A NORTHUMBERLAND Nissan and Suzuki dealership enjoyed a spectacular night of success at the recent AM Awards.
Blackshaws, Alnwick, won not one but two categories: ‘Best Marketing Initiative’ and ‘Aftersales Operation of the Year’.
The double triumph delighted everyone at the family-owned business. Marketing and HR manager Sue Blackshaw said: ‘We were absolutely over the moon, really excited. It was a great night.
‘We knew we were shortlisted but didn’t dare to hope that we would win both categories. To get on the shortlist is an achievement in itself!’
Entering the aftersales category involved a detailed, in-depth auditing process, not to mention the completion of a lengthy questionnaire. It is a notoriously difficult category to win as competition is very fierce.
Blackshaws had been highly commended last year, so looked at their processes again, made a few adjustments and were rewarded for their hard work.
When it came to the marketing category, the company emphasised that they don’t see marketing as a one-off activity, rather that they continually promote all aspects of the business.
They send special thankyou cards to purchasers of new cars and are heavily involved in charity events in their local community, having been in existence for more than 90 years.
Sue added: ‘The satisfying thing about the marketing category was that it was also open to manufacturers – and we were shortlisted against Mercedes Benz GB. It was great that a dealership of our size could be successful in that exalted company.’
A major achievement
Managing director David Blackshaw said: ‘This is one of the proudest moments of my business career and it is a major achievement for a company of our size.
‘There is no doubt that our success is due to the dedication, motivation and hard work of all our staff and of course to the support of our customers.’
Blackshaws, which was established in 1919, is located in the Lionheart Enterprise Park on the outskirts of Alnwick. In addition to Suzuki and Nissan new car sales the business sells a wide selection of approved used vehicles, Motability cars, finance and warranties plus all makes servicing, MOTs, accessories, parts and bodyshop services including Smart repair.