May 2015

May 2015

AUTOCARE TRADE SHOW MARKS 10 YEAR MILESTONE WITH RECORD ATTENDANCE ..Read more on page 10

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AutoCare Sizzling Summer Giveaway 2015

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The Latest Promotions From Approved Suppliers

68

Power Maxed Racing Unveil 2015 BTCC Livery

RoofBox Cargo 320 • 300L

RoofBox Cargo 450 • 420L

Classic Steel Roof Bars • 1 or 2 piece system

ReadyFit Aluminium Roof Bars • Attaches to factory fitted integrated or flush roof rails

TowVoyage Tow Ball Mounted Platform Carrier • Holds 1 - 4 bikes (60kg max)

RoofSpin Roof Mount Cycle Carrier • Holds 1 bike (15kg max)

Mesh Headrest Mounted Dog Guard • Safe easy set up

Adjustable Tubular Dog Guard • Suitable for larger dogs

Speak to your local FPS Representative for more information

The policy of FPS is one of continual improvement. Consequently we reserve the right to amend or withdraw any offers without prior notice. All offers are available whilst stocks last and subject to availability. All prices exclude VAT. Free delivery is subject to terms and conditions and applies to UK mainland only. Pictures shown are for illustrative purposes only and may not be representative of actual products or vehicles. FPS is not endorsed by or connected with any vehicle manufacturer stated.

CONTACTS | MAY 2015

GROUPAUTO TEAM

PURCHASING

GARAGE NETWORKS

Managing Director Jim Mazza 01274 654601

Supplier Managers

AutoCare Network Manager Maria McCullough 07860 439171

Commercial Director Operations Bob Ackroyd 01274 654604

Ian Grünewald 01274 654616

AutoCare Co-ordinators Caroline Hoy Julie Mavin 01274 654605

James Graham 01274 654611

Financial Director John Coombes

Michael Bridge 01274 473183

Treasury Manager Simon Dawson 01274 654613

Commercial Manager - Retail & Refinish Steven Westerman 01274 654607

Finance Assistant Victoria Battye 07881 289744

Pricing

Approved Garages Administrative Assistant Donna Wilde 01274 473182

Pricing/Data Analyst Paul Westhorpe 01274 654608

G-LOGIX

Accounts Manager Vanessa Main 07880 231494 Office Manager Gill Miles 01274 654600

SALES TEAM Commercial Manager - G-Truck Martin Sangster 07920 573548 Commercial Manager - Sales Toby Whewell 07867 359634 Business Development Managers Mike McIntyre - South Wales & N.I 07739 429167 Phil Weller - North West and M62 corridor 07834 342980 Zak Oades - South West 07917 252526 Michael Howe - North East & Scotland 07876 880496 Stacey Eade - South East, London & East Anglia 07734 292620

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MARKETING DEPARTMENT Commercial Manager - Marketing Chris Chaplin 07780 484397 Promote-It Marketing Manager Catherine Thompson 07557 393966 Marketing Executives Stacey Dockerty Krysty Sheard 01274 654609

Marketing & Design Executives Jonny Swales Rebecca Blessington

BUREAU

Approved Garages Network Manager Phil Seymour 07741 241855

Distribution Centre Manager Andy Preston 01274 854210 07734 292629 Operations Support Manager Gavin Maddison 01274 854212 Admin Peter Limbert admindc@groupauto.co.uk Goods In 01274 854215 Shipping Office 01274 854217 Inventory Controller Andy Parratt 01274 473180

G-Logix Telesales Bureau Supervisor Michelle McGowan 01274 654606 Administrators Andrea McCann Susan Mullin

Sean Barnie - Midlands 07587 035191

Published By: GROUPAUTO Union UK & Ireland Ltd To submit articles or any comments, letters or feedback please email marketing@groupauto.co.uk or contact: Chris Chaplin - Commercial Manager - Marketing

Colette Emery 01274 854212 Web Administrator Riad Gazi Email Addresses: Email addresses for all colleagues follow the same format which is firstname.secondname@groupauto.co.uk

Production Team: Editor: Chris Chaplin Design & Layout: Jonny Swales The Publisher and its staff cannot accept responsibility for inaccurate statements made by advertisers or contributors to the publication. The views and opinions expressed are those of the advertiser or contributor concerned.

