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ADL Takes Automotive Kitemark to Independent Garages

In a move that will likely help efforts to avoid the effects of a “Super Complaint” in the automotive service market, Automotive Distributors Limited (ADL) has announced its full support of BSI Product Services’ Kitemark scheme and is actively encouraging garages to embrace the PAS80 standard. More than 180 installers have already applied to Kitemark scheme through ADL.

Although it is a lengthy process, there are currently 30 Kitemark garages, with another 20 achieving the standard imminently. In addition to this, there are currently 500 applications/enquiries being processed. This is a vast improvement on the 11 that held the Kitemark in July.

21st September 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Michelin Wins London Central Contract

Michelin has won a tyre contract with London Central, a division of the Go-Ahead Group, which operates 600 buses in south east and central London from depots in Bexleyheath, Camberwell, New Cross and Peckham. The contract sees London Central switch to a three year ‘pence per mile’ contract, similar to the agreement Michelin already has with London General, a separate division of the Go-Ahead Group, comprising a fleet of 700 vehicles in south west and central London.

13th September 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Tyre Specialist Rolls Out New Sprinter

A North Lincolnshire tyre specialist has become one of the first companies in Britain to rubber stamp the new-generation Mercedes Sprinter van. Grimsby-based North Lincs Tyres has just taken delivery of a high-roofed Mercedes Sprinter 311CDI Long from Immingham dealer H and L Garages. Proprietor Tony Woods bought his first Mercedes van when starting the business in 1994, and has remained loyal to the famous three-pointed star ever since. The latest arrival is the sixth Sprinter on his growing fleet.

11th September 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Tax Break for Drivers With Quiet Tyres

Controversial new plans being considered by the UK government could result in motorist who use “quiet tyres” paying less tax. The focus of the proposed legislation is a reduction in road noise produced by the tyres. Critics have suggested the proposals are impractical. As well as causing disturbance to people living near major roads and motorways, tyre noise has been found to reduce driver concentration, with consequent effects on road safety.

11th September 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Mobile Lift for Cars and LCVs

Power-Tec Ltd has introduced the 1,500kg capacity Mobi-Lift mobile vehicle lift for use with cars, 4x4s and light commercial vehicles. It is a single-post lift, offering 1,000mm lift height within 35 seconds and operates from a standard 230V 13 amp power supply.

5th September 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Sheffield Fitters Celebrate 45 Years of Tyres

Two Sheffield tyre fitters are still working at the same company 45 years after first picking up a spanner there. Keith Booth, a truck tyre fitter based on Stainiforth Road, and Peter Staton, manager of the Dexel Tyre’s Frecheville branch, are among eleven key workers recognised by Dexel for working over 25 years at the firm. Between them, the group have racked up 394 years, an average of 33 years each. Keith Booth is still fitting truck tyres for local and national fleets including Dexel’s 24/7 motorway breakdown service.

16th August 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Kwik-Fit Offers Vehicle Servicing and MoTs to Fleets

Fleets can now get their company cars and light commercial vehicles serviced and MoT’d at Kwik-Fit centres. Around 230 of Kwik-Fit’s nationwide network of 670 centres are now equipped to undertake interim and full services on all-makes of vehicles and 250 centres will also be capable of undertaking MoTs by the end of 2006. Following the completion of a long-time retail pilot, Kwik-Fit is now extending its servicing and MoT capability to all fleets.

16th August 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

“Hello, I’d Like to Make a Super Complaint”

Did you know that the tyre business could be subject to a “super complaint” because of poor service in the wider automotive service sector? Did you know that it could cost you as much as £750 per depot if the government is forced to push external regulation on the business? During the recent NTDA conference in Marbella, this subject stood head and shoulders above the rest as most delegates were surprised to hear what a so-called super complaint might mean for them.

So what’s behind all this talk of an Office of Fair Trading (OFT) super complaint? Basically the National Consumer Council (NCC) believes that there are too many legitimate customer service complaints being made against the automotive service industry and the tyre trade is being tarred with the same brush in terms of potential consequences. The recent push for action from the consumer point of view also follows media reports highlighting the “garages don’t care” attitude fostered by many consumers.

1st August 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

LSUK Seeks Retail Battery Partners

LSUK, which claims to be the largest single supplier of batteries in to the UK automotive, marine, leisure, industrial and commercial industries, is giving proactive garages, fitters and retailers the opportunity to join its battery programme – and reap numerous rewards at the same time. The UK battery market is estimated to be worth £120 million in retail sales every year and LSUK has established itself as a leading player in the sector with the unrivalled service that it can offer. With 52 distribution branches nationwide, LSUK is in the position to offer first class product availability from stock, access to the best brands on the market, and arguably the most competitive pricing structure in the battery sector.

27th July 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

New ‘Specialist’ e-Tailer Launched

One of the main complaints about the increasing number of online tyre retailers, or e-tailers, is that their fitting partners are general garages rather than fitting specialists. BestButTyres is promoting itself as the answer to this question. BestBuyTyres brings together 12 leading multi-outlet independent tyre specialists with over 250 branches in England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.

25th July 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Blackcircles Predicts Record £10 million Turnover

Online tyre retailer Blackcircles.com says it is on course to achieve a record turnover of at least £10 million after receiving more than 150 enquiries about joining its franchise network, which was launched in January. Blackcircles claims to be leading the revitalisation of local garages, with independents and dealerships throughout the UK joining the network “in a bid to challenge the monopoly of national tyre chains.” With a turnover of £5 million in 2005, and a projected turnover of £10 – £15 million for 2006, Blackcircles is experiencing month on month growth.

14th July 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

PCL Pumps up Volume at Reifen 2006

PCL has reported excellent feedback from Reifen visitors viewing its world-leading portfolio of tyre inflation products. UK-based PCL welcomed representatives of tyre shops, mobile tyre vans, garages, car dealers, fleet and transport managers from Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Thailand, Germany, Poland, Korea and Iceland. Substantial orders were placed for the EC-approved Airforce – PCL’s brand new generation of mechanical handheld air line gauges.

7th July 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

Top Tech Roy Takes Title

Top Technician finalist Roy Lumley I.ENG.MIMI of Technical Car Services, York, has been crowned ‘Top Technician 2006’. Roy beat hundreds of entrants to the winner’s title, trophy and £2,000 cash prize. Lumley was one of only three finalists invited to the Top Technician 2006 Awards Ceremony in Birmingham on 26 May. Stuart White of Complete Car Maintenance, Surrey and Jerry Carroll MIMI of Carroll’s Garage, Renfrewshire were joint runners up and each received £250.

5th June 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

4500 Visit Aftermarket Show

New figures released by The Aftermarket Show event organisers, Haymarket Exhibitions, show that more than 4500 aftermarket trade visitors attended the event in January of this year. In 2006, The Aftermarket Show was monitored closely and this research has brought about a number of changes to the event in 2007, one of which is the new trade two-day exhibitor package.

18th May 2006/by Tyrepress Editors

PCL Showcases Handheld Inflation Products

With a record number of visitors expected at this year’s Essen tyre show, PCL has created what it describes as “a must-see portfolio of new and existing products.” UK-based PCL is renowned for its market-leading products for tyre inflation, and Reifen is the ideal platform to demonstrate them to representatives of tyre shops, mobile tyre vans, garages, car dealers, fleet and transport managers, automotive OEMs as well as tyre suppliers – basically anyone responsible for supplying, fitting and maintaining tyres.

26th April 2006/by Tyrepress Editors