The extension of First Stop’s fast fit network has continued to accelerate with the addition of Uncle Tom’s Motorist Centre. The Harlow based garage’s owner Laurence Nicholls has 45 years of experience, making Uncle Tom’s a mainstay in the community. He said the decision to become a First Stop partner would enable his business to continue improving and adding more strings to its bow.
Parent Company, Groupauto has announced that their garage network, ‘AutoCare’ has reached 600 garages – making them the largest independent garage programme in the UK.
First Stop has appointed Nic Bentley as its new retail business consultant. Bentley promises the national network will back “entrepreneurial” independent garages. He arrives in the role having gained an understanding of First Stop through his time as a key account manager at Euro Car Parts, where he built up a partnership between the two companies. Bentley has more than 20 years’ experience in the automotive industry, following additional roles with Unipart and also Castrol.
The Parts Alliance’s garage programme, Servicesure Autocentres has recruited 50 new garages since the start of 2017. The parts distributor adds that the rate of joining has consistently averaged 15 garages per month since the latter part of 2016.
The Bandvulc Group has announced the appointment of TyreWork to its Key Partner Network. With more than 40 years’ experience in the truck tyre business, Kings Road Tyres Group company, TyreWork has provided its services to Bandvulc for the last decade, handling callouts comprehensively in addition to its professional tyre support for Bandvulc’s portfolio of clients. Bandvulc said making TyreWork a Key Partner strengthens the companies’ association.
Having almost doubled its distributor membership in recent months, A1 Motor Factor Group has stated its intention to continue growth in 2017. 37 sites were added in November 2016 – totalling 77 stores overall – making A1 one of the fastest-growing buying groups in the UK. The company has also welcomed new suppliers to its portfolio.
HiQ has added Manchester tyre store PPM Autocare to its franchise network. The store, which has a good local reputation according to HiQ, will reopen as HiQ West Gorton. Commenting on the decision to move to the HiQ Network, workshop manager Phil Statham, said: “Having previously worked for HiQ I knew how PPM would fit well into the network. The level of support and communication we received prior to joining the HiQ network was excellent. It made the move to a HiQ branded store seamless. We are excited to see where the future takes us with HiQ.”
Servicesure Autocentres, The Parts Alliance garage programme, has reached 400 garage members. The programme provides a comprehensive range of business services designed to contribute towards increased productivity and profitability. Servicesure members can currently call upon more than 30 business services, covering such considerations as signage, business insurance, vehicle leasing, waste disposal and workwear through to technical training.
Customers who research tyres online, but purchase offline were the major topic of this year’s annual conference for Michelin’s Auto Professional network. Michelin estimates that around 70 per cent of tyre purchases begin online – though actual online tyre purchases remain much lower – so tackling this growth market is now an important aspect of tyre retail, as Mark Meagher, retail programme development manager explains.
UK automotive buying group A1 Motor Stores has added Motor World Ltd to its motor factor network, effective immediately. The deal means 38 more branches have been added to A1’s motor factor membership of 40, and is described as “a major milestone for the group”. The newest additions are placed around England and Wales, improving coverage.
HiQ has added a new tyre retail outlet to its franchise network in Ruthin, North Wales. Previously known as Automark, the store will reopen as HiQ Ruthin. It brings 12 years of experience and an excellent reputation within its customer base to the network, HiQ states.
HiQ has boosted its franchise network in East Anglia, adding a new Kings Lynn store. The site, formerly part of Weeting Tyres, will reopen as HiQ Kings Lynn; Weeting Tyres is a long-time partner of HiQ, with several stores already part of the retail network. Its existing HiQ stores, based in Ipswich, Chelmsford and Bury St Edmunds, have been part of HiQ’s franchise network for the last five years.
Gloucester based CM Downton has extended a 10-year partnership with Bridgestone until 2020, declaring the tyre manufacturer’s commitment to fleet uptime is reaping rewards. It added that its decision to switch to a pence-per-kilometre (PPK) agreement is already paying off.
Green Apple award-winner, EDT Automotive has reported network growth exceeding its mid-year expectations, adding two partners per week. It adds that it has treated nearly 30,000 vehicles to date. Celebrating its 3rd anniversary this month, EDT has recently expanded the business to include garages in Coventry, Manchester, Sheffield, Bristol and Newcastle. The business is now seeking partners in Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincolnshire, North and West Wales and Central Scotland.
TerraClean ambassador & double BTCC champion Colin Turkington, wowed the TerraClean network recently by attending – and taking part in – the TerraClean Karting Event 2016.
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