INFORM MAY 2015

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CONTENTS

CONTENTS | MAY 2015

CONTACTS

INDUSTRY NEWS

3 GROUPAUTO Team

27 Boswell Aftermarket 29 TecAlliance

WELCOME NOTE

31 IAAF 33 BEN

56 Sogefi 57 Lucas Oils 59 FAI 61 Maypole 62 Comma

SUPPLIER FEATURES

64 Dayco

35 Mahle

66 TRW

GROUPAUTO NEWS

37 Teng Tools

68 Automotive Brands

10 AutoCare Trade Show 2015

41 Valeo

15 Advanced Motor Components Ltd

43 febi

17 AutoCare Summer Giveaway

45 Manbat

19 Crescent Motoring

46 NGK

21 Supplier Promotions

47 Granville

23 G-Logix

49 WAIglobal

9 Jim Mazza

SUPER SAVERS

65 Autoelectro

39 DENSO

Super Savers provides a great opportunity to promote the ever-increasing product range available from G-Logix.

Sound Bites 70

APRIL 2015

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7 Dates for your diary

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Features: • Features 3 different LED light modes - amber flashing, static and a central amber white LED light with 16 LEDS • Central magnet for attaching to the vehicle in an emergency breakdown situation or

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White Centrefeed 125m x 190mm Roll

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For more information about Super Savers speak to your BDM or email marketing@groupauto.co.uk

• Forms a flexible weatherproof skin • Apply to the insides of doors, behind sills and chassis and anywhere that water is likely to collect AXC00101

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INFORM MAY 2015

©2014 Delphi Automotive Systems PLC. All rights reserved.

Not Just Brakes.

Delphi Brakes.

We believe that how a vehicle stops is just as important as how it moves. That’s why all our braking products are designed and manufactured to meet the same standards of performance, reliability, and longevity as the OE. For quality you can trust, fit Delphi. delphiautoparts.com

DIARY DATES | MAY 2015

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DATES FOR YOUR DIARY > 1 May

June Inform insertion deadline

Bureau direct debit dates:

Editorial and advert deadline.

January 2015 balances – 31 March 2015

> 15-18 May 2015

GROUPAUTO Spring Event

February 2015 balances – 30 April 2015

Portugal.

March 2015 balances – 29 May 2015

> 2 October 2015

GROUPAUTO Trade Show & Gala Dinner

Liverpool Exhibition Centre, Liverpool.

April 2015 balances – 30 June 2015

Supplier rebate payment dates: Quarter 4 2014 – 6 February 2015 Quarter 1 2015 – 8 May 2015 Quarter 2 2015 – 7 August 2015 Quarter 3 2015 – 6 November 2015 Please note that these will only change if several significant suppliers fail to provide rebate information in time.

GROUPAUTO BRANDING Full GROUPAUTO branding not only transforms the look of your premises, vans and staff clothing, but also aligns your business with the international group brand.

For more information speak to your BDM or email marketing@groupauto.co.uk

INFORM MAY 2015

WELCOME NOTE | MAY 2015

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WELCOME

I’M A MAN ON A MISSION The general election in the UK has run its course and although I won’t comment on the outcome, I would like to draw parallels with our wonderful automotive aftermarket and the election campaigning.

I was struck very early on in the process how vitriolic the campaigning was with personal attacks on individual politician’s integrity, with the whole pitch to voters based on promises of ‘jam tomorrow’ apparently ignoring the reality of past performance and painting a picture of what might be in the future and all accusing each other of hidden agendas playing on the fear of the populace.

