About Hartech
A privately owned family business that started trading in 1984, specialising in high-quality Porsche services, and on the web since 1998. A large, well-equipped factory combining modern facilities with traditional engineering skills and low overheads, providing high standards of care at modest prices.
How we work
Our reputation rests on putting the customer’s needs first and keeping running costs as low as possible. The combination of modern facilities, traditional engineering and low overheads improves reliability and reduces running costs, which is what lets people afford, and enjoy, a Porsche.
The internet gives owners more choice and more price comparison. It also lets those who cut corners make more profit and spend it on advertising, while the cars they skimp on suffer months or years later. Our low-cost maintenance plan is only viable because our work is thorough enough to find imminent problems before it is too late; offering cover for as long as you own the car is a demonstration of that thoroughness, and of the long-term commitment we make to customers.
We are down to earth, approachable and pleasant to deal with. Our services reflect the changing needs of a car as it ages, and our maintenance plan prices stay the same regardless of age or mileage, which no competitor has offered or matched.
The team
A small team of dealer and independently trained technicians, and an engine team of a full-time precision machinist and three rebuilders with over 40 years’ combined engine remanufacture experience, including Porsche GB engine training.
Baz Hart
Technical Director
Barry Hart’s long engineering career includes the design and manufacture of racing motorcycle and car components for Armstrong (of which he was technical director of engine development), Ducati, Kawasaki, Suzuki and Lotus Formula 1, as well as composite development in the aerospace industry and further afield.
Barry is also on the steering committee for the “Centre For Advanced Performance Engineering” of The University Of Bolton, a new £5 million motor sport facility. He has recently released a book detailing his exploits as a young British engineer, including the full story behind the Silver Dream Racer motorcycle: see his website for more information.
Grant Pritchard
Managing Director
Grant oversees the day to day running of the business, having spent over 30 years at Hartech.
Lee Jenkins
Director
Lee has been with Hartech for over 15 years and rebuilt his first engine when he was 10 years old. It would be unfair to reveal his age.
Julian Thompson
Director
Julian is our newest Hartech director. He has over 25 years of experience working in the British automotive industry developing the next generation of vehicles for the world market. He still owns his first car.
History
1984
Hartech begins trading as a privately owned family business specialising in Porsche.
1988
The Bolton workshop opens in a small unit on the outskirts of town, with no idea whether there was demand for Porsche servicing outside the dealer network.
The first unit, 1988. 1998
Hartech goes online. The site has been at hartech.org ever since.
hartech.org in October 1998. 2000s
The business outgrows the first unit and moves to larger premises at Firwood Industrial Estate.
The workshop at Firwood Industrial Estate, Bolton. 2005
The Lifetime Maintenance Plan launches, an immediate success with owners of older cars who wanted to manage the cost of repairs.
2016
Another gold award from the Porsche Awards.
Gold award. 2017–2018
After several seasons sponsoring a Boxster in championship racing, Hartech-built engines win the BRSCC Boxster Championship and the Porsche Club Championship classes 1 and 2, and the conversions go on sale.
Hartech-engined cars in the Porsche Club Championship. 2018
911 & Porsche World publishes two Hartech features, Water Power and Torque Talk.
2020
Hartech-engined cars take the top three places at Oulton Park in the PCGB Motorsport Championship.
Porsche Club Motorsport podium. 2022
Aquablast water blasting joins the cleaning process. Opening hours move to a four-day week.
2024
JayEmm on Cars visits twice, filming the engine failure explainer and the strip-down of his own Cayman S.
Filming in the workshop. 2025
Parts sales end on 1 May so the business can focus on engine rebuilds and servicing.
2026
Capacity plaques for the airbox, suggested by a customer, are added to every rebuild.
Capacity plaques fitted to rebuilt engines, 3.6 to 4.2 litres.
Racing
The engine conversions came out of racing, and racing is still where the engines are tested hardest. Hartech-built engines won the BRSCC Boxster Championship and the Porsche Club Championship classes 1 and 2 in 2017 and 2018, took the top three places at Oulton Park in 2020, and Hartech-engined cars continue to race in the Porsche Club Motorsport Championship with Pirelli.
What customers say
Four testimonials, as published on our site.
Took my 996 for a Gold major service. Their attention to detail was truly impressive and they were thorough beyond my expectations. I was provided with a comprehensive appraisal of my car with recommendations for the future.
Andrew Charlesworth
I was recommended to Hartech Porsche specialist by a friend and sent the car to them in Bolton. I can’t speak highly enough about their knowledge, professionalism, skill and contact throughout the engine rebuild.
Steve Rendell
I had an engine rebuild four years ago and went on the service plan. The car runs better every year since, the attention to detail is staggering. There is no hard sell, it’s recommends and advice. If you find yourself in a mess with the failings of the 997 engine, like I did, have no fear: spend the money and your engine will be better built than Porsche.
Gary Lodge
Great service. Engine now being inspected for a rebuild. I will get a full assessment. These guys really are the ultimate experts.
Jeff Solomon
Hartech Automotive Ltd are entirely independent of the official Porsche organisation, Porsche Cars GB, and by using the word ‘Porsche’, imply no connection whatsoever with them.
Come and see the workshop
Customers are welcome to see where the work is done. Ring first so we can make time.
01204 302 809
Option 1 for engines, option 2 for servicing and the workshop
- Open
- Mon–Thu 07:15–17:45
- Closed
- Fri, Sat, Sun, bank holidays
- Drop-off
- Before 17:00; locking up starts 16:45
- Address
- Firwood Industrial Estate, Off Thicketford Road, Bolton BL2 3TR