WG Davies’ Parts Manager, Alun Taylor, joined the company just over four years ago as a Parts Advisor in Cardiff.

He is likely known to you already and you might even know that he lives with his partner Louise and his daughter Mary-Kate in Treharris, along with their three cats Frank, Nutmeg and Monty. What you might not know is that at one time he worked as a chauffeur to a kissagram service!

We did not see that coming when we asked him to step into the spotlight and answer 10 questions for us. He gamely stepped up to the challenge saying “Sure, why not, what’s the worst that could happen…?!” and he has been a wonderfully open and interesting subject to interview. We hope the following helps you get to know Alun a little better.

10 Questions With Alun Taylor, Parts Manager

1. Why did you join WG Davies and what is the best thing about working at WG Davies?

Alun: I was looking for a new job because I wanted to get out of the Motor Factor business – it was clear that the boom time for motor factors was coming to an end and the job at WG Davies looked perfect. Now that I have been here a few years I can honestly say I enjoy everything about it, I have never worked anywhere that has been so enjoyable, everyone is so willing to help and muck in.

2. What will be the #1 priority for WG Davies parts in 2022?

Alun: With the upheaval due to staff changes over the last six months and COVID in the past two years, the first priority will be to get the team settled and then we will all work to get back up to speed to chase the sales targets set by the business and MAN.

3. If you were granted a wish and could change one thing at work, what would it be and why?

Alun: That’s an easy one, it would be Motis! After four years I still struggle with it. In previous jobs I have used MAN Autopart which integrates the parts catalogue with the stock and invoicing part of the system, so it’s all under one umbrella. With Motis you need to jump from one system to another to another which is time consuming.

4. Have you ever wanted to pursue another line of work?

Alun: No, I have always worked in the motor trade, starting in 1989 as a technician in Paramount Jaguar Cardiff, when I left there I worked with various motor factors and all of that has led to the job with WG Davies. Once you’re in the motor trade you’re in it for life, as long as there are cars, trucks and buses you’ll always have a job – and really nothing else has interested me.

5. Before working at WG Davies, what was the most unusual or job you’ve ever had?

Alun: Many moons ago I used to chauffer kissagrams. I was 20, I had a car, a Rover SD1 and I was in between jobs. It was the late 80’s and I saw an advert in the South Wales Echo for kissagrams and driver/chauffeur for Cardiff and surrounding areas, I applied for the position of driver and did that for about a year. They were mainly stag or hen parties and birthdays. Stags were a bit hair raising to say the least, I had a few instances where it got a bit too rowdy and I had to grab the kissagram, her clothes and leg it back to the car! Hen parties were a little bit calmer, plus the guy I was driving could tell when it was getting out of hand and it was time to leave.

Birthdays were calmer still. They would book a grotogram (not politically correct these days) which was a larger overweight lady in her thirties. These were normally for boys who had just turned eighteen, their faces when they saw her will live with me forever.

6. What do you like to do on your days off?

Alun: I currently have a Rover SD1 V8 in bits which I have been trying to restore for the last 20 years on and off, I would like to get back on track and try to finish it.

7. What is your favourite holiday destination and why?

Alun: On my wish list is either Maldives or French Polynesia, a real get away from it all destination. When I got there it would all be about enjoying the peace and quiet, the sun and the sea, I would enjoy just being on the beach, eating, drinking and chilling.

8. What is your favourite film and why?

Alun: I have two favourite films; Bullitt from 1968 starring Steve McQueen, the coolest guy ever and with a Ford Mustang which gives it the best V8 soundtrack. And if that isn’t enough it also has arguably the best movie car chase ever. Alongside this I would choose THE Christmas film, one of the greatest films of all time, It’s A Wonderful Life, starring James Stewart and Donna Reed. It dates back to 1946 but is such a feel good movie that it warrants viewing every year around this time.

9. Do you have a personal Mantra? If so what is it and why do you like it?

Alun: You can always better yourself, it may be a long road and some people will try to put you down but just persevere and it will happen. I believe you have got to have goals in life, you should work to improve yourself and not get stuck in a rut thinking it’s just a job.

10. If you could have a super-power what would it be and why?

Alun: I don’t know if it’s really a superpower but I would choose teleportation, the ability to move from one place to another instantly, without needing to driving or fly would be wonderful. Just think, it’s the weekend, it’s raining and you could just teleport yourself to somewhere sunny. Perfect!