Euro Car Parts has added a distribution hub in Maidstone, Kent and two new branches in London and North Yorkshire to its rapidly expanding UK network.

Automotive marketing agency Chicane has launched new recruitment service. Chicane Executive Search (CES) will find the right candidates to fill key vacancies in the sector.

Motaquip has launched its brand new website with the aim of supporting its customer base both at home and abroad.

Bosch has congratulated Top Technician 2018  winner Shaun Miller and runner up Matthew Pestridge on their achievements in the 2018 competition.

Andy Savva – ‘The Garage Inspector’ – has become Schaeffler’s first UK Brand Ambassador.   Andy has been supporting Schaeffler’s REPXPERT team by presenting at various trade fairs and training events over recent months, sharing his expertise on building up a workshop brand and profile, while also offering tips and best practice techniques on how to make a business profitable.   Following a positive and successful start to their working relationship, Andy has now accepted an invitation to become an official ‘Brand Ambassador’, which he described as “overwhelming”.   On being offered the role, he said: “To be associated with a leading global brand, like Schaeffler, a company that I trusted for its quality of components during my years owning and running workshops, the opportunity was one that I simply couldn’t turn down.   “I am very proud; over the years, I have endorsed the use of original equipment parts, so I am a perfect match for Schaeffler. I have a passion for helping the independent sector, and this new role will only help my ambition of achieving that.”   Because of his familiarity with the workshop business, Andy will be mainly focused on supporting the REPXPERT team, as well as conducting various media duties. REPXPERT users will also be able to redeem bonus points to enrol on one of his one-day business courses held at various UK locations throughout the year.   In a message to technicians, he said: “We are here to help, guide and assist REPXPERT users. The challenges of running a workshop today, and in the future, are huge; therefore, this is a unique partnership, which will enable all users to not only access excellent technical training, but also benefit from my business acumen on the same platform”   Schaeffler Managing Director, Nigel Morgan, said: “Andy is a familiar face to most vehicle technicians, who appreciate the fact that he has been there, done that and got the T-shirt to prove it.

Progress Recruitment Solutions (UK) Ltd is working with the Independent Garage Association (IGA) to make their MOT Tester training courses more accessible to automotive technicians throughout England and Wales.

The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has voiced its support for a campaign by the Intellectual Property Office (IPO), to raise awareness about the risks posed by counterfeit car parts. This comes as various seizures of counterfeit car parts and accessories have occurred in the UK in the past two years.

An annual survey of 1,000 car owners conducted by The Motor Ombudsman has revealed that consumers have an increasingly favourable perception of the vehicle service and repair sector when compared to the same period last year. The study showed that 51% of respondents enjoyed a positive experience, versus 44% in 2017, whilst 39% of individuals expressed a neutral view in 2018 compared to 45% 12 months earlier.

Working age people in the motor industry are contacting Ben in increasing numbers due to financial concerns and mental health challenges according to the charity’s Impact Report for 2017-18 87% of those who contact the organisation to discuss low income, anxiety and depression are in work, according to the latest issue of the annual study.

Independent Garage Association (IGA) member  Car Services Ltd in Grimsby is one of three garages that recently received a 100% score by the AA Garage guide, the provider of online bookings, Patrol referrals and the ‘Certified Garage Programme’.

VLS (the Verification of Lubricant Specifications), the trade body which provides a means to verify lubricant specifications,  has welcomed Comline Auto Parts Ltd and Motaquip as its newest members. 

Recent investment has provided Klarius with increased manufacturing capacity for automotive OEM and aftermarket emission control products including exhausts, CATs and DPFs.

ZF Aftermarket has announced that its UK warehousing and office facility at Crick, Northampton has received certification against the latest environmental management standard: ISO14001:2015 – ahead of the September 2018 deadline. Using this standard will improve resource efficiency, reduce waste and drive down costs. In addition, the 96,000 sq ft site has been recertified for OHSAS18001:2007 Occupational Health and Safety standard.

WAI product has begun leaving Bognor Regis and arriving at Marathon Warehouse Distribution’s national distribution centre in Redditch and a 14-branch network throughout the UK.

Wendy Williamson, chief executive of the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF), has been re-elected to the Board and made Treasurer of FIGIEFA, and was also recently named in the shortlist for the 2018 Autocar 100 Great British Women awards, which recognise the most influential British women in the global car industry.

BM Catalysts has welcomed the Department for Transport (DfT) decision to reiterate the strict requirements for selling catalytic converters and Diesel Particulate Filters (DPFs) into the UK. The firm believes it will help reduce the number of non-compliant products being sold and subsequently fitted in the UK market.The DfT also advises that DPFs cannot be sold for Euro 5 vehicles without the required homologation to meet European standards.

Autoelectro has released a ‘behind the scenes’ video, filmed at its Bradford HQ.
 
The two-and-a-half-minute video offers a comprehensive guide to the remanufacturing process, from stripping down the old core all the way through to packaging and distributing the remanufactured component in Autoelectro’s bright red box.
 
Managing Director, Tony Bhogal provides insightful commentary and is the man in-front of the camera. He explains how the business has developed over three decades, which includes an emphasis on product development, technical information and recruiting expert auto-electricians and fuel injection engineers. He also clears up any confusion between remanufacturing and reconditioning.
 