All the above conducted in an arena of uncertainty with a far from certain outcome of the result.

Our independent aftermarket is broadly similar.

Where there was stability there is now uncertainty, where there was once a degree of ethics there is now a culture of misdirection and misinformation, where decisions were made on track record and pedigree we see the introduction of ‘spin’, where once the market sold on the quality of their offer, we see a growing trend of denigrating the competition as the sales pitch and where there were once clear leaders the landscape has changed and there is uncertainty.

This confused state of affairs will settle in time and as the market continues to consolidate it should already be obvious to the combatants who the likely winners and losers will be. But even once that reality is recognised there are still challenges to be faced, with new allegiances formed through necessity and old hatchets buried and humble pie eaten in varying quantities.

Where should distribution businesses seek safe shelter? In a group that continues to operate as it did ten years ago or one that is proven to adapt to the new environment? In a group that

is stable and growing in size or one without the benefit of volumes running the risk of losing members as they are acquired by a competitor or where members see the light and move group?

To me the answers are obvious, but falling prey to the gossip and mischief, clinging to the past and resisting change is something that is endemic in our industry.

The most interesting conundrum for me is that of our suppliers, as relationships built on golf, skiing trips and different types of “hospitality” are being rendered redundant. Over the past few years we have seen a number of industry leaders sell their businesses and move on and the new owners bringing in their own people with fresh ideas. To that extent the landscape has already changed, so there is a need to change the culture of our industry and forge new relationships built on professionalism and integrity.

Who should suppliers be backing? I wouldn’t be so arrogant as to tell them how to do their jobs as I’ve enough to concern myself with in doing mine, but I would give them a clue.

If there was a stand-out business with massive volumes, that had grown the volumes to six times that of eleven years ago, which behaves ethically, which guarantees payment and pays on time every time, that is low risk, that has resource both financial and in terms of quality people to further invest and that will grow to the detriment of their competition, would that not be of interest?

We are all looking to earn a living, competition isn’t some personal vendetta (although I think my views are[n’t?] shared by all!) and I’m not looking to criticise any competitor but the reality of today is that GROUPAUTO has delivered consistent growth, is well placed to continue along that path and will succeed. Our past history and current performance clearly demonstrates that we should be ignored at the industry’s peril.

From a supplier perspective this will come at a cost. Whereas historical trading terms reflect historical volumes there is an expectation of a paradigm shift from which there is no hiding place. We expect that terms to the members of our group are relative to our size and as businesses move between groups the reality is that we will be the first to know if that’s not the case.

I would compliment those suppliers who have recognised and acknowledged the size and quality of our group and wonder how those that are yet to do so are going to extricate themselves from a problem of their own making.

A message to suppliers using a quotation from Peter McWilliams (an American self-help author who advocated for the legalization of marijuana) “Acceptance is not a state of passivity or inaction. Acceptance is, in fact, the first step to successful action. If you don't fully accept a situation precisely the way it is, you will have difficulty changing it. Moreover, if you don't fully accept the situation, you will never really know if the situation should be changed.”

I hope that’s not too deep for some.

Jim Mazza Managing Director, UK Trading Groups INFORM MAY 2015

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MAY 2015 | GROUPAUTO NEWS

AUTOCARE MARKS 10TH ANNIVERSARY WITH A MEMORABLE TRADE SHOW & CONFERENCE TO MARK THE 10TH ANNIVERSARY OF THE AUTOCARE GARAGE PROGRAMME, THE ANNUAL TRADE SHOW AND CONFERENCE HAD TO BE SPECIAL. THE ARENA MK WAS SELECTED FOR ITS CENTRAL LOCATION AND THE NUMEROUS ONSITE FACILITIES IT BOASTS; A 2,500 SQ. METRE TRADE HALL, AMPLE DINING FACILITIES AND LINKED TO THE DOUBLETREE BY HILTON HOTEL, MILTON KEYNES. On its debut year at this brand new arena the expectations were high following the success of the 2014 show. In the exhibition hall, independent garage owners and staff mingled with over 85 approved supplier exhibitors, showcasing the very best new products and practice in the aftermarket industry. The opportunities afforded by the advance of automotive technology were everywhere on display.

