ZC Rubber opens first Westlake store in Brunei
ZC Rubber has opened its first Westlake store in Brunei. It is also the first one in Southeast Asia and comes as part of an expansion strategy targeting Southeast Asia.
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ATS Euromaster Dunstable wins safety award
ATS Euromaster’s Dunstable centre has won an International Safety Award from the British Safety Council. The centre was nominated by Andy Drake, Health and Safety Advisor at ATS Euromaster, following a routine assessment where the team was found to have an exceptional commitment to safety.
Universal Tyres becomes Michelin Certified Centre dealership
Independent dealership Universal Tyres is the latest recruit to join the ranks of Michelin Certified Centres, after eight of the company’s sites comfortably passed the Michelin Auto Professional advocate programme’s stringent audit requirements.
Tyresoft launches webtrade mobile web portal
Tyresoft reports that it has released the “first dedicated mobile web portal”as an extension to its popular WebTrade platform. According to the company, WebTrade offers wholesalers and distributors the ability to communicate with their retailers, accept live orders, show live prices and stock availability along with giving the retailer useful analytics on their purchase history.
91% of garages report rise in expired MOTs
The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) and Scottish Motor Trade Association (SMTA) report that since the end of the paper tax disc, 91.2 per cent of garages have seen an increase in the number of customers bringing cars that have expired MOTs in.
Halfords relaunches trade card
Halfords has relaunched its “trade card”, giving trade professionals access to “the best prices on car maintenance tools and products”. The offers comes alongside the launch of a new trade only website, offering the trade exclusive deals and pricing – up to 50 per cent off in some cases.
ATS Euromaster Leeds branch ram-raided
40 tyres have been stolen after the ATS Euromaster branch in Cross Green Lane, Cross Green, Leeds was ram-raided last night (11 July 2016).
Police are appealing for information after the incident which is believed to have taken place at about 10.30. According to West Yorkshire police, the constabulary received reports of a white transit van repeatedly ramming the shutter doors the ATS Euromaster branch “causing significant damage”.
GfK: UK automotive could face manufacturing and sales problems post-Brexit
The UK automotive industry could suffer the double-blow of declining vehicle sales and declining manufacturing after its exit from the European Union. According to GfK, while new registrations grew from 1.9 million to 2.6 million between 2011 and 2015 (DVLA), the news of Brexit has had a strong impact on the long-running GfK Consumer Confidence Index. The latest figures show an 8 point decline since the June survey, and a fall of 12.8 versus the rolling 12 month average in December 2015.
Universal buys Jetyres
On 30 June Universal Tyres acquired Jetyres. The deal, which was six months in the making, sees Universal add Jetyres’ four retail branches to the company’s existing portfolio of 12 tyre retail locations. With a combined total of 16 points of sale, Universal looks likely re-enter the UK top 20 in 2017 as a result of the transaction. No details of the levels of investment connected to Universal’s purchase of Jetyres have been released.
National Tyres runs Ghostbusters promotion
National Tyres has is partnering with summer blockbuster Ghostbusters in a campaign spanning radio, national press advertising and digital campaigns and which is designed to engage with customers and film fans alike.
Point S hints at Indian market involvement
Fabien Bouquet, CEO of Point S International HQ, took part in the Tyre & Rubber industry Leadership Acknowledgement TRILA Awards that took place in parallel with Tyrexpo India on 15 June.
Tyre consumers increasingly choosing ‘click and fit’
Blackcircles.com, the UK’s leading online tyre retailer, reported a steep increase in sales from new customers during June. According to the company, this includes 80 per cent who have never previously bought tyres online. The metrics indicate that tyre retailing, which has traditionally lagged online adoption in other sectors like banking and travel, is going through something of a transformation.
Tyre e-tailer Pneusmart secures 765,000 euros financing
Pneusmart, the Amsterdam-headquartered online tyre dealer, has secured seed funding of 765,000 euros led by Shark Bites, Digital Magics and a group of international angel investors.
According to the company, the funds will be used to consolidate Pneusmart’s position in the Netherlands, Germany and Italy. The company will further invest in its Milan office from where it will coordinate its activities in Southern Europe. In the coming months new websites will be launched in Spain and France.
First Stop ‘accelerating’ expansion plans
Bridgestone, First StopThe First Stop fast fit network states that it is accelerating its expansion plans across the UK. Currently operating 72 centres, the network said that it has recently attracted six new members. The network has also become an official supporter of TyreSafe. First Stop’s partner zone manager, Mike Glover said: “First Stop prides itself on outstanding customer service and we consider explaining the importance of tyre safety as an essential part of that relationship.
60 new Apollo Vredestein specialists in the UK by next year
At present there are 220 Apollo Vredestein tyre specialists in the UK, and Apollo Vredestein says this number will increase by almost 30 per cent by next year, with 280 centres expected to be operating. This growth in the UK network is occurring as part a wider push to expand the network in Europe.
