Kilgetty business couple Alan and Janet Holt are celebrating their 30th anniversary at one of Pembrokeshire’s most well-known firms - Kilgetty Motor Factors, a top supplier of car and bike parts, tools and accessories.

Originally a sales representative for a large auto electrical firm, Shorts Auto Electrical, Swansea, Alan covered the West Wales area and through his job became friendly with the owner of Bumper to Bumper, Julian Wilks.

In 1986, Julian and his wife Sue, then close friends with Alan and Janet, decided to sell the business. As it happened, the time was right for a new challenge for Alan and Janet, together with their then four-month-old son Matthew, and they decided to take the plunge and buy the business at Commercial House.

As Alan was from a factoring background, the first major development was to target garages in the area known to him from his previous employment and build up the factoring side of the business, renaming it Kilgetty Motor Factors.

In 1990, KMF joined the buying group A1 Motor Stores of which Alan is now an executive committee member and is on the board of directors.

A few years later, KMF opened their second branch in Haverfordwest which became very successful, so much so that it outgrew the premises, at which time an opportunity arose to expand the Kilgetty branch taking over two adjoining shops.

Alan and Janet then made the decision to relocate the Haverfordwest branch to Kilgetty, bringing the business under one roof, while still retaining the customer base they had developed in the Haverfordwest and surrounding area.

“I cannot believe we are celebrating our 30th anniversary,” said Alan.

“We have seen our customer needs grow dramatically in this time and now proudly cover the whole of Pembrokeshire, with four vans delivering parts to local garages every day. We have a full-time sales rep on the road, John Harries, who just happens to be our longest serving member of staff, having not long achieved his 25 years service. He calls to all our garage customers at least once a week, keeping them up-to-date on any new lines stocked, and solving any issues they might have. We offer a speedy delivery of quality parts and, most importantly, stock availability off the shelf - gone are the days when a customer would be content to wait for his parts!

“Our extensive stock range of car parts, tools and accessories is always maintained and we are constantly investing in new products. We have invested heavily over the past 30 years into components, engine management etc., while still retaining a fair proportion of the retail business.”

With KMF’s extensive stock of parts, components, tools and diagnostic equipment, your business doesn’t have to stop running when you need a new part.

Stock includes car batteries, engine parts, sprockets, brakes, wheels, tyres, speedos, electrical parts, batteries, back boxes, tools, electrical tools, air tools, welding gear, oil and brake fluids.

Even if you think they probably don’t stock the part you need, give them a go - you will be surprised as there’s no part they can’t find!

The garage workshop tools section has been expanded and now includes the likes of engine hoists and compressors, while in the last five years, KMF has branched into bicycles and accessories, which is another popular aspect of the business. The shop is stockists of Raleigh, Claud Butler and Avocet and repairs and services are also carried out at the premises.

In a bid to encourage growth and new product development, competitions and promotions are run throughout the year, so it is always worth keeping a look-out to see what’s on offer!

In addition, KMF actively get involved with all A1 Motor Stores national promotions, including leaflet distribution various times throughout the year, together with a performance catalogue. The A1 Motor Factoring Group also distributes mail shots/brochures to all garage customers.

Having been computerised for the past 25 years, with the initial computer system only covering basic stock control and accounts, KMF understand the importance of keeping up-to-date with the latest technology and are constantly upgrading their system, including VRM look-up and online ordering with all their major suppliers. In fact, a new state-of-the-art system is being installed this year.

Added Alan: “Over the past 30 years, we have built a solid reputation based on offering a first class service, meaning our customers choose us again and again. We are dedicated to maintaining our reputation and keeping our customers happy by supplying parts fast and at competitive rates. Shop manager is Ken Gough, assisted by Lee Phillips, and all our 10 staff have corporate identity, are courteous and friendly and will go out of their way to source any parts our customers require. They are all highly-trained and equipped with the knowledge of what parts and brands would best suit your particular needs.”

And Alan concluded: “Thirty years trading in the private sector is a major achievement which is something we at KMF are very proud of and feel this is down to reinvesting in new lines and keeping abreast of the competition.”

In addition to the day-to-day business, KMF has been running a Go Karting Grand Prix in aid of Children in Need for the last few years. Last year, they raised the amazing sum of just over £5,700. This takes place in November and plans are in the pipeline already for this year’s event. Also, one of Alan’s hobbies is motor rallying and he has won the Welsh Tarmac Championship twice and the National Motoring News Championship.

KMF is open Monday-Friday 8.30 am - 5.30 pm, Saturdays from 9 am - 4 pm and on Sundays between 10 am and 1 pm.

You can also visit their website www.kilgettymotorfactors.com or see their Facebook page.

Alternatively, call (01834) 811108 or (01834) 811683.