First ever REPXPERT Award winners announced

Date: Thursday 23 May 2024

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• The winners of the REPXPERT Awards were announced during the Schaeffler REPXPERT Conference, held on Wednesday 22nd May at Coventry MTC.

Hereford | May 23rd, 2024| Apprentice technicians from the east midlands and north west, along with a garage in the north east were named as the first-ever winners at the REPXPERT Awards, which took place during the inaugural Schaeffler REPXPERT Conference yesterday (Wednesday 22nd May).

Mia Reeves of Bear and Bee Garage in Grantham, Lincolnshire was named Apprentice of the Year after garage co-founder Russ Houlden put forward her nomination. The category sought to find the most promising apprentice technician in the sector, based on technical proficiency or progress.

“Mia is personable, polite, friendly, hard-working, willing to learn and enthusiastic,” said Russ. “She is everything you would want from a young apprentice. That isn't why she deserves this award though. This industry is a male-dominated space, but Mia has never once let that phase her. Her passion and enjoyment are clear for all to see.”

Commenting on her win, 18-year old Mia Reeves said: “It is an honour to receive this award. I love what I do at Bear and Bee and to be recognised for this is incredible.”

Andrew Mather of Stockport Truck Centre in St Helens – also an apprentice – was honoured with the Extra Mile award, which recognises those who have gone above and beyond normal expectations.

Unable to make it to the REPXPERT Awards due to an exam, Kathryn Weilding from Complete Auto Repair Service (CARS), a nearby garage in Bickerstaff, collected the award on Andrew’s behalf after putting forward his nomination.

“He always puts work and others before himself,” said Kathryn. “He is a credit to himself. You can ask him anything and he is always there to help, no matter what.”

Andrew said: “I just do what everyone should. I never knew I had been nominated and was shocked to win, but in a good way.”

Finally, East Boldon Motors took home the REPXPERT Workshop Award, having been judged to have used their REPXPERT membership most efficiently.

“We are very happy to have won,” said Co-owner, Anthony Cook. “We have been in business for 16 years, and it is great to receive this sort of recognition. If you use the right components, you only do the job once. This is why we always use LuK, INA and FAG parts; they are the highest quality.

“We also use the REPXPERT app to download technical information and access videos, and it is great that our commitment to training and advancement has been noted here as well.”

The REPXPERT conference was held at Coventry’s Manufacturing Training Centre (MTC), and the names of the REPXPERT Award winners were announced to an audience of over 200 attendees.

“The winners of the first-ever REPXPERT Awards are among the best that the industry has to offer,” said Matthew Selby, Sales and Marketing Director at Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket (UK) Ltd. “Congratulations to all the winners, and well done to everyone who was nominated.”

Schaeffler encourages aftermarket professionals to stay updated with its latest news by downloading the REPXPERT app, or visiting the website at: www.repxpert.co.uk.

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