IAAF regional meetings to offer state-of-the-art member facility tours

The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) is taking its activity direct to its aftermarket membership with the arrangement of several regional meetings across England in mid-October.

With the exclusive meetings providing members with insight into the Federation’s activity, IAAF is taking its message on the road, with hosts offering visitors a glimpse behind the scenes at their state-of-the-art facilities.

Meetings are planned for Tuesday 10 October, Wednesday 11 October and Thursday 12 October at IAAF members Ring Automotive in Leeds, SMP Europe in Nottingham, and Hella in Banbury respectively.

Henry Bisson, marketing director at Ring Automotive, said: “We’re looking forward to welcoming visitors to Ring on 10th October. Attendees can take a tour around Ring’s exacting quality assurance department, which ensures robust longevity of our comprehensive vehicle care product range, and the UK’s only automotive beam lab, established to investigate advances in automotive bulb technology and maximise light output and enhance visibility.”

Visitors at SMP Europe’s Centre of Engineering Excellence in Nottingham will get to see the engine management specialist’s in-house air mass meter production line, with high-end tooling and CNC machinery, underpinned by an exacting testing procedure, fabricating the company’s renowned product lines.

Ian Boyle, sales and marketing director at Hella, said: “To promote Hella’s vehicle electronics and diagnostics product ranges, we’ve developed a new customer experience area, that will be integral to the tour. Visitors on Thursday 12th October can also look round our training area and workshop garage, which allows us to cascade our extensive vehicle electronics expertise to the independent aftermarket.

“Our Banbury headquarters now features a remote diagnostics department on site, which day-to-day facilitates more efficient trouble code reading.”

Mark Field, chief executive of IAAF, said: “These meetings are designed to be more intimate with smaller groups in attendance across a variety of engaging locations. They’ll provide members with a great snapshot of what IAAF is doing to support their business and the important roles they can play across a wide range of issues.”

On the agenda at the new regional meetings are updates on events and lobbying activity, along with the launch of new initiatives on training, and the unveiling of a new member guide on the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Regulations Order (MVBEO) and what the implications are for the aftermarket.

Places for each of the meetings are still available via online booking forms at:

• Tuesday 10 October at Ring Automotive in Leeds
• Wednesday 11 October at SMP Europe in Nottingham
• Thursday 12 October at Hella in Banbury