Double digit growth in September motorcycle sales
A total of 2,359 more motorcycles were registered in September 2016 compared to the same period in 2015. “September saw exceptional growth in the motorcycle market - recording a growth of 17.3 per cent following the 66-plate change,” said Stephen Latham, head of the National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) which represents motorcycle retailers across the UK.
Continue Reading![GSF Norwich open day ‘a success’](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/gsf-norwich.jpg)
GSF Norwich open day ‘a success’
GSF Car Parts say their recent Norwich branch open evening drew an “amazing proportion” of local garages, with many staying until after 22:00, socialising with GSF staff and some key suppliers. The event, which took place on Thursday 29 September, was held to celebrate extensive recent improvements which have seen both stock upgrades and a new sales office for the thriving branch.
Continue Reading![Positive results from NFDA consumer survey](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/NFDA-Logo.jpg)
Positive results from NFDA consumer survey
Over two thirds of respondents (71 per cent) described franchised dealers as professional, in the latest National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) Consumer Attitude Survey, while 67 per cent viewed them as knowledgeable. Positively, 63 per cent of surveyed consumers also considered franchised dealers reputable and the same percentage described franchised dealerships as a place with good customer service.
Continue ReadingPRA warns of fuel price rise
“The double impact of the pound weakening against US$ and global oil prices strengthening will cause pump prices to move sharply upwards,“ said Brian Madderson, chairman of the Petrol Retailers Association (PRA).
Continue ReadingAward winners at NFDA Autumn Ball
The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA) 2016 Autumn Ball took place over the weekend at the Grove Resort in Hertfordshire.
Continue ReadingMicheldever renews The Parts Alliance supply deal in £8 million agreement
The Parts Alliance has announced that Micheldever Tyre Services Ltd has renewed is supply with the firm for a third term. The new contract, worth in excess of £8 million, will run until the end of 2018 and appoints The Parts Alliance for the supply of all vehicle parts, covering Braking, Steering and Suspension, Emission and Service Repair products. Mark Harley, retail operations director for Micheldever Tyre Services Ltd, said: “The Parts Alliance has the largest network for automotive parts distribution. They supply a full range of OE Quality products, deliver hourly to our centres which is vital to our business and has helped us provide our customers with outstanding service.”
Continue ReadingNFDA names former aftersales head as new chairman
The National Franchised Dealers Association (NFDA), which represents franchised car and commercial vehicle dealers in the UK, has appointed Mark Squires as chairman effective 11 October 2016. Squires succeeds Peter Jones whose tenure as chairman ended on 11 October 2016 following his two years of service.
Continue Reading![Michelin serves up Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2017](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/guide.jpg)
Michelin serves up Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2017
The Michelin Guide Great Britain & Ireland 2017 is now out, and the latest edition includes 20 new Michelin-Starred restaurants across the country, as well as 24 new bib Gourmand entries. The guide sells for £16.99 (€18.99 in Ireland) and is also available as an iPhone and iOS app that includes a function for booking Michelin recommended restaurants online.
Continue Reading![Infrastructure developments, key appointments show Kirkby moving forward](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Aisle-Master.jpg)
Infrastructure developments, key appointments show Kirkby moving forward
For Liverpool based wholesaler Kirkby Tyres, 2016 has become something of a landmark year. The company is currently undergoing a major infrastructure development that includes a major Warehouse Management System (WMS), and Kirkby has also made key personnel appointments, including a new director of business development & special projects.
Continue Reading![Tyre-related vehicle offences on the rise](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/kwik-study.jpg)
Tyre-related vehicle offences on the rise
According to Police data collated by Kwik Fit, defective tyres account for a growing proportion of the total penalty points drivers receive for cars in poor condition.
Continue Reading![Bridgestone: Tyre Industry Awards pay tribute to ‘giant strides’ made over past 12 months](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/TMYAward-sml.jpg)
Bridgestone: Tyre Industry Awards pay tribute to ‘giant strides’ made over past 12 months
Back-to-back titles as Tyre Manufacturer of the Year has likely led to back slapping all-round at Bridgestone. The tyre maker was selected ahead of fellow nominees Goodyear Dunlop, Hankook, Michelin, Pirelli and Yokohama to take the award for a second consecutive year at last Thursday’s Tyre Industry Awards, and this victory was further sweetened when Bridgestone scooped the Staff Training & Development Initiative of the Year award.
Continue ReadingCompilator buys Team Systems
Swedish software house Compilator announced that it has agreed to acquire English tyre software specialist Team Systems Ltd on 15 September. As a result of the acquisition Compilator gains about 500 new customers as well as six new employees.
Continue Reading![TWG chairman solidifies stance against ‘pop-up pushers’ of part-worn tyres](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/john-twg.jpg)
TWG chairman solidifies stance against ‘pop-up pushers’ of part-worn tyres
The NTDA Tyre Wholesale Group annual lunch saw greatly increased numbers alongside enhanced association support in its new position the day before the Tyre Industry Conference (5 October 2016), and location (the Hilton Birmingham Metropole adjacent to the NEC). The group chairman, Kirkby Tyres’ John Parker, presented his third – and potentially final – annual survey of the UK wholesale landscape. His topics included part-worn tyres, against which he joined the NTDA in taking a more radically oppositional stance, commented on the coming challenges and perhaps opportunities of Brexit, and the role of wholesalers in the e-commerce age.
Continue Reading![CMA calls for motorway debris review](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/Tyre_blowout.jpg)
CMA calls for motorway debris review
Claims Management & Adjusting (CMA) has called on Highways England to urgently review the arrangements for clearing debris from UK motorways following a worrying rise in “swerve to avoid” and “tyre blowout” related claims.
Continue Reading![Tyre Industry Award winners 2016](https://www.tyrepress.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/IMG_20161006_204736.jpg)
Tyre Industry Award winners 2016
The Tyre Industry Awards have been presented for 2016 during the sold-out NTDA Annual Dinner, this year hosted by the Vox Conference Centre on the site of Birmingham’s National Exhibition Centre. In addition to the various gongs, the NTDA presented Sir Tom Farmer with the National Chairman’s Award for Outstanding Contribution to the Tyre Industry, sponsored by Hankook UK, while Brian Funnell and Lennie Wells were also made NTDA Honorary Life Members. Presented by television personality Suzi Perry, the winners were decided by a panel of leading industry judges, and the results live-tweeted by Tyrepress via its Twitter feed.
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