Towell Auto Centre "Tyre Care Plus" outlets bullish on Omanization and training policies

The Tyre division of Towell Auto Centre is now at the forefront of the omanization process and has achieved a successful 72% omanization level across the 16 Tyre Care Plus outlets. TAC is the sole distributor of Bridgestone tyres in Oman.

In the year 2000 when the 1st outlet started, the total employee strength consisted of 3 expatriates. Today there are 16 outlets nationally employing 60 staff members, of which 43 are of Omani nationality.

At each Tyre Care Plus outlet, Omani staffs are recruited at various levels ranging from tyre fitters, alignment technicians to counter salesman. After the recruitment process, training is given by the specially trained engineers form Bridgestone Middle East and Africa and further in house internal training sessions are conducted periodically.

Every month TAC's Service Engineers are given the task of visiting the various TCP shops across the country to conduct training sessions. These are based on various technical, product and sales related issues. Quarterly sales meets are held in Muscat where all TCP counter sales staff assemble at the Ghala tyre training centre for sales discussions and training.

Bridgestone tyres are fitted as O.E in most of the high end cars currently available in Oman. Fitment and replacement of Bridgestone tyres require utmost care and skill. Hence the tyre fitters and technicians at each TCP outlet go through a rigorous on the job training where adequate knowledge on the product is also imparted.

"Training and motivation of staff members have been very important aspects for effective functioning of our "Tyre Care Plus" outlets. All employees from top to the lowest level need regular training and it becomes the responsibility of the management to organise timely training sessions to help motivate and develop the skill sets of our workforce. We are also pleased to say that the turnover rate amongst our Omani staff is minimum and our long term strategy of omanization is on an ambitious uphill trend,"

commented Mohan Menon, GM-TLB, Towell Auto Centre.

Towell Auto Centre is the sole representative for Bridgestone in Oman. Keeping in line with Bridgestone's concept of "Closer to Customer", Towell Auto Centre has set up these specialized 'Tyre Care Plus' outlets in different parts of Oman to provide excellent sales and service to their valuable customers. The 17 Tyre Care Plus outlets are located at Wadi Kabir, Bausher, Ghala, Goubra, Rusayl, Barkha, Saham, Sohar, Karsha, Nizwa, Ibri, Ibra, Sur, Salalah, Buali, Bidiyah and Sinaw. Towell has also set up two BridgestoneTruck Tyre Centres located in Ghala and Nimr.