A LITHUANIAN man who came to the UK as a teenager and has had jobs chasing sheep, picking potatoes, and working at Heathrow Airport, has seen his business named the best in Mid Wales.
Arvydas Kazlauskas not only won ‘Best Garage’ at the Best of Welsh Business Awards 2025 last month, but the 40-year-old also took home the overall title too, after his firm, EV Sales and Repairs, received the most votes out of any other business nominated.
“I can’t believe it,” said Arvydas.
“To win the award is brilliant, but to beat all the other businesses at the awards too was very special.”
He started specialising in electric and hybrid cars, buying, repairing and selling them, as well as offering a wide range of parts. It started out as a hobby, but Arvydas started doing so well that he opened a garage in 2015.
“I wanted to go and work for Tesla but they told me I needed a university, college or a specialist degree,” he added.
“I didn’t have that as I come from Lithuania. I came to the UK in 2002 as a teenager and have an agricultural degree from back home, but that was mainly fixing tractors.”
In 2017 he undertook several courses in Yorkshire aimed at furthering his ability to work with hybrid and electric cars.
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His love of cars is what brought Arvydas to the UK in the first place. “Friends had been to the UK and bought back with them nice cars, so I wanted one,” said the entrepreneur, who has lived in Talybont-on-Usk since 2007.
“Wages are much lower back home. I came over for 3 months then went back to Lithuania. I had earned £5,000 from hard work; working on a farm, picking potatoes, celery and onions.
“My job was to go in a big field and cut them down, driving big machines.
“I have also worked on the roads, on building sites, I even worked at Heathrow Airport. I ended up in Wales as we did some work for Welsh Water, so I stayed here.
“A local farmer wanted help in lambing time so I stayed on the farm and helped him catch sheep. I stayed for eight years.
“I didn’t think I would ever be any higher than a farm worker but I knew wanted something more.”
He added: “I would buy cars in my free time. I started renting the premises in 2015 and I have since sold a lot of cars. I’ve sold over 180 electric cars, after buying and rebuilding them.
“I wanted to work for Tesla or BMW. BMW Hereford knew of me and wanted me to work for them, but I didn’t have the qualifications.
“Now, everyone knows me round here and what I’m doing. I have a good reputation. I got a specialist licence, which took a long time.”
To find out more about Arvydas and EV Sales and Repairs, visit www.evsalesandrepairs.co.uk. Alternatively, call 07947 902221 email evsalesandrepairs@gmail.com, or visit the Facebook page.
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