AAG Torquing Point 30 2025 spreads

WELCOME ASK THE EXEC

Welcome back to the 30th edition of Torquing Point, and our final newsletter for 2025!

We hope you have enjoyed another year filled with exciting stories about your colleagues, important updates, competitions, and, of course, photos submitted by team members. If you have any feedback on the newsletter, please reach out to the Comms Team at comms@allianceautomotive.co.uk We would love to implement as many of your ideas as possible!

As a thank you to those who consistently interact with Torquing Point, whether that be content submission or just taking part in the competitions, we’ve selected two random winners to receive a £/€50 Parts & Perks credit as a thank you for your participation.

A huge congratulations to Simon Cairney Parts Advisor at NAPA Auto Parts Macclesfield and Darren Hemming Branch Manager at NAPA Auto Parts Malvern. Your £/€50 Parts & Perks credit will be on its way to your account soon.

Earlier this year, we introduced an "Ask the Exec" feature, providing you with an anonymous and safe space to ask questions to our Executive Committee. A big thank you to everyone who submitted a question; open and honest conversations are crucial for our business, and we believe this feature allows you to engage comfortably. Below, you will find answers to some of your questions:

the continuing advertising of the brand through the mainstream media enables us to grow the audience for NAPA Auto Parts.

Q.

Will we consider an option to work 4 days a week (10 hours each day), please?

A. At this time, we are not considering a shift to a 4-day work week, as many of our roles require a consistent presence in the workplace due to the operational needs, collaboration, and customer service expectations. The Covid-19 pandemic accelerated a lot of businesses introducing flexible working, and we are pleased to have introduced these policies over the last few years. Page 27 of our employee handbook details our flexible working policy, should you wish to find out more.

Q. Does the sponsorship of the racing team offer value for money?

A.

The funding of the racing team comes from various areas, with a significant portion of this through external sponsorship from partners such as Valvoline, Milwaukee and NRF.

The team has enabled us to secure some significant contracts through both NAPA Auto Parts and other areas of the business, which has led to further sales and cost benefits across the company.

The race team itself also brings a significant amount of revenue generation through ticket sales and merchandise, all of which contribute to the overall cost model.

With further development of the NAPA Auto Parts branch network and further NAPA product awareness,

Q.

A.

meet your expectations. Programmes like our Value Champion Awards and the relaunch of our Long Service Awards this year are great ways for us to recognise both the loyalty and hard work of our incredible teammates, and we look forward to expanding these programmes into 2026. Implementing a change such as extra holiday days for length of service requires a comprehensive review of our current holiday policies, but it is certainly something we will consider in future benefit reviews.

Q. Could there be a clear banding system so that we can all see where we stand, and that the system is fair in relation to pay?

A. We understand the desire for transparency around pay structure; however, we do not operate a banding system and do not plan to implement this in the future. Pay is designed to reflect the complexity and responsibility of each role. Maintaining some confidentiality ensures flexibility and fairness in individual remuneration decisions that consider a range of factors, including performance and skill set.

If you have a question you would like to ask, scan the QR code:

To try to retain staff, could we not show appreciation of loyalty by giving extra holiday days for service after 2 years?

Over recent years, colleagues have highlighted the importance to them of recognising long service and loyalty, which we have taken into consideration and worked to implement initiatives to

2025 EMPLOYEE ENGAGEMENT ROUND UP

2025 has been an outstanding year for employee engagement initiatives across the business. These initiatives have contributed to creating a positive work environment, and we extend our gratitude to all our colleagues for their hard work and dedication. Below are some of the initiatives from 2025 that were particularly well-received!

NAPA 100 Years Parties During the first week of May, we hosted 100-year birthday parties in every branch, office and warehouse across the UK and Ireland, with branded bunting, commemorative pin badges, balloons and, of course, delicious cake to get colleagues across the network in the party mood!

Thank you to every one of our colleagues across the network for helping us celebrate in style. We loved seeing so many of you get involved and decorate your sites in our iconic yellow and blue!

