An interview with Pete Granson - head of ADP Dealer Services International

Pete Granson, head of ADP Dealer Services International, is now a familiar figure to the staff working in and around the Hungerford head offices of what was formerly Kerridge Computer Company. After being based in the US whilst working for ADP, Pete and his wife are planning to live in West London following relocation to the UK. Pete has over 35 years of retail automotive and IT experience. He has been with ADP for just over 4 years, before which, a substantial part of his career was spent with Reynolds and Reynolds, where he worked for 28 years.

To date, Pete and his family have moved 19 times, due to his career. Pete has three grown up children who will continue to live in the states. Interestingly, one of Pete's children works for ADP, whilst the other works for Reynolds and Reynolds.

Pete gave us an insight into the new ADP company and the future:

ADP is such a huge company, how do you explain their success?

ADP initially started as a Payroll solutions company. Since the beginning ADP have always concentrated on the things that they do well, including business to business transactions, which are executed by people who understand the industry and have excellent customer focus. This then helps ADP to retain their domain knowledge.

What were the reasons why ADP bought Kerridge?

Fundamentally it was for the excellence in the Autoline software and future products, its people and the global reach in the market place, especially into South Africa, Asia and the Middle East.

What is the long-term vision for ADP DSI?

The ADP aim is to be the biggest and best supplier of IT services in the market place. There has been significant progress in the initial 6 months of the combined Kerridge and ADP companies. We have already invested in Asia, with a team of people who serve the market place with their local knowledge and expertise. ADP is also looking forward to working with all of the global distributors, especially Auto GSP who operates in the Asia market.

What is ADP able to bring to the existing Kerridge customer base?

Both previous sets of customers, from ADP and Kerridge, can expect to gain extra value from the new organisation. ADP customers will now be able to benefit from the Kerridge services portfolio of IT solutions, while existing Kerridge customers will be offered the suite of layered applications which can enhance their use of the Autoline system.

There will also be opportunities for larger global automotive organisations. This has already been recognised by the commitment made by Sytner, who are operating internationally and have committed to an Autoline IT solution.

What does the future hold for the UK market?

Less of a DMS company and more of a broadly defined IT services provider. Why should customers stay with ADP for their software service provider? The acquisition has now created a unique company with a compliment of people who have a blend of ADP and Kerridge experience. This provides the customer with an unrivalled level of service which we hope to build on into the future.

ADP will play a bigger part in assisting the dealer to be successful. We wish to be complimentary partners with our customers, providing the support and solutions that are required. The financial strength of ADP will provide security for the future in addition to the global presence that is now imperative within the automotive market place.

ADP will continue to be a customer focused organisation and we hope to demonstrate this over the next few months and years to our loyal customer base.