PCL to recommence production
Following the news that leading pneumatics supplier PCL has appointed Aland Findlow as its new national sales manager, the company has also revealed plans for it to recommence production in Sheffield.
Continue ReadingPCL appoints new national sales manager
PCL has appointed Alan Findlow as its new national sales manager. With extensive experience of working with ends users and distributors both at home and abroad, Findlow intends to use his expertise to help companies whose operations have been affected by coronavirus, formulating short term solutions whilst looking ahead to strategies for recovery.
Continue ReadingMichelin resuming activity ‘gradually’
The news that Michelin is reopening its UK retreading operation forms part of Michelin Group’s wider European and international reopening policy. From the start of the epidemic, the Michelin had stated that its number one concern has been to protect the health and safety of its employees and those close to them.
Continue ReadingMichelin UK resuming production at Stoke retreading factory
Michelin UK Plc is restarting operation at its retread manufacturing plant in Stoke-on-Trent, UK following as part of a pre-planned stoppage that coincided with other coronavirus-related closures around the country on 26 March 2020. In practice this means the company is planning to start receiving materials from 27 April 2020, with phased tyre production restarting from 29 April 2020.
Continue ReadingBerwin Industrial Polymers wins Queens Award for International Trade 2020
Berwin Industrial Polymers, which is part of Hexpol AB, was recently named amongst the winners of the Queens Award for International Trade 2020.
Continue ReadingBlue light staff take up 14,000 Halfords services, checks
More than 4,000 NHS staff and emergency workers have gone to Halfords for free car and bike checks since the retailer started offering them in late March. The initiative was launched to help those carrying out essential work on the frontline of the COVID-19 crisis get to and from work safely.
Continue ReadingMarcus Kirkness joins Vaculug operations team
Vaculug has announced that Marcus Kirkness, has joined the well-known independent retreader as fleet operations manager. Kirkness brings with him years of experience at ATS Euromaster.
Continue ReadingQueen’s Award for Titan Steel Wheels
One of the world’s largest manufacturers of steel wheels for the off-highway and mobile crane industry has gained the royal seal of approval. Titan Steel Wheels has been awarded the Queen’s Award for International Trade for Outstanding Short-Term Growth in overseas sales.
Continue ReadingUK motorists drive over 40 million cars and vans
The UK vehicle parc passed 40 million for the first time, according to new Motorparc data released today by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). The UK’s largest automotive analysis reveals that more than 35 million cars and five million commercial vehicles were in use in the UK in 2019, representing a 1.0% increase on the previous year.
Continue ReadingMichelin shares tyre advice for car and van fleets facing extended lay up
Last week, Michelin issued special guidance for firms parking fleets of lorries for extended periods during the COVID-19 pandemic, and today the company offers similar guidance for cars and vans that have been taken off the road. Brian Porteous, Michelin’s technical manager - Car, Van, 4x4 and Government Contracts, has detailed steps to follow before laying up vehicles, along with advice on periodic inspections and preparing assets to re-enter service.
Continue ReadingHow independent dealers are helping Britain’s essential workers
Forced by the coronavirus crisis to close their showrooms, many determined car dealers are still working behind the scenes to keep NHS and other key workers moving.
Continue ReadingECP staff donate to recognise NHS work
Staff at Euro Car Parts’ Crawley branch donated 200 Easter eggs to doctors, nurses and other key workers on the respiratory ward at East Surrey Hospital. The team raised more than £350 to put together the package, which included a handwritten thank-you note signed by every member of the branch. Branch manager Luke Hopkins said: “We recognise the amazing work done by the frontline medics in our community, and we really wanted to put a smile on their faces during this challenging time.”
Continue ReadingMore than half of UK garages closed, similar figures across Europe
Research conducted by aftermarket analysts GiPA during the week commencing 30 March 2020 found that 53 per cent of workshops were closed.
Continue ReadingHalfords charges into second place in the 2020 UK tyre retail ranking
At the moment it is easy to get side-tracked by all the talk of the coronavirus. But, while it is clearly an important subject, the tyre business has a century or more of pre-history, has a present and has a future. With this in mind, May’s edition of Tyres & Accessories continues in line with the last eight years of research by counting and ranking the nation’s largest tyre retail chains. The methodology is simple, we contact companies, consult publicly available sources and use third-party data where necessary in order to triangulate our tyre retail landscape. Of course, the present circumstances may look significantly different due to the nations’ current lockdown status (see Which Garages are Open During Lockdown). However, the shape of the tyre retail business before the lockdown will surely help the retail trade strategize for its ongoing future after lockdown, making this data as actionable as ever.
Continue ReadingIGA urges against MOT discounting
Many garages have responded to the drastic decline in business under lockdown conditions by offering discounts on MOTs. However, the Independent Garage Association (IGA) argues that such a measure cannot be sustained. The associations says that it is campaigning against the practice of discounting MOTs to help garages recuperate costs from the loss of revenue throughout the coronavirus pandemic.
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