No overdue fees: Aftermarket opens digital library

Published: 23 April, 2020

For technicians looking for reading matter in lockdown, Aftermarket magazine has made almost half a decade’s worth of previous editions available on its website.

Four years’ worth of back-issues have been made available online – for the first time. While many subscribers take up the option of Aftermarket’s digital issue, and each digital issue is also made available at www.aftermarketonline.net it is usually only available for the month of publication.

Now, every issue published since the end of 2016 is available to be read in our digital archive. Each is chock-full of fascinating technical and business articles from a host of top names in the sector. Across the span of time represented in this digital library, you will find articles from major names like Frank Massey, James Dillon, Peter Coombes, Andy Savva, Neil Pattemore, Barnaby Donohew, Andrew Marsh and John Batten and many more.

There are also articles from Top Technician winners Karl Weaver, Shaun Miller and Neil Currie, as well as many articles featuring the Top Technician and Top Garage winners. There are also fascinating pieces provided by major companies like Snap-on, Euro Car Parts, and Dayco. You can also read about how many of these companies run via our Day In The Life articles.

All this and more can be found in the Aftermarket digital library. To visit, go to www.pmps-digital.com/aft/

Autotech Recruit drops recruitment fees on permanent positions
Autotech Recruit is waiving its recruitment fees on permanent positions for the next three months with a view to helping the aftermarket return to full strength.
TRW's 'True Originals'
ZF Aftermarket is looking to help garages boost their digital marketing. With this in mind, the latest episode in the long-running TRW ‘True Originals’ campaign provides some tips on digital marketing tools and analytics, with the idea being to help garages modernise their communication techniques.

As the company points out, digitalisation within the industry is increasing at a fast rate. Statistics showing the rising amount of time customers spend online, and how online reviews influence purchasing decisions, should be taken very seriously. ZF Aftermarket is suggesting workshops should adapt their communications accordingly.

According to Ben Smart, Global Marketing Director ZF Aftermarket, businesses can increase sales and customer loyalty through digital marketing and social media, without the need to spend a lot of money: “By 2020, an entire generation, Generation C for ‘connected’, will have grown up in a digital world immersed in an online culture and well versed in social networking methodology. Furthermore, figures show that by next year the average person will be spending 84 minutes a day watching videos online.”
Russ Stanley, Director of Revolution Porsche based in Brighouse, West Yorkshire is featured in a video as part of the campaign. Russ explains how through early adoption of digital marketing he increased loyalty and managed to promote business growth: “Our interactive website means that customers can contact us outside of working hours, and social media has allowed us to grow far more quickly and easily. Every time we send an e-mail we ask our customers to follow us so it’s really easy to organically build up a good database. Sharing links to forums, exhibitions and other websites, together with engaging and relevant information about our team enables customers to interact.

“We also practice video servicing logging, where we send videos to our customers so they can actually see what work their vehicle needs – a good way of sharing information that really builds trust and confidence. Digital marketing costs very little other than your time, but the reach and rewards can be fantastic.”

The video can be found on #ORIGINALWORKSHOPS – a hub of advice, tips, videos and more. New web-based essays include:

What is digital marketing and how can it benefit your workshop?
“Be primed for digital revolution” says IAAF
Wendy Williamson, Chief Executive of the Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) will be taking to the stage of the Aftermarket Seminar Theatre at Automechanika Birmingham next month in order to discuss the challenges faced by the aftermarket in the digital era.
Comline brake pad copper-free cred confirmed
Comline’s brake pads have received an Automotive Aftermarket Suppliers Association (AASA) ‘N’ rating, confirming that the brand’s pads contain less than 0.5% of copper by weight.The rating permits the brand to use the AASA LeafMark ‘N’ icon in promoting its range of all makes brake pads.The AASA LeafMark will be included on Comline promotional material in going forward.
OESAA offering 3,000 free garage packs
The Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association (OESAA) is offering garages the chance to get one of 3,000 free ‘Back on Track’ packs of workshop essentials to UK independent garages, on a first-come, first-served basis.