Schaeffler Repxpert Academy Live returns to Greater Manchester in October
Schaeffler has announced the date of its next Repxpert Academy Live roadshow, which will take place at Tameside College Ashton-under-Lyne on Saturday 21 October 2023. Due to the popularity of these events, professional technicians and garage owners in Greater Manchester and the surrounding area are being encouraged to register as soon as possible. The Tameside event will follow the usual Repxpert Academy Live format, with attendees being welcomed from 9am for breakfast and registration, and training sessions starting at 10am until around 4pm. Complimentary lunch and refreshments are included throughout the day, and as the event is held in partnership with The Institute of the Motor Industry, CPD points can be claimed by all visitors.
Continue ReadingSuspended sentences for waste tyre offences in Calderdale and Bradford
The Environment Agency, Calderdale Council, Bradford Council and West Yorkshire Fire and Rescue report that they recently uncovered two sites operating illegally in Calderdale and Bradford. As a result, Shakil Ahmed (42), of Halifax, Jamie Craggs (34), of Bradford, and Levi Depass (35) Shipley, appeared at Bradford Crown Court on Wednesday 12 July after earlier pleading guilty.
Continue ReadingTata gigafactory ‘not enough’ to save industry but ‘a good start’ – Institute of Mechanical Engineers
Tata’s decision to build a new electric car battery plant in Somerset has been welcomed by the Institute of Mechanical Engineers. The institute said the gigafactory represents a “good start” in the drive to revive an ailing UK automotive sector, but emphasised the need for additional investment in order to support growth and EVs as part of the country’s decarbonisation strategy.
Continue ReadingTata UK gigafactory: aftermarket needs government support for EV upskilling to ‘filter down’ – IMI
The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has welcomed Tata’s decision to locate a multi-billion-pound electric car battery plant in Somerset, while emphasising the need for additional government support to “filter down” to the aftermarket. Steve Nash, CEO of the IMI, said: “There is no question that this is great news for the UK economy, with the prospect of thousands of jobs. For the UK to become a centre of excellence in the electric battery field is crucial for future decarbonisation ambitions. Such a sign of intent from the UK government to support the Tata decision is encouraging for the whole automotive sector. What we now need is for that intent to filter down to the aftermarket too.”
Continue ReadingTata investing £4 billion in UK gigafactory
Tata Sons has confirmed that it will invest £4 billion in building a 40GW battery cell gigafactory in the UK. The plant will supply JLR and Tata Motors commencing from 2026. With the foundering of BritishVolt’s plans for something similar, as the car parc transitions to electric propulsion, the Tata investment is a welcome boost for the UK car parc and for its OE tyre suppliers.
Continue ReadingMotul and Caterham join forces again for Goodwood Festival of Speed
Motul returns to the Goodwood Festival of Speed in conjunction with Caterham, whose stand the global oil company will share. Motul supplies the UK sports car constructor as an OE partner with lubricants and other related fluids, as well as being the name sponsor of the Motul Caterham 310R Championship. At this Festival of Speed, Caterham will showcase both of its fully electric concept vehicles – Project V and EV Seven – as each make their public debut in what is Caterham’s 50th anniversary, and Motul’s 170 birthday year.
Continue ReadingTop 10 tyre retailers 2023: Halfords closing in on pole position
Kwik Fit and its other ETEL-related brands (Tyre City, Tyre Pros and Central Tyre) have dominated the UK tyre retail landscape for years. More recently, Halfords has made our annual tyre retail ranking a two-horse race. However, Michelin’s ATS Euromaster network remains a significant player and other chains such as the Micheldever- and ultimately Sumitomo-owned Protyre have grown consistently over a long period of time. But none of that tells the whole story. While big chains generate significant levels of value and volume, franchise networks like HiQ and First Stop represent another dimension. And medium-sized chains are often so good at what they do that they end up being bought by larger businesses at a premium. And yet none of that reflects the importance of the vast majority of the market – the independent tyre businesses with one or two centres. That’s why June’s Tyres & Accessories aimed to present a more panoramic view of the undeniably indispensable tyre retail business. Here, T&A presents our annual tyre retail ranking as a way of keeping you informed of the lay of the land in the ever-changing tyre retail landscape.
Continue ReadingTyre retail ranking 2023, 11-25: In’n’Out continues to grow
11th-placed Just Tyres maintained a total of 38 tyre retail locations, according to our 2023 table. However, that figure is one centre lower than it was this time last year. Nevertheless, the total remains one branch greater than five years ago.
Continue ReadingIMI ‘Perceptions’ campaign aims to tackle 20-year high in automotive vacancies
With the automotive sector facing a 20-year high in vacancies, the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) is aiming to change outdated perceptions “at the heart of the recruitment challenges”. IMI’s “Perceptions” campaign will centre on “real voices telling real stories about their positive career experiences.”
Continue ReadingObituary: Sheila Ikin
It was with profound sadness that we learned of the death of former RMA Administrative Director Sheila Ikin on 10 July, following a lengthy battle with cancer.
Continue ReadingLodge Tyres Fakenham hosts fun day
Lodge Tyres staff, valued customers, and many local residents of Fakenham in North Norfolk recently enjoyed a fun day at the centre in Hempton Road in the town. The event, which was supported by Lodge key supply partners, Bridgestone UK and Micheldever Tyres, saw the usually busy garage turned into a mini theme park for the day.
Continue ReadingRich Allen appointed International Tyres commercial director
Rich Allen has become commercial director at International Tyres & Trading Ltd. Allen brings with him 12 years of experience within the commercial tyre trade, specifically with Goodyear (truck) and Yokohama TWS (speciality).
Continue ReadingG&S Tyres joins Marangoni Ringtread Network
After more than 30 years as a Bandag franchisee, G&S Tyres has joined the Marangoni Ringtread Network. The company has also joined the NTDA as both a retreader and a tyre distributor – the latter in relation to its on-site car tyre fitting business. Tyres & Accessories recently visited the company’s Barking, London headquarters in order to find out more.
Continue ReadingPCL 85th anniversary with charity bike ride
To celebrate 85 years of business, the team at Sheffield-based PCL got on their bikes to raise over £3,000 and counting for the NSPCC. The challenge was to cycle a 500km relay in just 90 minutes and the team clocked up an impressive 609km within the timeframe – more than tripling their initial fundraising target of £1,000 in the process. So far, the JustGiving page has raised £3,424, with donations still coming in for the team’s celebratory ride for the UK’s leading children’s charity.
Continue ReadingPrometeon’s SuperTruck network ‘attracts fleet operators’ at Road Transport Expo 2023
The Prometeon Tyre Group report that they enjoyed a successful debut at the Road Transport Expo at NAEC Stoneleigh 28-30 June. According to the company, fleet operators were particularly keen to understand how the newly launched UK SuperTruck network can bring real efficiencies to their business.
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