LeasePlan: ATS, National and FTN to replace Kwik-Fit
Vehicle leasing giant LeasePlan has appointed ATS Euromaster, National Tyres & Autocare and Fleet Tyre Network (FTN) as its tyre fitment partner in favour of previous incumbent Kwik-Fit.
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Tyre Industry Awards 2015: Winners
The winners of the 2015 Tyre Industry Awards were announced during the 86th NTDA Annual Dinner on 1 October following the new one-day Tyre Industry Conference at the International Convention Centre (ICC), Birmingham. Attendance at the dinner set a new record, with 60 tables sold out. The speaker and presenter of the awards was former England Rugby Union international, amateur dancer and current television pundit, Austin Healey, who added some trademark irreverence to proceedings. The Awards were also live-tweeted as they were announced on the @Tyrepress Twitter feed. The awards were sponsored this year by Sailun Tyres.
Tyre retail market in a redistribution phase
While many of the names of the top 20 tyre retail chains will be familiar, the last year has seen the continuation of a number of so-called right-sizing and redistribution trends, especially at the bottom end of the top 15 between places (positions 11 – 15). At the same time, one or two medium sized retailers have grown significantly since the last survey, resulting in greater influence from this part of the market. At the same time as this, the total number of branches controlled by the top 20 chains continues to grow – pushing the balance of power further in the direction of those retail multiples.
Bridgestone appoints new European director of replacement sales
Bridgestone Europe has appointed Timothy Manuel, currently general manager of channel strategy as director replacement sales in the company’s European Consumer Business Unit. Despite having taking on this new role, Manuel remains responsible for Consumer Business Unit channel strategy and the Motorcycle Business Unit at European level. Moving forward, his key focus is said to be the development of the company’s passenger car sales in Europe, working closely with the six different European regions.
Kwik Fit partners Central Tyre in van-orientated CV Show stand
Kwik Fit reports that it is seeking to win new light commercial vehicle fleet business opportunities at the 2015 Commercial Vehicle Show. The UK’s largest automotive repair company will be sharing its show stand with sister company Central Tyre, which is also owned by the Itochu Corporation-owned and has been supplying the commercial and agriculture industries for more than 50 years. Indeed, Central Tyre says it is the UK’s “number one independent commercial service provider”.
Kwik Fit benefiting from increased mechanical work
Kwik Fit reports that it is seeing fleet demand for its range of mechanical services increasing and is forecasting further growth in 2015. According to the company, the catalyst for growth was the opening of 20 Kwik Fit Plus centres. Indeed, Kwik Fit Plus centres are said to form a key part of parent company Itochu Corporation’s ongoing network-wide multi-million pound refurbishment and modernisation programme.
Kwik-Fit offers 200 apprenticeships
Kwik-Fit is offering 200 apprenticeships at the company’s centres across the UK, providing opportunities for many school leavers to work close to home. Most of the two year apprenticeships are available to 16-18 year olds, providing a valuable first step on a career in the automotive sector. Kwik-Fit has trained more than 1,800 people under its current apprenticeship programme. Over the last 15 years the scheme has consistently seen higher success rates than the national average, with many participants progressing to senior levels within the company.
Mid-range tyre brands benefitting from careless van drivers
Total volumes of car and van tyres fitted to company vehicles are expected to remain steady in 2015, however a subtle shift in consumption is taking place. This is the word from Kwik Fit, which says it is witnessing a rise in the ratio of van tyres being fitted. The company says there are several reasons why fleet van tyre consumption is going up while passenger car tyre fitments are declining. And it is seeing a second development within the growing fleet van tyre business – an increasing number of fitments are mid-range tyres, a trend driven by the high proportion of damaged tyres being replaced.
Stephen Marsh appointed Hankook’s retail development manager
Starting 5 January, Stephen Marsh has taken on the role of retail development manager at Hankook Tyre UK. Marsh brings with him 30 years of industry experience at numerous companies, including Kwik Fit, Pirelli, CPK Auto Products and Stapleton’s Tyre Services, and he is tasked with the goal of contributing to the further development and expansion of the Hankook Masters Program in the UK. The tyre maker views his extensive experience as a trainer as an important skill that will allow him to provide added value to the network. Marsh will also work with other regional retailers and assist in developing the reach of Hankook’s portfolio.
Part-worn tyres a factor in up to 475,000 accidents – survey
A new study carried out by ICM Research for Kwik Fit suggests that 22 per cent of British drivers have purchased part-worn tyres for their car at some stage and nine per cent – a figure that represents close to three million drivers – have done so in the past year. However the survey of 2,561 adults in the UK found that only 17 per cent of respondents would consider buying used tyres in the future, with many saying they wouldn’t do so as they have experienced problems as a result of opting for used rubber.
Kwik-Fit profits double to £22 million in full-year 2013 results
Kwik-Fit GB has reported operating profits of £22.922 million – almost double the 2013 figure of £11.918 million – despite annual sales remaining relatively flat (the company posted just a 1 per cent increase over 2013).
Service history holes reduce car value by almost a fifth, says Kwik Fit
On average, the absence of a full service history knocks 19 per cent off a car’s value when sold. This is the finding of a survey recently performed by ICM on behalf of Kwik Fit. Of the 2,003 UK adults who took part in the survey, 45 per cent also said an incomplete service history is a deal breaker for them, and they wouldn’t even consider purchasing a vehicle that had service history holes.
Town and Country mobile founder Christopher Shankland dies
The man behind Town and Country Tyres, the UK’s first mobile car tyre fitting business, has died. Christopher Shankland was described by his son, Mark Shankland, joint-founder of Event Mobile Tyres, as a well known figure in the tyre trade for 40 years, having worked for Michelin and independently in the retail business, eventually becoming a consultant with Kwik-Fit. Shankland passed away on Sunday, 27 July. The family are welcoming donations to Prostate Cancer UK.
The hard work of taking a holiday
A study carried out for Kwik Fit Mobile suggests that almost half of us take our work with us when we go on holidays. When adjusted to fit the 30.6 million people in the country’s workforce, the ICM survey of 2,003 adults in the UK shows that this 46 per cent of the workforce spends an average of 5 hour and 24 minutes of holiday time a year on work-related activities – a total of 3,171,550 days of extra work.
British holidaymakers covering 15 billion miles this year
According to research commissioned by Kwik Fit, British families will rack up a total of 15.7 billion miles in their own cars during holidays this year. A survey of 2,003 nationally-representative UK car owners shows that 46 per cent have already taken, or will take, their car on holiday with them this year, covering an average of 1,082 miles. That’s further than driving from Bournemouth to Bratislava, Sunderland to Salzburg or Manchester to Monaco.
