Family-owned auto service station in Elmsdale wins international award

ELMSDALE, N.S. – A family-owned automotive service station in Elmsdale has won international recognition for its work.

Don McNeill Enterprises was chosen by the Auto Care Association, a U.S.-based organization, as a ‘Head of the Class’ award winner for 2014.

The award is to “highlight and recognize companies that continually invest in employee education and training.”

The business, a Shell gas station with seven service bays, is operated by the McNeills — husband Roy and wife Beth. It was recognized in the repair shop category, and was also the only Canadian business selected.

The McNeills have provided their technicians with 100 hours of training a year.

“I’m very thankful of all the training they send us on,” said Cory Grant, one of the service technicians. “They recently sent us to Toronto to take on some training up there — it was very good training.”

Roy works closely with his technicians and sends them for training to keep them updated.

“We needed to keep up with technology and keep up for our clients,” said Beth.

The dedication didn’t go unnoticed by the company that provides the training.

“The McNeills invest a tremendous amount of money in the development of their team and their skill level, not only on the technical side, but also business understanding,” said Bob Greenwood, the president of Automotive Aftermarket.

Beth said accepting the award in Boston was “a very humbling experience.”

Roy and Beth took over the business in 1989 from Roy’s dad Don, who still enjoys being around the garage.

“If you’ve been dealing with the public for 52 years, you must like the public,” he said.