siddha development research and consultancy ( p ) ltd ( oriya : ସିଧ ହ ଡେଭଲୋପମେନ ଟ ରିସର ଚ ଅନ ଡ କନ ସଲଟାନସି ) is a private limited company located in bhubaneswar , india formed in the year 2010 .

generally it works on the social projects of govt ( foreign govt and as well as india govt ) and un.in the year 2013 sdrc had given the technical support to unicef philippines for the hpmis after the typhoon haiyan .

siddha development research and consultancy ( sdrc ) provides data - enabled decision - making solutions for policy making , planning , and implementing human development initiatives .
siddha development research and consultancy ( sdrc ) is a for profit social enterprise . it was borne out of the need to empower social change actors , who often have to deliver under resource poor settings , with appropriate technology solutions to make evidence based decisions and resolve real world challenges .
address “data rich but information poor” and guesswork situations in development programme delivery lifecycle through advanced information management and evidence - based development planning .
increasingly , human development actors are realising the need for an informed opinion to make realistic policies , effectively monitor programme implementation , and realize development outcomes .
empower development stakeholders with quick , targeted and actionable information to improve the quality of life .
offer research - based services to address critical information needs at all stages of programme cycle .
mindchipps consulting services provides services in it services and consulting , focused on application / product development and it effectiveness .
sdrc is a social enterprise committed to enable social change initiatives . we endeavour to :
a graduate of iit kharagpur and xavier institute of management , bhubaneswar , professor dash has a phd in management and systems thinking from university of lincoln , uk , and close to 30 years of experience in teaching , research , and consultancy , in fields related to organizational management , participatory planning , open learning and innovation , and human development . as the founding editor of the open - access journal of research practice ( jrp ) , he anchors a large network of scholars and professionals from around the world , representing multiple disciplines and fields . he brings a trans - disciplinary and intercultural perspective to business and social issues , and can often see promising alternatives in situations that appear like dead - ends .
sdrc also received the best concept award in 2015 on health technology innovations by sameer , iit mumbai and miety .
sdrc is a for - profit social enterprise . we enable partners to design and manage social change initia . . .
in july ' 2017 sdrc received the winners award at the first nasscom east awards in emerging organisation category for it services .
2 day residential training of ngo staff , crp and progressive farmers on mobile application , documentation , data generation - held at biju patnaik medicinal plants garden & research centre , jeypore ( odisha ) . ncds bhubaneswar millet mission department of agriculture & farmers ' empowerment cysd harsha trust m s swaminathan research foundation - mssrf watershed support services and activities network - wassan # milletmissionodisha # wassan
krishna kumar ( kk ) as the chief operating officer ( coo ) of sdrc is responsible for leading the core functions that support the social mission of sdrc . kk provides high - level leadership and strategic direction , while overseeing the operational needs at sdrc . one of his key mandates is to lead the transition at sdrc from entrepreneurial to professional management . kk has over 25 years of experience in both leadership and managerial positions and has led assignments in asia , europe and america . kk is a post graduate diploma in management ( pgdm from iim , ahmedabad and a bachelor in technology from anna university , chennai . he is currently pursuing a doctoral program at xavier university , bhubaneswar .
in june ' 2015 sdrc was the one company amongst eight finalist in the most prestigious mbillionth award for its work using mobile - based technology .
team sdrc is an eclectic mix of researchers , technologists and data scientists who are passionate about blending technical and functional skills to deliver high quality and affordable products and services . functioning as a team of reflective professionals , we practice the following core values :
at sdrc , we offer insightful and innovative solutions to stakeholders to gain access to such systems . our vision is to be a trusted partner and a sought - after centre of excellence delivering highest quality products and services on time and at an affordable cost .
ranjana holds a master’s degree in psychology from delhi university and a diploma in industrial relations and personnel management . she is trained in applying gender mainstreaming practices from interaction , us and iirr , philippines . she has more than two decade’s experience in the fields of gender mainstreaming , participatory research , training , organizational development ( od ) , and policy advocacy . ranjana is very passionate about human rights issues and dreams of living in a society that is free from all forms of discrimination , deprivation and marginalization , and treats all its members ( irrespective of sex , caste or religion ) with equal respect and dignity .
numerous companies and institutions big and small will demonstrate their latest offerings and cutting edge technology capabilities .
our solutions include three broad practices - - research based services , management systems , and learning initiatives . since our incorporation , we have partnered with government , non - government , international non - governmental organisations , and several bodies of the united nations to design , build , and operate more than 30 change initiatives in the domains of health , education , and governance .
harekrishna has a b . tech degree in electrical engineering and close to 8 years of experience in applying information technology tools and solutions . as the technology innovation lead at sdrc , he is responsible for translating user stories to software design . he has also contributed towards implementation of several java / j2ee based application development initiatives for fortune 500 clients while working with infosys . his analytical and technical skills make him a valuable asset for any information technology project . he is passionate about using open source systems in enabling social change initiatives .
sumeet has an overall professional experience of more than 7 years in the fields of it , manufacturing , processing , operations and supply chain management . he has a b . tech degree in electronics and telecommunication engineering and an mba degree with dual specialization in finance and operations . his areas of expertise include machine learning using r , base sas , sql , python , linear programming and statistics . he is currently leading the data and analytics wing at sdrc .
ratnakar holds a master’s degree in sociology from utkal university and studied entrepreneurship at xavier institute of management , bhubaneswar . he has over seventeen years of social sector experience in conducting and managing action research , designing and delivering learning interventions , and implementing decision support systems . he has worked with academic institutions , ngos , un agencies and private sector it companies . he has travelled widely and facilitated training and technical support missions across india , afghanistan , algeria , mozambique , mongolia , solomon islands , un headquarters ( new york ) , un system staff college ( turin ) , un office at geneva and several other countries across asia , africa and the pacific region .
