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PDP Gives £20k to R2RC

The Premier Distribution Partnership (PDP) buying group has reaffirmed its continued support for the Right to Repair Campaign (R2RC) with a donation of £20,000. Chris Morley Joint Chairperson of the PDP comments, “The right to protect where a member of the British public can go to have their vehicle serviced or repaired is fundamental to the independent garage trade in this country. So in continuing our support for R2RC we are challenging the vehicle manufacturers head on, to ensure that the vehicle repair arena remains an open and competitive one for the British public.

3rd April 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Black Ice Alloys Introduces New “Marauder”

Black Ice Alloys has announced the presence of a new wheel in its range. The aggressively-named “B4 – Marauder” features a black and chrome finish with six chrome spokes raised up against six black spokes. The Marauder has fitments for most Truck/SUV and passenger vehicles, and is available in 22×8.5 and 20×8.5 sizes.

Black Ice states that “consumer demand for custom finishes on aftermarket wheels [is] at an all-time high,” and the B4 is clearly an attempt to create a visually impressive fitment. The contrasting black and chrome appearance, says the company, is “sure to draw in customers from all demographics.” The company also stresses the durability of its black paint and chrome finish, saying that “it will not separate from the wheel.”

19th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

AAIA: Vehicle Repairs Cost 34% More at Car Dealers

Vehicle repairs cost an average 34 per cent more at car dealerships than at independent repair shops, according to a study by the Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA). That price differential, AAIA said, results in $11.7 billion annually in excess costs to consumers. The study also reveals differences in the costs of parts and labor from city to city. Consumers in Los Angeles, the study showed, pay as much as 46.8% more for repairs at car dealers than at independent repair shops. (Tire Review/Akron)

12th March 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

European, American Tyre Markets Softer in December – Michelin

Figures released by Michelin have confirmed what we already knew – these are not happy times for the tyre industry. Between January and December 2008 the passenger car tyre segment in Europe (including the CIS) shrank for both the OE and replacement markets. The OE market dropped 7.2 per cent during the year, while replacement market sales declined 4.0 per cent. During the month of December 2008, OE sales plummeted 39.1 per cent year-on-year, while aftermarket sales grew by 7.6 per cent.

The European OE truck tyre market declined by 0.9 per cent between January and December 2008, and the replacement tyre market by 9.7 per cent. During December 2008 OE sales dropped 40.7 per cent year-on-year, and replacement market sales 31.0 per cent.

13th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Bosch Appoints New Asia/Pacific Regional President

Automotive technology and services supplier the Bosch Group has announced that former vice president of Sales for the Bosch Independent Aftermarket West Europe & Mediterranean, Ken Ford, has been appointed to a new role as regional president for Asia/Pacific. Ford begins in his new position on April 1, 2009 and will be based in Singapore.

The new Asia/Pacific regional president began his career with Bosch in 2004 as the divisional director for Automotive Aftermarket Bosch UK and Ireland. His other previous roles have included general manager for the Aftermarket Western Europe and, most recently, vice president of Sales Western Europe & Mediterranean.

13th February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Brityrex09 Doing ‘Buoyant Business’

Further details of September’s Brityrex exhibition in Manchester have been announced by ECI International. These include a series of new exhibitors who have signed-up for the UK industry’s only dedicated tyre trade event in 2009 and a workshop programme organised by show sponsor the NTDA. Brityrex09 will take place from the 22-24 September 2009 at Manchester Central, formerly known as G-Mex. The show is sponsored by the NTDA, who will stage its highly popular Annual Dinner and TAFF Awards presentation as part of the event, on the evening of 23 September.

