Kerridge buys Silkmoth
Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS) has acquired Silkmoth in as part of the company’s continuing efforts to enhance KCS’s automotive software offerings and e-commerce solutions for the UK and European tyre industry.
e-commerce and online tyre business news
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Tyre Assist signs up to TiDaeX
Tyre Assist has signed up to TiDaeX to leverage its access to e-jobsheet tablet technology and push jobs direct to dealer suppliers.
Workauto launches product to help automotive businesses run more efficiently
Workauto is a new Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) platform designed to optimise workflows for automotive businesses. Built in collaboration with UK-based automotive company Torque GT, it is designed to streamline operations, increase efficiency, and enhance customer experience.
The UK’s leading tyre business websites 2024
Last year we debuted our online tyre website research. It started because we wanted to find the UK’s leading tyre business by website traffic and rank them in three sectors: Retailers, companies that are known for their bricks-and-mortar tyre retail and have branched into online tyre retailing over the years; eTailers, companies are based online and may not even have accompanying bricks and mortar or may operate a partner network for fitting; and tyre comparison, an online tyre business sub-sector that plays a key role in the crucial pre-sale research phase of the online tyre business.
The top UK tyre eTailers 2024
Following similar research last year, in July 2024, we took a closer look at tyre etail again. Building on the foundation of last year’s research premiere, this year we once again triangulated our analysis across three poles: third-party data, industry expertise and our own research. The difference is that this year we have improved our methodology by broadening out the number of data sources we included in out third-party stage. Indeed, this time round we tripled the number of data sources used for the third-party phase of our analysis. Since eTailers don’t publish their monthly traffic data, this is the best way to get a robust calculation of where these companies are up to. The short story is that we have a new winner this year and new entrants to boot.
Top 10 tyre comparison sites 2024 (UK)
Our third and final category takes a close look at tyre comparison websites because all the data suggests that pre-sale research is growing in influence as a strategic part of the increasingly important online tyre business. Our methodology is basically the same as our initial tyre retail category inasmuch as we began with two third-party online traffic data sources, verified this via discussion with an industry expert and then contextualise our findings here in this article.
Limited potential for online-only sales led to collapse of Cazoo
Online used car retailer Cazoo entered administration in May 2024 after cutting hundreds of jobs as part of a largescale restructuring programme. The site enabled motorists to buy, part-exchange and finance vehicles entirely online, with delivery 72 hours and a seven-day returns policy.
Kerridge Commercial Systems acquires Rain Data
Kerridge Commercial Systems (KCS), which bought Compilator about a year ago, which itself bought Team Systems back in 2016, has completed the acquisition of Rain Data. According to the company, the acquisition marks a significant step forward in KCS’s commitment to delivering enhanced product information and data solutions.
Direct retail, pre-sale research and social media in China and Europe
With China’s biggest online tyre retailer, Tuhu, having gone public at the beginning of this year, and with that firm alone generating annual sales of 13.6 billion yuan (£1.476 billion; 1.732 billion euros; $1.878 billion), the recent livestream panel discussion that took place between Tyres & Accessories and Car & Tire in China moved on to the similarities and differences between the online tyre business in the UK and Europe compared with China. The discussed touched on subjects including direct retail, pre-sale research and social media.
Mark Widdows appointed Colewood Automotive network director
Colewood AutomotiveColewood Automotive, the tyre e-commerce platform operator, has recruited Mark Widdows as network director. Widdows has more than 40 years’ experience in the tyre industry. He has managed and developed franchise networks comprised of independent dealers for both Goodyear and Bridgestone over the last 17 years. Colewood Automotive is behind several of the biggest tyre websites in the UK including Asda Tyres, etyres and RAC Tyres. Widdows will be responsible for increasing its business online and broadening its fitter network.
MAM integrates Autowave into its Autocat software
Autowave, which develops car keys and key programming equipment, has been amalgamated into MAM Software’s Autocat platform. Autowave’s range of products, includes car keys, key cutting, and programming equipment. Coupled with Autocat, customers can seamlessly search for and purchase Autowave products.
Infopro Digital buys DriveRightData
DriveRightData’s acquisition by Infopro Digital aligns with the company’s “commitment to quality, accuracy and innovation” and the two firms’ integration “will cultivate synergies across both global product portfolio” DriveRightData representatives said in a statement announcing the news on 23 February 2024.
Compilator agrees TiDaeX integration with e-jobsheet
Compilator AB, part of UK-based Kerridge Commercial Systems Limited, is partnering with Mobile IT Apps to deliver TiDaeX integration via the e-jobsheet tyre service app for the UK and the Republic of Ireland. The move comes in anticipation of its planned expansion into Scandinavia and North America. The integrated partnership will be formally introduced at the ITIA conference in Dublin on 29 February 2024.
Ecobat Battery upgrades product data
Ecobat Battery, the UK’s largest battery distributor, has worked with MAM Software to update its Autocat data. According to the company, the update “completely revitalises the application links and includes extensive OE and aftermarket cross references for both the…Lucas, and value orientated, Numax brands.” In addition to the revised data linkages, the data also includes product images “to provide an even greater level of accuracy during the specification process”.
Michelin buys Tyroola in Australia
Michelin has bought Tyroola, Australia’s third-largest tyre e-tailer. As result of the purchase, Michelin intends to “further strengthen its knowledge of customer behaviour and the purchasing process”. Tyroola will continue to operate under its existing brand.