alok started his career as a development engineer with a leading ngo where he worked extensively in tribal areas of bihar . thereafter , he joined infosys and spent the next 14 odd years working in multiple capacities , starting from a software developer to senior project manager for leading multinational financial giants across technologies . over the next couple of years , he explored other avenues as consultant , advisor , political data analyst , entrepreneur , data scientist , before finally joining sdrc . alok completed his mechanical engineering from vssut , burla , and has a pgdbm ( finance & operations ) from iit kharagpur .
avinash holds a masters degree in computer science engineering and is proficient in dbms and use of open source platforms . he is also adept at writing macros and creating advanced visualizations in ms excel . he has more than 15 years of experience in learning initiatives and data systems – with strong experience as a technical trainer covering subjects which include relational databases , data structures , and java . with excellent skills in requirement gathering and architecting solutions ranging from ms excel based solutions to complex three tier model view controller ( mvc ) architecture , he has anchored several projects at sdrc .
lightmetrics’ innovative and state - of - the art technology leverages computer vision , signal processing , and machine learning to generate data and insights on motion .
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narasingha is an electrical engineer by education , a software engineer by profession and a waste management practitioner by choice . starting in 2005 narasingha’s professional career has given him a global experience working with companies such as tech mahindra , deloitte , ibm and sap labs , in geographies ranging from indonesia , north america and caribbean islands . his work experience ranges from designing and implementing technology solutions for some of the critical business challenges of multinational companies , to leveraging the power of open source technologies in fulfilling some of the critical needs of the development sector in resource poor settings , to working with the informal sector and promoting the concepts of decentralized waste management principles including the practices of recycling and composting . narasingha has keen interest to contribute positively in the fields of technology , sustainability and waste management .
vian matex pvt ltd helps buyers of construction material discover prices and sellers using an online reverse auction format and data analytics .
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we aim to achieve our mission - - enabling social change – and deliver value to our partners whilst functioning in a market economy .
the quarterly newsletter featuring news , events and resources on livelihoods in india , published by xavier institute of management , bhubanes . . .
appiyo technologies offers a private social and computing platform for the collective intellect of the crowd to create contemporary business - class process apps .
medibox technologies has a software platform that will allow patients to search for healthcare facilities such as pharmacies , hospitals and blood banks across india .
transight is a smart and economic complete fleet management system ( fms ) synchronized with an automated gps / gprs network modem that helps businesses track their vehicle at all times , no matter where they are in the world , and even provides information on every extra litre of fuel being used .
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goose technologies is a leading labelling and artwork management ( lam ) solution provider . having studied in detail the evolving needs of the pharma industry , it has developed harmony , a world - class integrated technology platform that helps pharma companies remain compliant with the us fda’s guidelines with respect to labelling , proofing and artwork .
as part of ibm’s global entrepreneur program ( gep ) and its ongoing commitment to foster innovation among entrepreneurs , ibm gep launched smartcamp , a competition for b2b startups in india in 20xx . it was exciting to see startups battling it out for the top spot at the regional finals held in bengaluru recently . the enthusiasm and excitement was nothing short of contagious ! parablu , whatfix and flutura has emerged as the winners for the bangalore regional round . they will be pitching in the grand finale .
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india is big . india is diverse . india is also clustered . and this clustering is spilling over into the software product industry as well . in the past few years , not only have we seen a large number of b2b saas product companies emerge , but also gain solid customer momentum . and still , because they’re b2b , enterprise startups are often not the companies you hear about . after all , they’re not in the business of creating shiny apps that people use every day . enterprise startups are the ones that build the right products to help companies create value for their customers , increase efficiencies , and reduce costs . and these are the startups that very often earn a steady stream of revenue .
kpoint technologies provides a comprehensive enterprise platform for video - enabling organizations . the platform gives organizations the power to easily create enhanced video that is internally searchable , demonstrative , and interactive .
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nkonnect infoway pvt ltd solves several pain points experienced by fmcg companies . their solutions comprise three systems : a vehicle tracking system , order processing or sales tracking system , and a customer relationship management system .
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stech id solutions pvt ltd has a framework that interfaces with different sensors using different technologies . they have built industry - specific solutions using this framework for manufacturing firms , educational institutions , ports and healthcare companies .
meltag helps brand owners to unleash the power of direct customer connect to exponentially increase their marketing roi . meltag is a cloud - hosted platform that has everything a b2c business needs need to promote , engage , market and acquire loyal customers .
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in terms of our legal status , we are a privately held company incorporated under the companies act , 1956 , government of india .
a / 63 , industrial area , kharvel nagar , unit - 3 ( 8 , 065 . 57 mi ) bhubaneswar , india 751001
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a / 63 , industrial area , kharvel nagar , unit - 3 ( 12 , 980 . 27 km ) 751001 bhubaneswar , india
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kwik fit is a car servicing and repair company in the united kingdom , specialising in tyres , brakes , exhausts , mot testing , car servicing , air conditioning recharge , oil changes and windscreen repair .

