RENOWNED for its sales service across the country, Bowker Blackburn added the title of Team of the Year to its list of accolades.

Strong teamwork at the company, which has its offices in Trident Park, Trident Way, has also resulted in it being named a 20-star dealership, making it one of only five in the country to have excelled in service, sales and aftersales within the BMW group.

Service manager Stewart Rose said winning the Lancashire Telegraph award, presented by Napthens’s corporate partner and East Lancashire office head James Allison, was excellent recognition for the local people who work so hard to help customers.

He said: “I feel like all the effort and the energy that everybody puts into the business has been made worthwhile.

“They all give 100 per cent and that is shown.

“They all work together. They think about one another and they all pull together, which makes a difference.

“We remember where we are from and what we are trying to do.”

Mr Rose said a vital part of the team spirit was to develop workers who show exceptional skills so they stay with the company.

He said this had resulted in a 100 per cent staff retention rate.

As part of its continuous improvement, Bowker Blackburn, which employs 96 people, has implemented a first visit repair promise.

And acting of results of a customer focus group, the department is now open for longer at weekends.

Market research showed customers wanted the service centre to be open for more than just a few hours on a Saturday morning and so opening hours were extended until 4pm.

The department has five per cent growth budgeted for 2013, however half-year results show it is achieving 13 per cent above that.

Bowker Blackburn won the BMW UK incentive of over achievement for genuine BMW and Mini parts sales last year.

These successes mean Bowker Blackburn is often used by BMW nationally and internationally as an example of good practice.

Mr Rose said: “Very often BMW UK asks us about our ideas and views on delivering processes and on our people and skills. It is fantastic that we are renowned within the network.”