Yeovil independent workshop records six-figure growth since investment

Yeovil-based independent workshop TR Autos has recorded a six figure growth in sales since investment in modernising its business management.

The independent Saab specialist repairer, founded in 2008 and run by Tom and Kayleigh Butler, boosted turnover at the four-person garage grew by £113,000 in its first year since adopting the Garage Hive.workshop management system in 2021.

The extra business has enabled TR Autos to reinvest, moving from a two-bay workshop to one that is three times the size, and adding an MOT bay for the first time too.

Previously TR Autos had relied on a basic computer accounts package supplemented with paper diaries.

“We now have the ability to invoice all work our technicians do thanks to the electronic diary,” said Kayleigh Butler, owner.

“We don’t lose track of anything.” She said the reporting capabilities in tracking technician efficiency and daily gross profits are now vital: “Garage Hive really enables us to plan and steer the business in the direction we want.”

TR Autos found the first six months moving onto Garage Hive presented challenges. Stored parts had to be stock-controlled whilst staff had to adapt to new ways of working.

The flexible support and training from Garage Hive’s team were essential during this period. “No matter what you need, there’s always help – on phone, Facebook or WhatsApp,” she said. “It gives us confidence.

“Allocating work with the electronic diary is incredibly efficient, front-of-house can now see in real-time how jobs are progressing.

“Technicians’ tablets give them all the information at their fingertips, so they don’t need to come out and ask, they can just crack on.”

Customer online authorisations, vehicle health checks and job checklists have also helped drive business growth - and improved the customer experience too - by offering total transparency on what’s needed.

Digital customer contact by SMS and email has also saved time and boosted retention.

“Without Garage Hive’s reports, it would have felt daunting but the numbers gave us confidence that we could afford to expand,” she said.