as of 2017 , there are over 600 kwik fit centres within the united kingdom and ireland

kwik fit

kwik fit’s rivals include ford’s “fast fit”and montinex , owner of charlie brown’s autocentres .
glassdoor has 80 kwik - fit reviews submitted anonymously by kwik - fit employees . read employee reviews and ratings on glassdoor to decide if kwik - fit is right for you .
kwik fit is appointing the account director behind its “you can’t get better than a kwik fit fitter” strategy to run its marketing department .
ford motor company acquires kwik - fit for approximately $ 1 . 6 billion .
learn more about all areas of caring for your vehicle with our kwik fit blog .
tyre - fitting group kwik - fit has been sold to japanese trading company itochu for £637m .
a collection of the best kwik fit creative work , such as advertising , marketing campaigns and videos .
in 1990 , kwik fit achieved a national training award . this was followed in 1991 with the launch of the kwik fit apprenticeship programme . further training modules were added ensuring that trainees could achieve city and guilds qualifications in vehicle maintenance and repair . all training is carried out at one of kwik fit’s five training centres , the first of which was opened in 1981 . this commitment was also recognised when kwik fit received the ‘investor in people’ award in 1993 . from 1999 kwik fit has participated in the government’s modern apprenticeship scheme .
in 1995 , kwik fit insurance services was launched , offering kwik fit branded motor insurance on behalf of a panel of leading insurance companies . all policyholders received an autosave card that entitled them to preferential discounts across the kwik fit group . in 2010 , kwik fit insurance was sold to fortis insurance – now ageas ( uk ) ltd but the company continues to work in partnership to offer in - centre benefits to its customers .
kwik fit , the car repairs company , is celebrating its customer service as it returns to tv ads .
a collection of the best kwik - fit creative work , such as advertising , marketing campaigns and videos .
the first kwik - fit centre was opened on mcdonald road in edinburgh in 1971 by sir tom farmer . today , the kwik - fit group is one of the largest automotive parts repair and replacement specialists in the world .
kwik - fit has europe ' s largest network of tyre - fitting centres . photograph : max zerrahn / getty
at the end , the customer is seen in the wedding car with his wife at a kwik fit garage .
gabb , annabella ,
making kwik - fit fitter ,
management today , march 1992 , p . 46 .
kwik fit is launching a spot by adam & eve / ddb featuring the characters from ice age 4 : continental drift .
kwik - fit ' s latest tv campaign stars kitt , the iconic pontiac trans am from the 80s series knight rider .
considering a career in the motor repair industry ? kwik fit offers great prospects for those who want to develop their career .
- - - - - - ,
the kwik - fit story ,
february 2000 , pp . 16 - 18 .
uk : tom farmer - making kwik fit fitter . - which ? found that you might well do better than a kwik - fit fitter and shares blipped , but briefly . founder tom farmer got the message and took remedial action . annabella gabb reports .
kwik fit has appointed enter to handle its uk advertising , where the agency will be responsible for a ‘significant’ new brand campaign .
kwik fit has over 600 centres across the uk including northern ireland , many of which are open 7 days a week for your convenience .
dhiren master , the marketing director at kwik fit , said :
our challenge was to replace the iconic ‘you can’t get better’ campaign .
in 2015 , kwik fit received ofsted’s highest possible ranking for its apprenticeship scheme and was graded level 1 ( outstanding ) following the inspection carried out in april . kwik fit has also announced that it would increase the number of apprenticeship openings at locations throughout the country to 200 in 2015 .
kwik fit today announces that it has appointed enter as its uk advertising agency following a competitive pitch . kwik fit is the largest automotive servicing and repair company in the uk , with a network of more than 600 retail centres , as well as a national fleet of over 200 tyre fitting vehicles .
kwik fit gloucester - eastern avenue are experts in automotive parts repair including tyres , brakes , batteries , exhausts , car servicing and air conditioning recharge .
the company’s programme develops employees far beyond the standard requirements , with kwik fit apprentices achieving twice as many vocational credits as required by the apprenticeship framework .
kwik fit has four training academies in derby , harlow , reading and broxburn . a kwik fit apprenticeship lasts around two years and provides a total of 91 learning credits . this favourably compares with the minimum requirement of 60 learning credits delivered in a typical equivalent course carried out in a college environment .
if you need yours sooner you can take advantage of our express tyre fitting service and choose a same day and next day appointment at your nearest kwik fit centre for an additional charge . once you have selected your tyre size , you can check availability at your local kwik fit centre and add express tyre fitting .
in june 1999 , the ford motor company acquired the kwik fit group for more than $ 1billion . a decision by ford to concentrate on its core business led to the sale of kwik fit to cvc capital partners in 2002 . cvc capital partners are a leading private equity provider in the uk and continental europe .
enter will be responsible for creating a significant new brand campaign for kwik fit which will set out its new brand proposition and help strengthen its market leadership position .
thinking of applying for a kwik fit apprenticeship ? find out about our training programme and what itís like to work for us from one of our current students .
farmer was prominently displayed in kwik - fit ' s advertising , helping to associate the company with the concept of integrity . brand recognition was greatly enhanced by a television campaign launched in 1984 , which established several signature elements that were repeated for many years . the
you can ' t get better than a kwik - fit fitter
commercials featured workers dancing to catchy tunes . the advertisements became a staple of british television and made kwik - fit a household name . to take advantage of the connection of kwik - fit with value and quality , the company introduced the centaur supreme label to a variety of products , including tires , exhaust systems , shock absorbers , and batteries .
established in 1971 , kwik - fit has the largest network of tyre - fitting centres in europe , with 1 , 218 outlets across the uk , france and holland .
getting a puncture on your wedding day is the last thing you need but the kwik fit team were on hand to ensure this couple tied the knot without a ‘hitch’ .
in 2005 , kwik fit was acquired by pai partners , a leading private equity company based in paris . the company embarked on a successful ‘strategy for growth’ which saw diversification into new product areas such as mot and servicing provision . during this period the group sold its german subsidiary pit - stop and also sold kwik fit financial services to fortis uk .
principal subsidiaries : apples limited ; hometune motoring services limited ; kwik - fit limited ; pit - stop auto services gmbh ; silver shield screens ; speedy europe a . s .
