Pirelli has been named world leader in the Autoparts and Tyres sector of the Dow Jones Sustainability World and Dow Jones Sustainability Europe indices for the sixth consecutive year, with a score of 86 points compared with a sector average score of 53.
MAM Software Ltd. says that its Autocat+ electronic catalogue now has over 10,000 registered users across the UK. This milestone confirms the catalogue's position as the most widely used all-makes parts reference tool among motor factors and retailers.
MAM has been appointed as the preferred supplier of garage management systems to the Bosch Car Service network. MAM has developed a bespoke version of its innovative Autowork Online solution which Bosch will be recommending to its network of garages. Autowork Online controls all aspects of daily activity including: diary bookings and parts ordering; quotations, job cards and invoices; SMS or e-mail service, MoT reminders and an integrated parts catalogue.
For the fourth year in a row, Pirelli was confirmed world leader in the Autoparts and Tires sector in the Dow Jones Sustainability Europe and Dow Jones Sustainability World indexes. For the second year in a row, Pirelli was also the only Italian company to be ranked as a world leader in its sector.
Livingston Autoparts, one of the largest independent distributors of motor components in Scotland, has launched a new e-shop to support its expansion into retail parts and accessories sales. The new website features over 400,000 products including spare parts, accessories, car care, consumables and tools. Customers are able to browse categories with full-colour photographs or use the integrated VRM catalogue to identify products. The e-shop is open 24/7, and customers can place secure orders using credit cards or PayPal for next day delivery.
The Dow Jones Sustainability Indexes, (DJSI) published by SAM, have since 1999 given global indices that track the financial performance of the world’s leading sustainability-driven companies. Providing a basis for the DJSI is the Sustainability Yearbook 2010, published by SAM and PricewaterhouseCoopers. The Sustainability Yearbook 2010 contains sustainability insights into 58 sectors, with the top performers in each sector qualifying as “SAM Sector Leaders”. In addition, the companies that have achieved the most significant year-to-year improvement in their corporate sustainability performance in each sector are recognised as “SAM Sector Movers”.
With an estimated 6500 vehicle lifts sold last year, this essential part of a working garage’s life cannot be ignored. And as long as there are lifts, those using them need to be aware of how they can protect their safety and maximise the potential of their investments. In order to find our more Tyres & Accessories recently interviewed Garage Equipment Association (GEA) chief executive, Dave Garrat.
GEA members sold 5247 vehicle lifts, according to the last full-year figures in 2008. Add another 20 per cent for the remaining non-GEA members operating in the market and it is clear that at least 6500 vehicle lifts were sold in the UK last year. And what’s more, despite the global economic meltdown that began in the second part of 2008, this number represents an increase over the 2007 figure. This year’s figures are not expected to be so good as, in line with the rest of the business community, the lift sector has experienced its fair share of belt tightening this year, with garages and fast fits delaying purchase during the course of 2009. However, according to Dave Garratt, this doesn’t mean there has been a boom in sales of low-cost machinery. Rather, it is said to have brought equipment maintenance into sharper focus.
German vehicle spare parts manufacturer Wulf Gaertner Autoparts AG has reorganised its Meyle brand sales activities in the British aftermarket. In September the company launched its new UK subsidiary, Meyle UK Ltd. The local operation, headed by managing director David Ward, is responsible for the marketing of Meyle brand suspension and steering components, rubber-to-metal parts and brake system components. Meyle UK will, says the parent company, be able to “significantly improve supply capability of its complete range of 12,500 items to customers across UK,” including the 500 or so heavy duty parts that have been reengineered beyond their OE counterparts.
Maywood Equipment Group has announced that Gavin Masterton has retired from day to day responsibilities for the group, but will continue in a consultative position. This means, while he leaves the sales side of the business in the capable hands of Sales Managers Carlo Aloroni and John Baron, he will continue in his role as the groups, publicity and advertising coordinator.
Gavin Masterton has worked in the Automotive industry all his working life, having started as an apprentice with Smiths Industries when they were famous for dashboard instruments, Bluecol, antifreeze and KLG spark plugs. He then spent 10 years with the Brown Brothers as a salesman, Branch Manager and Branch Sales Director before returning to Smiths Industries to become a director for the companies that Smiths had purchased including Affiliated Factors and Godfrey Holmes. During that period he also became managing director of Long Life Accessories, a chain of 100 retail motor accessory shops before that business was sold to Motorist Discount Centres in 1982.
The fifth annual Azerbaijan International Automotive Exhibition – Autoshow 2008, takes place between 13 and 16 March 2008 in Baku, Azerbaijan. Alongside it Autoparts 2008 will showcase the region’s aftermarket offerings. The event is organised by the British Company ITE Group PLC (www.ite-exhibtions.com) and it’s partner in the Caucasus – ITECA Caspian LLC (www.iteca.az). AutoShow 2008 presents the opportunity to meet the traders and representatives of business circles from Azerbaijan, Georgia, Russia, Turkey, Iran and Central Asia. You can visit the official site at www.autoshow.az.
Maywood Equipment Group has appointed John Baron as Area Manager for London, the South East and East Anglia. John has been in the industry for over 20 years in several capacities and most recently as a manager at Unipart Automotive. Maywood’s Sales Director Gavin Masterton was enthusiastic: “I recruited John as a trainee in 1985. At that time I was General Manager of GKN Autoparts and after he joined us he quickly advanced to sales positions at a number of branches in our old Oxford region. It is funny what goes round comes round. I saw his name amongst the applicants and as far as I was concerned that was that !”
Canadian Autoparts Toyota Inc, which makes aluminium wheels for Toyota Motor Corp, is expanding its operations in British Columbia with a $39-million investment. The expansion will increase wheel capacity at the Delta site by almost 17 per cent to 1.68 million units annually, starting July 2007. The 19,000-square-metre plant produces 22 wheel models for Toyota’s vehicles and employs about 230 people, a number that is set to increase to increase to 260.
On January 16th, aluminium wheel manufacturing group Intra (Bruchsal/Germany) filed for insolvency. Elements of the group are the ILG casting facility, Intra Fleischmann + Wacker, Exip Autoparts and leasing company Intrex. The insolvency administrator has the task of saving as many of the 260 employee positions as possible and the intention to restructure the company, which is a key OE wheel supplier to Opel. Negotiations with credit institutions and suppliers are ongoing and production is being maintained.
With a wider range of OE-products, Automechanika Frankfurt wants to open its gates from 17th to 22nd of September 2002. For the exhibiting companies, an additional 30.000 square metres of space will be available at the Frankfurt fair. Furthermore the five existing product groups – autoparts, autotronic, auto accessories, autocare and autocolour – will be complemented by the new categories auto business and auto environment. The modified structure is designed to offer better presentation possibilities for the exhibitors and to make things easier for visitors.
If you would like the latest news from the Chinese tyre industry in Chinese, visit our partner site TyrepressChina.com. Or click below to continue on Tyrepress.
