a centre manager could, and perhaps should, be an ideal licensee, the penny did not drop with May.
May’s ability to lead by example is the foundation of Pirtek Basildon’s success. Several members of his team have been at Pirtek Basildon almost as long as he has while another left to try his hand at another business only to return to the fold. And in a possible case of history repeating itself, May has taken on a young and relatively inexperienced trade counter assistant who might one day follow in his footsteps to the very top of the Pirtek career ladder. “Franchising and the Pirtek business model is not for everyone,” he says. “But it has provided me with a unique opportunity to own my own business and has helped me every step of the way.” Help and assistance That help comes in various forms and Colin May cites two specific aspects that have helped his centre better meet the needs of his customers. “The training regime at Pirtek is second to none. All of our staff are trained to the highest possible standards and that training is ongoing,” he explains. “In addition, Pirtek UK’s national training and health and safety manager, Martyn Smart, has developed a series of
“We had all seen how Perry had stepped up from centre manager to become the owner of Pirtek Harlow,” May says. “But it wasn’t until Vic told me he was thinking about selling Pirtek Basildon that I even considered making a bid for it myself.” Climbing the ladder With the encouragement of Vic Lane, the support of Pirtek UK and an understanding bank manager, May made a successful bid. And 22 years after he first walked through the doors at Pirtek Basildon to push a broom, he was walking through the same doors to push the business forward. May says his experience as a depot assistant, MSST and centre manager has influenced his approach as a licensee. “I would not ask any of my team to do anything that I could not or would not do myself,” he says. “And, if the need arises, I am still willing take one of the vans and carry out an on-site hose replacement myself. I don’t do it every day but I still enjoy it.”
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