the new vacancies are being offered at kwik fit centres across the uk , providing opportunities for many school leavers to work close to home and take a valuable first step on a career in the automotive sector . almost nine out of ten apprentices stay on at kwik fit at the end of their apprenticeship and many participants progress to senior levels within the company .
it is well remembered , because it reflected all that was great about being british and what good service meant . britain has moved along since then , as has kwik fit .
in recent years kwik fit has invested significantly to cater for the requirements of the motoring industry and is continues to improve and grow . kwik fit has placed a multi - million pound investment in its 600 plus centres nationwide to create an improved customer experience through new waiting room facilities , workshop equipment and additional training for staff . kwik fit has already refurbished over 150 centres throughout the uk offering more comfortable , air - conditioned waiting areas with free drinks , tv and wifi access , and plan to refurbish the remaining centres over the next few years .
which ? found that you might well do better than a kwik - fit fitter and shares blipped , but briefly . founder tom farmer got the message and took remedial action . annabella gabb reports .
since its acquisition by the itochu group in 2011 kwik fit has been investing heavily in its retail estate , refurbishing and reopening 100 centres each year as well as developing new product and service offerings .
the first kwik fit centre opened in edinburgh with rapid growth in the uk following – principally by acquisition . in 1973 the first overseas centre opened in holland and by 1999 , kwik fit had acquired a further 570 centres on mainland europe through the acquisition of speedy in france and pit stop centres in germany . these companies are also specialists in exhausts , brakes , suspension , tyre and lubrication services .
pai bought kwik - fit for £800m in 2005 , and generated £215m by selling the uk insurance division as well as making £150m from a sale - and - leaseback of the uk property in 2007 .
kwik fit insurance services is a trading name of ageas retail limited . registered office : ageas house , hampshire corporate park , templars way , eastleigh , hampshire , so53 3ya . registered in england and wales1324965 .
in an industry that relies largely on self - regulation , the kwik fit code of practice was a unique initiative that is still practised today . launched in 1981 , code covers the service experience the customer can expect from our centres . in 1996 a continuous research programme started that involves calling 8 , 000 customers every day to ask about the service received , within 48 hours of their visit to a kwik fit centre .
but for an organisation which has predicated its marketing on the promise
you can ' t get better than a kwik - fit fitter
as made by the famous all - singing , all - dancing mechanics , the which ? report held serious implications . as competition in the car repair industry becomes ever fiercer in the 1990s , the service given to customers will be what counts in the battle for business . recent in - house surveys indicate that kwik - fit is achieving 99 . 8 % customer satisfaction . but evidence such as which ? revealed may suggest to the consumer that he might well better a kwik - fit fitter elsewhere .
the publication of the inspection report comes as kwik fit announces that it is opening applications for 100 apprentices to join the company in august , having already taken on 100 employees on its apprenticeship programme earlier this year .
farmer opened new kwik - fit centers at a steady clip , so that by 1979 there were 52 outlets located in scotland and northern england , in addition to the small dutch operation . in 1979 , he began a period of rapid expansion , spurred to some degree by fear of the possibility of american competition entering the market . farmer paid £10 million for euro exhausts , increasing the total number of kwik - fit outlets to 136 . a few months later , in 1980 , he paid £3 . 2 million to acquire 180 firestone depots , then sold off the 82 truck tire depots , which did not fit in with the kwik - fit business , essentially turning a profit on the deal when dunlop agreed to pay £3 . 25 million for these unwanted assets .
farmer , tom ,
fit to manage ,
management today , july 1990 , p . 5 .
bright , julia ,
tom farmer does the kwik step ,
director , june 1993 , p . 106 .
kwik fit was one of the first retailers to introduce an integrated stock and sales system . kwik fit’s management action terminals were introduced into all centres in 1981 which were linked to suppliers allowing the automatic re - ordering and replenishment of stock . further enhancements followed and a multi - million pound investment in touch screen technology was launched in 2002 . online catalogues , customer history and easier stock search facilities have all helped improve the customer service experience in centres .
the famous ‘you can’t get better than a kwik fit fitter’ commercials were first shown on tv in 1984 . five different commercials were made in this series with the last being shown on tv in 1989 . the equivalent of £10m was invested in this campaign over 5 years . the ‘dancing fitters’ , rhyming couplets and now familiar music jingle all helped to make kwik fit a household name with levels of prompted awareness reaching more than 80 % for the first time in 1985 .
the second ad sees a young girl narrating a letter she wrote to kwik fit staff , in which she thanks them for saving her hamster , jaffa , which had gotten stuck in the glove compartment of her mother ' s car .
when jaffa the hamster makes an escape bid while inside his owner’s car on the way back from the vets and scurries behind the glovebox , the kwik fit team step in to save the furry critter , adding pet rescue to their repertoire .
there are 728 kwik fit centres in major cities and conurbations across the uk , and admedia has access to them all – placing high quality digital screens in front of 3 . 2m consumers as they wait for their vehicles to be repaired .
at kwik fit , we take staff training very seriously . it goes without saying that we would never let a member of our fitting team anywhere near your car without adequate and appropriate training but we want to do more than that , we want you to be 100 % satisfied with the work carried out on your car . thatís why kwik fit provides 179 , 000 hours of staff training every year ė thatís one week per year for every single member of in ėcentre staff .
at kwik fit we offer a choice of ways to service your car . book your essential car care , interim or full service online today . book an mot test at the same time and receive an additional saving over the standard individual product price .
coleman , brian , and gregory l . white ,
ford to pay $ 1 . 6 billion to acquire kwik - fit , europe ' s car - repair leader ,
wall street journal , april 13 , 1999 , p . a3 .
