This company is one of the leading United Kingdom’s sovereign automotive aftercare suppliers. It is one of the leading companies in the East Midlands of UK, specializing in the tyre wholesale and retail automotive after care. It was established in 1970 to support the grain and animal feed merchants which were the major business at the time. It has since grown to be an independent automotive aftermarket merchant with 14 operational branches across the Midlands and East Anglia. Its annual turnover is well over £40 million (company profile).
With its significant investment in stock and the gaining of quality staff, Automotive Car Companies sites at Corby and Workshop were added in 2002. Its successful operations in aftercare automotive has since enabled the company decentralize its service provision across the wider East Midlands.
Automotive Car Company’s Activities
Generally, Automotive Car Companies activities revolve around automotive aftercare supplies. Besides, the company conducts human resource development practices like training and development of its employees. The company is as well committed to car, van tyres and fitters distribution. Basically, it undertakes wheel alignment, garage services, commercialization of tyres and managing of properties.
The Company’s Organization Structure
The organization structure of Automotive Car Company is fully dependent on the company’s objectives. Because of the company’s size in terms of branches, the workforce, and the range of products, the company adopts the decentralized structure. This structure allows for the spreading of responsibilities for various decisions across the branches. Each branch has a branch manager who is responsible for the decisions that concern that particular branch. The regional manager comes next above the branch manager. In some cases, the organization combines some aspects of centralized structure with that of the decentralized one. This is majorly done to save on costs.
Within the organization’s decentralized structure, both vertical and horizontal decentralization are implemented. Some of the responsibilities and decisions are spread across the organization (horizontal decentralization) while others are spread along the organization’s hierarchy.
The choice of this structure has been very advantageous to the organization. Individuals in the high management position have ample time to concentrate on more important decisions as the others at the lower levels handle the rest of the decisions. This has greatly increased the motivation which has impacted positively on the staff output. Every staff within the organization feels empowered and this has enabled faster response to new changes. The empowerment of the employees has also made it possible for them to be more responsible in their decisions and actions. This has made the company achieve its goals, both long-term and short-term.
The headquarters of Automotive Car Company is in Newark, Nottinghamshire. The company has 14 branches in the Midlands and East Anglia. These branches have a total of approximately 250 employees. Every branch is headed by the branch manager, which means that the company has 14 branch managers. The company has greatly invested in the employees since it believes that the varied skills and vast experience of the employees is the main reason for the company’s success.
Automotive Car Company Communication Methods
The company makes use of both oral and written communication. To effectively carry out information sharing and knowledge sharing, the company consistently make use of letters, memos and reports. Despite the fact that it embraces modern technology, like use of electronic communication, the company efficiently use written methods of communication since a hard copy may be required to meet its audit and or legal requirements. Besides, the company has open communication channels to the employees. This is aid in achieving its commitment of listening and response to employees needs.
The company also uses manuals. This is as well another paper document with a distinguishing feature that its main purpose is reference as opposed to gaining a response. Manuals are being sent to the employees or key stakeholders to give briefings on the company status as at the time. Information like financial reports is as well contained in the manuals. This fosters information sharing and knowledge development. Also, there is use of printed materials. This takes forms of brochures, fliers, magazines and newsletters. For instance, the company make use of newsletters to its shareholders to share information and knowledge on company performance.
The company pass their information also via fax. This achieved through engaging the public telephone systems to deliver paper documents to its employees and key stakeholders.
Oral communication method take forms like one on one chat with an employee or calling for meetings to facilitate passage of information thus information sharing and knowledge development.
The company is not left behind either on the exploitation of the benefits of a website. It has developed its own website. It is beneficial to the company due to fact that the company is able display its activities, vision, mission, and core values to a larger market. Besides, a website is used as marketing tool to aid in promotion of a company’s products. For example, purchasers are capable of seeing a real time 3D graphics or a virtual reality of the products, like display of 4X4 tyres. Information and knowledge sharing when website is used is much less expensive as compared to paper.
Business Commitment
In addition, the company is devoted to investing in both time and resources to its employees. Therefore, time is accounted for as a core resource the company has. This is what makes the company continuously commit itself to invest in both time and resources, but to the benefit of employees. Lastly, in depth understanding employees’ needs through listening is of critical value to the company. It is therefore dedicated to ensuring that employees’ needs are met. This is accomplished through an open environment to employees coupled with listening and communication of responses.
Reference
Company Profile. Retrieved at http://www.tanvictyres.co.uk/company.php
Company Structure. Retrieved at http://www.tanvictyres.co.uk/branch.php
Company Staff. Retrieved at http://www.tanvictyres.co.uk/jobs.php
