Press Articles about Cory’s Car Repairs:
Still Going Strong
The Team You Can Trust
More Praise for Cory
Great and Honest Car Service
Cory’s Company Expands Business
Local Heroes: Celebrating the UK’s Best Garages
Cory’s Pride in Honest Work
How The Prince’s Trust Helped a Man with a Back Problem
“Still Going Strong”
Publication Name: Rugby Review
Date: Thursday 24th June 2010
Location: “Motoring Sepcialists” Feature – Page 29CORY Smith first established his business 12 years ago with the backing of the Prince’s Trust, and over those years Cory’s Car Repairs & Cory’s Tyres has become one of Rugby’s most popular independent garages with the facilities to provide for the needs of all motorists, whatever type, make or model of vehicle they might own.
Today, Cory’s wife, Amy, also helps to run the business and it’s been a story of constant development.
Recent changes have seen Cory take on another fully-trained technician due to the rising amount of business being received due to word of mouth recommendation.
Cory is determined to employ the best of the very best and even the technician with the least amount of time under his belt has more than 20 years knowledge of the industry!
Cory has also employed an experienced person in the office to assist with automated email service and MOT reminders, take bookings and to help with all-important backroom functions.
He has invested in an impressive website which provides comprehensive information on the enormous range of services offered.
By logging onto www.carrepairsrugby.co.uk you can book your car’s service, ask for impartial advice and information, meet the team, peruse customer comments about the level of service provided or read the regular newsletter.
Open between 8am and 7pm five days a week, Cory’s Car Repairs and Cory’s Tyres is now open for an hour and a half longer from Monday to Friday.
Cory says: “Judging by comments received from our customers they seem to like us. Since introducing our tyre operation we’ve managed to double our business and this has vastly added to the number of people using our services.”
“The next stage of company development will be the creation of an MOT station so that MOT tests can be provided in-house.”
Free collection and delivery can be provided and Cory’s Car Repairs can offer a local roadside recovery service in the event of a vehicle breakdown.
For good, honest friendly service and the best possible workmanship try Cory’s Car Repairs/Cory’s Tyres at Unit 17 Arches Lane Business Centre (Off Mill Road), Rugby CV21 1QW. Call (01788) 540776 to book your car’s next service or book online.
“The Team You Can Trust”
Publication Name: Rugby Advertiser
Date: February 2010
Location: “Winter Motoring Specialists” FeatureEstablished 12 years ago by Cory Smith with backing from the Prince’s Trust, Cory’s Car Repairs have grown from operating out of the back of a Ford Escort van to become one of Rugby’s most popular independent garages, with the facilities to provide for the needs of all motorists, whatever type, make or model of vehicle they may own.
Today, Cory’s wife Amy, also helps to run the business. Their team of highly skilled technicians have many years of industry experience, with even the technician with the least amount of time under his belt having 20 years expertise!
The team provide servicing, repairs and MOT repairs, including welding, for all makes and model of car and they have access to modern facilities in order to perform all tasks on site on the highest possible technical standard.
This includes servicing, major repair work, engine reconditioning and the replacement of timing belts or cylinder head gaskets. Free tyre, exhaust, battery and antifreeze checks can also be performed and vehicle renovation work yet another area of expertise.
Free collection and delivery can be provided and Cory’s Car Repairs can offer a local roadside recovery service in the event of a vehicle breakdown.
MOT tests can also be arranged through Cory’s Car Repairs who also offer tyre fitting while you wait, with wheel balancing and alignment performed during the fitting process.
There’s a huge choice of over 400 tyres and the fitting centre is equipped and manned to offer the very best fitting service.
They also supply and fit exhausts and with several deliveries received daily, nine times out of ten they’re usually in a position to carry out fitting within a couple of hours of an order being placed.
Labour rates at Cory’s Car Repairs are entirely reasonable. However, this independent garage is not driven by price alone! So, what makes this friendly firm different from some other operators? Well, the team believe that honesty is always the best policy. When it comes to performing repairs they do what needs to be done which means that customers won’t be tricked into paying for unnecessary work to bump up the profit margins.