one story is about a man who had to rush to kwik fit on the morning of his wedding when his car tyre was punctured . he was rushed to the front of the queue so he
didn’t have to keep his beautiful missus waiting
.
in the ofsted report the overall effectiveness of the kwik fit apprenticeship scheme received a grade 1 , as did each of the sub categories of the inspection : outcomes for learners ; quality of teaching , learning and assessment ; and effectiveness of leadership and management .
kwik - fit closed its french depots early last year and has no immediate plans to penetrate new continental markets . however , says farmer ,
if we found a partner in spain , for example , we would go in . but we want nothing to do with the day - to - day management . we would bring the name , the relationship with suppliers , the experience in marketing the kwik - fit system .
meanwhile , farmer is optimitsic about the opportunities in the uk .
there are plenty of profits to come here through increased efficiency and expansion ,
he says . with the national
car park
expected to continue growing , the future looks as bright as the past - as long as those kwik - fit fitters are kept on their toes .
antonia noone , head of marketing at kwik fit , said : “in making this major change we were keen to carry out an exhaustive review of the uk agency market . a number of the agencies who took part in a rigorous three stage pitch process were very impressive .
we’re backed by the largest distributor of tyres in the uk which means we stock tyres to fit practically any make and model of vehicle . whether you are looking for car tyres , van tyres or suv tyres , we have the right ones to fit your vehicle .
kwik fit also delivers an upmarket audience – 62 % of them are abc1 , and are 69 % more likely than the average person to own 2 + cars – opening up great possibilities to national and local brands in categories such as motoring , finance and leisure & tourism .
( 1 ) for the year ending 31 / 03 / 2014 , kwik - fit properties limited reported a turnover of £51 , 000 , pre - tax profits of £146 , 000 and a total net worth of £2 , 020 , 000 . ( source : urltoken 16 / 09 / 2014 ) ( 2 ) for the year ending 31 / 03 / 2014 , kwik - fit holdings limited reported pre - tax profits of £95 , 410 , 000 and a total net worth of £28 , 518 , 000 . ( source : urltoken 16 / 09 / 2014 )
nick hurrell , managing partner of enter said : “kwik fit is one of those brands that everyone in advertising wants to work on . now under new ownership , with a new vision and the intent to invest to grow its leadership position in the uk market we can’t wait to get started . ”
from the start , the idea was to differentiate kwik - fit centres from the traditional perception of car repair businesses - the grubby workshop - and to make the customer ' s visit as painless as possible . as holmes say ,
we sell michelin tyres as do our competitors ; we sell exhaust systems as do our competitors ; the differentiating factor must be service .
with this in mind , kwik - fit ' s oft - stated aim of
100 % customer satisfaction
- plastered liberally on the walls of every centre - was upgraded last year to read
100 % customer delight
.
nick hurrell , managing partner of enter , added : “kwik fit is one of those brands that everyone in advertising wants to work on . now under new ownership , with a new vision and the intent to invest to grow its leadership position in the uk market we can’t wait to get started . ”
paul binks , head of learning and development at kwik fit , said : “this grading is a resounding endorsement of the huge investment we have made in our learning and development programme and our commitment to be a leader in the sector . apprentices are vital to our business as they develop into the future leaders of the company .
the inspectors reviewing kwik fit found that “apprentices benefit from high but realistic expectations and are well challenged by tutors and assessors to produce work to high levels of accuracy and quality , with a strong focus on customer needs and safe working practices . ” the report also highlighted the outstanding information and guidance apprentices receive about their training and career progression .
despite its impressive results , kwik - fit has seen the effects of the recession from both sides . farmer says that outlets , particularly in the south , have noted smaller job values , with people wanting less done on a visit . but the drop in new car sales could bring kwik - fit a fillip at easter , traditionally a busy time , as people are hanging on to their cars for longer . the new legislation on tyre tread depth should also lift demand by some 5 % . now the company is gearing up for when the economy picks up . there are 20 - odd new sites in the pipeline plus another 50
very good
sites due to open in the next 18 months .
in 1971 , farmer opened his first kwik - fit center in edinburgh , and quickly added three more shops , taking in many of the employees who had previously worked with him fitting tires . kwik - fit soon added tires to the mix and proved so popular with customers that within three years farmer had a total of 14 outlets in the chain . as he had done with his former tire business , farmer sold the new venture , this time to publicly traded ga robinson . in addition to £750 , 000 pounds he received a seat on the corporation ' s board . only several months later , however , robinson was in trouble . farmer bought out the other directors , paying less than what he had received a few months earlier , and regained control of the company . he unloaded losing operations and changed the name back to kwik - fit . once again he was in charge , but as a result of the company ' s brief connection with ga robinson he now had a few shops in the netherlands and , more importantly , a stock market listing for the business .
kwik fit has received more than 50 business and customer service awards . these have included the institute of transport management’s millennium award for service to the transport industry , the national insurance age award for the best insurance company in the uk for customer service , the daily telegraph award for customer service and the bt special award for the best use of telemarketing in providing customer care .
we have identified the tyre size ( s ) that may fit your { vehicle } . please select your front tyre size and rear tyre size below before clicking ' continue ' .
it is a prospect that would upset kwik - fit ' s 51 - year - old founder , tom farmer , who maintains that a small minority let down the whole company by ignoring basic procedures . employees were called to crisis meetings nationwide and a code of practice that requires a fitter ' s diagnosis to be checked by another has been reaffirmed , to redress the balance .
kwik fit centres up and down the country regularly receive letters of praise from happy customers who wanted to show their thanks . but not every compliment we receive is about our super - fast tyre fitting or our comfortable facilities . we hear some amazing and unusual stories about our staff and the service they provide and our latest tv advertising campaign highlights just some of these fantastic tales .
