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September/October Issue 63 - Flipbook - Page 22


NEWS
MEMBERS’
Q&A
GRS Recovery is a Bournemouth
based vehicle breakdown and
accident breakdown recovery
firm established in 1973.
After a chance meeting with the
then Manager at a Police RTC
I learned the company could be
potentially available for purchase
due to the current owners looking
to retire. In December 1993, I
managed to acquire the company
and set about a process of
improving and expanding.
We have since expanded into
larger premises twice, winning
club contracts and acquiring a
long line of regular customers.
We now operate from a 1 acre site,
central to Bournemouth town, with
over 25 vehicles and 35 members
of staff. The recovery industry is a
challenging one, but one I enjoy.
WITH NICK WELCH OF G.R.S.
We have many long standing
members of staff, very high
standards and look to be
professional in everything that
we do. As a result we hold many
accreditations, and have won
numerous awards over the years.
WHAT HAS SURPRISED YOU
MOST ABOUT WORKING IN
THE INDUSTRY?
Why we do and give so much for
so little. The dedication of recovery
companies, their staff and families
never ceases to amaze me.
WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST
CHALLENGING ABOUT
RECOVERY WORK?
Dealing with the changing
workloads! Being a holiday town
our work can quadruple during
the summer months and bank
holidays. Bournemouth often
receives upward of a million visitors
over a hot, sunny weekend.
RECOVERY
WHAT’S THE BEST/WORST
THING TO HAPPEN SINCE YOU
STARTED IN THE INDUSTRY?
The best thing was when my son
decided to join the company and
take it forward.
Worst – a phone call from a
fellow operator to tell me one of
my trucks was upside down in a
ditch at the side of the motorway.
Luckily, all involved were released
from hospital with minor injuries.
WHAT’S SURPRISING TO
KNOW ABOUT YOU?
In my younger days I played
keyboard in a group. I also had
a head of thick, black hair when I
started in recovery – now the little
I have left is grey!
IF YOU WEREN’T DOING
RECOVERY, WHAT WOULD
YOU BE DOING INSTEAD?
I’d be a full-time landlord/property
developer.
WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO
OUTSIDE OF WORK?
I love to travel overseas, and I
enjoy the local beaches. I also
love to spend time with my young
grandsons.
IF YOU WERE STRANDED ON
A DESERT ISLAND, WHO’D BE
WITH YOU?
My wife, of course (assuming Liz
Hurley can’t make it!)
FAVOURITE MUSICAL ARTIST?
I enjoy all music, but especially
Elton John, Whitney Houston and
Celine Dion.
G.R.S. Recovery
T: 01202 593939
W: www.grsrecovery.co.uk
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