Tony said: “I was proud to let in the cameras into our home and showcase a warehouse that continues to expand and homes some of the best remanufacturing and testing equipment. Our family of staff members buy into our business philosophy of ‘fit and forget’, which allows us to produce and distribute quality products and fulfil a 100% order rate.
 
“Our recent ISO standard reaccreditation strengthens our position in the marketplace, and our doors are always open to those that want to visit a professional and efficient company on top of its game.”
 
The video can be found on Autoelectro’s website: http://www.autoelectro.co.uk/autoelectro-behind-scenes

With a growing number of workshops becoming increasingly reliant on their Hunter wheel servicing equipment for profit maximisation, equipment supplier Pro-Align has launched a new, industry leading aftersales response commitment.

TRICO won a dramatic penalty shootout to win The TRICO Cup at The TRICO Stadium, despite the media opposition staging a magnificent second-half comeback.   Aftermarket Editor Alex Wells played in defence for the media squad, which included members of the trade press, consumer press and regional press, playing as a team for the first time.

NGK distributors in Scotland have been competing in the ignition specialist’s 2018 golf day which was held this year in Perthshire.

More than 10,000 people visited Automechanika Birmingham 2018, as the event looks forward to 2019 and beyond.

The SMMT today (Tuesday 26 June)  called for swifter progress on Brexit and a deal that, as a minimum, maintains customs union membership and delivers single market benefits.

Top Garage 2018 has named its winner. Cedar Garage of Worthing was identified as the best business in the brand new competition, which launched this year.

Berkshire-based mechanic Shaun Miller has been named as Top Technician 2018, identifying him as the best garage professional in the UK.

WAIglobal has reached a national distribution agreement with Marathon Warehouse Distribution to supply a full range of WAI branded products to motor factors on a same day delivery service through Marathon’s expanding distribution centre network. As part of the agreement, Marathon’s 14 branch network will stock WAI’s 2,500 starter motors and alternators, clutch pulleys, 400+ ignition coils,121 MAF sensors, 56 wiper motors and 2,800 window regulators.

Pro-Align has launched a new logo designed to reflect a number of changes and enhancements being made throughout the business.

NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd has named Mark Peacock its Salesman of the Year 2018.

Automechanika Birmingham 2018  is now less than a week away and the anticipation is palpable as the clock ticks towards the opening on Tuesday (5 June).

The Garage Inspector a.k.a industry consultant Andy Savva has announced a number of one-day business training course dates.

 Top Garage 2018’s finalists have been named.

The future is bright for the automotive sector thanks to emerging technologies  according to The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI).

As the UK looks forward to this summer’s major sporting event, TMD Friction is putting together an international “Team Textar,” and participants can win prizes as well as have fun.

Top Technician 2018’s finalists have been named following the Top Technician 2018 semi final,  held at the RMI Academy of Skills in Southam yesterday (Thursday 10 May).

With the updated MOT test due to go live from 20 May,  up to 4,000 garages may still be waiting for a new diesel smoke meter (DSM) or software update needed to conform to the new rules.

Braidwood Auto Services, a South Lanarkshire-based Servicesure Autocentre, has been awarded Car Leasing Bargain’s ‘Best Newcomer Award’, just five months after joining the network.

The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has appointed Terry Knox as its new Vice President.

John Batten from Auto iQ and Dave Massey from ADS Automotive will be setting the bar high as headline speakers for the Top Technician-Top Garage Gala Dinner, taking place on Saturday 23 June at Brampton Heath Golf Centre in Northamptonshire

The automotive aftermarket is in a good position as it moves into mid 2018 according to Garage Equipment Association (GEA) Chief Executive Dave Garratt, speaking at the GEA Annual Dinner 2018 last night (24 April).

The Independent Garage Association (IGA) has published a study of consumer facing websites that provide work to independent garages for a fee.

Launch UK is reminding technicians of the importance of carrying out regular fluid and filter changes at 75,000 miles, or 50,000 miles for vehicles used in arduous conditions.

ELTA Automotive Ltd is launching two new brands,  VISIONPRO and VXPRO, at Automechanika Birmingham in June as the centrepiece of its 25th anniversary celebrations.

The Parts Alliance’s ‘City Brakes’ promotion, which runs until the end of April,  has found some of the 25 garages set to win luxury trips to top European cities.

'Sweeping change’ was the focus at the most recent Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) industry briefing, held at Phocas Business Intelligence Software in Coventry on 15 March.

Tickets are now available for the Top Technician/Top Garage Gala Dinner 2018 being held at the Brampton Heath Golf Centre, Northamptonshire on Saturday 23 June.

Colleagues, friends and associates are paying tribute to the life and career of one of the UK aftermarket’s most colourful characters, Alec Morgan, following his untimely death recently.  

Autoinform LIVE is back in Scotland over  the weekend of 14-15 April. 

Kathryn Beaurain, marketing director of Pro-Align was recently recognised by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) for her ongoing support of the IMI Skill Auto competitions. Receiving one of just five awards presented at the IMI’s Annual Dinner on 7 March, Kathryn received the award for her Contribution to the Work of the IMI, having supported the industry’s Skill Auto competitions for the last six years.