·       Bridgestone showcases best performing stores for customer service, trust and transparency. 

·       Dale & Angela Barclay’s Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto Tapping claims title in first year of trading.

·       Winning duo awarded brand new Toyota Hilux provided by DRIVE program partner Burson Auto Parts.

PERTH, Western Australia (10 April 2025) – Australia’s largest tyre and mechanical service network, Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto has named its 2024 National Store of the Year as well as the top stores in each region, based on the company’s store benchmarking program – DRIVE.

Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto Tapping, owned and run by Dale & Angela Barclay, claimed the coveted Store of Year title in their first full year of operation having joined the network in October 2023 with a perfect 5.00 score in Bridgestone’s DRIVE program.

Since 2020, Bridgestone’s DRIVE program has benchmarked its network on customer service, operational excellence, and store presentation in line with the network’s emphasis on trust and transparency.

“This is a massive achievement. We didn’t set out to get this award, but when we heard we were right up there in the national rankings, we made sure that we continued to follow the DRIVE program, reinforcing our focus on treating customers as we would want to be treated,” Dale Barclay said.

According to Angela Barclay, the team’s commitment to a great experience and building trust with their growing customer base helped cement their victory.

“It really solidifies all the hard work the team has put in, especially Dale and our first employee in the business, Shaun. Our whole team: Josh, Katrina, and Sarah all put in to make sure the customer is looked after. We have a lot of recurring customers here, and they are always coming back, saying how much they enjoy the customer experience and how they trust us with their car,” she said.  

The Barclays took possession of a brand-new Toyota Hilux, complete with a Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto Tapping vehicle wrap, as part of their prize provided by DRIVE store of the year program partner Burson Auto Parts.

“We’re pinching ourselves! Now we just need to work out who’s going to drive it,” joked Mr Barclay.

Joining them on 2024 DRIVE program honours list is Queensland winner Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto Karalee, owned by Mark Wallace, and Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto Belconnen run by Andrew James, who claimed back-to-back NSW/ACT Store of the Year titles.

Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto Coolaroo owned by Abdul Basit claimed the top spot in VIC/TAS, and SA/NT was won by Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto Kidman Park owned by Andrew Andrawos.

In addition to the internal recognition that the DRIVE program enables, The Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto network received double accolades in last year’s Reader’s Digest Quality Service Awards, taking out gold in the Independent Car Servicing, and silver in the tyre retailer category.

Bridgestone Australia’s Sales Director, Claudio Sodano, says that the DRIVE program showcases the best of the best.

“The Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto network had an exceptional year 2024, and together we have a lot to celebrate. As a network we increased our net promoter score from 83 to 87, meaning our customers are happier with our service more than ever.  We also won awards, and opened our 200^th Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto store in Werribee, Victoria,” Mr Sodano said.

“But, there can only be one store of the year, and there is no denying that Dale and Angela Barclay and the Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto Tapping team live up to our values of customer service, trust, and transparency. They are absolutely deserving of the title.

“This latest list of possible DRIVE program winners was tighter than ever, with only a few points separating the top stores. The team at Tapping did everything right and managed to score a perfect result for the year – made even more impressive that it was their first year of operation!” Mr Sodano added.

Bridgestone Select Tyre & Auto is the retail network of Bridgestone, Australia’s most trusted tyre brand for 11 years running. The network strives to empower motorists to ‘go with confidence’ through its emphasis on transparency and customer service, and use of consumer focussed technology like Bridgestone Tech Check.

Bridgestone Tech Check provides customers with a 60-second video sent via SMS from the technician working on their car. The video shares an upfront condition report, the technician’s view of the vehicle, along with expert commentary of what needs repairing now, and what can wait. With the transparency the platform provides, it is another way Bridgestone is empowering motorists to ‘go with confidence’.