during this wait , which averages 40 minutes , kwik fit users have access to comfortable seating plus free tea and coffee , so they are relaxed and receptive to messages from brands . the free wi - fi in each centre combined with the fact that they are 8 % more likely ( than the average motorist ) to own a smartphone means the potential for response is maximised .
from the opportunities and challenges of emerging technology to the need for greater effectiveness , from the challenge of measurement to building a marketing team fit for the future , we are your guide .
over 4 , 500 members of kwik fit staff come through our training centres each year with nearly £1 , 000 being spent on training per employee per year ė over twice the national average for the industry . so next time you bring your car in to see us for mechanical repairs , mot or just a tyre change , you can be rest - assured your vehicle will be in safe hands .
servicing proactively maintains your car , reducing the risk of a breakdown . even if it is irregular , it can help maintain your car ' s value . at kwik fit we provide a range of affordable car service packages to suit your needs . vehicle servicing is carried out by highly trained service technicians and we use parts that match the quality of the manufacturer ' s original equipment . we offer a genuine alternative to dealership servicing so why pay more ?
we stock a wide range of tyres for cars , vans and 4x4s to suit your driving needs and budget . with appointments available 7 - days - a - week it ' s as easy as click and fit !
recognising the importance of providing motorists with a choice beyond kwik fit , in 1984 , 16 centres were acquired in scotland and renamed ‘budget tyres and exhausts’ . further local acquisitions followed with charlie browns , chessington tyres , ebley tyres , humphries tyre sales and autospeed all being added to the network in the period 1995 - 1997 . they continue to trade under their own local identity whilst benefiting from centralised group buying , logistics , it , finance and administrative support .
antonia noone , head of marketing at kwik fit , said : “in making this major change we were keen to carry out an exhaustive review of the uk agency market . a number of the agencies who took part in a rigorous three stage pitch process were very impressive . however , it was enter which stood out with its mix of fresh thinking , significant experience and strong creative work . we look forward to developing some exciting and impactful campaigns to support our competitive strengths . ”
a service is a vehicle inspection that keeps your car in a reliable , safe and fully - functioning condition based on guidelines set out by the vehicle manufacturer . the service schedule will recommend specific checks and replacement parts including a car oil change at certain intervals . kwik fit offers a range of car servicing packages to match your vehicle usage and all include an oil change and filter replacement as standard . for a full list of what is included in our service packages , see our car servicing checklist .
the next two digits represent the size of the wheel rim that the tyre can be fitted to . it is also the diameter of the tyre from bead to bead . so a tyre marked 16 will fit on a 16 - inch wheel rim .
we offer a range of additional fast fit services including batteries , exhausts and brakes to help get your car or van back on the road as quickly as possible . learn more about the extensive range of vehicle maintenance and repairs services that we offer .
in june 2011 , itochu completed the acquisition of kwik fit . itochu was founded in 1858 and has evolved and grown into one of japan’s leading trading companies . with approximately 130 bases in 68 countries , itochu is engaged in domestic trading , import / export , and overseas trading of various products such as textile , information and communications technology , machinery , energy , metals , minerals , chemicals , forest products , general merchandise , food , construction , realty , finance , insurance , and logistics services , as well as business investment in japan and overseas .
despite that boost , the sudden expansion to over 200 centres in one year took its toll on kwik - fit . profits dipped for the first of only two times in the company ' s history . with hindsight , farmer admits he had bitten off a lot . but he is unrepentant :
two acquisitions in a year would put a strain on any company of that size . but you ' ve got to take the opportunities as they come along . if we hadn ' t done it , we wouldn ' t be where we are today .
every new tyre we fit comes with a lifetime mileage guarantee which provides cover against manufacturing defects throughout the legal life of the tyre . if your new tyre develops a fault it will be returned to the manufacturer for inspection and a refund given for the remaining tread if a defect is found .
kwik fit is a terrible company to work for ! • no respect between staff • lucky if you get a 10 min break all day • long days with very short breaks and still have to work past closing time • no gloves provided and when we ask for the manager to order some we get grief and shouted at being told “ it will effect our bonus at the end of the month “ all centre manager’s and op’s managers care about is hitting budget for the day which is almost impossible as they are set so high . and if we are struggling to get budget they start to rip off customers by telling them that their car needs things that it doesn’t . i have seen so many loyal and innocent customers ripped off by managers because they have to hit budget . this is disgusting ! •would not recommend any of my family or friends or anybody that i know to come to kwik fit as they would most likely get ripped off and not get a proper job done of their car• overall the company is only interested in profits , regardless of impact on staff . long hours , no time off and no bonus . in my centre they took the cost of gloves , blue roll tissue , sprays ( basically stuff that we need ) off staff bonuses . never enough people and very much a blame culture .
outside the uk , farmer expects measured growth . in holland , the number of outlets was almost doubled two years ago with the acquisition of jan van den broek ' s 40 centres and there are opportunities to increase market share . in belgium , the current three outlets are set to rise to 40 in the next three to five years . elsewhere on the continent , farmer would consider some form of joint venture . he got his fingers burnt in france last year when kwik - fit opened a number of centres on its own account . they never made a profit . farmer admits that ,
we did not spend enough time on planning or on understanding the market . if we had , we would have made sure we had french management in place .
the pace of expansion in the late 1980s and fielding a potential bid from german tyre giant , continental , took its toll on profits . results to february 1990 registered the second of the two profit dips in kwik - fit ' s history . pre - tax figures were down 18 % to £15 . 1 million . farmer identified a need for action on three fronts : he curtailed expansion , reduced borrowings and set in motion a comprehensive cost - cutting exercise . the first was easy and simply involved being more selective of new sites . the second covered greater efficiency in stockholding , the sale and leaseback of some properties and the disposal of a loss - making french venture . together these steps reduced borrowings from £43 million to £19 million . ( they are now down to £15 million ) .
one interesting addition to the training centre classroom is the use of voting buttons . kwik fitís trainers appreciate that we all learn at different speeds and may already have a degree of background knowledge in a given subject . therefore , the voting buttons are used at the beginning of classroom sessions to gauge the existing knowledge of students . if a basic knowledge of the subject is already possessed then the trainer can focus his or her time on areas where the class is less proficient . essentially each training session is tailored to the needs of the class .
