HallCraft has been nominated for the Garage Innovation Award at the inaugural Fleet Guy Live Awards.
The nomination recognises the Cradley Heath independent garage’s continued investment and growth and follows hot on the heels of the announcement that they would double capacity.
Earlier this year, HallCraft acquired an adjacent unit, enabling them to expand their stand-alone bodyshop from 1,700 sq ft to 5,000 sq ft.
The acquisition further enhances HallCraft’s commitment to delivering complete vehicle support services – providing MOT, servicing, accident repairs and full diagnostic support from one location.
Garage Innovation Award
“We are incredibly proud to be nominated for the Garage Innovation Award at the first Fleet Guy Awards. Innovation is not simply about introducing new technology; it is about finding better ways to serve customers, improve efficiency and keep vehicles safely on the road,” explained owner James Hopcraft.
“Our expansion reflects our ambitious plans for HallCraft. By doubling our bodyshop capacity and continuing to invest in our people, equipment and facilities, we want to become the trusted vehicle support partner for fleet managers, insurance companies and, of course, our valued personal customers across the West Midlands.
“We have built HallCraft around the idea that customers should be able to access everything they need in one place, delivered by a team they know and trust. This nomination is a tremendous endorsement of the hard work of everyone at HallCraft and of the direction in which the business is heading.”
Fleet Focused Independent Garages
The new national awards have been created specifically for fleet-focused independent garages, celebrating the businesses and people helping to raise standards and keep fleets moving.
The winners will be announced during Fleet Guy Live at The Bond in Digbeth, Birmingham, on Friday 9 October 2026.
The nomination comes at a landmark moment for HallCraft. After serving motorists and businesses across Cradley Heath, Dudley, Halesowen, Stourbridge and the wider West Midlands for more than 30 years, the bodyshop expansion allows the business to double it’s capacity.
That means more accident repairs, smart repairs, paintwork and the ability to work with larger vehicles.
It forms part of a wider investment programme designed to support more private motorists, business fleets, leasing providers and insurance partners while maintaining the personal service on which HallCraft has built its reputation.
360 Degree Service
HallCraft is one of the few independent garages in the region able to provide a genuine 360-degree service on one site. Its experienced team can manage routine servicing, mechanical repairs, diagnostics, MOT testing, accident and body repairs, paintwork, tyres and wheel alignment.
For fleet managers, that joined-up approach can make a significant difference. Fewer handovers, one trusted point of contact and the ability to coordinate different types of work can help simplify vehicle maintenance and reduce costly downtime.
For private customers, it means knowing that almost every aspect of their vehicle’s care can be handled by a familiar local team.
James added: “Having worked with fleet and leasing companies for over 20 years, we’re seeing a significant shift in the way customers fund, service, maintain and manage cars and vans.
“One of the biggest changes facing our industry is not only how vehicles are powered, but how they are owned, used and maintained.
“The light commercial sector remains a key part of our business, but we are witnessing declining business mileage amongst traditional company car drivers, whilst seeing rapid growth in salary sacrifice schemes, moving more people away from conventional company cars towards personally leased and fleet-managed vehicles.
“For these drivers, expectations are different. Their vehicle is part of a managed package; they expect servicing, maintenance and repairs to be organised around them, with minimum inconvenience and maximum uptime.
Doubled Bodyshop Capacity
“HallCraft has doubled the size of its bodyshop, integrating accident repair with its established MOT, service and diagnostic operation, which is already supporting fleet and leasing companies.
“Our innovation is bringing 20+ years of fleet knowledge into accident repair, whereas traditional bodyshops are predominantly structured around social, domestic & pleasure customers. We understand what matters to fleet operators: managing downtime, driver communication, cost control and keeping drivers mobile.
“Adding accident repair to our established fleet operation means we can support the fleet and its driver throughout the entire accident repair and maintenance journey without them having to manage several different suppliers, cutting downtime to a minimum.
“With Audatex estimating, computerised paint mixing, high top spray booth for LCV’s, ADAS solutions, wheel alignment, advanced diagnostics, MOT, servicing and accident repair all under one roof, HallCraft is developing a genuine 360-degree vehicle repair solution for fleets.
“As vehicle ownership shifts towards usership, we believe the innovative garage of the future won’t simply repair vehicles; it will understand the fleet, support the driver and keep downtime to a minimum.”
Fleet Guy Live
Fleet Guy Live will bring together garage owners, their teams and fleet professionals for a day of industry insight, discussion and networking.
Its programme includes guest speakers, a live question-and-answer panel with fleet professionals and the presentation of the Fleet Guy Awards.
HallCraft will also attend The Blend 2026 at Birmingham’s Eastside Rooms the following day. The independent garage conference combines expert speakers, business and technology content, networking and an evening dinner and awards event.
The two events provide the HallCraft team an opportunity to share ideas, learn from fellow garage professionals and strengthen relationships across the fleet and independent repair sectors.