Employee Appreciation Day On this year's

Employee Appreciation Day, 7th March, we selected 20 employees at random to receive a £/€20 benefit credit for Parts & Perks. This gesture was implemented to recognise and celebrate the hard work, dedication, and contributions of our colleagues, highlighting the efforts that truly make a difference.

NAPA Racing UK Ticket Giveaways Over 250 tickets were gifted to colleagues during the 2025 NAPA Racing UK season, with around 10 taking the fantastic role of Grid Personnel. We can’t wait to run on a similar initiative in 2026, so keep your eyes peeled.

shared with up to five family members. Additionally, all UK employees can take advantage of a 10% discount on a variety of services at Kwik Fit, one of the UK's leading automotive service providers. These discounts will continue until 2026, so be sure to make the most of them!

Friday 13th – Not so unlucky This year, on Friday 13th, we flipped the script on superstition by bringing good fortune to our colleagues, similar to Employee Appreciation Day. We surprised 13 lucky individuals with a £/€30 benefit credit for Parts & Perks. This was just another way for us to express our gratitude and brighten our colleagues' day.

Pumpkin Carving Competition

We were thrilled to host another Halloween competition this year!

Colleagues were asked to send in images of their pumpkin carvings, and we selected 4 winners and 2 runners-up to receive Parts & Perks credits. Take a look at some of the incredible entries we received.

Kwik Fit & NAPA Auto Parts Discounts

Following valuable feedback, we announced that all employees can now enjoy a 10% discount on purchases at NAPA Auto Parts stores. This discount can also be

World Kindness Day In honour of World Kindness Day, we took a moment to celebrate the spirit of kindness, generosity, and community that you all bring to our workplace every day.

As a small token of our appreciation, we randomly selected 25 team members who each received a £/€20 benefits credit added to their Parts & Perks accounts.

MINUTES WITH... 5 Chris Hegarty, Regional Manager in Northern Ireland

What is your job role, and when did you take this am the Regional Manager in Northern Ireland and joined in August 2024. work alongside our UK & Ireland General Manager, Scott Binch, and our dedicated Divisional Managers. Our role is to ensure that any challenges faced on the ground are quickly escalated to the right business stakeholders, allowing us to find effective resolutions and provide our teams with the tools they need to succeed. By supporting our people and

streamlining operations, we create happier teams — and ultimately, happier customers.

What has been the highlight of your time at AAG so far?

Customer engagement is paramount in our business, and I’d say the main highlight of my time at AAG so far has been the trip to visit our braking factory at REMSA in Spain. It was a fantastic experience to see first-hand how our products are made, as well as the advanced technology used in both the production of our brake pads and the rigorous testing they undergo to ensure they meet and exceed OE quality standards. It was also great to sample some of the local cuisine, wines, and ciders — and, of course, to spend some quality time with our customers!

was also lucky enough to attend the BTCC at Donington Park this summer, my first ever motorsport event like this, and it was truly an experience and a half! Watching the NAPA Racing team in action, taking in the atmosphere, the crowds, the smell of fumes, and the roar of the engines was unforgettable. It was also fantastic to see our livery and company branding standing out across the paddock and on the track!

What has been the most challenging part of your role, and how did you overcome it?

The most challenging part of my role so far has been ensuring we have the right people in place to deliver for the company throughout the remainder of 2025 and well into 2026. Sourcing the right talent to fill our vacancies has been a key focus, with an emphasis on attracting

skilled and experienced individuals to set our business up for success here in Northern Ireland.

Perseverance has been essential, along with implementing an effective induction process for all new starters. This has been crucial in ensuring successful recruitment outcomes and empowering our people to perform at their best, equipped with the right training and the confidence that they have the wider team’s support. Building strong networks and relationships with all stakeholders across the business has also been an important part of that success.

What are your hobbies and interests outside of work?

In my spare time, I enjoy keeping active by going to the gym and taking relaxing walks along white sandy beaches. I love spending quality time with my son, and socialising with family and friends whenever can. I’m also a bit of a car enthusiast, I drive an Audi A7, and I take pride in maintaining and keeping it in top condition!

