News articles on the tyre retail business
Automotive business group, The Parts Alliance used the event of National Apprentice Week (6-13 February) to call for the UK automotive aftermarket to increase its support of training and apprenticeships. “The best investment our industry can commit to, alongside the best equipment, is training,” said Mike Smallbone, The Parts Alliance, garage programme manager.
Petrol sales fell significantly during the first three quarters of 2011, according to research conducted by motoring association the AA. And this was no drip drip. On the contrary the AA figures suggest that motorists bought 2.4 billion fewer litres of petrol than the same period in 2008. Total sales of 13.9 billion litres in the first nine months of 2011, a billion litres less than the year before. And drivers are resolved to cut back further during 2012. With petrol prices being a key indicator of miles driven in the UK, the figures have the potential to impact the amount of tyres purchased (sell out) in the tyre market.
Despite the biting chill of the Finnish winter, the team at Nokian Tyres has surely been warmed by the company’s performance results for the 2011 financial year, which were released on 8 February. During the twelve month period group net sales rose 37.7 per cent to 1.46 billion euros and operating profit increased 71.1 per cent to 380.1 million euros. Better still, the all-important bottom line shot up 82.0 per cent, with profit for the year to 31 December 2011 amounting to 308.9 million euros.
Those wishing for a greater mastery over the tyre business may benefit from a new bespoke training course Bridgestone UK is starting to roll out. The tyre maker says it intends to create industry-renowned ‘tyre geniuses’ with expertise across all aspects of the tyre sector through its training, which it calls the Genius Training Development programme. According to Bridgestone, the Genius Training Development programme is the first of its kind to provide a clearly defined development structure and is the most comprehensive of its type within the industry. The programme was launched on 31 January, with 30 people from a broad spectrum of tyre companies taking part in the inaugural training sessions.
Stapleton’s head of marketing and range planning, Stephen Childs says the company’s latest NTDA TAFF Awards Tyre Wholesaler of the Year award – its second in as many years – and its leading position in UK tyre wholesale can be explained by the company’s “working for the customer” philosophy: “We’re keenly aware that it’s tough out there for our retail customers – and that’s why we’re working harder than ever to gear up our service to meet their needs quickly and accurately.”
Government proposals to end annual MOTs would put at risk up to 50,000 jobs in the retail motor trade disproportionately hitting apprenticeships, young employees and independent businesses, according to new research by Pro-MOTe.
We’re more accustomed to seeing them on the battlefield than down on the farm, but tracked vehicles are said to be gaining popularity on agricultural vehicles. Farmers Weekly reports they are increasingly finding a place in conditions such as damp fields where tyres would struggle.
After two successive cold winters (2009 and 2010) a lot was hanging on a frosty conclusion to 2011. While only five years ago winter tyre sales barely registered at less than 1 per cent UK market share, by the end of the opening months of 2011 various sources were reporting that the market had swollen to around 450,000 units, doubling and even tripling some wholesalers’ stock forecasts.
Research conducted by Encircle Marketing reveals that Pirelli was the most recommended tyre brand in the UK during 2011, the second year running for the Italian-based manufacturer. The analysis, which continuously monitors brand recommendations in the market, found that Pirelli came top with 6.7 per cent of all recommendations.
Cam Systems has entered into a preferred partnership agreement with Leeds-based software provider panintelligence to offer its customers the opportunity to integrate state-of-the-art dashboard tools into the new wholesale, retail or commercial application platforms developed by the software provider based upon Microsoft’s SQL Server. The new offering will enable business owners to view and monitor the status of their operations at a glance from one central console to enhance their sales profitability, reduce their costs and operational risks and ultimately, to take quick, corrective action if required.
HiQ has announced a marketing campaign designed to help educate motorists about multiple changes to the MOT test brought into effect from 1 January, including checks of dashboard warning lights. The fast fit network wants to encourage motorists to speak to their nearest centre manager about the changes when booking their test. Fast fit manager Stuart Carr said that some problems previously deemed “advisory” will now fail the standard MOT test and he wants as many motorists as possible to know more about the changes.
Independent East Midlands tyre distributor Tanvic Group Ltd operates from eight locations in Newark (its head office), Lincoln, Grantham, Corby, Melton Mowbray, Loughborough, Worksop and Market Harborough. Though Tanvic says it recognises the market has contracted over the last few years, it has met this challenge by increasing the specialist knowledge of its staff, attempting to add value to the service it offers farm customers.
Nokian Tyres has introduced a new winter range for larger 4×4 vehicles, light trucks and vans. Known as the Hakkapeliitta LT2, the tyre employs the same innovations and technical solutions used in the Hakkapeliitta 7 passenger car tyre, however the Finnish tyre maker says the LT2 has been designed for heavy-duty use and this “combines uncompromised grip and exceptional durability.”
Luton-based Vauxhall Commercial vehicles sold more vans at retail in 2011 than any other manufacturer, says the SMMT. Van sales during the year totalled 11,436 – a 25.05 per cent rise over the previous 12 months. To put this in perspective, the market grew by 8.32 per cent.
The latest figures for sales of new motorcycle and scooter show an overall drop of 2.2% in 2011 compared to 2010. Overall the market has moved away from large motorcycles towards smaller motorcycles and scooters, often used for commuting. This trend is reflected with the biggest sales growth of the year coming from the 51-125cc sector.
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