TEXA is the latest company to join the rush on air con training ahead of the start of F-gas regulations.

CATALYTIC converter manufacturer BM Catalysts has joined the TecDoc CATALOG electronic parts system.

THE GARAGE Equipment Association (GEA) is preparing to publish a guide to lifting equipment as part of its on-going crack down on workshop safety.

PICO Technology has announced more training dates to help repairers get the latest knowledge of scope-based fault-finding.

The hose clip company has created a workshop pack which, as the name makes fairly obvious, is a collection of hose clips designed specially for workshops.

Three new CarPlan packet wipes join the existing range of car care products, designed for 'on-the-go, no fuss cleaning'.

Distributor FAI Automotive has attempted to revitalise its image with new packaging for its timing belt kits, sold under the FAI Auto Parts brand.

The latest 2010 brake caliper catalogue is out now from Brake Engineering and, according to the company, it contains the widest range of calipers in the UK aftermarket.

Motorbike spark plugs are increasingly replicating their high-temperature cousins fitted to passenger cars, says NGK. The company says there is an on-going trend towards "hotter, automotive-style plugs" as the drive to reduce emissions hits motorbikes too. Hotter plugs can also enhance idle stability.

The RMI is offering a series of open evenings, specifically designed to help tackle the business development, and technical requirements, of independent garages.

ACCESSORIES company Mountney has signed a distribution deal for the Auto Freeze system - an air con device that gets round F-gas regulations.

EURO Car Parts has become an official distributor of Snap-on Equipment's John Bean range of garage equipment.

INJECTOR diagnostics firm ASNU has begun a three-year campaign aimed at getting VMs to include checks on injector efficiency in their standard service schedules.

EURO Car Parts has denied a story that it is for sale at a price of £250 million.

A next generation, low viscosity synthetic engine oil for use in both petrol and diesel passenger cars joins ACDelco's existing range of synthetic, mineral and transmission gear oils.

This wiper arm puller has been designed to make your life that bit easier when faced with a wiper arm that won't budge.

This poster, available to workshops and factors, has been designed to remind technicians of the need to replace the steering rack and pump together. It can also be used to demonstrate to customers how to avoid unnecessary costs in the future.

Deals on over 300 products can be found in the SIP Spring Promotion that runs until June 30th.

The parts identification system has been updated to make it easier and quicker to find the right replacement part.

S&B AUTOMOTIVE Academy has launched an apprentice agency scheme to help garages hire staff at limited cost.

MOTOR Codes is targeting motorists with a checklist it claims will help them decide if their garage is a quality outfit or a "rusty rip-off".

ANDY Morgan has been appointed national sales manager for Varta batteries, the UK subsidiary of Johnson Controls.

THE BOSS of the Automechanika aftermarket exhibition expects the show to match 2008 visitor and exhibitor figures despite the global financial crisis.

PARTS distributor Optimal has completed preparations to enter the UK aftermarket with a warehousing facility in the UK and logistics centre in Germany.

A valve activation tool joins the TRW easycheck service range of tools, in preparation of all new cars to market from 2012 having Tyre Pressure Monitoring Systems (TPMS's) fitted as standard.

This device lets you convert a conventional cordless, electric or pneumatic drill into a blind rivet gun. Frost says it can set up to 14 rivets per minute - which is about twice what could be done using hand tools.

The latest Pro XL Recoil kit contains a combined tap wrench and installation tool for repairing threads on wheel bolts, spark plugs, brake calipers, oil sumps and drain plugs.

This tamperproof cap locks onto the existing dust cap of a R-134a system so if the vehicle returns to your workshop with the caps broken, you can then decide whether you trust the third party has serviced the system with the correct refrigerant, lubricant and additives.

In a bid to convince you why you should invest in its new Geolite 3D wheel aligner, Snap-on did a bit of research into potential returns on investment.

VAN service work is one of the biggest growth areas in the aftermarket - and one workshops should be exploiting - according to Euro Car Parts boss Sukhpal Singh.

FUEL Parts UK has completed a deal with British manufacturer Raicam Clutch to supply AP branded clutch kits and slave cylinders.

THE Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has launched a voluntary accreditation scheme for managers within the industry akin to the successful Automotive Technician Accreditation (ATA) scheme.

BRAKING brand Ferodo has recruited Frank Massey to star in its latest training video.

DELPHI has relaunched its apprenticeship programme, claiming garages could make £71,000 profit over three years.

Like all air con units from equipment firm Tecalemit, this fully-automatic air con service unit comes with a high-side coupler which incorporates a purge valve to ensure no refrigerant is lost to the atmosphere. As a result, it's fully compliant with the latest F-gas regulations.

WORKWEAR company Dickies has put £25,000 worth of prizes, including a new car, up for grabs to the winner of its UK Worker of the Year competition.

rong>The bods at Tetrosyl have obviously been busy recently with 3 new oils to choose from.

STEERING and suspension parts firm Meyle has spelt out its plan to take on the UK market.

This latest light acts as a dual-function day and night lamp. It can be used as a Daytime Running Lamp (DRL) in the day and an extra styling lamp once darkness descends.

SNAP-on is celebrating the attendance of the 25,000th paying attendee at its TechEd workshop seminars.

HELLA will launch a new addition to its Mega Macs range of diagnostic tools at the Automechanika exhibition in Germany this year.

Hella has extended its choice of Varta batteries for cars and commercial vehicles. The company now stocks Varta units alongside its own Hella Power range.

Designed to prevent overfilling and wasted fuel from spills, this device automatically shuts off when the tank is full.

DIAGNOSTIC firm Autologic has bolstered its technical support with the appointment of three further staff to its BMW and VAG teams.

A choice of fused battery-earth straps for Ford Transits are now available from Unipart.  From 2000 to 2006, all Transits were fitted with a fused negative earth strap. This can easily blow if a van is started in gear or has a faulty starter motor causing too much current to flow. "As a result, all power is lost until the blow earth strap is replaced," says Unipart.

The latest software is out now for TRW's hand-held service tool. It contains 235 new vehicle applications across 11 VMs ranging from Alfa Romeo and Fiat through to Renault and Volvo.

rong>A wide choice of tools and special offers are available in tool company Sealey’s Spring Promotion catalogue, which is out now. Unlike previous years, the 2010 promotion has been extended until 31st May.

Draper Tools has launched the 2010/11 edition of its main tools catalogue. The 724-page publication features more than 8,000 product lines and is available in a handy A5 format, as well as the traditional A4 size.

The company is enhancing its choice of test kits with 6 new units added to the range. The most common is the 30855 version designed for European cars.

BSI is claiming an initial victory in an on-going court case over its Kitemark scheme for body shops based on the PAS 125 standards.