This policy has worked well for Cory’s Car Repairs which continues to increase its customer base with loyal customers returning time after time and more arriving through word of mouth recommendation.
For good, honest, friendly service and the best possible workmanship try Cory’s Car Repairs/Cory’s Tyres at Unit 17, Arches Lane Business Centre (off Mill Road) Rugby CV21 1QW. Why not call Cory and Amy Smith on 01788 540776 to book your car’s next service.
“More Praise for Cory”
Publication Name: Rugby Advertiser
Date: 14th January 2010
Location: Page 4 (Letters to the Editor)“May I through your letters column add a few more words of praise for Cory’s Car Repairs (letter from Claver Chitambo, January 7, Rugby Advertiser).
I do not hold a driving licence or own a car and have therefore never spent anything on repairs through the company.My daughter, however, always uses Cory’s Car Repairs, since being recommended by a family member who knew Cory not long after he set up his business. I believe he was aided by The Prince’s Trust, so it’s a feather in their cap too for seeing his potential. My daughter went there after her own favoured garage had just closed down.
On the number of occasions I have met Cory, he has always done a grand job for a fair price. He always has kind words and a smile on his face, even though I know he has had a few personal traumas himself.
In the early days, he even provided a courier service, door-to-door, which was a great boon with me not driving when my daughter was still living at home.
Just last week in the atrocious weather conditions, he was out in person to sort out a ‘dead battery’ problem for my daughter with his usual politeness and prompt service. This was done despite being exceptionally busy with other work resulting from bad weather.
He also told us he was looking to expand his business.
Good luck to you Cory. You deserve it, having worked so hard. A genuinely nice person.”
Linda Brown
Grosvenor Road
Rugby
“Great and Honest Car Service”
Publication Name: Rugby Advertiser
Date: 7th January 2010
Location: Page 4 (Letters to the Editor)“In November 2009 I sent my car, a Mercedes Benz for repairs at Cory’s Car Repairs in Rugby. This involved the replacement of the ignition module. The module and a key to reprogramme the module were ordered from Mercedes Benz Coventry by Cory’s. The repairs were done promptly and efficiently, and I went away happy with their service.
In December, to my very pleasant surprise, I recieved a refund of £201.00 from Cory’s. They explained that one of the charges they had passed on to me from Mercedes Benz Coventry was a charge for a reprogramming key.
Cory’s had been unaware that this was a refundable charge from Mercedes Benz Coventry and so when they recieved the refund after returning the reprogramming key to Mercedes Benz Coventry they passed it on to me. Such honesty and integrity is quite rare in most businesses today and is to be commended highly. I would therefore be grateful if you can publish my letter in your paper. To Cory’s, I just want to express publicly that you got my custom forever.”
Claver Chitambo
Heather Close
Rugby
“Cory’s Company Expands Business”
Publication Name: Rugby Advertiser
Date: 17th July 2008
Location: Front PageIt may have started with a toolbox and a van, but Cory’s Car Repairs can now boast yet another extension to its successful business.
The company was established ten years ago by Cory Smith and offers customers servicing and repairs for all makes of car and light commercial vehicle.
The success of the business has allowed him to open Cory’s Tyres next door to the existing operation.
Cory said “This is a fast fit service that will have your tyres replaced quickly and efficiently. We have over 450 tyres in stock and can supply any make and size of tyre usually the same day.
“You’ll find that our prices are extremely competitive too.”
Talking about the car repairs business, he added “All servicing and repairs are carried out in the workshop by fully trained technicians who use the latest diagnostic scanning equipment. They ensure that your vehicle receives the very best of care and attention”.
The garage stays open late. They operate from 8am until 7pm Monday to Friday and from 9am until 1.30pm on Saturday.
A pick up and delivery service from home or work is available to customers.
Cory’s Car Repairs also performs MOT testing by appointment.
The centres are based at Unit 17-18 Arches Business Centre, off Mill Road in Rugby.
For further information phone free on 0800 0744982 or Cory’s mobile on 07970 771540.
You can also visit www.coryscarrepairs.co.uk or www.corystyres.co.uk.
