Autosheen: Michael's a polished performer

Fleet valeting specialist Autosheen keeps franchisees busy with a lucrative flow of regular work, generated from national accounts secured by the central sales team. Former fitness instructor Michael Bale, an Autosheen franchisee for eight years, declares that he can't speak highly enough of the franchise and describes the 'ready-made' contracts he receives from Autosheen as 'very important' to the success of his business.

'National Accounts that benefit me include the DWP (Department of Work and Pensions), HM Revenue & Customs and various companies with large fleets,' he explains. 'I would say that approximately half of my work currently comes from contracts fed to me by Autosheen; this is set to grow and I anticipate that it will rise to around 70 per cent over the coming months.'

Michael is quick to point out that as a franchisee, it is up to you to build your own business and develop a regular customer base, but says that the support from Autosheen in generating regular work provides a fantastic base.

'It's great to be able to launch a new business knowing that you already have several guaranteed contracts and a regular flow of work to start with,' he confirms. 'You get back what you put into a business like this. If you want to be successful in the long term, you can't just rest on your laurels, you have to get out there and win business, but the Autosheen team are right behind you providing support every step of the way.'

Fellow franchisee Ray Oliver, who also works on the DWP contract as well as the Royal Mail, agrees. 'National accounts can provide a building block in developing your business, or can be the icing on the cake if you're really busy with your own regular customers,' he says.

This year, Ray has completed five years as an Autosheen franchisee and has recently signed for his second five-year term. Previously he spent 15 years as a team leader for Jiffy, but says he wanted something more from life than working in a factory. 'I've always had a passion for cars and enjoy valeting, so when I found Autosheen on the web, I contacted them to find out more and haven't looked back,' he states. 'The package was very professional, with plenty of support and existing business on my territory to get me off to a good start!'

He earns considerably more than he did previously and acknowledges that he is also a good deal happier. 'The satisfaction you gain from running your own business and doing a good job for your customers is fantastic,' he confirms. 'You quickly build up strong relationships with your regular customers and your services are certainly appreciated. I'm so pleased that I was brave enough to make the move from being employed to having the independence of running my own business,' he concludes. 'Certainly the security of having work already lined up for me was a great reassurance and one of the reasons that convinced me to take the leap.'

According to national account manager Peter Butler, whose role is to develop major corporate contracts that benefit Autosheen franchisees nationwide, initial valeting contracts can lead to additional specialist cleaning services being provided, which in turn consolidates customer relationships and results in contract renewals.

'For instance, we have had the Royal Mail contract for 10 years,' he says. 'Now not only do we valet their vehicles, but we clean their service depots from Inverness to Cornwall. We also clean their high security cash box vehicles, which occasionally get covered in purple dye whenever there is an incident!'

Peter adds that Autosheen operates for the Police Force, delivering both valeting and specialist cleaning services, and is currently in talks to extend their services.

'The Police have 9000 vehicles in one area alone,' he explains. 'That is a substantial amount of work and is excellent regular business for our franchisees. All our guys are pretty well flat out!'

Autosheen is enjoying continuing strong growth and has just entered into agreement with a systems company that vets and registers terms for leasing companies. 'This deal effectively opens the door to another 20 or so leasing companies,' concludes Peter Butler. 'We're making big inroads into the fleet industry and yet are only serving about 10 per cent of the marketplace. This is a very exciting franchise opportunity with ready-made, high-profile national account contracts and a lucrative ongoing business stream.'

For both Michael Bale and Ray Oliver the work has continued to flow in. In Michael's case his business is going so well that he is currently in talks with Autosheen to get another van on the road as soon as possible. 'Who knows, in the future I'd like a fleet of vehicles so that I can take more of a managing role as I get older. Until then, life's just fine!' he beams.

Autosheen is one of the UK's longest established valeting franchises, with an impressive national accounts customer base that offers franchisees access to over 1.2 million contracted vehicles nationwide. It is this guaranteed, regular income stream for franchisees from day one that sets Autosheen apart from competitors, together with its premium product range and superb franchisee support structure.

National account customers include National Rail, BSkyB, Virgin Media and six of the ten largest leasing companies in the UK. The franchise is enjoying continued strong growth and is looking to attract new franchisees across the UK to service new and existing contracts. 

Investment level: Total franchise fee - £24,995 plus VAT
Website: www.autosheen.com
Email: franchise@autosheen.com
Phone: 0845 370 8777
Franchise classification: Automotive - vehicle valeting services