Galdax AB is located in Vara, 100 km northeast of Göteborg, and is Bandag’s new ally in an ambitious plan to increase its market share in Sweden.
“As a tyre business, we are ideally situated where we are,” says Claes Amnäs, General Manager of Galdax AB. “We are located not far from the main roads that link Norway, Stockholm and Göteborg. Many fleets
operate in the area and we are within striking distance of Sweden’s most industrialised cities.”
Michelin has launched a new “added-value dealer programme” called Exelagri that will ensure its customers benefit from improved efficiency, service and technical expertise.
The Exelagri programme will enable Michelin to build a network of the best agricultural tyre specialists in the UK and Europe. This in turn will impact on end-users with improved service levels and access to technical information on premium Michelin Group products (Michelin and Kleber).
The fact that Maha has now installed over 50 automatic test lanes in the UK market is proof that MOT test lanes and the new one man test procedure is taking off in the UK.
Automotive parts manufacturer Remy Automotive UK has relocated its UK Head Office to a new 61,080 sq. ft. complex at Burntwood in Warwickshire.
The MOT turned 45 this week and has come a long way since its implementation in 1960. The annual check does not only test the brakes, steering, lights etc, as it did in the beginning, but now includes emissions testing too.
Bridgestone has been granted approval to establish a new $25 million proving ground in China follwoing a period of negotiation with Chinese authorities. Bridgestone aims to use this testing and research facility to develop a system that enables the swift provision of tyres for original equipment and replacement in the Chinese market.
Those car dealers not offering a tyre replacement and fitting service are passing up a golden profit opportunity by not offering a one-stop service for fleet, business and private users, believes Group Tyre (UK).
Chairman John Church points out that dealerships are seeing their traditionally profitable sales opportunities, such as optional extras and accessory sales, being steadily eroded, as more and more vehicles leave the factory with higher specifications and features fitted as standard. Add to this the fact that service intervals are growing ever longer and it is easy to see that opportunities for profits are becoming more difficult to find.
Hofmann Megaplan, has appointed Andy Ringrose as its new equipment specialist.
Involved in all aspects of sales Mr Ringrose will provide field-based support for both new and existing customers.
Euro Car Parts has launched what it claims is the first aftermarket training academy of its kind to deliver Government-approved training to its sales team trainees. The new training centre, Euro Academy, has been established to ensure Euro Car Parts’ specialised sales teams continue to have the most comprehensive knowledge bank throughout the industry.
The academy’s first 32 young people will begin the three-year Level 3 NVQ Apprenticeship in Parts Operations, which gives 16 to 24 year olds the opportunity to develop their knowledge to the most advanced levels in the UK aftermarket. The apprenticeship will be awarded by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), which is the leading awarding body for vocational qualifications in the automotive sector and the industry’s professional association.
Bridgestone has appointed Paul Turner to the role of technical training manager in the UK, replacing Steve Howat who has taken up a similar role at Bridgestone Europe. Paul Turner has more than 21 years’ experience in the tyre industry, and has worked for Bridgestone UK for more than a decade in a variety of roles ranging from sales office supervisor to technical engineer, where he ran the company’s RFT (run-flat technology) dealership certifying courses.
The Tyre Industry Council has announced the implementation of a new training award set up in association with technical service provider Entyrety.
The award will form a part of the council’s tyre safety scheme established two years ago, and has been instigated to recognise and reward those companies operating within the UK industry that make a “positive commitment to improving the quality of their in-house training programmes.”
Bridgestone continued its programme of preparing First Stop dealers for a rise in run-flat replacement fitments by inviting them to test the technology at a specially designed event in Bedford.
Dealers were given the chance to drive BMW 3-Series cars fitted with original-equipment Bridgestone Potenza RE050 RFT run-flat tyres around a track designed to simulate a variety of different road conditions, in order to test the tyres for themselves.
Group Tyre (UK) Ltd. is now offering an up-to-three-times-daily delivery service for its GT Ultra Start range of batteries.
Chairman John Church said: “Our research has shown that even franchised dealer networks frequently cannot supply from stock, leaving customers frustrated and having to search for a stockist. At Group Tyre, we provide the answer, with our GT Ultra Start branded batteries available ex-stock on a same-day basis.”
Having grown out of its current premises work has begun on Pro-Align’s new headquarters in Northamptonshire. The new site is located at ‘The Old Orchard’, Greens Norton and when completed, will offer bespoke offices, workshops, warehousing and an alignment bay.
Carl Potter, Pro-Align’s general manager commented: “Everyone at Pro-Align is really excited about the new site as we have literally out grown our current unit. We pride ourselves on our already high level of customer services, but the new building will mean we can expand our range and stock, offer further courses in the purpose built training facility and also provide a retail alignment centre for the surrounding area too. All in all the new premises will enable us to build a future for alignment”.
The company expects to move into its new premises at the end of the year.
At the end of May Bridgestone inaugurated its new 3,000 square metre European Education Centre (EUEC) situated within the tyre manufacturer’s European Proving ground at Aprilia near Rome.
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