The Garage 299

FOCUS Garage Branding 32
Talking brand
awareness with
the IGA
Stuart James, CEO of the IGA
All workshops in the Trust my Garage
programme are members of the IGA,
which in turn is part of trade body the
RMI. Trust My Garage is governed by a
firmly-applied Code of Practice.
While expected to adhere to the Code and
expecting jobs to be carried out to the highest
standards, garages are supported with the latest
technical information and tooling.
With slightly more than 3000 members Trust
my Garage goes far beyond addressing a workshop’s
image, as Frank Harvey, Head of Member
Services, explains: “all prospective members have
to carry out an thorough audit of their facilities
before their membership is confirmed. This is because
customers need to have the confidence that
any garage on our website is highly professional
and will treat car and customer accordingly.
With all businesses – not just garages – placing
an increasing amount of emphasis on customer
service – it is important that a workshop asks how
it is seen by its customers.
Says Harvey: “A workshop’s image is important
and the TMG shield, which now enjoys motorist
recognition, is part of that confidence. In today’s
market it is essential to have an online presence
and part of that means customers providing reviews,
whether good or bad.”
He believes independent garages will have a
bright future as long as they adapt to suit the mar-
ket, and with the potential demise of Block Exemption
in 2024 there could be further opportunities to
boost trade. But while that is in the (near) future,
today’s challenges come from the likes of counterfeit
parts, whose use could be fatal: TMG members use
OE components.
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