How smart growth, a focus on staff wellbeing, and a customer-first mindset have powered EAC’s ongoing expansion, from a single location and a £2,000 investment to a growing network of branches across the Midlands, EAC’s journey is a testament to smart growth, customer-first thinking, and a relentless drive to raise standards in the independent garage world. We spoke to Mark from EAC to find out how it all started, and where it’s heading next.
How did EAC begin?
Mark: I’ve been self-employed for 29 years, and we’ve had EAC in its current form for the past 15. It all started when I was a young lad working at a local garage. I could tell things weren’t being run properly, and when new owners took over, it got even worse. That’s when I thought, we’ve got a real chance to do something better.
A mate and I scraped together £2,000 and decided to go for it. Just a few months in, the partnership ended, so I bought him out, and then it was full steam ahead. One ramp turned into two, then three, and soon we were moving into new premises. Fast forward 20 years, and here we are today.
What does the business look like today?
We’ve now got branches in Halesfield, Madeley, and Stafford Park, with our fourth site opening soon in Horton Wood. A lot of our growth has come from fleet work, and we’ve expanded carefully to keep service levels high across all sites.
We’re also keeping an eye on potential opportunities through ATS or Halfords closures, which could help us scale-up even faster. Growing, and growing smart, is very much the goal.
What makes EAC different?
We take on the work most garages avoid – specialist diagnostics, EVs, timing chains, and more.
But it’s not just what we do, it’s how we do it. From the moment someone walks through the door, we want them to feel welcome. Whether that’s a warm greeting, a clear explanation of the job, or just a decent coffee, it’s about making the experience better.
We use Garage Hive to keep everything organised and transparent, so there’s no guesswork, and no confusion. It’s a smarter way to run a workshop, and it shows in the results.
Staff wellbeing is just as important. We don’t open Sundays, everyone gets their birthday off, and we finish early on Fridays. When the team’s happy, everything runs better.
Being part of Servicesure has also been a huge support. Whether it’s advice, discounts, or just someone to call when you need a second opinion, it really does feel like a proper network.
What are the top benefits for your customers?
We offer the same level of service you’d expect from a dealership, just without the price tag. We’re often at least 25% cheaper than main dealers, especially on makes like Jaguar, Land Rover, and BMW.
We also have a list of extras too, like free wash and vac, courtesy cars, late-night work and flexible turnaround, and digital service records logged properly. Recently, we saved one customer over £500 on a suspension job compared to their dealer quote, and still gave them top-tier service. That’s the kind of value people are looking for.
We make life easier. Whether it’s free loan cars, quick checks, or a complimentary wash and vac, we always try to go that bit further. That attention to detail builds trust – and our reviews speak for themselves.
From one ramp and a vision to a multi-site business built on trust and quality, EAC’s growth journey proves that doing things the right way pays off. But behind that success is more than just smart business strategy – it’s a strong network of support.
In Part 2, we explore how joining Servicesure has strengthened EAC’s foundations, the role partnerships play in their day-to-day, and what’s coming next for this ambitious Midlands-based group.
