National Tyres: Vehicle safety vital, staff and customer safety paramount
National Tyres and Autocare have spoken up in support of vehicle maintenance as well as detailing how it will protect staff and customers during the coronavirus outbreak.
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ATS Euromaster: Most centres open, but priority given to emergency fleets
Even emergency vehicles need breakdown assistance, servicing and tyres, and this is one main reason why the government has authorised garages and fast-fits to remain open during the COVID-19 pandemic. ATS Euromaster confirms that most of its service centres remain open following the Prime Minister’s announcement yesterday, however they ask customers for understanding should prearranged jobs be postponed in order to prioritise emergency fleet work.
NTDA: Tyre retailers, garages are “essential” during lockdown
Following the news that everyone in the UK should stay at home and therefore the country has entered a de facto lockdown, the government has published exceptions to that rule of key businesses include garages. In light of this and the closure of schools the week before, the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) has reaffirmed the association’s support of tyre centres.
Kwik Fit: Business as usual “where possible”
Kwik Fit says it is carefully monitoring the COVID-19 outbreak, and at present its centres are open for business as usual “where possible”. It adds that the company’s “overriding priority” is the health and well-bring of its staff and customers.
Garages to remain open despite lockdown
(Photo: Malte luk; Pexels)Yesterday Prime Minister Boris Johnson outlined strict stay-at-home measures for the whole of the UK. These effectively amount to a country-wide lockdown and will be enforced by the police. As a result, gatherings outside of households are effectively banned and shops have to close. However, reading the small print reveals that automotive garages are within the limited number of retailers that will be allowed to remain open. And therefore tyre centres will be allowed to keep going as well. Motorists looking for information on garages in the Covid-19 lockdown can find more on Tyrepress’s sister site, WhatTyre.
Will tyre dealers stay open in a lockdown?
While the government has introduced significant social distancing measures including closing schools, and while tyre businesses are offering innovative contactless solutions, garages are still open for business. However, in Italy the country has been on lockdown for a month. We know that truck tyre technicians should be categorised as “key workers”, but what about car tyre retailers and what if movements become more restricted?
Top Technician 2020 round 1 opens
Top Technician has returned for 2020, and round one is now open online. The garage sector competition has been running since 2002, with thousands of people testing their skills in a fun, competitive environment. For the winners, the competition has life-changing potential, according to the organiser, as it puts them on a national stage. Opportunities often follow.
Aftermarket of tomorrow — what does the electric motor mean for independent workshops?
The advent of e-mobility is often accompanied by uncertainty for workshops. How much maintenance does an electric motor need? What sort of repair volume can be expected? Which are the common models and voltage levels? And how can workshops obtain the information needed to ensure safe, efficient, and fast maintenance and repairs? This is where Mahle Aftermarket comes in, as a 360° solutions provider with OEM expertise.
Bosch acquiring Unipart’s Autoparts Garage Programmes
Bosch is set to acquire Unipart Group’s (UG) Automotive Aftermarket workshop programmes in the UK. These programmes include the Unipart Car Care Centres (UCCC), a network of independently run garages, the KiS online garage management software, which helps to organise all daily workshop activities, and the Unipartner Consumer App. It is planned for all existing customer contracts to be transferred to Bosch. According to Bosch, “It has been agreed that the purchase price will not be disclosed”.
Survey: Mechanics intimidate UK motorists
Recent research has found that 58 per cent of motorists found it daunting to engage with garages and mechanics. Conventionally seen as inconvenient and commonly suspected of being overpriced, automotive repair garages and mechanics grew a reputation of inconsistency in the industry, the ClickMechanic research found. Furthermore, the majority of motorists said they would put off work until the last minute. Looking closely at its customer database, 54 per cent of drivers state that they would either wait until issues reoccurred, or until the vehicle was no longer functioning.
Cheltenham trade show debut ‘a major success,’ says The Parts Alliance
The Parts Alliance has heralded its third trade show of 2019 as “a major success.” Held on 5 September, it was the first time the trade show had been to Cheltenham Racecourse, following the format of previous events. Attended by representatives from nearby branches and suppliers, The Parts Alliance’s trade show aimed to provide lively and informative seminars and technical content. MANN Filters, Yuasa and Comma all made such presentations in Cheltenham. The show also presented the opportunity to enter competitions and mingle with special guests Fuzz Townshend, Matt Neal and Daniel Rowbottom.
Automechanika Garage of the Year open for entries
Automechanika Birmingham’s Garage of the Year competition is now open for entries. Sponsored by the Independent Garage Association (IGA) and run in partnership with Garage Wire, the competition is open to garages from across the UK and Ireland. Entries can be made online at Garage Wire, but must be submitted before the deadline of 26 April 2019.
Automechanika Birmingham 2019 to launch ‘The Big UK Garage Event’
Automechanika Birmingham 2019 is giving independent garages a boost by announcing the launch of its new Big UK Garage Event at this summer’s show, providing more benefits to thousands of garages planning to visit.
Euro Car Parts providing FiberFix for repairers
Euro Car Parts has added the US FiberFix brand to its consumables portfolio. The product, which claims to be ten times stronger than duct tape, is now available to repairers and bodyshops through ECP’s 300-plus branches nationwide.
Bridgestone, German workshop chain pitstop strengthen collaboration
Bridgestone has increased its strategic cooperation with the German workshop chain pitstop. As part of a minority stake in Kulas Holding GmbH, which holds 100 per cent in pitstop.de GmbH, Bridgestone and pitstop plan to cooperate closely in sectors of mobility solutions, tyre and workshop services to open new markets. The targeted investment is subject to German antitrust approval.
