Parts Alliance reorganises leadership
Peter Sephton, who joined as Parts Alliance group CEO in August 2013 has announced some senior appointments. Sephton is aligning the four businesses into two regional alliances, the Western Alliance formed from GMF and CES and the Eastern Alliance, formed by SCMF and Allparts. Each Alliance will share resources, systems and best practice to accelerate growth, facilitate new branch openings, develop staff training and invest in tools to take customer service to world leading standards.
Continue ReadingRoSPA ‘disappointed’ at Christmas drink/drive figures
The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents (RoSPA) is disappointed that each day, an average of 200 drivers were arrested for offences related to drink driving during the annual Christmas crackdown. Figures released by the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) show that, in relation to drink driving, 6,550 drivers gave positive breath tests or refused or failed to give a test, during the campaign, which ran from November 29 to January 1 across England, Wales and Northern Ireland. This is around 8 per cent fewer than the previous years figure of 7,123. Of those arrested, 1,675 (26 per cent) were recorded as being under the age of 25.
Continue ReadingMicheldever announces Falken Tyres’ national VW up! competition winner
Micheldever and Falken Tyre Europe, have announced the result of their nationwide competition. Thomas Clarke from the Forest of Dean, Gloucestershire, won the Volkswagen up! after entering the competition when he bought some tyres from the Coleford Five Acres Garage in November. Clarke said: “I always like to support my local businesses, so when Fives […]
Continue ReadingFirst Line Group introduces new websites
First Line has introduced a newly overhauled website, which the parts distributor says reflects the changing face of the organisation. First Line says the core of the project was improving site navigation and usability. In addition, the design incorporates responsive design allowing users to access the website comfortably through smartphones and tablets. While firstlineltd.com is […]
Continue ReadingHow high is confidence among garage owners?
Automotive distribution group The Parts Alliance has conducted a survey of garage owners to gauge their confidence. With the UK economy wheezing its way back to growth, the survey asked whether garages within the group’s Servicesure Autocentres network were planning to invest in new equipment, take on new staff, seeking new capital, and how confident […]
Continue ReadingFirst Line adds turbo hoses to product range
Automotive part supplier First Line has increased its range of products for technicians with turbo hoses. The company reasons that the growing number of vehicles fitted with forced induction engines makes the addition of turbo hoses a “natural development”. The company includes more than 400 reference numbers in this product category, including all of the most popular European vehicles.
Continue ReadingFord’s @first Parts reports sales of £100 million
Ford Retail’s UK parts division, @first Parts, has reported an annual turnover of over £100 million in 2013, the first time since its launch in 2004. According to the company, overall parts sales saw an increase of 14 per cent year-on-year, whist the Trade, Bodyshop and Ford Dealers divisions reported an annual growth of 13 per cent, 22 per cent and 12 per cent respectively.
Continue ReadingFirestone ‘pivotal’ for Bridgestone in 2014
Bridgestone has revealed its plan to increase the prominence of its Firestone brand in the UK passenger car tyre market during summer 2014. The manufacturer says its marketing drive will link the Firestone badge explicitly to its lengthy history in motorsport, and Bridgestone is hoping that this renewed effort will put its mid-range brand in a position to offer a compelling proposition to motorists and dealers alongside Bridgestone’s premium offering. In addition, the company will launch the new Firestone Destination 4x4 tyre in June to coincide with the concerted effort to increase awareness and sales through a variety of campaigns.
Continue ReadingDunlop Aircraft appoints new financial director
Dunlop Aircraft Tyres has appointed Stephen Ray as its new financial director. He replaces Oliver Burns who worked at the company for six years. Before moving to Dunlop, Stephen Ray spent 13 years at LINPAC Group, a producer of plastic packaging for the retail, catering, manufacturing, packing and food sectors.
Continue ReadingArrest made in connection with Yorkshire tyre fire
North Yorkshire Police confirm that a 51-year old man has been arrested as part of the investigation into the fire that began at Newgen Recycling in Sherburn-in-Elmet on 16 January. Police describe the man as ‘local’ and say he has been released on police bail pending further enquiries.
Continue ReadingKings Road Tyres to launch PCR range at Brityrex International 2014
Tyre wholesaler Kings Road Tyres (KRT), best known for its wholesale business in the truck and OTR tyre segments, has announced that it will launch an exclusive passenger car tyre range at October’s Brityrex International exhibition. Aside from distributing a wide range of Cooper 4x4 products, KRT currently services the segment with Michelin affiliated Serbian manufacturer Tigars range, making this a significant move in broadening its PCR business.
Continue ReadingMaxxis revises motorcycle radial pricing
For 2014, Maxxis International aims to make motorcycle tyre sales more rewarding than ever – and to accomplish this, it has revised its UK dealer pricing policy and made entry into its fully-supported ‘Elite Dealer Program’ even easier. By doing so, the company says dealers can benefit from lower trade prices and healthy profit margins, along with aggressive marketing and Maxxis’ rewards scheme.
Continue ReadingBridgestone engaging with Harriers’ support via social networks
Bridgestone is promoting its social network activity through its partnership with the Skrill Conference Premier’s Kidderminster Harriers Football Club. The manufacturer is encouraging supporters to post pictures of themselves en-route to the team’s FA Cup fourth round fixture at Premier League Sunderland’s Stadium of Light via the company’s official Twitter and Facebook social networking channels. […]
Continue ReadingMicheldever extends GT Radial Exclusive Distribution Agreement
Giti Tire and Micheldever Tyre Services have renewed their Exclusive Distribution Agreement (EDA), extending the wholesaler’s sole UK supply rights for GT Radial passenger car, 4x4 and light truck tyres for the next three years. Under the terms of the agreement, which began in 2010, Micheldever will continue to develop the GT Radial Performance Centres (GTPCs) network as a priority while utilising the product offering to expand other wholesale and VMA business.
Continue ReadingWTCC Yokohama Trophy winner visits supplier at Autosport
The World Touring Car Championship’s James Nash, who claimed the new WTCC Yokohama Trophy, was a guest at the Yokohama booth during the recent Autosport International Show in Birmingham. During the show Yokohama HPT, the brand’s British division, displayed a full range of high performance race and road tyres alongside one of the vehicles from […]
Continue Reading