“Local Heroes: Celebrating the UK’s Best Garages”
Publication Name: CAT Magazine
Date: December 2008
Location: Pages 34 and 35Cory’s Car Repairs, Rugby
Cory Smith is expanding his garage business during tough times. He puts his success down to honesty and reliability.
Richard Wagstaff reports.
“We pride ourselves on our straightforward, honest service”.
Cory Smith is an inspiration to mechanics who dream of going it alone. He was written off by his doctor because of back problems, which gave him the drive to create a successful business. Having worked as a mechanic for a few years before becoming self employed due to his back, he started up a mobile repair business. This went from strength to strength until he rented, then owned, his own site. He offers most repair services, including air conditioning, diagnostics and wheel alignment and with the recent acquisition of the adjacent building, he has expanded into the tyre business. The signs are good for Cory’s Car Repairs with no visible effect from the credit crunch.What are the major challenges facing independent garages?
The only thing I find difficult is finding skilled people. There’s no problem finding mechanics, but they’re not qualified to the right level. They have been working with cars for a long time but have never been qualified and can’t afford to be. Perhaps it’s something the government should be investing in.Have you ever had to turn away business because you the lacked the technical capability?
Not really. If there’s anything we can’t deal with because we haven’t got the equipment, we’ll sub it out to another local business. It tends to e electrical work that we have to pass on.Do you employ any trainee mechanics?
I used to, but he is now fully qualified. He did NVQ levels one to three as well as City and Guilds one to three. He came to us while he was at college, so we didn’t need to pay for the qualifications; we just paid him his wages.Has investing in training and development benefited your business?
It has definitely helped us. The chap who has just qualified has gone from strength to strength for us. I’ve also just started doing tyres from the adjacent building, which is a recent purchase, as one of my guys is an excellent tyre fitter.Do you think the independent sector is improving its service?
Sadly there are still a lot of cowboys around who don’t care. In my business we put the customer first and we’ll bend over backwards for them. Unfortunately, there are many that don’t have the same attitude. We’ve always had a very good reputation for customer service, but I don’t think the sector in general is any better now than it used to be.Is there a perception among car owners that franchised dealers deliver better service than independents?
Yes, I think there is. The customer pays more. One we can address this in the independent sector is to make sure everyone working on cars is qualified. Currently there are too many garages running with staff that aren’t qualified to do the work. The other way we can tackle it is to have something that all the garages can be a member of where customers can check on feedback.How do you combat the perception that the motor industry delvers poor standards of service?
People don’t trust garages and we always pride ourselves on providing an honest straightforward service. When people phone us about prices, I’m honest – I tell them we’re not the cheapest, but I’ll provide them with the best possible service. There are too many people out there that rip the customer off. We’re different because if something needs to be done on the vehicle we’ll tell the customer and do it; we won’t make things up just to make more money. As I’ve said already, it’s about being honest with the customer.What lessons did your previous job as a garage employee teach you that helped you in running your own business?
How not to treat people I employ. Let’s just say that my old boss was a fiery guy. I believe you should always treat people how you want to be treated. If you treat staff with respect you are going to get much more out of them.What are the key elements of customer service that all independent workshops must get right?
Reliability – if you say you’re going to do something make sure you do it and be honest with people. I personally don’t believe price is that relevant. People don’t come here because I’m the cheapest, they come because they know I won’t lie to them.In what ways do you go the extra mile to exceed customer expectations?
If we have a problem with a car we have in the workshop, we will work evenings and weekends to resolve that problem. For example, recently we had a taxi in that the owner need for work the next day. We stripped it down and ordered the parts only to discover that we had been sent the incorrect part. We had to take it all apart and start again. We ended up working until one in the morning to make sure we delivered on time.What measures do you have in place to ensure repeat business?
One reason they come back down to the way they are treated the first time. We keep a database of all the cars we work on so customers know we have a history of their vehicle. We also ask customers for feedback. Most of our business comes through word of mouth and not the advertising we put out. Recently I did a job on a lady’s car, it turned out that she had been quoted twice as much elsewhere than it ended up costing her with us. She is a member of a local church and now the whole congregation brings their cars to us.How do you promote your business to consumers?