There was a real buzz about the hall and it was obvious that there had been significant investment made by the exhibiting suppliers to put on some impressive stand displays and provide plenty of opportunity for interactive participation. Many stands were also running on-the-day offers and competitions, giving away some fantastic prizes. In particular the Approved Garages’ 9-dart challenge was extremely popular; it involved launching Velcro darts at a giant inflatable dart board to win tickets to the Betway Premier League Darts Final and a signed dart board. But it was harder than it looked as many tried but failed to beat Alastair Ratcliffe’s from Express Motor Factors highest score of 339.

For the second consecutive year the trade show has surpassed expectations and broken even last year’s amazing record for the number of on-the-day delegates with over 750 delegates attending the show. This is testament to the hard work of the Autocare team and business development managers in encouraging members and their garages to attend and make use of what the show has to offer.

This year’s show was very much about the potential of technology, and not only on the trade show floor. Training providers eXponenia and ADS, as well as exhibiting in the main trade hall, were also running technical seminars

INFORM MAY 2015

throughout the day, which delegates were able to attend for free. In the first seminar of the day David Massey of ADS inspired the audience with a presentation focusing on online marketing for independent garages. A seminar by eXponentia later in the day highlighted the increasing complexity of downsized engines, and the need for independent garages to keep abreast of rapid developments in both engine technology and the environmental legislation that was driving it.

As the trade show drew to a close delegates made their way to the DoubleTree Hotel Ballroom for the AutoCare annual conference and awards.

As the accent of the show was on the opportunities advancing technology can deliver, Jim Mazza, Managing Director of UK Trade Groups for Alliance Automotive opened the conference by showing a video of the first commercial drone delivery by FPS in the UK, which involved GROUPAUTO member Brakeline.

This was followed by a warning about the misuse of technology by those who would seek to deny motorists the right to choose where they take their cars for repair and servicing.

His target was the mandatory introduction of eCall (automatic emergency call) and the threat posed by closed proprietary systems in which manufacturers control access to a vehicle’s technical data.

Jim then handed over to Maria McCullough, Network Manager for the AutoCare programme, who updated the audience on the UK garage numbers as well as information on the upcoming summer promotion for AutoCare garages, "This year, customers will have the opportunity to win a Citroen DS3 Cabrio as well as 55 other prizes and then for the first time this year every garage

will be entered into a draw to win a Citroen C1 branded courtesy car."

Maria also announced the detail on new technical training courses that have been added to the 2015 calendar as well as profit clinic courses now available through Mike Owen from Tasc Partners. All these courses will be available at the 43 regional venues across the UK. Finally, Maria concluded with an update on the Approved Garages stats and website hits including a highlight on the Betway Premier League Darts sponsorship, as well as previous sponsorships with European superbantamweight champion Gavin McDonnell, the BTCC and the Rugby League Magic Weekend.

Maria handed over to guest speaker Robert Stevens of Delphi who explained the promise of telematics for the independent garage owner.

“Imagine being able to remotely monitor the state of a vehicle,” Stevens explained, “so you know as much as your customer – and often more – about its repair and servicing requirements. And imagine the increase in customer loyalty that such an intuitive system would inevitably bring.”

Also in conference, was guest speaker Laurence Harrison of Digital Radio UK who outlined the potential opportunities for garage owners arising from the rapidly accelerating switch to digital radio.

Although these seemingly exciting developments in technology are on the horizon, the underlying message was such that despite the many obvious benefits that advancing technology can deliver to the industry; it needed to be closely monitored.