Brityrex continues to attract exhibitors eager to buck the downturn by promoting their businesses to UK and international buyers. Among recent signings are Chinese tyre manufacturer Techking; leading electronics and diagnostics supplier Robert Bosch, who will share a 133 square metre stand space with workshop equipment specialist Beissbarth; Majorlift Hydraulics Equipment; Autogem Motor Concepts and Profil SP.J. Daly Tyres, the Irish tyre and alloy wheel wholesaler is another new exhibitor; the company is the exclusive distributor of the Kenda, Firenza and Infinity tyre brands in Ireland.

They join other big names from the aftermarket who have already committed to the show, including tyre manufacturers Toyo and Uniroyal Truck Tyres; major wholesalers in KRT and BITS; workshop equipment specialists Beissbarth, Haweka and Hofmann Megaplan; repair materials, tools and accessories supplier Apaseal; plus IT and software companies MAM and Team Systems.

According to ECI managing director Paul Farrant, aftermarket suppliers are taking a very positive view of the exhibition, refusing to let the economic downturn deter them: “There is certainly a feeling that the aftermarket is better equipped to ride out the recession than those automotive businesses involved in OE supply or new car sales,” he said. “The fact that many private motorists and businesses will be keeping their vehicles longer than normal means there will be extra replacement sales and servicing work which can insulate the sector from direct exposure to the worst effects of the slowdown. Brityrex will be a great place to do business for those companies who approach it with that sense of optimism,” added Mr Farrant.

With many tyre and fast-fit retailers involved in mechanical and MOT work the announcement of a joint workshop majoring on the business of MOT testing by the NTDA and the Garage Equipment Association (GEA) will be of significant interest to show visitors.
The NTDA has also linked up with the Health & Safety Executive (HSE) to run a working session on the subject of manual handling of tyres, which is regarded as a critical subject in terms of injury prevention and awareness among tyre retailers and wholesalers.

Paul Farrant explained further: “Brityrex is all about improving your business by meeting new customers and suppliers and picking up knowledge and information that can help in the workplace. That’s why these workshops will be so valuable to trade visitors; they will provide the latest information on important subjects in a short and snappy fashion at no cost to delegates.”

2nd February 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Automechanika Shanghai Attracts More than 30,000 Visitors

The organisers of Automechanika Shanghai report that 30,845 visitors from 104 countries and regions visited China’s number one event for the automotive part, component and aftermarket industry. A total of 1,982 exhibitors from 23 countries and regions displayed their products during the December 2008 exhibition.

Automechanika Shanghai is organised by Messe Frankfurt, together with the China National Automotive Industry International Corporation (CNAICO). The next show will take place from 9 to 11 December 2009.

12th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

Schrader Introduces New TPMS Learn and Test Tool

Schrader-Bridgeport International, Inc. has launched a new “AirAware Learn and Test Tool Kit” that includes an OBD adapter designed for Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai, and Kia Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS). The new Learn and Test Tool Kit includes a Learn and Test Tool (21220) and OBD Connector Assembly (21225), which captures TPMS sensor ID’s, and programs them directly to the vehicle. The kit works as both a scan tool and a TPMS tool, and eliminates the need for separate OE or aftermarket scan tools for these vehicles.

The new kit is currently compatible with Toyota, Nissan, Hyundai and Kia models, with plans to add Acura, Lexus, Infiniti, Honda, Subaru and Mitsubishi compatibility in the near future.

7th January 2009/by Tyrepress Editors

UK Batteries Introduces ‘Vehicle Optimisation’ System

UK Batteries, the driving force behind the Platinum and Energizer brands of aftermarket batteries, has successfully introduced a bespoke ‘vehicle optimisation’ IT system that it believes has transformed its delivery fleet into one of the most efficient in the aftermarket. And thanks to a brand-new computer programme that has been carefully written by the dedicated UK Batteries IT department and is fully integrated with the company’s online ordering system, every run of deliveries is now plotted and executed using satellite navigation technology.

By prioritising deliveries and working out the most fuel-effective and quickest delivery routes, a live real time information feed allows the UK Batteries customer service team to tell customers precisely when their new product delivery or scrap collection will be completed. This has helped UK Batteries to reduce its annual fuel bill.