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0800 75 76 77 our customer service opening hours are 8 : 30am to 5 : 30pm monday to friday , 8 : 30am to 5 : 00pm saturdays and 10 : 00am to 4 : 00pm sundays .
our centres are open monday to friday from 08 : 30 to 18 : 00 , saturday 08 : 30 to 17 : 30 and sunday from 10 : 00 to 16 : 00 . local variations may apply .
we endeavour to ensure we are displaying the correct tyres for your vehicle . however , we recommend all customers check the tyre size printed on the side wall of their tyres before proceeding with a tyre purchase as occasionally discrepancies do occur . by selecting the tyre sizes above and clicking ' continue ' , you are indicating that you have checked your tyre sizes .
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your tyre size can be found on the sidewall of your current tyre and is a sequence of numbers and letters . the most common tyre size in the uk is 205 / 55r16 but there are many variations so it’s important to check your existing tyre or to check your vehicle handbook to ensure the right tyre size has been installed .
the first three digits . this displays the width of the tyre in millimetres . a tyre marked 225 will measure 225mm across the tread from sidewall to sidewall .
the fourth and fifth digits of the tyre code that immediately follow the tyre width . the aspect ratio or profile height of the tyre sidewall is expressed as a percentage of the tyre width . so an aspect ratio of 55 for example means that the profile height of the tyre is 55 % of its width .
the speed rating of a tyre is represented by a letter of the alphabet at the end of the tyre size code and indicates the maximum speed capability of the tyre . tyres receive a speed rating based on a series of tests which measure the tyres capability to handle a set speed for a prolonged period of time .
select your tyre speed rating to find out the maximum speed your tyres can maintain .
if you are unsure what speed rating you need , be sure to check your vehicle handbook . choosing a lower speed rating than that recommended by your vehicle manufacturer could potentially invalidate your insurance .
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our tyres come in a wide range of options from runflat tyres to reinforced models designed to cope with extra loads and at a price to suit your pocket . choose cheap tyres from our budget range or select from premium brands including pirelli and goodyear for maximum performance and safety .
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if you can’t make it to one of our centres why not have us come to you ? our mobile tyre fitting service is available in most parts of the uk with appointments available 7 days a week in many urban areas .
please make sure you bring your locking wheel nut key along for your appointment . if you have locking wheel nuts fitted , we will need the key in order to remove the wheels from your car . the locking wheel nuts can usually be found in the glove box or underneath the boot liner along with the spare tyre .
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please note : our prices include vat where applicable . we are able to service the majority of vehicles but some vehicle exclusions may apply . we are currently unable to carry out servicing on hybrid / electric vehicles . for manufacturer servicing , please contact your local centre .
please bring along your vehicle log book so the technician can stamp this once the service is completed . this isn ' t essential but a service stamp in your log book each time you have you vehicle serviced can increase its resell value and shows potential buyers that the car has been well maintained . if booking a full service , please also bring your locking wheel nut key so that the technician can carry out a full wheel - off brake check .
we no longer sell insurance . for existing customers , you ' ll find all the help you need on this page .
if you’ve received a letter from us about your renewal and you would like to renew your policy with autonet , you can call them on 0330 343 8921 . lines are open 8 . 30am – 9pm mon to thurs , 8 . 30am – 8 . 30pm fri and 9am – 5 . 30pm sat .
if you’ve received a letter from us about your renewal , and do not want autonet to contact you with a quote please call us on 0800 952 0667 , within 20 days of the date on your letter . lines are open 8 . 30am – 7pm mon to fri and 9am – 2pm sat .
if you’ve received a letter from us about your renewal and you would like to renew your policy with autonet , you can call them on 0330 343 8920 . lines are open 8 . 30am – 9pm mon to thurs , 8 . 30am – 8 . 30pm fri and 9am – 5 . 30pm sat .
if you’ve received a letter from us about your renewal , and do not want autonet to contact you with a quote please call us on 0800 952 0666 , within 20 days of the date on your letter . lines are open 8 . 30am – 7pm mon to fri and 9am – 2pm sat .
if you’ve received a letter from us about your renewal and you would like to renew your policy with autonet , you can call them on 0330 343 8922 . lines are open 8 . 30am – 9pm mon to thurs , 8 . 30am – 8 . 30pm fri and 9am – 5 . 30pm sat .
if you’ve received a letter from us about your renewal , and do not want autonet to contact you with a quote please call us on 0800 952 0668 , within 20 days of the date on your letter . lines are open 8 . 30am – 7pm mon to fri and 9am – 2pm sat .
if you’re an existing customer and need help with your policy you can call us on 0800 183 6116 . lines are open 8 . 30am – 7pm mon to fri and 9am – 2pm sat .
if you need to make changes to your policy , you can also do this online by logging in to your account .
if you’re an existing customer and need help with your policy you can call us on 0800 561 1100 . lines are open 8 . 30am – 7pm mon to fri and 9am – 2pm sat .
to make a home insurance claim please call 0345 122 3019 . lines are open 24 hours a day , 365 days a year .
