About Us

Thomas Group was originally formed in 1977 in a Kent farmyard as J.A.Thomas Fuel Injection Engineers. Later the company became Thomas Auto Injection Centre Ltd known worldwide for its technical expertise and parts sales.

The company is now located in Ashford, Kent with good links to both the UK and the Continent.

Since beginning as a purely diesel orientated workshop auto electrics, petrol injection, air conditioning and electronic tuning have been added to our range of services.

After many years in the fuel injection business we are finding the new technologies both challenging and exciting.

We will continue to invest believing that all repair work should be done ‘in-house’.

Our parts sales business – Thomas Distribution – has been a natural progression and utilises our technical expertise. New manufacturers added to our range include Mr Funnel and Racor.

Over the past decade Thomas Auto ’s customer base has grown from local businesses to companies worldwide.

In 1995 we became Stanadyne Central Distributors for the UK. Since then we have become responsible for the Republic of Ireland and Kenya.

At the beginning of 2004 a new and exciting challenge began with a change of ownership. Three employees who intend to give the company the energy and enthusiasm required to move forwards have purchased the company.

In more recent years a new large parts stores has been built to handle the increased bulk filter and fuel additive requirements. A new top of the range Bosch test bench has been installed, Yanmar has officially instated us as the only Yanmar fuel injection pump workshop in the UK and an MOT bay has been added. The work force continues to grow.

As the business has continued to grow with the services we offer and our increasing parts stores, in 2018 it was decided to rebrand the business. This gave each of the different elements of the business their own identify and recognition. Therefore Thomas Auto Injection Centre Ltd has been rebranded to Thomas Group Ltd.

Thomas Group Ltd consists of the following brands – Thomas Injection, Thomas Classic, Thomas Distribution, FuelBright, Diesel Part Direct and Delphi Parts Store.

The Directors

Neil

Director

I’ve been in the fuel injection business since I left school in 76, not sure how that happened as I always planned to join the Navy. Must have been the intoxicating smell of diesel and paint stripper. I come from a land before computers and mobile phones. So, does that make me a dinosaur?

Maybe a little bit but I find the new ways of going to market using modern tech and media fascinating. You never stop learning! For fun, and sometimes not so much fun, I watch the worlds greatest football team Crystal Palace.

It’s a family thing, I don’t have a choice!

 

 

Richard

Director

Richard started work with his father (the company founder) from the age of 14 years. After leaving school, he had a five year apprenticeship with a John Deere dealer before joining the family business in 1985.

When his father retired, Richard was one of three employees that bought the company and he became director. His mechanical expertise was key to growing the business and helping secure distributor status with some big-name OEM’s.

A keen aviator, Richard has flown since the age of 14 and owns his own Skybolt stunt plane, which he flies at local air shows.

Sophie

Finance Director

Sophie Reed has been a valuable member of the Thomas team for over 20 years and understands the importance of customer, supplier relationships. She became financial Director in 2015, a role that will grow in importance in the near future.

Weekends are often spent outside, standing in the cold being a “soccer mom” and walking the dog!

Kevin

Sales Director

Kevin joined Thomas Auto in 2012 as the company Business Development Manager. His job developed to incorporate marketing, purchasing and operational responsibilities.

Previously Kevin ran his own diesel injection business and was European technical support for Isuzu Engines with the responsibility of 14 countries. He then became UK service sales manager for Atlas Copco, where he looked after all the manufacturing plants (including BMW, Ford, Honda, JCB, JLR and Aston Martin). Immediately before joining Thomas Autos, he was technical sales manager at Delphi, with responsibility of the southern UK repair network, key accounts and factors. Kevin is instrumental in the transition of the company to Thomas Group.

The Thomas Group Companies: