Staff at a Preston business are celebrating after receiving national recognition for their hard work and customer service.
Volkswagen Van Centre Lancashire, which is part of the Swansway Group, was awarded the title of best ‘Group Performance 2014’ at the Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles’ recent gala event.
Located on Millennium Road, the van centre is an integral part of the group’s commercial vehicle division, which also operates sites in Birmingham, Wrexham and Liverpool.
In addition to the ‘Group’ accolade the Preston business was named fourth across the entire Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles network of 71 van centres with its counterpart sites, Liverpool and Wrexham taking first and second respectively. A further headline the ‘Customer Satisfaction’ award was given to the Liverpool business.
Paul Hoinville, head of business at Volkswagen Van Centre Lancashire, said: “This award recognises the very best in the Volkswagen Van Centre network so we are naturally delighted to not only be part of the winning group but also to be one of the top four businesses in the UK.”
The award measures customer satisfaction and business performance from each of the centres and culminated in Swansway receiving the national accolade.
Swansway is a family owned and run business which has traded for more than 45 years. It presently operates 19 approved franchises across the North West and West Midlands. It acquired its first Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles site in 2005.
A jubilant, Peter Smyth, Swansway Group director commented: “What a night! I’m so very proud of all our teams; winning a manufacturer’s award takes hard work and determination, all day, every day.
“I’m delighted that three of our sites have also been named in the top four best performing van centres in the UK. I believe this is the first time any motor group has had such a strong presence in the top rating positions.
“To everyone in the teams involved, a huge thank you, keep on doing what you’re doing, you’re the best!”
Volkswagen Commercial Vehicles closely monitors all aspects of its van centres, from customer satisfaction and aftersales through to sales and key business performance. Scores are collated throughout the year, culminating in the annual result.