Nemesis UK, the official UK distributor of Magnaflow Performance Exhaust products, is offering garages and performance centres the chance to become approved Magnaflow installers. In order to meet increased demand for the brand, Nemesis UK has devised a business package that will enable garages and performance centres to equip themselves as approved Magnaflow installers and be able to build bespoke exhaust systems.
Pneumatics Components Ltd (PCL) has generated a fair amount of global interest at the SEMA show, particularly from US companies. The Sheffield based designer, manufacturer and marketer of tyre inflation technology has benefited from an increased awareness of the importance in terms of safety and economic benefits of guaranteeing the accuracy of air pressure delivered to tyres.
Replacement demand is currently the most important driver in the European mechanical testing and material handling equipment market. Products from established manufacturers are increasingly being replaced by novel offerings from new participants, driving competition and volume sales, according to Frost & Sullivan.
The research firm said the European mechanical testing and material handling equipment market earned revenues of 566.8 million euros in 2005 and estimates this will reach 725.73 million in 2012. “As customers attempt to constantly update and equip themselves with the latest technologies, they are no longer willing to limit themselves to traditional manufacturers,” said F&S senior research analyst Benny Daniel. “End consumers are signing contracts with manufacturers with these competencies, generating fresh demand for garage equipment as a result.”
The Automotive Distribution Federation (ADF) has urged the entire automotive aftermarket industry to support the Kitemark for Garage Services. In a stark message to the ADF’s membership of leading aftermarket suppliers and distributors at the organisation’s Annual Dinner, President Alan Seal warned against the possible threat of government legislation facing garages, favouring the BSI‘s Kitemark for Garage Services as the only route for effective self-regulation.
Tyre Bay Direct Ltd is adding to its growing mail order business by launching an online store. The forward thinking company says it is one of the first businesses in its sector to be able to deliver tyre consumables direct to the customer through an e-commerce shop. Tyre shops, garages and servicing departments can now browse the range of products on offer and place their orders online at leisure. The site caters for both the larger and smaller customer with transparent pricing, bulk buy offers and selected special offers on a regular basis.
Autodata has entered into a partnership with the Trading Standards Institute to supply information to its members. Autodata is providing Trading Standards officers with access to its CD1 service information to assist them in identifying and prosecuting the minority of rogue operators that remain in the industry.
This partnership forms part of Autodata’s ongoing commitment to improve standards in the garage industry and prevent the few rogue operators tarnishing the image of the industry as a whole. This initiative is part of a concerted effort to drive up industry standards and goes alongside its relationship with the Retail Motor Industry Federation and support of the Institute of the Motor Industry’s ATA scheme.
The Kitemark Garage Services scheme – for servicing and repair of vehicles (PAS80) – has become the first to be accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS). UKAS is the sole national accreditation body recognised by Government to assess, against internationally agreed standards, organisations – such as BSI – that provide certification, testing, inspection and calibration services. To achieve UKAS accreditation, BSI had to pass a rigorous audit to demonstrate its competence, impartiality and performance capability.
The BoxClever independent garage trade promotion by NGK Spark Plugs (UK) has proved so successful that it will continue into 2007, says the company. Brian Childs, NGK’s Deputy MD Sales & Marketing, said that the NGK clothing range has continued to prove popular, as have the colour TVs and DVD recorders. He said: “There is no limit to the amount of BoxClever claims that garages can make; all they need is the correct quantity of box tops to qualify for their free gifts. Further additions to the BoxClever Collection will be announced early in 2007.
Industry research shows vehicle manufacturers’ dealer networks are losing share of the lucrative new car service and repair market to independent garages. The Trend Tracker report on the UK car service and repair market shows that franchised dealers’ traditional near-monopoly of servicing and repairs of cars under manufacturer’s warranty is declining. In 2002, the European Commission introduced legislation to make the car service and repair market more competitive by opening up the market to independent garages and the research shows that car dealers’ share of the lucrative service and repair market for cars under four years old has fallen from 67 per cent of all services and repairs in 2003/04, to 65 per cent in 2005/06.
A long-awaited £6.20 increase in the MoT test fee has been put back more than six weeks by the Department for Transport. Testers expected the increase to be brought in on 1 October, but have now learned it has been put back until 24 November. Some now fear this deadline will slip even further back into December, the NTDA website reported. The traditional date for an MoT fee increase is 1 August.
The Good Garage Scheme has launched the second phase of its marketing campaign to attract older car owners and female drivers to the scheme. Throughout November and December a programme of leaflet drops, editorial coverage and radio and vehicle advertising is aiming to further raise the awareness of the Good Garage Scheme and its portal – www.goodgaragescheme.com – to millions of motorists throughout the North East Region, the first region on the scheme. There are now 810 Good Garage Scheme members in the UK. The latest marketing campaign is seen as a prelude to taking the scheme to a National level in March 2007.
Maha, a world-leader in the garage equipment sector, has confirmed it is set to use January’s Aftermarket Show as a platform for showcasing the latest product in its Dynamometer range. The event will be held at the NEC in Birmingham from 11-14 January. The company, specialists in the manufacture and supply of Brake Testing Equipment, Vehicle Lifts, and Chassis Dynamometers, is returning to the show after enjoying considerable success at the event earlier this year.
The BSI has landed itself in hot water with the OFT by claiming the Office of Fair Trading will begin closing down garages from January for inadequate repairs. The OFT was responding to a media statement issued by BSI and headed “OFT warns garages can be shut down from January 2007”. It said that the organisation will begin inspections “with a view to taking prompt action and enforcing legislation on the industry when the NCC’s supercomplaint happens in 2007”.
Bradford Council and the Environment Agency have teamed up for spot checks on 37 small garages in Bradford. The crackdown on illegal tyre dumping follows the completion of the introduction of legislation banning discarded tyres from being dumped at landfill sites.
UK-based company PCL received an excellent reception at last year’s SEMA show when it initiated its drive to conquer the US market. Since then, PCL’s high quality “Made in Sheffield” products for Tyre Inflation are becoming increasingly recognised internationally, backed up by excellent customer service and training. At SEMA 2006, visitors looking for swift and cost-effective solutions for tyre shops, garages, workshops, car dealerships, transportation companies, industrial applications, vehicle fleets and racing outfits can view a range of new and established tyre inflation products.
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