Motor Parts Direct celebrates 25 years

Date: Friday 28 June 2024

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National motor factor kicks off celebrations with trade show and awards dinner

 National motor factor chain, Motor Parts Direct (MPD) is celebrating 25 years in the automotive industry and has kicked off celebrations with a branch manager’s trade event and anniversary dinner.

The 25th anniversary event, held at DoubleTree by Hilton, Milton Keynes on 22 June, brought together MPD staff from head office and branch network and also key suppliers.

During the day, more than 250 representatives from across MPD’s 180-strong branch network attended a trade event, where they could meet with suppliers to the business and exchange ideas on working together to promote new ranges and availability to garages nationwide.

In the evening, 450 people packed out the main function room and were treated to dinner, entertainment by singing waiters and music from DJ Howard Enstone.

Earlier in the evening, MPD managing director Darren Wykes addressed the audience, reflecting on the journey of the business in the past 25 years, embracing challenge and opportunity in equal measure with an attitude that has seen the company grow beyond expectation.

He said: “Our objective, when we started, was to be the best at what we do and if you reflect on our mission statement written all those years ago, it still remains as important today as when we first launched the business: ‘Be the natural choice for your customers’.”

Wykes went on to add that success had been earned through “utilising knowledge and skills, coupled with empowering staff and forging strong relationships with suppliers.”

He called on the business to seize opportunities and thanked everyone for their passion and hard work on taking the business forward.

These sentiments were echoed by Motus chief executive Niall Lynch, parent company of MPD. He acknowledged the company’s remarkable story, “starting 25 years ago as a single outlet and blossoming into a 180-branch operation,” stating, “this growth is not just in numbers, but in the determination and ambition that have become the hallmark of the MPD brand.”

Lynch added: “We are at the cusp of a new era, where our expertise, innovation, and service will lead the way.  As we look to the next 25 years, let us carry forward the legacy of excellence, the commitment to quality, and the culture of success that have been the pillars of MPD.”

The evening also featured the Motor Parts Direct (MPD) awards for 2023-24. These were as follows:

 Top Supplier voted for by MPD Head Office

Winner: WAI

Runner Up: ZF Aftermarket

Runner Up: Niterra (NGK)

Top Supplier voted for by MPD branches

Winner: Bilstein Group

Runner Up: Liqui Moly

Runner Up: Ultraparts

Most Improved Branch

Winner: Elland

Runner Up: Sevenoaks

Runner Up: Bridgwater

Top performing branch on sales over targets

Winner: Bridgwater

Runner Up: Farnham

Runner Up: Bradford

Top branch on overall achievement

Winner: Petersfield

Runner Up: Maidenhead

Runner Up: Martlesham

Top performing Region

Winner: Region 8

Runner Up: Region 4

Runner Up: Region 13

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