Technician has racked up 35,000 services in 45 years as a Honda technician

A long-serving technician from a Honda dealership toasted his 65^th birthday with a surprise celebration laid on by his colleagues.

Martin Holbrook joined the family dealership, Hepworth in Huddersfield , as a 19-year-old in 1969, moving with the company when it became a Honda agent in 1977. In his 45-year career with the company, he reckons he’s carried out 35,000 services – and has no plans to retire.

The team at Hepworth Honda, on Leeds Road, couldn’t let the landmark pass without recognising Martin’s decades of dedication to his work and his customers – some of whom return time and time again for Martin’s expertise and exemplary service.

Martin has serviced and worked on every generation of Honda Civic since it launched in 1972, and has even taught people to drive on the forecourt, including dealer principal Stephen Brighton.

Brighton said: ‘Martin is an institution – he is a cheeky chappie whose commitment to his customers, to Hepworth and to Honda is amazing. It is this sheer enthusiasm that has helped our dealership to thrive over the years. We couldn’t let Martin’s special birthday and decades of loyal service pass without a celebration.’

As a small token of appreciation from the dealership, Martin was given a trip for him and his wife, Yvonne, to a four-star hotel in the Lake District, while the Honda head office was only too pleased to deliver a luxury hamper for them both to enjoy.

Martin said: ‘I’m so shocked and touched. I have been with Hepworth for more than 45 years and it’s a really great place to work. Some of our customers have become friends and it’s really nice to see them come back again and again. I’m really looking forward to taking Yvonne to the Lake District to celebrate my birthday, and then I’ll be right back to work!’

Nick Holmes, head of customer and aftersales at Honda, said: ‘Martin and the many others like him in our network are perfect examples of the fantastic, dedicated people who consistently go above and beyond to deliver outstanding levels of service to our customers. Marking the occasion of his 65^th birthday and his decades of loyal service with a gift is just a small token of our appreciation.’

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