In addition to its range of quality products under the First Line, Borg & Beck and Key Parts brands, First Line Ltd offered Groupauto and UAN members four in-show promotions to provide the ‘icing on the cake’ during the groups’ recent combined trade event for both factors and workshops.
Parent Company, Groupauto has announced that their garage network, ‘AutoCare’ has reached 600 garages – making them the largest independent garage programme in the UK.
Roadlink International has become an approved supplier to Groupauto/UAN commercial vehicle trading groups. The achievement comes at the end of a very significant year for the braking and suspension parts supplier, as it has committed its future to UK remanufacturing by expanding its services with investment in a new brake caliper production facility.
Autosupplies Chesterfield is taking on the full WAI product range of rotating electrics, ignition leads, ignition coils, window regulators and wiper motors as part of the motor factor’s continued expansion plans.
Autoelectro, one of the UK’s largest remanufacturers and suppliers of rotating electrics, will demonstrate its 30-year heritage and products during the Groupauto and UAN Trading Group Conference and Trade Show. Held between 6 and 7 October, the Bradford-based company will arrive at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool (ECL) in buoyant mood, ahead of its 30th anniversary party, and is eager to talk to members about various celebratory offers, including its ’30 for 30’ digital radio promotion.
Midwest Motor Factors, part of Arnold Clark Automobiles Ltd, has joined automotive trading group Groupauto. Midwest Motor Factors operates out of six branches across the West Midlands alongside the award-winning Monmore Auto Parts branch, which is based in Wolverhampton. All operations will join Groupauto with immediate effect.
PACT, the electronic trading initiative, has renewed its agreement with Groupauto’s G-Net electronic trading solution for a further four years, enabling approved suppliers and Group Auto Members to trade and communicate more effectively.
Autoparts UK was named the UAN distributor of the year at the recent Groupauto/UAN Gala Dinner and Trade Show. The parts distributor, which operates out of 12 branches with a head office in Glasgow, Scotland, has been a member of the group for nearly 10 years.
Presented at a gala dinner following the recent Groupauto & UAN trade show in Liverpool, First Line Ltd has been presented with Groupauto’s runners-up trophy in the ‘Supplier of the Year’ category. First Line stated that the award is “further recognition of the strength of the First Line and Borg & Beck brands, as well as the relationship the company and its employees have with motor factors and workshops across the country.”
Solid Auto UK has renewed its supply agreement with Groupauto, marking a 10 year partnership for the Japanese and Korean specialist and buying group. The agreement covers all product groups including filters, brake pads and discs, clutches, cooling, steering and suspension, engine components and electrical. Groupauto members will also have access to the company’s new ranges of ABS Sensors and EGR Valves.
The Alliance Automotive Group has acquired the United Aftermarket Network (UAN) from shareholders Andrew and Rachael Dickinson. As a result of the acquisition, Jim Mazza, the current managing director of Groupauto, will move to a new role of managing director of Alliance Automotive Group UK trading groups. A new Groupauto MD will be recruited, Alliance adds. Andrew and Rachael Dickinson will remain with the business to transfer ownership efficiently, while Phil Dodd will immediately fill the Managing Director’s position at UAN. Both UAN and Groupauto will continue to operate as separate networks; Alliance says both brands will play to their strengths.
Groupauto, purportedly the UK’s largest aftermarket trading group, is encouraging garages to take part in what it hopes will be the most comprehensive survey of independent garages ever held in the UK. From now until the end of November it is asking garages to take part in its National Garage Survey and answer six straightforward questions that will allow it to better understand the needs of garages, in order to assist them develop their businesses, for the long term benefit of the entire aftermarket.
Groupauto’s latest AutoCare promotion, the “Fantastic Summer Giveaway”, generated “more than £321,000 of work for the garages in the network that participated,” according to AutoCare network manager, Maria McCullough. Almost 2,200 motorists entered the prize draw in the eight weeks of the competition, with the top prize of a Citroën C1 awarded to John Cooley, who booked his car into Earby Autos in Earby, Lancashire. Earby Autos is supplied its parts by Groupauto member Raynor Motor Factors.
While one aftermarket supplier had everyone talking about who would own it and what this would mean for the market, and while at least two others were said to have been considering their merger/acquisition options, Groupauto was putting its emphasis on “raising standards within the aftermarket generally”. However, Grouptauto also says it is “able to make a practical difference to the lives of the members of its two independent garage networks: AutoCare and Approved Garages”.
Groupauto has announced a reduction to the monthly membership fee for members of its Approved Garages network. The scheme has reported the creation of “approximately £2.5 million” of work for the 450-plus independent garages in the network. Membership offers free Motor Codes membership in addition to being part of a national network of RAC inspected garages.
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