KYB cheque for BEN
On 8th October the team from KYB, the supplier of shock absorbers, coil springs and suspension mounting kits, presented the automotive industry charity, BEN with a cheque for £2,075.
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Parts Alliance service plans offer ‘customer retention’
NewsNoting the value of service plans in retaining a customer base, UK automotive business group The Parts Alliance says that the plans it offers through its national garage network of Alliance and Servicesure Autocentres allow independent garages to compete with franchise dealers, national network chains and car supermarkets. Helping to build customer retention and highlighting the high quality service and repair offered by the garages, The Parts Alliance espouses the benefits of monthly payments from the motorist to ensure a steady, guaranteed income for garages.
Terry Gibson joins IGA
Career TracksTerry Gibson has been appointed as the Independent Garage Association's (IGA) Operations Manager to reinforce its member offer with effect from 15 October 2012.
Gibson has worked within the motor industry for most of his working life and will bring these skills and experience to the independents. He has achieved success with the AA as the Head of Technical Support and more recently working with the market-leading supplier of security marking and registration systems for deterring thefts of vehicles.
NTDA dinner raises over £10,000 for BEN
NewsMembers and guests at the 83rd annual NTDA dinner raised more than £10,000 for BEN, the dedicated charity for the automotive industry. £6,600 was raised in two charity auctions conducted by the guest speaker and former England rugby union international, Martin Bayfield. The first auction piece was an all-expenses paid trip for two to Dubai donated by the Al Dobowi Group, which raised £6,000; the second was an electric Mercedes XL children’s car sponsored by Mercedes Benz Finance. Donations made in envelopes by members and guests took the total into five figures.
Happy birthday, speedometer
NewsThis week an important automotive component celebrates its 110th birthday. No, it’s not the pneumatic tyre – John Boyd Dunlop is credited with its creation in 1887 – the birthday kid is the speedometer. To mark 110 years of its existence, automotive supplier Continental has released a text explaining where the speedometer came from, how it works and where it is heading:
Corghi releases iPad app
NewsCorghi has launched a new app for the iPad, an interactive tool for discovering and browsing the Italian brand's product range. Corghi revealed a preview version of the app at the Automechanika show in Germany, and Corghi says it received an “enthusiastic response and positive comments” from visitors who “couldn't wait to try this tool.” The Italian manufacturer says the app will change the way clients interact with the Corghi world.
Mercedes-Benz World and Continental Tyres: Partnering Excellence
NewsContinental Tyres has been named as “Partner in Excellence” of Mercedes-Benz World, the brand experience centre located at the Brooklands motor racing circuit in Weybridge. According to Mercedes, this means Continental will supply tyres for all Mercedes-Benz vehicles used in the driving experiences both on the circuits and challenging 4×4 off-road terrain. As the lead tyre development partner for Mercedes-AMG division, Continental is said to be well placed to serve the many and varied demands of the entire Mercedes-Benz driving experience range.
Motex Automotive Distribution joins The Parts Alliance
NewsThe Parts Alliance has announced that Motex Automotive Distribution Ltd has joined, becoming the latest member to join the Group. Formed in 1971, Motex Automotive Distribution has a turnover of £8m, employing more than 100 staff and distributes quality products from strategically located sites throughout Essex and East London.
GEA runs BEN golf day
NewsOn Thursday 16 August the Garage Equipment Association (GEA) hosted its Annual Charity Golf Day at Whittlebury Park Golf & Country Club, raising over £2,800 for the automotive industry charity, BEN. The event was attended by members and non-members of the GEA with a total of 18 teams taking part in the golf championship with the attendance being the highest in 5 years.
Sailun details Kapodistrias Cyprus partnership
International News, NewsSailun Tyres appointed Chr. Kapodistrias & Sons Limited as its sole distributor of passenger car and radial truck tyres in Cyprus earlier in the year. The company is the largest automotive parts company in Cyprus. Sailun says the companies will pursue a number of brand awareness and marketing communication initiatives to stimulate sales and growth for Sailun in Cyprus. These will include radio commercials; press advertisements; leaflet distribution; participation in a local automotive exhibition; an appearance on rally and racing cars and events; and an event evening in Nicosia with a joint presentation and cocktail party for key, existing and potential new customers.
Allparts details investment, growth plans
Career TracksBuckinghamshire-based aftermarket supplier, Allparts Automotive Ltd will accelerate its branch network expansion following what it says is a significant investment from HgCapital. The company said its founder, Steve Fulford will continue to support the Allparts management team and retain his position as chairman of The Parts Alliance. As a founder of The Parts Alliance, Allparts stated that it would remain a committed and active member. Managing director, Mark Darvill, will continue to lead the Allparts board of directors and management team. Independent investment firm, HgCapital has assets under management of over £3.8 billion, and a strong interest in the automotive aftermarket. Allparts’ Parts Alliance colleague CES (UK) Ltd is also part of its investment portfolio, and the new investment will lead to greater collaboration between the companies, though both parties made clear that they intend to remain separate entities.
Goodyear AMT named a Popular Mechanics ‘breakthrough’
NewsUS publication Popular Mechanics has named Goodyear’s Air Maintenance Technology (AMT) a 2012 Breakthrough Award winner. The tyre maker, along with this year’s other awardees, will be honoured at a ceremony in New York City on 4 October.
Year-round winter tyre tests soon possible at Ivalo
NewsThe automotive and tyre industries will soon be able to conduct winter tyre tests at the Ivalo test centre in Finland all year round. This new development has nothing to do with climate change; in May Test World Oy began work on an indoor facility; this hall, which resembles those used for indoor skiing, is expected to be completed in November and ready for use by the end of the year.
Schaeffler sells 21 million Continental shares
NewsAccording to a report from DB Equity Research Automotive, Continental’s majority shareholder has sold 21 million Conti shares at a market price of 81.50 euros each and is using the proceeds to cut its debt by 1.6 billion euros, bringing its debt down to 10.6 billion euros.
Tyre fitment data provider DriveRight grows with labelling introduction
NewsDriveRight, an independent provider of wheel and tyre fitment data, has reported growth within the European Union over the past two years, citing the introduction of tyre labelling legislation as a contributing factor. The company established a database of vehicle fitments in 1995 and offered online data to manufacturers and retailers throughout Europe. The number of tyre fitments in DriveRight's database expanded from 31,000 chassis fitments in March 2010 to reach more than 40,000 currently. The need for dedicated support for DriveRight's diverse product range led to the company appointing French and Dutch agents as distributors, while the German market is served by the Berlin-based DriveRight GmbH.
