Schaeffler to attend Lamma agricultural machinery event
Schaeffler will exhibit its original equipment OE replacement product solutions at this week’s LAMMA agricultural machinery (NEC Birmingham, 17-18 January 2024; Hall 7, Stand 130). These include LuK clutch kits and INA front end auxiliary drive (FEAD) systems. “Reliability makes for productivity with farm vehicles and machinery,” said Maurice Foot, tractor programme manager at Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket (UK) Ltd. “The consequential costs of them breaking down or being unreliable can be extremely high, making original equipment quality replacement components the logical choice.”
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Yokohama appoints RH Claydon as UK truck tyre distributor
East Anglia-based R. H. Claydon has been appointed as exclusive agent for Yokohama truck and bus tyres in the UK. Describing Yokohama as “a well-known and tested brand in the UK with quality to match”, company representatives added that a new catalogue with details of 17.5-, 19.5- and 22.5-inch sizes is out now.
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TRA warns Red Sea crisis could threaten UK environment with increase in illegal waste tyre storage and fly tipping
The Tyre Recovery Association has warned of a potential increase in damage to the environment around the UK as a result of disruption to a popular shipping route. The Houthi attacks on commercial ships in the Red Sea will likely mean an increase in distance and time for vessels navigating the popular route between Europe and Asia, meaning costs will inevitably increase. The TRA says 75 per cent of the UK’s waste tyres are exported to the Indian subcontinent where there is evidence of pollutive dumping of baled waste tyres, a situation the TRA has described as “environmental colonialism”. Commenting on the emerging situation, the association is scathing about the UK government’s “apathy” about tackling the market’s waste tyres sustainably without depending on exports. With shipping costs are more than doubling, the TRA cites precedence that suggests rogue operators are likely to resort increasingly to illegal storage or fly tipping within the UK, as exporters are unwilling to cover the increased costs for collectors.
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BTMA joins Tire Industry Project as affiliate member
The British Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (BTMA) has joined the Tire Industry Project (TIP) as an affiliate member. The Australian Tyre Industry Council (ATIC) and the Automotive Tyre Manufacturers’ Association (ATMA) of India have also joined the organisation at the same level. While not contributing to the governance of TIP, affiliates engage with topics within the scope of the project’s mission. Formed in 2005, TIP is built on the pillars of research, action and engagement and communication, bringing a collaborative and scientific approach to sustainability in the tyre sector. Graham Wilson, chief executive of the BTMA, said the organisation is “delighted to enter a fuller and more structured relationship” with TIP, building upon the development of “informal ties” in recent years.
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Beta Tools UK & Ireland launches UK 3D Beta and Projects division
Beta Tools UK & Ireland has appointed Lee Abrahams as sales manager for the UK 3D Beta and Projects division. 3D Beta, part of Beta Utensili SpA Group, designs and installs modern workshop architecture. 3D Beta supports manufacturers and professionals in the automotive, motorcycle, and industrial sectors “on the path of researching and implementing effective workshop solutions”.
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Sign up for Transaid Newcastle to Edinburgh cycle challenge
Transaid is calling upon the transport and logistics sector to sign up for its latest cycle challenge, set to take place between 19 – 22 September 2024. The 159-mile ride, over two days in the saddle, will begin in Newcastle and finish in the grounds of Edinburgh Castle. To sign up for the event or find more information, please contact Anna Giavedoni, Events Officer for Transaid on anna@transaid.org.
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Garage Industry Trends passes 500,000 transaction milestone
More than 500,000 independent garage transactions have now been logged on Garage Hive’s real-time data platform, Garage Industry Trends. The website tracks average invoice value, future bookings, labour rates, net promoter score (NPS) and, thanks to the recent development of Trends 2.0, now also shows demand for repairs and maintenance by vehicle age and fuel type.
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December rounds off disappointing year for PTW registrations as NMDA calls for clarity from Government
“December’s figures round off what has been a disappointing year for Powered Two Wheeler registrations. Whilst models such as adventure, naked and road sport saw an increase on 2022 figures, it appears that uncertainty around the economy and supply chain issues have had a considerable impact on registrations throughout 2023,” says Symon Cook, Head of National Motorcycle Dealers Association (NMDA) commenting on the latest MCIA registration figures.
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GSF Car Parts to open new branches as part of 2024 vision
GSF Car Parts executive chairman Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia and CEO Steve Horne pledged to “invest, expand and improve” the automotive aftermarket business at the firm’s Supercharged for Success staff conference in mid-December 2023. Among the topics covered at the event were the company’s plans to open “a substantive number” of new branches in early 2024.
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Ecobat Battery upgrades product data
Ecobat Battery, the UK’s largest battery distributor, has worked with MAM Software to update its Autocat data. According to the company, the update “completely revitalises the application links and includes extensive OE and aftermarket cross references for both the…Lucas, and value orientated, Numax brands.” In addition to the revised data linkages, the data also includes product images “to provide an even greater level of accuracy during the specification process”.
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Transense names Kevin Hennelly as Translogik sales director
Transense Technologies plc has appointed Kevin Hennelly as sales director of its Translogik business unit. Hennelly brings more than 15 years of experience from the commercial vehicle fleet telematics industry with global telematics business Teletrac Navman and more recently he was responsible for delivering rapid growth at UK-based fleet technology specialist Lightfoot over a five-year period.
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Delphi releases new Nissan, Renault and Fiat brake fitments
Delphi has released several new brake fitments for Nissan, Renault and Fiat vehicles. Specifically, brake drums and shoes, once a staple in automotive braking systems, are seeing a comeback in some vehicle segments and feature heavily in Delphi’s latest roll-out.
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Poll shows rising costs pose biggest threat to vehicle repairers in 2024
Three-quarters (75%) of service and repair businesses polled foresee rising operational costs, taxes and energy bills to be the most significant operational challenges in 2024, followed by paying more for spare parts (58%), and recruiting qualified technicians to meet workload demands (58%).
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UK drivers better at tyre pressure checks, but worse than Europeans at tread depth
Just over half of UK motorists check their tyre pressures at least once per month, according to research commissioned by Apollo Tyres. Of the 1,000 motorists polled, 15 per cent say they check their tyre pressures weekly, 11 per cent say once a fortnight, and 29 per cent once per month.
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UK demand for new vans grows in every month of 2023
UK demand for new light commercial vehicles (LCVs) grew by 21.0 per cent to reach 341,455 units in 2023, according to the latest figures published by the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). More businesses invested in fleet renewal every month compared with the year before – with a record number of zero emission vans joining Britain’s roads.
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