If you could give one piece of advice to someone, what would it be?

My advice would be to always be yourself, give your best every day, and approach your work with passion and commitment. Make the most of every opportunity, we’re here for a short time, not a long time!

Value Champion Awards

Congratulations to the latest recipients of our Value Champion Awards in September, October & November:

Do you have someone or a branch in mind for our next 5 minutes with...? Send an email to comms@allianceautomotive.co.uk

Nigel Clement, nominated by Curtis Armstrong (People Award)

“Nigel is a shining example of the very best in our business in terms of dedication, technical knowledge/know-how and willingness to help others, whatever the circumstances.”

Russell Ryder, nominated by John-Paul Wilson (Performance Award)

“This gentleman is a hard-working individual and is an asset to NAPA Auto Parts. Russ puts 110% into his BDM role. We have faced a lot of challenges, and Russ has come up with some fantastic ideas to overcome these. Day in and day out, Russ is passionate and promotes the NAPA brand with pride! I am lucky to work with a BDM like Russ!”

Long Service Recognition:

EMPLOYEE CORNER

Sarah Gay & Marie Oinn nominated by Alan Neve (Performance Award)

“The branch found themselves short on staff and both Sarah and Marie coped brilliantly with next to no outside help, and I’d like to thank them for there supreme efforts.”

Connor Howard, nominated by Corey Griffiths (Integrity Award)

“Since Connor took over the position, he has been honest and fair with all the customers I have seen him with. He treats every member of the team with the utmost respect and always stays true to his morals and the company’s values. Because of this, we are starting to see an uplift in GE in my areas, and staff members are getting involved where they didn't previously.”

A heartfelt congratulations to our colleagues who recently hit their 25-year work anniversary from Q2-Q4! Thank you for your continued dedication and loyalty to the company; you are greatly appreciated.

Alan Priest

Andrew Firth

Andrew Lowe

Dave Cross

Dave Willmott

Donna Sands

Gemma Henty

Graham Mayfield

John Gibbs

Jonathan Lambert

Malcolm Wilson

Mark Dewsnap

Neil Ducie

Nigel Collins

Peter Beckett

Sean Davies

Shaun Parfrement

Stephen Cooksley

Steven Adlam

Steven Hancock

Wayne Day

The nomination process is simple and can be completed through Parts & Perks. Just scan the QR code and head to ‘Value Champion Awards’.

The festive season is in full swing, and whether you're hosting this year’s big gettogether, ticking off your gift list, or simply treating yourself to something special, you can do it all without blowing your budget. Thanks to Parts & Perks, celebrating more while spending less has never been easier.

Leave the house to enjoy a treat:

This time of year can be intense, so it’s important to regularly take the time to go outside and get some fresh air. One of our favourite ways to make leaving the house more appealing when the weather is gloomy is going out for a nice meal or a drink. Take a break from the hustle and bustle and go grab a bite at Nando’s Starbucks Costa Coffee Zizzi and many more.

Host the cosiest dinner:

Check out our deals at Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Morrisons, Iceland, Marks & Spencer, Ocado and Waitrose. Depending on the supermarket, you may be able to get a Reloadable Card (physical) or an Instant Reloadable Voucher (digital). You can easily top them up in a few seconds and save every time. For example, with a 5% discount, you will be able to add £/€100 to your card, but you’re only paying £/€95. Many of our users save up to hundreds of pounds a year just on their food shop!

Stock up on gifts with a discount:

If you’re buying presents this year, be sure to check Parts & Perks before each purchase. With hundreds of retailers available and so many discount codes and cashback, you could make a killer saving on gifts in 2025!

The festive season is here, and your discounts platform just got even better! We’ve been working hard to bring you more retailers* and more savings – so you can shop smarter while treating yourself and your loved ones.

Birkenstock – iconic, comfortable footwear for every season.

Evans Cycles – everything from bikes to accessories, perfect for outdoor adventures.

Flannels – luxury pieces to upgrade your winter wardrobe.

G-Star Raw – stylish, modern denim for all occasions.

