According to Euro Car Parts, Britain’s largest independent distributor of car parts and accessories, the company stocks the most comprehensive range of exhaust and catalytic converters available in the UK. A range of more than 6,000 exhaust references and 2,000 catalytic converter references are kept at their Central Distribution Centre at Wembley. Furthermore, more than 2,000 exhaust references and 400 cat references are kept at selected branches around the UK.
For those wanting a custom look and a reduced under bonnet temperatures, automotive coating specialist Zircotec has developed a range of 13 new coloured ceramic coatings that can be applied to components such as exhaust manifolds and turbo housings. The process uses a derivative of Zircotec’s proven Thermohold ceramic coating, delivering a multi-layer ceramic paint finish in a choice of colours including red, green, blue, yellow, black, gold and silver. These coatings are designed to offer, says Zircotec, the ultimate in thermal barrier performance whilst also providing an attractive finish that is durable and easy to maintain.
Leading North East region car care specialist, North Eastern Tyre and Exhausts, has made a strategic addition to its team to help further the company’s success. Joanne Hooper, from Darlington, has been appointed as marketing coordinator for the wholesale arm of the business.
Known as NE Wholesale, this area of the business is dedicated exclusively to trade customers. NE wholesale operates four warehouses in locations throughout the North of England, and within these facilities carries in excess of 100,000 tyres, giving the company assurance that trade customers receive the best possible service and swift delivery; indeed, some 95 per cent of the company’s trade customers receive a minimum of three deliveries each day. Given the current scope of operations, NETE believes the time has come for a dedicated marketing specialist to further the success of this part of the company.
After 37 years in the family business, Ray Darcy is handing over the reins to a non-family member. Ray Darcy has been with the company firstly on a part time basis, then as full time manager, since his parents set up North Eastern Tyre and Exhausts in 1971, and is now retiring from the position of Retail Director. Roger Griggs, who brings with him 27 years experience in the industry, takes up the role with immediate effect.
The company, originally known as Melbourne Tyre and Exhausts was based in Brotton but expanded quickly and today boasts 11 bases across the retail and warehouse sectors, across the entire North of England. Having run the Marske and Brotton outlets for 23 years, Ray then took over the entire retail operation and took up the reigns of chairman in 1997.
As the cost of running a car continues to spiral upwards, Micheldever Tyre & Auto Services in Hampshire is offering a helping hand for the over 60’s through a special 5 per cent discount on tyres and a variety of other crucial replacement car components. The money saving offer is available to anyone over 60 years of age each Thursday, and includes tyres, exhausts, wheel alignment, brakes and suspension components.
Research by Micheldever has indicated that car owners are delaying replacement of safety components such as tyres and brakes because of the increasing cost of motoring. “This clearly is a false and dangerous economy” said Ashley Balch, Manager at Micheldever. “Tyres in particular are all that connect a car with the road, and so delaying replacement could prove to be a bad move. Pensioners are particularly vulnerable as they often rely on their cars for essential journeys. Our special offer, we hope, will help make a contribution to reducing the burden associated with the cost of motoring for pensioners.”
Klarius Group, a market-leading supplier of aftermarket exhausts and catalytic converters, filters and shock absorbers, reports that it has strengthened its management team with the appointment of Paul Hannah as Business Development Director. A qualified mechanical engineer, Paul Hannah’s appointment is being seen as a strategic appointment for the business, which acquired ArvinMeritor LVA in 2007, as it continues to build its presence as the market leader.
Paul Hannah has a wealth of experience in the engineering, aerospace and automotive sectors gained over 20 years of international sales and marketing success in Renold plc and Edbro plc. As an advocate of lean manufacturing, he has helped to build sales teams across export markets such as Far East Asia, Russia, the USA and Europe in his previous roles.
ATS Euromaster has been awarded preferred supplier status in a new two-year agreement with Leasedrive Velo Vehicle Management, doubling its share of the customer’s 17,800-strong fleet on the back of strong service delivery in 2007. The contract will see ATS Euromaster fast-fit services including: tyres, exhausts, brakes, shock absorbers, batteries and oil. Leasedrive Velo merged last year to become one of the largest privately owned vehicle management providers in the UK.
Ivor Johnson, Fleet Management and Operations Director at Leasedrive Velo, says: “Service delivery ranks very high on our agenda and is an area where ATS Euromaster ticks all of the boxes. There has been a real willingness within the company to partner with ATS Euromaster, and they have been keen to step forward to support our customer base, which is largely comprised of high profile blue-chip clients,” he adds.
Prestivo, one of the private brands in leading wholesaler Stapleton’s PCR portfolio, is reportedly bringing great sales benefits to too South West retailer, Taylor’s Tyres. Offering high performance and a comfortable ride, the range is available in two tread patterns, Prestivo 2000 and Prestivo Sport.