GROUPAUTO NEWS | MAY 2015

THE AWARDS

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bingo; Roy Blundell from Autoquip Midlands and Mark from Automoto Tyre & Exhaust walked away with a Sonos speaker and an iPad Mini respectively, but more importantly everyone who took part helped raise £3500 for three special charities, which was rounded up to £5000 by GROUPAUTO. The monies raised will be donated to Derbyshire Air Ambulance, Cancer Research UK and Zoe’s Place Baby Hospice.

A record 107 Master Technician plaques were presented to those who had completed the relevant eXponentia training courses and reached Master Technician status.

Co-ordinator of the Year Award Runners up - Broad Street Motors

Winner – Neil Milberry of MotorCare Motor Factors Ltd in Abergavenny, Wales Runners up - Millennium MOT Centre Ltd

Sab Fazal of G L Motor Factors Ltd in Bolton, Greater Manchester was named runner-up.

Garage of the Year Award

Runners up - AAK Auto Services Broad Street Motors in Pontypool, Millennium MOT Centre Ltd in Newcastle and last year’s winner AAK Auto Services in Kent were close runners up.

The conference was then rounded off with a special presentation to recognise the loyalty and commitment of the AutoCare garages that joined the programme back when it began in 2005.

These garages were welcomed to the stage to collect their anniversary plaques as a thank you from the AutoCare team past and present for being part of the programme for 10 years.

Winner - Earby Autos Ltd in Earby, Lanchashire

After the conference guests that were staying the night, made the quick change into their evening attire and met back in the Ballroom for the finale, the gala dinner. After being welcomed at the pre-dinner drinks reception guests sat down to a 3-course meal and complementary drinks followed perfectly by a game of charity stand up sit down bingo, music and lots of dancing. The winners of the stand-up sit down

INFORM MAY 2015

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MAY 2015 | GROUPAUTO NEWS

INFORM MAY 2015

GROUPAUTO NEWS | MAY 2015

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INFORM MAY 2015

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MAY 2015 | GROUPAUTO NEWS

PRE-SHOW GOLF DAY

4-ball Stapleford Competition sponsored by APEC

On Thursday 16th April, a pre-show Golf Day was held for suppliers, members and garage delegates at the nearby Abbey Hill Golf Centre. In addition to the supplier sponsored competitions the golf centre were running a ‘Hole in One’ competition at the 3rd hole for the chance to win £25,000. Unfortunately nobody walked away £25,000 richer but there were smiles on the faces of the following golfers as they walked away winners of the Nearest the Pin, the Longest Drive and the 4-ball Stapleford competitions.

Nearest the Pin sponsored by Delphi The winning team John Coombes (Alliance Automotive), Vaughan Wetherill (Alliance Automotive), Ian Walsh (Dorset Autospares) and Peter Hill (Dorset Autospares) Prize: Wine selection and golf gifts Foot Golf was a new competition for 2015

Marc Read from (Involution) Prize: Tom Tom Sat Nav Longest Drive sponsored by SMPE

The winning team Angelo Arnone, Lewis Selby, Jason Hodges and Tim Clement enjoyed their prize of a football each.

The halfway house refreshments were provided

by FPS Distribution; KYB provided the golf balls and TRW supplied branded umbrellas and golf tees. Overall the golf day was a resounding success; the sun was shining, the company was great and it was thoroughly enjoyed by all who took part.

Wayne Thomas (Normag Motor Factors) Prize: Bottle of Glenmorangie Malt

INFORM MAY 2015

GROUPAUTO NEWS | MAY 2015

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ADVANCED MOTOR COMPONENTS CELEBRATES 20 YEARS IN BUSINESS ON SATURDAY 28TH MARCH, ADVANCED MOTOR COMPONENTS LTD FROM THE NORTH EAST TOWN OF HARTLEPOOL HELD A CHARITY GOLF DAY AND TRADE SHOW TO CELEBRATE THEIR 20TH ANNIVERSARY IN THE INDUSTRY. THE SUCCESS OF THE EVENING WAS TESTAMENT TO HOW FAR ADVANCE MOTOR COMPONENTS HAVE COME IN THE TWO DECADES THEY HAVE BEEN TRADING. Having been a GROUPAUTO member for 17 years they are no stranger to showcasing what makes them stand out from other motor factors.

