GSF Car Parts: ‘record sales in Garage Essentials’

GSF Car Parts reports sales so far in 2017 from the Garage Essentials workshop equipment tooling programme have reached record levels, citing several factors.

Top of the list is the support of The Parts Alliance, with printed copies now available from The Parts Alliance members Allparts, Bromsgrove Motor Factors, Car Parts & Accessories, CES, GMF, SAS Autoparts, SC Motor Factors and Waterloo.

The second factor has been some serious demand for particular products. The super-fast GE-Tec diagnostic tablet for example, for £895+VAT has sold in big numbers.

During summer, strong summer sellers like air con were supported with interest in tyre bays. This generally came from garages wanting to take advantage of lowest-ever prices to bring tyre replacement capability in-house. The Boxer black tyre changer and balancer package from Hofmann proved particularly popular.

The arrival of autumn season has heralded an uptick in demand for lifts, a constant bedrock of the programme, and an area where Garage Essentials offer extensive choice. This includes no fewer than seven different supplier brands, including exclusivity on the fast-growing EAE lift range.

“It’s just been exceptionally buoyant throughout this year,” said John Wright, head of garage equipment and customer development at GSF Car Parts. “We’ve fortunately managed to get the right product offers out at the right time with our suppliers and then bring in the support of The Parts Alliance behind them.”

Wright believes a final factor to have been awareness by garages that many equipment brands traditionally review pricing in quarter four. He says: “Up until very recently we’ve had a weaker pound and it seems garages have been buying this year to beat possible prices rises on these capital equipment products that are generally produced abroad.”

Garages are advised to look out for the upcoming Autumn 2017 issue of Garage Essentials, available from their local branch from early October.