Cornwall-based Taylor’s Tyres is a long-standing Stapleton’s customer and has been stocking the Prestivo range since it was introduced in autumn 2006. The business is well established in the area and recently located to a new site offering car, motorcycle, truck and commercial tyres, including forklift trucks and tractors, as well as batteries, shock absorbers, brakes and exhausts.
ATS Euromaster has opened a brand new centre in Treforest, following more than £210,000 of investment. The three-bay depot employs eight technicians and is designed to offer a full range of services for tyres, exhausts, brakes, shock absorbers, batteries and oil.
Speaking at the official opening on 6 March, Vince McGurk, Group Operations Director of ATS Euromaster said: “This new centre marks a significant investment and will ensure we can offer motorists competitively priced fast-fit service work carried out in a modern and well-equipped vehicle workshop.”
The latest edition of Bosal UK’s exhaust catalogue has been launched with a range of exhaust systems and cats for over 98 per cent of the European car parc, making it the most comprehensive in the motor trade. The 1,000 page catalogue contains details of over 4,700 fully type-approved systems, over 300 of which are new from the last edition. There are listings for almost 600 new exhaust parts, including pipes, silencers, mountings and accessories and 138 new catalytic converters plus details of development items due for release during the two-year life of the new catalogue.
North Eastern Tyres and Exhausts (NETE) has appointed a new depot general manager at its Middlessbrough depot and a new retail manager in Goole. Darren Boreland, 29, from West Cornforth, has been promoted from reception manager, a position he has held for the past 18 months, to general manager at the Middlesbrough depot.
Boreland’s new role will see him oversee the running of the Middlesbrough depot as well as continuing to implement the company’s ethos of providing first class customer service. Commenting on his promotion, Boreland said: “I am really pleased to be given this opportunity as North Eastern Tyres really is a car care specialist with a difference. I am looking forward to not only meeting company goals but exceeding them, in order for the company to continue its rapid growth.”
Kwik-Fit Fleet has won a new 12-month contract to provide a wide range of fast-fit services to Leasedrive Velo, one of the largest independent privately-owned vehicle management groups in the UK. Kwik-Fit Europe’s largest independent fast-fit company, was a long-standing supplier to both Leasedrive and Velo before they merged at the beginning of 2007 to form a combined operation now managing around 17,500 vehicles.
Kwik-Fit Fleet is a preferred fast-fit supplier to the combined Leasedrive Velo business covering the supply of tyres, exhausts, batteries, brake parts and MoTs as well as the provision of tyre safety checks at client premises alongside a replacement tyre service. In addition, Kwik-Fit Fleet will continue to provide a vehicle service booking facility to companies that were customers of Velo prior to the merger.
Under the banner of “Educating the consumer,” the second annual Tyre Recovery Association (TRA) annual forum, which took place at the end of January covered topics including “Balancing Capacity with Demand,” “Recycling Comes at a Cost,” and “The production and use of tyre derived materials,” but once again the most headline-grabbing news was on the subject of retail fly-tipping.
Large tyre retail operations are paying for the disposal of 10-15 per cent more tyres than they sell, according to the latest information. Group Tyre commercial operations director, Karl Naylor, detailed some of the findings of the Tyre Industry Federation (TIF) fly-tipping panel he has recently been working with. 12 months after Kwik-Fit spoke of how tyres dumped on its premises cost £250,000 it appears that the problems costs the wider retail industry approximately £2 million each year. And what's more, the problem appears to be a growing concern.
Two North Eastern Tyre and Exhausts depots have been accredited by Pirelli Tyres in an industry wide audit. Both the company’s York and Middlesbrough depots were named as one of just a few Pirelli Performance Centres across the UK. According to those involved the outlets underwent stringent judging to land the title and pipped competitors to the post to win. Ray Darcy, part of the senior management team for North Eastern Tyre and Exhausts, said:
“Pirelli really put us through our paces to win this title and I would like to say a huge well done to the team at the York and Middlesbrough depots. This badge is not easily earned as it stands for an unrivalled level of expertise when it comes to recommending, fitting and balancing high performance tyres. The level of customer care and attention that accompanies the service also have to be first class. Now we have won the status, we still cannot rest on our laurels – rigorous ongoing training and examination continues to take place to ensure that we are maintaining the exacting level of service Pirelli customers expect world wide.”
January 2008 sees the launch issue 22 of the Timax catalogue from Klarius UK Ltd, listing the company’s full range of Timax emission control products. One key change is that since the company takeover in 2007, the Timax replacement exhaust brand now features prominently on the front cover, replacing Arvin. Klarius acquired the European Light Vehicle Aftermarket division of ArvinMeritor in August 2007. The acquisition included the manufacture and distribution of all emission control products including, in the UK, Timax exhausts and MetalCat & EuroCat catalytic converters.
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