‘Bridge to the future’ as new dealer principal takes helm at Halfway Ford Port Shepstone
There's a new vibe at the dealership and as of March 1 the dealership and workshop at Halfway Ford Port Shepstone will be 'Ford only'.
There are two things you’ll realise pretty quickly when you meet Joe Bridges, the new dealer principal at Halfway Ford Port Shepstone.
The first is his focus on customer satisfaction.
This may sound clichéd in a sales world, but he can back it up, having won Ford Motor Company South Africa’s massively prestigious Customer Viewpoint award in the A category for the past two years.
The second is that he is the younger brother of the late singer Bles Bridges. True story. Can he sing? Yes, a bit, but his passion is motor vehicles.
Joe has a background in engineering and joined Ford in 2000. He’s only ever been at one dealership, Barloworld Ford Bruma.
He’s looking forward to his new challenge on the coast and is “here to win”, he says.
Although he grew up in the Vaal Triangle, he was a regular visitor to Margate in his youth.
He is determined about making a success of the Ford brand on the coast. “My door is always open. Come and talk to me if there’s a problem,” he said.
One thing that is changing is that as of March 1, the dealership, including the workshop, will be “Ford only”.
Joe says he has found the people on the coast to be very friendly and helpful, once they know they’ll be listened to.
“I had one customer come in to complain, saying he would never buy a Ford again. We chatted and sorted some things out. A few days later he returned with a bottle of wine and his brother-in-law looking to buy a Ford.”
In his (limited) spare time, Joe enjoys golf and is currently playing off a 17 handicap.
He’s a rugby fan of note and although he’s living in Sharks territory, his allegiance remains strong. “Not giving up my Lions jersey anytime soon,” he smiled.
Joe has brought with him Thys Smit, as service manager. He’s a Ford man through and through, having been with the company since 1982.
He’s relocated from Johannesburg, where he worked at Airport Park Ford in Germiston.
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Like Joe, Thys arrives on the coast on the back of an award, that of Ford Motor Company South Africa Service Manager of the Year in the B category (Airport Park).
When it comes to customers, he and Joe are of one mind.
“I’m here to listen. If I don’t know what the troubles are, I can’t fix them. Talk to me,” he said.
He also enjoys rugby. “What can I say, other than ‘blue’,” he smiled.
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