Tom Browne (Group Trade Parts Manager), Kenneth Power (Parts Supervisor), Anthony Cannon and Derek Browne (Part Trade Specialists) from the parts department of Blackwater Motors, Fermoy. (ES-d)

Two auto associated businesses from Fermoy are among a total of eight from Cork to have been shortlisted for the prestigious Irish Auto Trade Awards 2017 taking place in Citywest Hotel in Dublin on Saturday, 22nd October.

These include Blackwater Motors who have been nominated in the Trade Parts Main Dealer of the Year category and Avondhu Motor Factor who are vying for Motor Factor of the Year.

The awards are a celebration of excellence in the Irish auto trade in Ireland, a sector that accounts for over 35,000 jobs. Retail auto businesses undergo a rigorous selection process that includes phone and personal mystery shops before being finally adjudicated on. Manufacturer and distributor companies were shortlisted based on votes received by readers of Irish Auto Trade Journal earlier this year.

With Bobby Kerr as MC, the gala event attracts in excess of 700 leading figures from the motor industry in Ireland and coincides with the Auto Trade EXPO, also in the nearby Citywest Exhibition Centre and Arena, where over 5,000 visitors will visit nearly 200 trade exhibitor stands from the aftersales, parts, tools and equipment and services sectors on Saturday 22nd and Sunday, 23rd October.

Another Fermoy connection – GC Auto Spares, will be among the exhibitors from all over Europe.