Government small business initiative welcomed by IGA
The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has responded to the Government’s latest Initiative to Boost Small Businesses. The increase in the VAT registration threshold from £85,000 to £90,000 is welcomed, as it will provide relief to 28,000 small businesses, allowing them to invest more in their operations and expand their enterprises. Additionally, the freeze on the small business rates multiplier for the fourth consecutive year is particularly welcomed as it will safeguard over one million properties from higher bills, contributing to financial stability and security for many garage owners.
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Final 2023 Repxpert Millionaire announced
The third and final winner of Schaeffler’s Repxpert Millionaire promotion for 2023, which was for FAG products scanned between October and December, has been announced as The Village Garage, based in Bishops Waltham, Hampshire, with the announcement being made as the competition returns for 2024.
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Ecobat backs Paul Barker in Superstock 1000 series
As the official license holder for Lucas batteries throughout Europe, Ecobat Battery is shining a spotlight on the brand by sponsoring Paul Barker and his Honda CBR1000RR for their combined British Superstock 1000 series campaign, which is a prominent championship that supports the popular British Superbike (BSB) competition.
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Remember This? – March 2024
Our monthly magazine column looks back at the biggest news events from the tyre industry five, 10, 15 and 20 years ago. This months edition looks back to March issues from 2004, 2009, 2014, and 2019 for some of the biggest tyre industry news of those months. Click the month and year to access the digital edition of the relevant issue of the magazine from Tyres & Accessories’ expanding digital archive.
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GT Radial sponsors Northampton Saints rugby union team
GT Radial is now the Official Tyre Partner, shorts sponsor and a ground advertiser with leading English Gallagher Premiership rugby union team Northampton Saints. As a result of the sponsorship, the GT Radial logo will be placed on the back right of the players’ shorts on both the home and away kits. The brand will also take a large advertising space in the Barwell Stand next to the electronic scoreboard, which can be seen from all sides of the 15,200 capacity stadium. The scoreboard will also display GT Radial advertising and brand recognition campaigns. GT Radial will also receive matchday tickets or hospitality at every home league game, and once-a-season use of the ultra-immersive Tunnel Club, a glass-walled restaurant situated between the home and away changing rooms with premium access matchday seats right next to the home dugout.
Continue Reading![ZF Aftermarket reinforces the importance of ongoing training with [pro]Service offering](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/ZF-pro-Service.png)
ZF Aftermarket reinforces the importance of ongoing training with [pro]Service offering
The automotive industry’s need for vehicle technician training is becoming increasingly crucial with the increasing electrification and diversity of cars on UK roads. ZF Aftermarket says the significance of keeping up with the latest advancements led it to develop its [pro]Service offering tailored to the specific needs of commercial vehicle (CV) workshops.
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Southend-on-Sea has the worst roads in England – new survey
New research has revealed that Southend-on-Sea has the worst roads in the country. Looking at the average percentage of roads requiring maintenance between 2018 and 2023 according to Department for Transport figures, car check expert Motorscan said the coastal town in southeast England had an average percentage of 24.6 per cent of B and C roads requiring maintenance between 2018 and 2023, the highest figure of any area in the country. This, combined with 15.6 per cent of A roads requiring maintenance in the same period, means that it comes in as the area with the worst roads in England.
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Continental responds to TyreSafe survey van tyre findings with safety awareness tips
UK tyre safety charity TyreSafe found that almost 18 per cent of van tyres were replaced with less than the legal minimum 1.6mm of tread depth in the 2023 Tread Depth Survey. Recognising the importance of vans as a critical asset to many business operations, tyre supplier Continental Tyres describes itself as a “passionate advocate for tyre safety” with “a longstanding legacy of helping to educate owners and operators about responsible tyre maintenance.” General manager – technical services, Steve Howat has answered a series of frequently asked questions to address important tyre maintenance topics amongst LCV operators.
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Nova Motorsport signs 5-year British Hillclimb Championship title sponsorship, tyre supply deal
Avon Motorsport brand licensee Nova Motorsport will continue the British brand’s legacy in the British Hillclimb Championship (BHC) as title sponsor and major tyre supplier. The new global motorsport tyre brand has signed a new five-year title sponsor partnership with the 30-round series, which commences at Prescott on 20 April 2024. Nova Motorsport said the deal represents a landmark strategic partnership, delivering “security of tyre supply for the championship” and ensuring its future. Nova Motorsport will be supported by BMTR, a long-standing partner of Avon Motorsport and now Nova Motorsport, as the official service provider and supplier of Avon Motorsport and Nova Motorsport tyres to the BHC.
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Few spots remain for Transaid’s Cycle Kenya Challenge
Transaid has warned there are few remaining spaces on its Cycle Kenya challenge on 4-13 October 2024. More than 30 participants from the automotive sector have already signed up for the 474km adventure. Six days in the saddle will take riders from Nyeri at the foothills of Mount Kenya, to stunning Lake Victoria. To sign up for the challenge, or to request more information, contact Anna Giavedoni on +44 (0)20 7387 8136 or via email at anna@transaid.org.
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IAAF launches new parts advisor training programme
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has launched its new Proactive Parts Advisor Programme. The training programme looks at proactive parts sales, effective customer relationships and compliant handling. It was developed in partnership with IAAF Service Provider ASC WebCoach to target UK motor factors, supporting parts distributors, garages, and others in the supply chain. The federation said it has conducted a highly successful pilot programme.
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Fuel sales at 87% pre-pandemic level: PRA responds to CMA interim report on fuel pricing
The Petrol Retailers Association (PRA) has said it is “working closely with the Government” on the development of its fuel price transparency scheme as pump prices rise. The PRA responded to the Competition and Market Authorities’ (CMA) recent report on pump prices by drawing attention to its members’ need to operate on “razor thin margins in a highly competitive market,” saying that they are well aware of the need to “keep prices at the pump as low as possible to attract customers and avoid losing them to competitors,” according to Gordon Balmer, executive director of the PRA. In addition to rising costs, fuel sales have fallen to 87% of pre pandemic volumes, according to DESNZ Downstream Oil statistics.
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Maritime Transport fits Continental OTR tyres, TPMS system at nationwide sites
Continental has become the preferred tyre supplier of Maritime Transport, the UK’s leading provider of integrated, low-carbon road and rail freight logistics. The intermodal transport operator is running its machinery on Conti’s speciality OTR tyres at its rail and freight terminals around the country. The relationship between the companies is owned by Conti’s strategic service and distribution partner, T&C Site Services, and Conti says the account benefits from the direct input of both supplier and producer. The tyre supplier stresses the importance of a high level of collaboration and co-operation, as well as the products and services offered.
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Horiba Mira invests in Passive Safety Engineering Centre
Horiba Mira has announced its plans to upgrade and enhance significantly its Passive Safety Engineering Centre. The West Midlands testing centre said that the upgrades would “safeguard the UK’s future as an automotive safety test engineering powerhouse”. The investment will extend the safety centre by more than 40 per cent and enable the delivery of legislative and NCAP crash test protocols. The project is receiving support from the West Midlands Combined Authority funding partner, Frontier Development Capital. It will position Horiba Mira as a full-service provider of active and passive testing, according to the company, boosting the UK’s “unique” capability in passive safety engineering.
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The Blend 2024 tickets now available
Ticket sales are now open for the fifth annual independent garage conference and networking event – The Blend 2024 – with ‘early bird’ discount available until 30 June. The one-day conference, set to take place at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham on Saturday, 28 September, promises “an enriching experience with insightful sessions and networking opportunities for garage owners,” according to organisers.
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