Game – the latest games, consoles, and must-have accessories for gamers of all ages.

Mamas & Papas – essentials and gifts for babies and parents.

Stanley 1913 – durable water bottles and insulated drinkware for life on the go.

Sports Direct – sportswear, footwear, and gear for every activity.

Starbucks – enjoy your favourite drinks and seasonal classics.

USC – on-trend fashion finds for every style.

*Please note, some of these retailers are UK only.

September marked one year since the Learning & Development team launched our company induction package, and what an incredible journey it’s been!

Thanks to all of you, this package has become a cornerstone in welcoming new colleagues and showcasing who we are as a company.

Now, Learning & Development is excited to introduce the next phase — our Day in the Life videos!

We’ve been partnering with colleagues across the business to bring you an authentic, behind-thescenes look at a variety of roles. These new videos highlight the passion, challenges, and everyday achievements that make each job unique, and they’re perfect for giving new team members a real sense of what it’s like to work here.

get up to speed quickly while feeling inspired from their very first day.

A huge thank you to all those who were included in the videos.

Scan the QR code to watch the videos.

Further videos representing colleagues from other business units will be added in due course.

Let's continue building on this momentum and helping every new colleague start their journey with confidence and

These Day in the Life videos ideal for new employees, helping them

FIRST CARS!

Last month, we invited our colleagues to share snapshots of their very first cars! Check out the nostalgic journey below as we celebrate those

Last month, we hosted the NAPA Auto Parts Branch Conference for the second consecutive year. The event took place at the Magna Centre in Rotherham, where we extended the invitation to both Commercial and ROI colleagues. The conference was a resounding success, attracting more than 350 dedicated employees from NAPA Auto Parts and NAPA Auto Parts - Commercial, along with over 80 esteemed suppliers. Attendees enjoyed a day filled with inspiration, collaboration, and recognition.

The conference provided an opportunity for colleagues to hear directly from the senior leadership team, who shared exciting details about upcoming projects and strategic growth plans designed to drive the business forward. This session set a collaborative tone for the rest of the event, emphasising the importance of innovation and teamwork within the NAPA community.

In the afternoon, attendees were provided with the unique opportunity to engage face-to-face with a diverse group of suppliers. This interactive showcase allowed colleagues to explore the extensive range of brands and solutions offered by NAPA Auto Parts. This engagement not only enhanced product knowledge but also strengthened valuable supplier relationships.

The day concluded on a celebratory note with an awards dinner, honouring the outstanding achievements of colleagues throughout 2025. This special recognition highlighted the passion, dedication, and excellence that continues to fuel NAPA Auto Parts’ ongoing success.

A huge congratulations to the winners of the prestigious awards evening, along with the runnersup, and everyone who attended.

NAPA Auto Parts - LV

Branch Manager of the Year (Central)Elsa Bevan NAPA Auto Parts - Nantwich

Branch Manager of the Year (North)Campbell Morrison NAPA Auto Parts - Aberdeen

Branch Manager of the Year (South East)Nathan Reardon NAPA Auto Parts - Maidstone

Branch Manager of the Year (South West)Josh Acton NAPA Auto Parts – Torquay

Branch Manager of the Year (Northern Ireland)Conor McAuley, NAPA Auto Parts – Dunmurray

Branch Manager of the Year (Overall)

Nantwich

Area Manager of the Year (Overall)

Brockie

of the Year (Overall)

Thank you to everyone who entered the last Torquing Point competition. Congratulations to the winner, Tommy Frayne. We’ll be in touch soon to send out your prize!

Complete the festive wordsearch, and you could be the next winner of an Amazon Tech Bundle (Echopop & Firestick).

comms@allianceautomotive.co.uk

PHOTOS OF THE MONTH

Take a look at our favourite photos submitted this month! Have you got any images you would like to share? Send your photos to and they could be featured in the next edition.

We encourage everyone to share any ideas, suggestions, or feedback on the AAG UK&IE Newsletter with the Communications Team, by emailing comms@allianceautomotive.co.uk

Did you miss out on last month’s edition? Scan the QR code to take a look!