2nd December 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

UK Batteries: No Wholesale Price Reduction

Despite falling commodity and metal prices, UK Batteries has warned the aftermarket that there won’t be a wholesale reduction in unit prices. While it is true that the price of batteries is strongly influenced by the London Metal Exchange (LME) and LME came down in July, August and September, at the same time the value of pounds sterling against the US dollar meant battery prices have still been affected.

“Some of our customers will look at activity on the LME and when they see this reduction in the price of lead, they will assume there is going to be an automatic price drop,” explained UK Batteries’ marketing and communications director, Neil Warren. “But it’s not quite as simple as that. There are a number of other factors that have to be taken into account and the market needs to be fully aware of them. The poor performance of the pound against other currencies is strongly affecting the situation and also distributors like us work to a two to three-month lead time when stockholding batteries for the winter months.”

21st November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Beru Sales, Profits Down

In the first nine months of 2008 the Beru Group posted revenue of 324.2 million euros, a decrease of 2.2 per cent of the corresponding period of the previous year. Profit from ordinary activities (EBIT) amounted 18.8 million euros, equivalent to an EBIT margin of 5.8 per cent. In 2007 this figure and margin were 34.2 million euros and 10.3 per cent respectively. This includes one-time special items, which reduced EBIT by approximately EUR 9.8 million. Excluding those special items, adjusted EBIT amounted to EUR 28.6 million, equivalent to an adjusted margin of 8.8 per cent per cent.

14th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Affinia Complete China Buy

Affinia has completed the acquisition of 85 per cent of Chinese brake component maker HBM Investment Ltd., owner of Longkou Haimeng Machining Co. Located in Shandong, China, Longkou Haimeng produces brake drums and rotors, and has a strong OE and aftermarket presence in Asia and Europe. (Tire Review/Akron)

13th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Question of the Month Update

Initial responses to the Tyrepress.com question of the month suggest that industry professionals believe that motorsport series should consider the benefits of having more than one tyre supplier. So far, almost half of readers supported manufacturer competition, with only around 25 per cent of responses standing up for the lone tyre supplier. Other readers trod a more balanced path; one suggests that “Tyres are capable of creating an uneven playing surface… in the premier divisions of motorsport there is a need to ensure that as much can be delivered in driver capability and vehicle innovation. In the lower levels of clubman championships a good mixture of tyres is healthy for the sport.”

To register your views, navigate to www.tyrepress.com now. All readers who respond will be entered into the prize draw to win one of ten tickets to The Aftermarket Show 2009. To be in with a chance of winning, please make sure you leave your contact details in the comments box following the answer options. Details will not be published and will only be shared with The Aftermarket Show.

6th November 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

Starco GB Adds to Aftermarket Division

Starco GB Ltd has appointed Keith Slater to its newly formed aftermarket sales department. Starco GB Ltd, part of the pan-European Starco group of companies, is better known for supplying an extensive range of tyre and wheel assemblies to original equipment manufacturers.

Keith Slater commented: “We at Starco GB Ltd are very upbeat and enthusiastic about the future of the dedicated aftermarket sales department with our competitive pricing structure and ever increasing product portfolio we are in a fantastic position for rapid progression to achieve our goals.”

29th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors

UK Batteries Embrace REACH Legislation

UK Batteries reports having fully embraced the new ‘REACH legislation’ that came in to effect on September 1, 2008 and requires battery producers and distributors at different levels in the supply chain to meet strict labelling criteria that ensures customers are not mislead. Specifically, the REACH legislation requires all battery products to display a specification label that generally relates to the CCA (starting power) and the Ampere Hour (durability) of the unit. All batteries sold after September 1 must display the correct label, and UK Batteries, said to be the UK’s fastest-growing independent distributor, says it is proud that all of its products are now fully REACH compliant.

24th October 2008/by Tyrepress Editors