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‘You and ME!’ – Wheel Manufacturer BSA Pushes Towards Europe

In the past the European alloy wheel market was heavily influenced by the decisions of large local producers. However these companies successfully chose to focus more and more on the original equipment business. As a consequence they had to neglect the aftermarket. This created a vacuum, which newcomers from Europe and the Far East have tried to fill. One such company is BSA from Malaysia. In Malayasia, these three letters represent a premium brand, although this is not the case in Europe – and this is something that is unlikely to change overnight. However when the Rudersdorf, Germany based wheel manufacturer, SMC, manufactured with BSA, the company found that it had gained rapid entry into the catalogues of important European wholesalers.

BSA’s slogan is “The Sign of Quality.” These words represent the company’s intention to bring quality into the aftermarket. Rolf Bene, managing director and owner of SMC GmbH is particularly interested in developing good customer relations, exclusively in the aftermarket business. BSA chairman, Dato’ Cam Soh Thiam Hong, summed this up when he said that it was all about: “You and ME!”

23rd March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

DETA Appoints New MD

Derek Ranking has been appointed as managing director designate of DETA batteries. The news follows the announcement that David Johnson will retire from the business he founded almost 30 years ago. Mr Ranking joins the Manchester based company from the Unipart Group and has worked extensively in the automotive aftermarket and aerospace industries. Following his appointment, Mr Ranking will be working closely with the company founder, who first imported DETA batteries into the UK in 1977.

“David and I are working together to develop a clear vision for DETA’s future growth and to ensure that there is a smooth transition when he retires. I’m delighted to join DETA whose batteries have been specified over the past 50 years as OE, by the cream of German car and motorcycle manufacturers,” Mr Ranking explained.

14th March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

SmarTire Supplies North American Coaches

SmarTire has signed an agreement with North American company, Motor Coach Industries International (MCI), for the supply of its bus tyre monitoring system.

MCI designs, manufactures and markets coaches and coach-related parts and services for the market, it currently produces approximately 1400 new coaches per year. The agreement covers both aftermarket installations on existing MCI coaches and original equipment installations on at least one of the company’s production lines this year.

1st March 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Study Suggests Trust More Important Than Price

Research carried out by the US Automotive Aftermarket Industry Association (AAIA) shows that consumers rate product quality and trust above price when selecting a vehicle service provider. According to the Tire Review report, researchers discovered that the cost of service ranked seventh in the study. The report entitled “The Aftermarket Consumer: DIY or DIFM” looked into the factors affecting consumer decision making.

4th February 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Beissbarth Scoops Company of the Year

Beissbarth UK has been awarded the Institute of Transport Management’s (ITM) ‘UK Company of the Year 2004/5’ accreditation.

This is the second award to be received by the company within the space of six months. After winning the industry’s equipment provider award of 2004 ‘Best Garage Equipment Provider.’

14th January 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

100+ To Attend Winter Tyres Seminar

The NTDA has confirmed that more than 100 delegates have registered to attend a seminar exploring the possibility of developing a market for winter tyres in the UK.

The suggestion follows a successful campaign in Holland, where involved parties saw the winter tyre market increase nine-fold in four years. The NTDA says that a similar exercise in the UK could establish a new market of over 2.5 million units. In Holland, the campaign has been based on the slogan: “If there’s an R in the month change to winter tyres.” Although the country has a similar climate to the UK, sales have risen from around 50,000 units in 1997 to the current high of almost 500,000.

“In a highly competitive and mature market like the UK the prospect of increasing the overall market size by over two million units is an opportunity that cannot be ignored. We are delighted with the response to the seminar which has exceeded expectations so we know the trade is interested in finding out how the concept can be turned into reality,” added Mr Edy.

Tyre & Accessories will be reporting from the seminar, which will take place on 13 January at The Aftermarket Show in Birmingham.

11th January 2005/by Tyrepress Editors

Bosch Releases AsiaSILVER Range

Bosch has released a new range of batteries, designed specifically for Asian cars and car-based LCVs. The new products belong to the company’s AsiaSILVER range and calcium-silver alloy technology. The battery manufacturer says it has designed the new 100 per cent maintenance-free AsiaSILVER range to meet the stringent Japanese Industrial Standards (JIS) and offer enhanced performance, durability, safety and functionality compared with more traditional JIS lead acid batteries.

The 14 part numbers are said to provide coverage of almost all Japanese and Korean cars and van derivatives on sale in the UK. The AsiaSILVER range incorporates the same features of the Bosch Silver range, which has now been available in the UK aftermarket for the past 6 years.

Power ratings range from 40A/h up to 95A/h, with the most powerful version vibration proof for use in 4×4 off-road vehicles. Bosch reports that AsiaSILVER has a 20 per cent longer service life than traditional JIS-type batteries and an 18-month shelf life.

25th November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Top Technician 2005

The search continues to find the top British garage technician of the automotive aftermarket. There is less than one month left to nominate candidates for the award and judges are looking for a technician with the right skills, knowledge and attitude to approach any job.

23rd November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Targeting the Budget Alloy Market

Sherbrook is now supplying two new designs, from DJ Wheels, in an attempt to tighten its grip on the budget alloy wheel market. The DJ358 has six thick spokes, while the similar sized DJ357 has a more slender twin spoke design.

The ‘entry-level’ products are aimed at the first time buyer of aftermarket alloys, explains the wheel manufacturer wholesaler. DJ Wheels’ products start at a price of £25 and so are targeted towards customers who can’t afford to pay the high prices of prestige brands.

15th November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

ArvinMeritor to Divest Businesses Units

Arvinmeritor has announced that it will divest the company’s Light Vehicle Aftermarket (LVA) business group and take a “non-cash goodwill impairment charge” of $190 million (£103 million) in its fourth quarter budget. In addition, the company announced its plan to divest its Roll Coater coil coating business, a wholly owned subsidiary.

3rd November 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

AutoExCeL is Axed

Aftermarket exhibition AutoExCeL 2005 has been cancelled. The show, scheduled to run at London’s Docklands next April does not give clear reasons for cancelling the event, and has said: “Having failed to persuade our fellow organisers to agree a rationalised event calendar, we have decided, with great reluctance and disappointment to cancel AutoExCeL 2005.”

19th October 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Hayes Lemmerz Announces Senior Management Changes

Hayes Lemmerz has announced that company vice president, James Stegemiller has decided to retire.

15th October 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

WDS Portfolio Grows

Wholesale warehouse distributor, WDS, has added XL and Kilen to its portfolio of aftermarket brands. The trading division of FPS was launched just over a year ago to support FPS’ same-day distress purchase delivery service by offering an overnight stock order service to independent motor factors.

15th October 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Motor World at the Aftermarket Show

Motor World has confirmed that it will join other exhibitors at next year’s Aftermarket Show. The company’s attendance guarantees the presence of a product range including car parts and accessories for the performance car markets, audio, in-car vision, navigation, styling, alloys and tyres.

13th October 2004/by Tyrepress Editors

Honeywell Completes Friction Materials Team

Honeywell Friction Materials has completed its new management team by announcing Scott Buckhout as vice president and general manager, Europe region and Eric Rozier as vice president and general manager, Americas region. The appointments come just two months after the company named Laura Ulz president.

14th July 2004/by Tyrepress Editors