Barry Kidd celebrates 40 years of service with Euro Commercials

​​​Euro Commercials is celebrating a significant milestone this month as Aftersales Director Barry Kidd marks 40 years of service with the business, reflecting a career built on commitment, adaptability and strong customer relationships.

Barry joined Euro Commercials on 14 July 1986 as a Parts Storeman, now known as a Parts Advisor. “My first day didn’t quite go to plan,” he recalls. “My car broke down on the way in, so I arrived half an hour late. It wasn’t the ideal start, but it turned into the beginning of a long and rewarding career.”

Over the years, Barry progressed through a variety of roles across the business, moving into Parts Sales before taking on a supervisory position at the Swansea site when it opened in 1996. “That was a standout period for me,” he said. 

“It was a new location, a new team and a real opportunity to build something from the ground up.”

After returning to Cardiff as Assistant Parts Manager, Barry continued to develop his leadership experience, later managing the aftersales team in Newport before becoming Group Parts Manager. In January 2018, he was appointed Aftersales Director, bringing together decades of experience across both parts and service operations.

Reflecting on how the industry has evolved, Barry points to the rapid pace of change. “Product technology has transformed significantly, and with that, customer expectations have grown,” he explained.

“Customers now expect faster responses, greater flexibility and clear communication. Adapting to that has been key to our success as a business.”

When asked what has kept him motivated over four decades, Barry is clear: 

“It’s the people. The relationships I’ve built with colleagues—both long-standing and new starters—have been a huge part of why I’ve stayed. Every day is different, and that variety keeps the role enjoyable.”

Among his proudest achievements, Barry highlights the expansion of Euro Commercials into the South West. 

“The acquisition of those sites is a great opportunity to extend our customer-focused approach to a wider network,” he said. “I’m also very proud of our investment in people, particularly our apprenticeship programme and the level of long service we see across the business.”

In his current role, Barry continues to focus on delivering high standards of customer support. 

“We’re now managing more fleet vehicles than ever through our workshops,” he said. 

“Communication is critical, especially when our customers rely on their vehicles to keep their businesses running. Our customer satisfaction scores reflect the effort and commitment of our teams, and that’s something we take real pride in.”

Barry believes that strong relationships are at the heart of aftersales success. 

“It comes down to communication, trust and honesty. Customers need to know they can rely on us, and that comes from consistently delivering on what we promise.”

For those starting their careers at Euro Commercials, Barry offers straightforward advice: 

“Have the right attitude, be open to learning and take every opportunity to develop. The industry is always changing, so being adaptable is key.”

Marking his 40 year milestone, Barry reflects on the journey with pride.

“It’s a big number, and it has flown by. I feel proud to represent Euro Commercials, as well as Mercedes-Benz Vans and Daimler Truck. It makes you think about all the people and experiences that have shaped your career.”

Looking ahead, Barry remains optimistic about the company’s future.

“We’ve come through challenges and continued to grow. Now it’s about building on that, strengthening our teams and continuing to deliver for our customers across all our locations.”

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