ideal Licensee, the penny still did not drop with Colin May. “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 and the support of Pirtek UK and an understanding bank manager, that is precisely what happened. 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 readily admits that his experience as a depot assistant, MSST and Centre Manager has greatly 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.”
May’s ability to lead by example forms 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 case of history repeating, May has also 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 asserts. “But it has provided me with a unique opportunity to own my own business and has helped me every step of the way.” 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 & Health & Safety Manager Martyn Smart has developed a series of highly detailed Help & Assistance That help comes in various forms, and Colin May
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