if you need to make a claim on an optional extra that you have purchased as part of your policy , please use the numbers below .
excess protection ( if purchased prior to 01 . 07 . 17 ) excess protection ( if purchased after or on 01 . 07 . 17 )
personal accident ( if purchased prior to 01 . 07 . 17 ) personal accident ( if purchased after or on 01 . 07 . 17 )
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to make a car insurance claim please call 0800 561 0600 . lines are open 24 hours a day , 365 days a year .
if you’re broken down and need assistance , please call 0333 000 1400 . lines are open 24 hours a day , 365 days a year .
ageas retail limited is authorised and regulated by the financial conduct authority . fca registered number 312468 . ageas retail limited is a sister company of ageas insurance limited .
we would love to hear about your customer experience . please feel free to visit your nearest store and provide us with your feedback .
we are actively involved in our various communities , supporting local school initiatives such as sports and recreational activities .
thanks to kwikfit cavendish square for delivering a convenient and safe environment for me to leave my car while doing shopping ! what a professional team you have .
after , experiencing such bad service from another service provider…it has been so refreshing to know that customer service is fundamental at kwikfit , v & a ; waterfront . the staff was very helpful and assisted me in such a friendly manner from the time i dropped my car until i collected it .
please keep up the good work . true customer care can only be beneficial to your business growth .
it is evident that the owner of kwikfit , northcliff is directly involved at his store .
the staff are so helpful and willing to go that extra mile . thanks for always being ready to assist with all my car requirements .
how amazing to know that our local shopping mall , bedford centre has a kwikfit ! i can leave my car parked and just walk across the parking to the mall . such a convenience for my busy life . i get to shop , while my car’s being fixed .
i have been a customer at kwikfit mitchell’s plain for the past ten years and have always received honest service from the owner of the store . this is the main reason why i trust taking my car for professional and sound advice about my car’s requirements .
i am a teacher in the killarney area and after work ( once a week ) it is such a pleasure stopping for the evening’s supper at killarney mall and having my car cleaned while i shop .
from car health to car beauty , we will deliver quality services at an affordable price .
to grow the largest footprint of auto care services in africa and provide comprehensive auto care offering to all customers ; with a strong emphasis on after - sales vehicle care focusing on cars five years and older .
itochu and its subsidiaries operate various tyre - related businesses globally . in the uk , itochu operates stapletons ( tyre services ) ltd based in letchworth garden city , a leading wholesaler , which also has its own retail network which includes sts tyres pros . in total sts adds 110 new locations to our network of service outlets .
private company ( 81 % owned by cvc capital partners limited ) founded : 1971 employees : 11 , 500 sales : $ 1 billion ( 2002 est . ) naic : 811112 automotive exhaust system repair
principal competitors : belron international ; the boots company plc ; cooper tire & rubber company ; gkn plc .
bainbridge , jane ,
knight of the road ,
marketing , june 26 , 1997 , p . 21 .
davidson , andrew ,
tom farmer ,
management today , august 1995 , p . 34 .
shirouzu , norihiko ,
wall street hopes ceo will crank up company in big overhaul , not quick fix ,
the wall street journal , january 4 , 2002 , p . c1 .
source : international directory of company histories , vol . 54 . st . james press , 2003 .
it had a turnover £875m in 2010 , of which £561m was in the uk . in 2009 , the last full year for which it has published accounts , it made £98 . 4m in earnings before interest , tax , depreciation and amortisation , although it has sold its insurance division since then . it employs 4 , 600 people in the uk .
itochu has acquired the company from european private equity firm pai partners . itochu already owns stapletons tyre services , a retailer and wholesaler , and will seek to make
synergies
through owning the two businesses , it said .
itochu ' s statement did not elaborate on further plans for the business , such as whether chief executive ian fraser would stay on , although reports have suggested he will .
halfords and bridgestone were both said to have considered buying the company this time round .
© 2018 guardian news and media limited or its affiliated companies . all rights reserved .
growth was steady in the early years . by 1980 , there were 52 uk outlets , plus a handful of centres in the netherlands which had been part of robinson . that year , however , two major acquisitions changed the company radically . the £10 - million purchase of euro exhausts raised the number of outlets to 112 . months later , when firestone announced its withdrawal from the uk market , farmer picked up its 180 depots for £3 . 5 million , pipping dunlop to the post . in a tidy deal , he then resold 82 unsuitable depots to dunlop for £3 . 5 million .
key to the future success of the enlarged business was the introduction of computers . an initial investment of £2 million has since grown to a total of £7 million . each fitting centre has a
management action terminal
, a microcomputer which handles all administrative functions including stock movements , customer quotations and sales receipts , employee time and attendance records , and banking and cash reconciliation . this leaves the depot manager , known as a master manager , free to concentrate on the customer , and on managing his team of fitters , whom farmer refers to as the
highest of the high
.
the third area , costs , was more demanding .
we could have slashed advertising , reduced training or cut labour costs . each would have had an immediate impact ,
says farmer . but in hard times , maintaining customer awareness is crucial , as is training - if prices become competitive , service ( based on continuous training ) is what makes the difference , drums out farmer .
so we increased the training spend by £500 , 000 a year .
then there were labour costs . that option , too , involving the loss of 20 or so jobs , was dismissed , on the grounds that it would be too destructive of morale to be justified .
that left day - to - day costs . a team of eight was set up to monitor the centres , with the aim of saving £10 - 20 a day per centre .
we took 10 items and used the computer system to monitor them . if a centre got out of kilter , we got on the phone .
the result was a saving of some £2 million a year . together with the success of the newly introduced high margin brake replacement business and tightening up on suppliers , the exercise added up to a considerable improvement on the bottom line .
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