BUSINESS
KENT BUSINESS PROFILE
THIS MONTH , insideKENT SPOKE TO
Ian Barkaway OF BARKAWAYS
When was Barkaways established ?
I have been in the motor trade for over 30 years and had become known for undertaking awardwinning restorations . Barkaways was set up in September 2011 by me and a small team of three as a result of direct demand from a number of Ferrari owners who had gotten to know me personally and professionally over time . I have always wanted to run my own garage , but this request gave me the impetus and confidence to go it alone .
How has Barkaways evolved in that time ?
The company has gone from strength to strength and has expanded exponentially from launch up until the present day . The team has grown to 18 and we have also physically grown ; when the business started we undertook all the work in one workshop , 18 months from set up we invested in a second unit which became our dedicated body work and paint shop , and in the last three months we have expanded into a third unit that houses additional workshop space , customer car storage facilities and our sales showroom . This last space was essential to support and develop our sales and acquisitions department which we started during the spring of 2015 .
Our client list has grown alongside our development and we have built up a strong network of loyal customers ; whether they are new to Ferrari ownership or have a collection of cars , it is not unusual for us to extend our service to other marques which our clients possess : Lamborghini Miura , Lancia Stratos , Alfa Romeo , Porsche . Echoing the initial set up of the business we have expanded and developed in line with client demand and pride ourselves on the quality of work we offer , meeting the exacting standards of our clients and going the extra mile when it comes to attention to detail .
What does Barkaways specialise in ?
We specialise in classic restoration – complete strip , body , paint , and mechanical rebuilds and refurbishments working closely with interior trim specialists to offer the full restoration service . We also carry out engine , gearbox and suspension rebuilds . Hand in hand with these longer term projects we carry out routine annual servicing including cambelt change and clutch replacement .
Within our body shop we also offer minor body and paint repairs , from stone chips to accident damage along with ‘ wear and tear ’ repairs . We can also host MoT ’ s . The newest area of our business is our sales and acquisitions department which can assist clients in sourcing a particular Ferrari or help in the marketing of their Ferrari . We also carry our own stock of sales cars . Spencer , our sales and acquisitions manager ( a former customer ) can provide advice on the current market along with detailed information pertaining to trend and market values from both an investment and insurance perspective . We also offer car storage for client cars – short term or long term – with the option for cars to be kept in temperature controlled air chambers .
What makes Barkaways different ?
The ethos of the company is “ For your Ferrari ” and we strive to enable clients to enjoy their car , carefully balancing the needs of the car with the expectations and budget of the client . An undiminished integrity to provide all our customers
with the best service ; whether it is a two-year restoration project of a classic 1960 ’ s Ferrari or the supply and fitment of a headlight bulb for a modern road-going Ferrari . We are a familyowned business which values its customers and the experience they receive from us . A fair , open and honest approach which means time after time our customers return to us , and just as importantly referring us to other Ferrari owners . We have an open door policy and we work closely with our clients to achieve the very best for their cars .
What are the aims for Barkaways in the next five years ?
Our aim over the coming years is to continue to develop our business to ensure that more customers are able to access the Barkaways experience whilst continually looking for new customer service initiatives to maintain our difference .
We derive enormous satisfaction from giving our customers the opportunity to use and get more enjoyment from their cars and this is what we want to continue . Our current team is keen to develop their skills , and I plan to spend time in developing them in the interest of developing more specialist engineers in this field for the future – something I ’ m particularly passionate about as a founder member and Board member of TIGOSE , the guild of specialist engineers .
www . barkaways . com / ferrarirestoration
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