FRANCHISE NETWORK
That’s because Autosmart is now the
UK’s largest manufacturer and trade
supplier of vehicle cleaning and multi-
purpose products, with more than 150
showrooms and a network of about
225 in 20 countries. The company
was British Franchise Association
Franchisor of the Year in 2014.
Last year, Autosmart franchises
increased their turnover by an average
of nine per cent - the highest rise in the
company’s history. It’s now among the
top 130 UK businesses showing the
fastest growing profits over the past
three years.
Auto smart’s environmentally
friendly products are made in-house
and since 2015 include a range of
cleaning products for food producers.
There is also a specially developed
top-up system, which means customers
only buy the amount of products they
need, so cutting down on packaging.
Autosmart franchisees have vastly
varied backgrounds - recent recruits
were previously a head teacher, an
executive of a Chinese supermarket
chain, a civil servant, a haulier, an
engineer, a media officer and a business
manager.
“Most new franchisees have never
sold anything before,” the company
says.
“We are able to reassure them
that we have over 40 years of solid
experience teaching new franchisees
to sell. Our franchisees take a fully
stocked mobile supermarket to the
customer. This is much easier than
trying to sell via a catalogue and they
also build up regular monthly repeat
business.”
Autosmart started franchising in
1979 and investment can start from as
little as £20,000. The company says the
real skills are learned out on the road
with an experienced sales coach - new
franchisees receive bespoke training
and support.WINNING NEW BUSINESS
“After the problems of selling double
glazing, I soon got back my appetite
for selling my new range of products,”
John says. “Once again, it became fun
to call on new customers and win their
business.
“With such a good relationship
with the franchise, it’s not surprising
franchisees tend to stay a long time - I
have been with Autosmart 23 years and
I’m not the longest serving. Over 71 per
cent of the network has been with the
franchise for over five years and 46 per
cent for over 10 years.
“Some franchisees have brought
their children into the business. I didthat last year when my son Zak joined
the franchise and he now runs a
second mobile showroom. He’s 24 and
seems to enjoy the job.
“We are lucky to get on well
together. It has taken quite a bit of the
pressure off me and made life a lot
easier. My wife does the books and the
business now has a real family feel.”
Does John use the numerous
Autosmart products on his own car?
“Not as often as I should,” he confesses.
“But with Zak now on board, I
should be able to cut down on my
working days and give it a bit more
attention.”