Autoelectro to balance traditions with new ideas
Having joined the business in June of last year and extended a family legacy that began in 1986, Harnek Bhogal is ready to step-up and help steer the Autoelectro business into a new chapter.
After looking up to the owners of Autoelectro throughout his childhood – his father, Paul, as well as uncles, Tony and Nicky – Harnek is well-prepared in assuming a leadership role. From an early age, he has been engrossed in the business, whether it’s picking and packing in the warehouse, creating credit notes and purchase ledgers in the accounts department, or handling sales enquiries and liaising with customers.
Harnek is under no illusions that he is taking a significant step up in the day-to-day responsibility of the business but is confident he is ready:
“I’ve grown up in the automotive environment, surrounded by Tony, Nicky and Paul, and their enthusiasm and determination to grow the business has been inspirational to me. They’re role-models, and I want to emulate what they have created – but at the same time, forge my own path.
“I’ve been given an opportunity to demonstrate my qualities, learnt through maturing at Autoelectro, gaining an economics degree from Lancaster University and previous employment with OEMs and VMs. I’m ready to grab this opportunity with both hands.”
Autoelectro has a reputation to uphold
Autoelectro’s enviable business pillars – product availability, range, quality and knowledge, as well as its remanufacturing facilities – will remain central to the business; however, Harnek is keen to develop those even further.
He said: “We possess a product offering that we’re proud of and relied upon by customers across the UK. Our remanufacturing capabilities and state-of-the-art OE specification test bench equipment allows us to successfully respond to the timeline of the-now classics, start/stop technology, combined starter motors and alternators, and 48V mild hybrid units.
“Furthermore, with independent workshops receiving more hybrid vehicles, we’ve responded to this trend by a developing a number of references for hybrid models from the likes of Peugeot, Mercedes, Audi, Fiat, Ford, BMW, Hyundai, Land Rover, Suzuki, and Volvo.
“We can’t rest on our laurels, though; we need to stay ahead of the curve, as the diversification and technological evolution of starter motors and alternators continues, as illustrated by this latest development.”
“I want to bring fresh ideas to our business”
Harnek is deeply respectful of the legacy that previous generations of the Bhogal family have created. He will aim to balance the traditions and values that are inherent within Autoelectro’s DNA with his own ideas, energy and perspectives to ensure the business is able to navigate the changing landscape.
He concluded: “I want to bring a philosophy that will create a culture of innovation and growth, to think outside the box, take calculated risks, and embrace change. Ultimately, I want to build on the dynamism and resilience of the existing business. I am confident we can adapt to the challenges and opportunities of the modern automotive aftermarket and succeed.”