Introduction

Nestled in the dynamic world of caravanning, JB Caravan and Trailer Services stands as a testament to the power of personal touch in the technical field. Burntwood Business is thrilled to present an insightful conversation with Jamie, the co-founder of this family-run enterprise. This interview delves into the compelling story behind the business, born from a blend of personal challenges and a passion for caravanning, and how it has evolved into a beacon of excellence and customer-centric service in the industry.

Jamie’s journey is not just about business acumen; it’s a narrative of resilience, adaptability, and the seamless integration of personal experiences with professional expertise. As we explore the conversation, Jamie unveils the extensive range of services offered by JB, emphasizing their unwavering commitment to safety and quality. The discussion also highlights the unique ethos of the business, where family values and a customer-first approach are at the heart of their operations.

This interview offers more than a glimpse into JB’s success; it’s a deep dive into the challenges of the caravan and trailer industry, the criticality of regular maintenance, and the ever-evolving nature of vehicle care. Jamie’s insights and advice are not only invaluable for industry peers and customers but also inspiring for anyone who appreciates a story of turning challenges into opportunities.

Join us in this engaging session with Jamie, where the narrative transcends the boundaries of a typical business interview, offering inspiration, industry insights, and a heartwarming story of a local business making a significant impact. Whether you’re a caravan enthusiast or someone who cherishes entrepreneurial spirit, this interview is a compelling read that promises to enlighten and inspire.

BB: Hi Jamie, Thank you for spending some time with us to explore your business and to introduce you to our followers. So, could you share with us what inspired you to start JB Caravan and Trailer Services?

Jamie: A couple of reasons: firstly, our young son had been diagnosed with autism and started having seizures, which turned out to be epilepsy. Consequently, having a lot of time off for appointments (although our respective bosses were very understanding), we decided there could be more flexibility for our family needs in the future. Secondly, as keen caravanners for many years, it made sense to cross train from my engineering background to work on leisure vehicles.

BB: That’s quite a journey. What range of services does JB offer?

Jamie: JB offer fully mobile services on caravans and trailers, which includes all the chassis, road lights, gas, water, electric and damp checks. For motorhomes, we offer full service and repairs of the Habitation equipment. Also offer appliance service and repairs for all of the major industry names, glycol changes on Alde wet central heating systems, and gas safe registered for LPG, allowing certification on vehicles used for hire or reward. I am 18th edition electrically qualified.

BB: It sounds like a comprehensive service. How would you describe the ethos of your business?

Jamie: JB Caravan and Trailer Services is a family business, a husband-and-wife team in every sense of the word. Me (Jamie) on the tools and Jane actively booking customer service and repairs to ensure warranties are kept in place. We feel we offer that personal touch with extensive knowledge, not just on the engineering side but to guide customers through warranty and repairs. Customers love the fact that they can have a relationship with a real person and not just fill in a form. This has been reinforced by winning Mobile Workshop of the Year 2021, finalists for 2022, which is judged mainly on customer feedback.

BB: How do you ensure the quality and safety of your services?

Jamie: As approved workshop scheme members, the entire business is monitored throughout the year for scheme compliance and assessed annually. This covers all aspects such as operating insurances, up to date qualifications, working procedures, fire and safety etc. Over and above that, the gas safe certification ensures tighter qualifications, with testing, regular training and industry assessments.

BB: We are also very aware of your recent awards from AWS; congratulations on achieving such a high honour. What are some of the challenging jobs you’ve tackled recently?

Jamie: Thank you, yes, we are very proud of our awards, and it’s nice to be recognised for the effort we put into our role and customers. Some challenging jobs are recent Alde glycol fluid changes on large ‘A’ class motorhomes. In many cases, these systems have so many bleed points and so many radiators and require modification to perform the task correctly. Both recent customers have since remarked on how much more efficient the heating is.

BB: What about caravans and trailers? What are the common issues you encounter with caravans and trailers?

Jamie: Haha, every day is different, but at the moment, the brake shoe compound is causing squealing and damage on caravan brakes. The most common issues on trailers are all due to lack of maintenance or regular servicing due to infrequent use, its important not to neglet trailers, they have to meet certain safety checks too. .

BB: So, with your AWS awards, how do you stay updated with the latest developments in your field and stay one step ahead?

Jamie: Continual training and development from NCC (National Caravan Council), NTTA (National Trailer and Towing Association), Gas Safe membership, and close ties with manufacturers. Continual development sets us apart from most service providers, so we are always updating and learning new things. Its a passion rather than a job.

BB: What maintenance advice would you give to caravan and motorhome owners?

Jamie: Regular annual servicing for caravans and motorhomes by a professional. With trailers, dependent on use, anything from quarterly to annually. It is worth noting that many insurance and warranty providers may request annual servicing in their small print. Always check tyre pressures and wheel nuts before every use.

BB: We can see the reviews online for your service but for people new to JB, what feedback have you received from your customers?

Jamie: Having 5* feedback across all platforms, we are quite rightly proud of the services we provide. However, It’s always nice to receive positive comments about completed work and the entire process from initial contact. We do try hard to ensure that our service is excellent from beginning to end.

BB: How do you plan to evolve JB Caravan and Trailer Services moving forward?

Jamie: Moving forward we will continue to provide our current high level of service and ensure we are up to date with new equipment, training, and products.

BB: How do you handle hazardous materials?

Jamie: Any hazardous chemicals or materials are disposed of through licensed, traceable waste disposal avenues.

BB: What safety precautions do you take during your work?

Jamie: It is important to restrict the work area due to trip hazards, to make sure vehicles are electrically safe to work on, and to be mindful of sources of heat and ignition around gas. We ensure everything is isolated and protected. The last thing we want is an injury, so Safety is our utmost concern.

BB: Do you offer emergency repairs?

Jamie: Not at the moment. We don’t generally offer emergency repairs for non-service customers; we need to prioritise existing service customers so they can rely on us if they have a breakdown. However we do always try to help everybody who reaches out.

BB: Finally, what do you enjoy most about your work?

Jamie: I enjoy working as a team with my wife, and having the flexibility to accommodate our personal circumstances. A lot of customers have been with us for many years and have become friends.

BB: Jaime, thank you very much for that quick introduction to you and your business.

Jamie: Thank you for asking us to be a part of Burntwood Business; we are happy to have given you readers a little more context on what we do. Please let people know how they can contact us if they need anything.

We thank Jamie from JB Caravan and Trailer Services for their time. It’s important to ensure that you are safe, so if you have a Motorhome, Trailer, or Caravan, be sure to get it serviced regularly. As Jamie said, some insurance companies insist on certifications to keep you covered. With that, we will leave you a link to the JB listings page. Please reach out to JB if you have any questions.