Rainworth Skoda Crowned Mansfield Business of the Year

MILTON KEYNES, UNITED KINGDOM – April 9, 2009: Rainworth Škoda is going from strength to strength despite the tough economic climate, scooping the Business of the Year title at the Mansfield 2020 Business Club’s Ball and Business Awards.

The award was presented to Rainworth Škoda by West Notts College principal Asha Khemka in front of 280 distinguished business people at a prestigious black tie awards ceremony at the Civic Centre, Mansfield.

To be considered for the award a company must be a member of the Mansfield branch of the 2020 Club, one of the largest business networks in the country. The club judged Rainworth Škoda “the outstanding organisation that has best demonstrated exceptional financial returns, strong growth and innovation strategies, plus market leadership in its sector”.

Ian Wilson, Business Development Manager at Rainworth Škoda, comments: “This award is another endorsement of our level of business, offering the very best value and outstanding service coupled with a stylish, quality product. But above all it shows that we are a company that cares about its clients.

“We have had a very successful year due, in no small part, to our focus on networking and marketing locally.

“With many companies in the motor industry suffering during these difficult times, it is testament to our commitment to all our customers old and new that we continue to succeed, supplying the Škoda marque locally and nationally.” This has already been an exciting year for Rainworth Škoda, which recently won the 2009 Škoda Dealership of the Year Award, outdoing strong competition from over 130 retailers.

Rainworth Motors was one of the country’s first Škoda retailers, opening in 1965, since when it has developed close links with local organisations. The retailer sponsors the annual Dukeries Rally held in Sherwood Forest. It is one of the biggest events of its type in the East Midlands, each year attracting 121 drivers and forming part of the Silverstone Tyres BTRDA Rally Series.

Rainworth Škoda’s support for the 45-mile rally began in 2005 and includes sponsorship of local drivers and the supply of cars for marshals and safety officials. Although over a hundred cars race through the forest at exhilarating speeds, every care is taken by the organisers and sponsors to ensure that the natural surroundings are maintained:

Jon Atherton, Retailer Principal at Rainworth Škoda, explains: “After the rally the Forestry Commission re-grades the area so you would never tell that a rally had even taken place. In keeping with Škoda’s commitments to producing environmentally friendly cars, we want to have as little impact on Sherwood Forest as possible and are grateful for the assistance of the commission before, during and after the event. This is the fourth year that we’ve sponsored the rally, providing safety cars for the marshals, and long may our relationship with organisers, Dukeries Motor Club, continue.”

Rainworth Škoda’s sponsorship of the Dukeries Rally is just one in a list of local events and community-based organisations that it is affiliated with, which includes Wellbeck Cricket Club, Mansfield Rugby Club and the successful children and youth anti-drugs programme, D.A.R.E.

“We’re proud of our commitment to local sporting clubs and charities,” continues Jon. “Rainworth Škoda is keen on extending support wherever possible.

“We have also supplied D.A.R.E. with a brand new Škoda Fabia for use by its staff to travel to over 260 schools throughout Nottinghamshire where the charity provides essential life skills education for young people.

“It is an acknowledgment of the excellent and important work that D.A.R.E. does within the community for the good of all, particularly our future, the success of youth, and the growth of good communities of tomorrow.”

Rainworth Škoda’s commitment to young people in the Mansfield area extends to support for Mansfield Rugby Club’s Colts youth team. The retailer advertises pitch-side and in the match programme which includes a coupon that, on presentation, ensures that £100 is donated to the youth team whenever a car is purchased from Rainworth.

“We are also keen to provide support to the development of Mansfield’s budding sports stars,” adds Jon. “Our sponsorship of the Colts and the shirts of Wellbeck Cricket Club is a token of appreciation of the outstanding work that these sports teams do for our local youth.”