Point S has expanded its presence in East Asia by launching a franchised network in Taiwan. More specifically, the network has partnered with automotive repair and maintenance specialist, Car Quality, in an agreement that includes the integration of the Point S brand in Car Quality’s 30 existing points of sale.
SharkEye, the UK manufacturer of laser wheel aligners, is teaming up with FASEP and the Garage Equipment Group (GEG) to offer 33 van-based sales and service franchise investment opportunities across Britain and Ireland. The goal is for the trio of well-known garage equipment brands to be “a major new player in the automotive sector”.
Vipal Rubber is participating in the Tyres & More National Conference in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. The tyre retreading supplier is presenting its growth trajectory over the last 50 years, reaching its current global scale, and its product portfolio. The host is Yokohama’s retreading and repairs franchise in Australia, which has an extensive network of distributors in the retread tyres and services segment. Tyres & More’s network of distributors work in close collaboration with retreaders to sell retreaded tyres.
First Stop has teamed up with a London-based firm of property developers to source and secure 20 prime retail development opportunities in a bid to attract new franchisees to its tyre and autocare network.
Despite the adverse circumstances caused by the Covid-19 pandemic, Quick Lane Tyre & Autocentres continued its steady growth plan with the opening of its fifth franchised centre in Gorton, Manchester. The new location joins Ford’s global network of more than 1,000 workshops in 32 countries.
First Stop Tyre & Car Services has confirmed our reports on 14 September that the network has established a franchise partnership with one of the most successful garage depots in Devon, Pilgrim Tyres. Three new jobs are being created in the process. It is First Stop’s first partnership with a former HiQ franchise.
First Stop Tyre & Car Services has revealed its striking new rebrand at a flagship store in Birmingham. The Auto Workshop, headed up by father-and-son team Steve and Graham Todd, has become First Stop’s latest partner. Five new jobs have b
Bridgestone UK retail manager Mark Widdows has confirmed that the first tyre retailer to sign up to the newly-revamped First Stop programme is Cardiff-based A&A Tyre & Auto Services.
When Mark Widdows left HiQ to head up the First Stop project as UK retail network manager, Bridgestone EMIA in October 2019, it was a fair guess that the revamped First Stop would end up competing with HiQ for the role of leading UK tyre retail franchise operation. However, six months into the role, Tyres & Accessories met up with Widdows and learnt that the new First Stop retail proposition has both ambitious plans and a comprehensive franchise offer.
Following the news that Goodyear has bought one of its largest and longest-established HiQ franchisees, Easy Tyre and Autocare, Tyrepress got in touch with executives in order to find out more. For example, how much money changed hands? And, considering the latest purchase is the second acquisition of its kind, is Goodyear planning to go full-circle with retail ownership? The short answer is no. But a Goodyear/HiQ spokesperson did say “the acquisition of Easy Tyre and Autocentres further strengthens the competitive advantage of Goodyear and HiQ”, adding:
All of Quick Lane’s 15 centres now offer MOT testing. The news follows the Bracknell site’s attainment of MOT testing certification from the Driving and Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA).
Quick Lane, which has been operating as a franchise in the UK for a year, sees the burgeoning MOT market as a key source of business, with dedicated bays, equipment and testers in each Quick Lane location. Its strategy to provide motorists with convenience with confidence, together with a service that fits around driver’s needs is paying off, with plans to extend the network further throughout 2020.
Goodyear Tyres UK Limited has acquired Easy Tyre and Autocentres, which runs 17 HiQ branches as a franchisee.
Easy Tyre and Autocentres’ branches span from Telford to Kettering, in a geographical area with a high value car parc and, according to Goodyear, represent the “second step” in the company’s ongoing retail strategy. All sites will become Goodyear’s equity operating under the HiQ brand going forward.
Kwik Fit’s first Italy National Convention has taken place in Milan, celebrating the network’s growth to 57 centres. The event, with its title “Choose Kwik Fit. Being Kwik Fit” highlighted the strength of the Kwik Fit brand, with specific reference to Italy, and focused on the shared values of the company and its franchisees.
First Stop has recruited Mark Widdows to the senior position of UK retail network manager after working with Goodyear Dunlop for 20 years, where he latterly served as national franchise manager for the HiQ network. The recruitment is seen as a statement of intent, as First Stop aims to grow its network and position itself as a major player in the fast-fit sector.
Point S has expanded into the Philippines market. Connecting with the 7,641 islands that make up the Philippines is seen as a strategic move, following the operations expansion into India and Malaysia. According to the company, it will significantly increase Point S’s footprint in the Asian and global tyre landscape.
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Vipal Rubber
First Stop
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The Auto Workshop; First Stop
Bridgestone, First Stop