First Stop has agreed a new association with synthetic motor oil brand ExxonMobil, which will position its network of independent garages as ‘Mobil 1 workshops’. This agreement will entitle First Stop branches to high profile sales promotions. A dedicated account manager will work with First Stop garages, aiming to help improve customer retention and the generation of new business through brand ambassadorship.
Maxxis has announced the first in a series of strategies designed to promote the brand’s credentials to motorcyclists and grow its national dealer network. This news follows the critically acclaimed launch of the SuperMaxx ST tyre range and will see the manufacturer, and distribution partner Bickers, join forces to empower dealers to offer their customers free Motorex cleaning products worth £70 with every purchase and fitting of SuperMaxx ST tyres.
National Tyres and Autocare will expand its network by 10 branches over the next year. Launching at the start of July, and projected to finish in early 2017, this expansion phase will include new branches in London, Yorkshire, Northamptonshire, South Wales and the South West. These branches will join the existing network of 241 branch locations operating throughout the UK. National added that 14 further sites are currently “in the pipeline”. The network is the UK’s third largest; the latest expansion will demonstrate its sharpest growth in locations for five years.
Goodyear has presented its European 2016 TruckForce Awards in Luxembourg, recognising the customer support of its 2,000-strong network. The awards ceremony was part of the second international TruckForce Convention and was held in parallel with the launch of the new Dunlop on-road truck tyre range.
Bridgestone has announced its plan to acquire 100 per cent of the car service and tyre retail network Speedy France. The manufacturer intends to use the new acquisition to increase its direct access to end-users in France, one of its core European markets, as well as in other markets where Speedy has a presence. The finalisation of the acquisition is subject to approval by the regulatory authorities; once approved, and the transaction is completed, Bridgestone’s French presence will be expanded to more than 800 retail outlets, contributing strongly to its accelerated growth strategy.
ATS Euromaster has expanded its pilot truck services programme. The network is seeking to expand its service, maintenance and repair business with large commercial vehicle fleets. Phase one of the programme, launched in April 2015, marked the first time ATS Euromaster had expanded its range of services beyond tyres and wheels for commercial vehicles above seven tonnes gvw. Now a further 10 locations can provide SMR support to truck operators. They stretch from Glasgow to Exeter to cover key locations along some of Britain’s most significant transport routes, including the M1, M4, M5, M6, Felixstowe, and Tilbury.
Saracens Tyres has become the first agricultural tyre dealer in North Wales to join Michelin’s Exelagri dealer partnership programme. The company joins nearly 800 farm tyre specialists selected by Michelin across Europe to carry the company’s accreditation of agricultural expertise. Admission to the network follows an independent 48-point quality audit looking at all aspects of the dealer’s operations, from the levels of staff training and the cleanliness of its workshops, to equipment standards and the quality of advice given to farmers and contractors.
Hankook has launched a new courtesy car scheme across its UK retail network. Dual-branded Hyundai i10s have been given to a selection of retailers across the UK to be used as a courtesy car over a two year period. Hankook says the vehicles will effectively advertise its network members’ services when out on the road in the local area.
Kent-based EDT Automotive offers independent garages an additional revenue stream, providing hand-built machines to clean petrol or diesel engines with an environmentally-friendly solution.
First Stop has acquired the services of a new retail business consultant from the fast fit industry. A former retail business manager, and Blackcircles.com area network manager, Dave Hull will play a key role in the company’s attempts to expand, while also stimulating sales from existing First Stop partners, the network stated.
A team of mechanics from the TerraClean Service Centre network is undertaking a massive endurance test for Macmillan Cancer Support by travelling to Africa in a London Taxi.
Micheldever Tyre Services says it will “begin the biggest period of expansion in its 43 year history” this year, with a large expansion of its Protyre retail network planned over the next 18 months. The wholesaler posted revenues exceeding £322m last year, selling 6 million tyres through 8,500 fast fit centres – including its own Protyre branded retail sites. Current low-end estimates could put this figure at around one in every five tyres replaced by UK motorists.
The TerraClean Service Centre network of garages, franchised dealers, mobile mechanics and technicians “is the most progressive network of its kind in the automotive industry,” says Randstad Sales director, Phillip Dowd. TerraClean has successfully held its first ever Service Centre conference and awards with hundreds of people in attendance demonstrating their commitment to growing the TerraClean brand.
Kingsway Tyres has opened its first depot in Bedfordshire as part of its expansion plans. The chain’s 17th garage in Old Bridge Way, Shefford, will provide premium and economy tyres and servicing solutions for cars, vans, 4×4 and commercial fleets, supported by 24 hour tyre related breakdown service vehicles, covering Bedford, Sandy, Stevenage, Letchworth, Hitchin, Luton, Dunstable, Milton Keynes plus the surrounding areas. The new opening has created four new jobs.
Merityre Little Chalfont in Buckinghamshire is the latest Pirelli Performance Centre to receive an upgrade. The LED reception upgrades have been fitted to the waiting areas of selected Pirelli Performance Centres, in a scheme that will be rolled out across more of Pirelli’s most prestigious dealers in the future.
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