We place adverts in local newspapers and on the internet but, as I’ve said, word of mouth has the biggest effect on bringing in new customers. With a good referral from someone you trust, the new customer is confident they are not going to be ripped off.Do you expect to report a better year in 2008 than in 2007?
Definitely – the last three months have seen a 30 percent increase on the previous three months. We’ve expanded very quickly and with the addition of next door I’m looking to take on more staff and equipment, which will lead to a higher turnover.What do you see s the key challenges in turning a profit?
At the moment I have to spend a lot on capital outlay such as equipment, which eats into the profit. I’m introducing it slowly, however. The business is there for us and the credit crunch hasn’t had a negative effect – all I’m finding is that we’re getting more expensive, powerful cars coming through the workshop.Do you intend to grow the business in the future or introduce new services?
I’m going to buy some more property and open an MOT station. I hope to have another building in the next six months depending on how things carry on here and then in 12 months I should have an MOT station. Basically, business is going well and I believe if I can make a success out of it then it’s there for anyone who wants it.Company Profile
Established 1988
Owner – Cory Smith
Location – Rugby
Staff – 5
Number of Lifts – 5
Vehicle Throughput – Approximately 50 per weekSponsors Comment
“At the time when most independent garages wouldn’t even dream of expanding, Cory Smith is doing exactly that. His operation illustrates exactly how good customer service can deliver business growth even in the midst of an economic downturn. Attracting and retaining customers is often about sending out the right signals; it’s a point that’s clearly not lost on Cory Smith whose “customer first” mantra is delivering fantastic word of mouth endorsement. Building this kind of reputation doesn’t happen overnight. And that’s where a brand like Shell Helix can help your business. We know from research that motorists actively seek the reassurance of a big name brand with a trusted heritage. Thanks to Shell’s global number 1 position in sales of branded lubricants, its unique brand heritage and its high profile technical partnership with the Ferrari F1 team, Shell Helix is a brand that customers not only know but importantly trust”.Kevin Wright, UK Business Manager, B2C Indirect, Shell UK Oil Products Ltd.
“Cory’s Pride in Honest Work”
Publication Name: Rugby Advertiser
Date: March 2000
Location: Business Focus SectionFor Cory Smith, doing a good day’s work and being honest to the customer are more important than just making money.
Not for him the rip-offs and scams you sometimes hear about in the more unscrupulous end of the motor trade.
He takes great pride in the work he does from workshop in Lawford Heath and has ambitions to move into bigger premises in the future.
But it could very nearly have been so different when a back problem put him out of action for six months and employers didn’t want to know. A £1500 grant and £500 loan he received from the Prince’s Trust two and a half years ago to set up on his own was like manna from heaven.
“The Prince’s Trust rescued me – no-one else was going to give me a chance with a medical condition” he said.
Support from the trust is ongoing, with a semi-retired human resources consultant, Graham Cole, meeting Cory regularly to advise on progress and knock his ideas into shape.
The garage – which Cory moved into after a year travelling around in a van doing repairs – carries out a full range of services, including welding, servicing, MOT repairs and breakdown attendance for cars and light vans. Vehicles are collected from and returned to the owners.
Cory, who lives in Wentworth Road, Rugby, said “I grew up in a poor environment in Overslade and a lot of the people I know got into trouble. But I wasn’t interested in that.
“People say I have been lucky but anyone with an idea who is prepared to work hard can do this. I sometimes work 17 hours a day and it was very stressful to begin with.
“ I really enjoy it – if I won the lottery I would still do this job”.
You can contact Cory on his freephone number 0800 0744982.
“How The Prince’s Trust Helped a Man with a Back Problem”
Publication: The Prince’s Trust Magazine, Rugby Advertiser
Date: June 1999
Location: Page 5For Cory Smith, doing a good day’s work and being honest to the customer are more important than just making money. He takes great pride in the work he does from his workshop in Lawford Heath, Unit 4 The Acre. Lawford Heath Lane. Lawford Heath.
But Cory’s life could have been very different. A back problem put him out of action for six months and employers didn’t want to know. A £1,500 grant and £500 loan he received from the Princes Trust two and a half years ago was like Manna from heaven, and he set up on his own. Already Cory has a trainee and a self employed qualified mechanic to call on from time to time.
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