The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has launched a brand new website (www.iaaf.co.uk). The updated website will allow IAAF members to access latest association news, keeping up-to-date with IAAF’s most recent activity in the industry. It will also inform new visitors about the different services IAAF provides, benefitting aftermarket businesses on a daily basis, plus the most recent lobbying activities.
The IAAF, as part of its membership of the Automotive Aftermarket Liaison Group (AALG), has joined forces with the ProMOTe Campaign to fight the proposed changes to the MoT testing frequency.
NTDA national chairman Roger Griggs used his speech at the 86th NTDA Annual Dinner to echo many of the sentiments expressed at the Tyre Industry Conference, calling especially for unified voices in tackling industry-wide issues. Encompassing cheap imported products, the under-regulated part-worn tyre market, MOTs and road safety, and the importance of attracting young talent to the industry, Griggs’ speech outlined the evolution of the NTDA’s position over the past year and, most crucially the work it is doing in attempting to bring together a variety of disparate voices. Reinforcing the association’s “growth and renewed energy,” according to Griggs, the dinner was the “biggest… in recent decades, with 620 guests in attendance,” indicating the “value…we all place on spending time together as an industry.
Leading autoparts and workshop equipment distributor, Andrew Page, has declared its financial year ending 30th September 2015 as its best yet, following record revenues and investment, a major industry award, and a commitment to further expansion in 2016.
“This is another year in which Andrew Page has experienced significant growth,” explained Mark Saunders, Andrew Page chief executive, “everyone in the company should feel immensely proud of the hard work and dedication that have enabled this success.”
Stapleton’s investment in recent years has been focused on its nationwide distribution operation – including new regional hubs and a larger delivery fleet – the wholesaler said. “It’s all been in response to the retailers’ needs – and we’re gratified by their response to the flexible and responsive operation we’ve created, with faster and more frequent deliveries,” comments Nigel O’Hara, Stapleton’s wholesale director. Retailer feedback has confirmed Stapleton’s customers want to stock a variety of tyre solutions at every price point, but especially in the fiercely competitive mid-market sector. The wholesaler has a range of exclusive brands in this segment, including Maxxis, Nexen, Matador, Event and Riken.
75 GSF Car Parts (GSF) branches have merged with The Parts Alliance, taking the network to well over 300. 160 of these are under common ownership. Together they give the Solihull-based business group increased coverage in the UK and Ireland.
Brake Engineering is launching “Original Aftermarket”, an initiative the company says will redefine the supply and fit of braking products in the automotive aftermarket and bring transparency, clarity and quality to an overly complex product sector. Launching in October, the company will introduce a range of services designed to cut-through the trade’s misunderstandings of the braking sector and work to grow a distributor’s sales of the company’s complete range of calipers, discs, drums, hydraulics, pads and shoes.
Bremen, Germany automotive parts distributor Schmettau & Fuchs has been working with Klarius for the last 12 months to supply its emissions products across the north west of Germany. The German aftermarket’s requirements acknowledge the country’s reputation for high quality automotive production, making it an attractive proposition for the British manufacturer as a supplier of a wide range of high quality exhausts and emissions parts.
Celsus, distributors of the DABmotion range of digital radio solutions, has launched a new product marketing video extolling the virtues on in-car DAB. Nearly 70 per cent of new UK cars now have DAB fitted as standard, and Celsus wants to bring the advantages of DAB to the aftermarket with its DABmotion ROLA (DAB1002) conversion kit, which retails at around £130, including VAT.
Vehicle manufacturers chasing higher fuel efficiency, combined with UK road tax incentives to reduce CO2 emissions, have seen turbo charged diesel engines rise rapidly in popularity. While only 11 per cent of UK cars were diesel in 1998, the proportion has risen every year since to nearly 37 per cent today, with a million new diesel registrations each year since 2012, slightly exceeding new petrol vehicles. According to GSF Car Parts, the aftermarket is yet to realise the full potential of the increased demand for turbo hose replacements.
BorgWarner has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Remy International, Inc. (Remy), a global producer of rotating electrical components. With key technologies and operations in ten countries on five different continents, Remy is strongly positioned to benefit from global growth. As of December 31, 2014 the company employed 6,600 people and, for the fiscal year, it generated sales of $1.2 billion.
Automechanika Shanghai sees Asia’s largest trade fair for automotive parts, accessories, equipment and services move to a new location – the National Exhibition and Convention Center, Puxi, Shanghai. The event, which will be held 2 – 5 December 2015 hopes to capitalise on the expanded venue with 280,000 square metres of exhibition space, up 27 per cent from 2014. Indeed the Parts & Components sector will expand exhibition space to 146,000 sqm alone.
The chief executive of IAAF, Wendy Williamson has been appointed to the board and made treasurer of FIGIEFA, the association representing the needs of the European independent automotive aftermarket to governments and legislators of the European Union.
Klarius has unveiled a type-approved aftermarket exhaust system for the Toyota Prius. The manufacturer said the new product signals the company’s commitment to expanding its green product range, and transferring expertise and experience in regular car exhausts to move with a market transitioning to more green motoring.
First Line Group has responded to the retirement of commercial director Alan Wood by reshuffling its management team. The aftermarket supplier said the move reflects its need to strengthen its foundations and adapt to growing pressures in the market, which it characterises as more competitive and over-distributed. Wood’s departure triggered an internal reshuffle that sees First Line’s export director Kevin Neaverson become global sales director with Ian Boyle elevated from national accounts manager to the position of UK sales manager.
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