financial donation from us to keep physical education a priority in the school.

The Highland Hospice, one of our favourite charities, had a fund-raising cycle event sponsored by us.

Mikeysline, a Highland Mental Health Support charity, launched a fundraising challenge for local businesses to walk 1 million steps in a month (between its work force). Anderson Clark Motor Repairs more than doubled it!.

SMTA What’s one of the highlights of your community activity over the years?

GC Installing the defibrillator is probably the one I’m most excited about. Hopefully it will save someone’s life and our staff have been trained to use it.

SMTA What does it mean to your business to win one of our Community Activity Recognition Awards?

GC We see a need and respond to it so it comes as a surprise when we receive recognition for it. It’s a good feeling to stop and see how much has actually been achieved by us as a team.

SMTA What do you think it means to your local community to see local business fundraising, donating etc.

GC It’s essential for the local community to benefit from local businesses. So much funding has been cut by local government that many charities are on their knees.

SMTA SMTA is keen to show that our members are not just garage businesses but many of our members also play a huge part in the community. What inspires you to be so active in your community?

GC Our business has thrived in a fairly impoverished area of Inverness. It’s only right that we give back to those who live in it. There are many needs out there

SMTA Graham you also won our President’s Award 2022 in addition to your C.A.R. Star Award — congratulations again! Your business has accumulated multiple awards over the years, how do you feel about that?

GC It’s fantastic to be acknowledged for all our efforts and is testimony to our hard working team. We’ve attended some of these award ceremonies feeling very much the underdog and come away with the top prize. I feel particularly honoured to receive the President’s Award as I always assume it’s for the big hitters! I’m just the owner of a wee independent garage in Inverness.

SMTA Can you tell our readers how you came to be in the motor trade?

GC I had a neighbour who tinkered with cars and used to let me help him. It got me hooked to learn professionally.

SMTA What are your plans for the future?

GC We do a lot of commercial work now and struggle with keeping big vans on our premises. We’re currently preparing to extend our car park to make this easier.

Some of our technicians are being trained to Electric and Hybrid Vehicle level 4 to futureproof the business.

SMTA What’s the key to your success?

GC Implementing good practice, continual training and keeping abreast of changes within the industry are key to success. We have never deviated from our slogan — “Cutting costs, not corners” — and strive for honesty and integrity in all we do.

SMTA What’s the best advice you would give to someone starting their own garage business?

GC Great advice I had from someone when we first started up 27 years ago was to have a 3 month reserve of funds — during the pandemic that was a Godsend for us.

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