Despite the foul weather the charity golf day at High Throston Golf Club was a great success, helping to raise £1000 for a local good cause.

been unbelievable” he said “I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the sales reps and all of my staff for giving up their weekend to attend, it is very much appreciated. Here’s to another 20 years!”

ADVANCED MOTOR COMPONENTS LTD

The trade show followed later that evening at Darlington College. Keith Robertson and the team at Advanced worked hard to attract customers to the event where over 20 of the group’s approved suppliers were showcasing exciting new products and practice. Advanced Motor Components treat the 250 attending guests to a superb hot and cold buffet, followed by a great comedian and a top class band to round the evening in the fashion it deserved.

Since the event Keith has been overwhelmed by the positive feedback he has received “It has

INFORM MAY 2015

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MAY 2015 | GROUPAUTO NEWS

Belt change imminent?

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Engine designers and vehicle manufacturers trust INA. So should you.

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Simply call the telephone hotline on 08457 001 100 (local rate) or email hfd-info@schaeffler.com www.RepXpert.com

INFORM MAY 2015

www.schaeffler-aftermarket.co.uk

GROUPAUTO NEWS | MAY 2015

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AUTOCARE SIZZLING SUMMER GIVEAWAY WITH 2014 SETTING THE BAR FOR AUTOCARE’S NATIONAL PROMOTIONS, THIS YEAR’S SUMMER GIVEAWAY HAD TO BE HUGE!

How do you garages involved?

AutoCare will send every garage a poster to display in their reception, 500 personalised leaflets to distribute in their local area, 100 rear view car mirror hangers, as well as invoice stickers to attach to every customer invoice. All they need to do is encourage their customers to go online and enter the prize draw once the work has been completed. They can even enter the draw online on behalf of the customer before they drive away.

Throughout June and July 2015, garage customers booking their car in for a Service, MOT or Repair will have the chance to win a brand new Citroën DS3 convertible. All they need to do is enter the free prize draw online at www. autocaregarages.co.uk for their chance to win.

The lucky winner will be announced on the 1st August and will become the proud owner of a stylish 15-plate Citroën DS3 DSign Cabrio with metallic paint. There will also be a whopping 55 additional prizes to be won - 10 x HP 15.6” Laptops, 15 x Samsung Sound Bars and 30 x Bosch Tassimo Vivy Hot Drinks Machines.

The promotion period will run from 1st June until 31st July inclusive. Garages will receive their marketing materials mid-May. Additional materials can be ordered through the AutoCare team, please call Caroline or Julie on 01274 654605.

C

C

Citroën DS3 Cabrio DSign

SIZZLING SUMMER GIVEAWAY Simply book your car in for an MOT, Service or Repair with a garage you can trust for your chance to WIN!

10 x HP 15.6" Laptops

15 x Samsung Sound Bars

30 x Bosch Coffee Machines

Promotional Period 1st June to 31st July 2015 Images are for illustration purposes only. T&Cs apply.

AutoCare Network Manager, Maria McCullough commented, “we are continuously trying to improve what we do for our garages and ultimately generate more business for the network. This will be the biggest give away we have ever done; a brand new Citroën DS3 Convertible with metallic paint is up for grabs, with an additional 55 prizes to be won. We are also making the prizes better for our garages too in the hope that even more will take part.”

But it doesn’t stop there, not only have AutoCare made the promotion better for customers, they’ve also made it bigger for their garages too. All garages that take part in the competition will be entered into a draw to win a fully branded Citroën C1 that they can use as a courtesy car for their garage. The garage with the most entries in each of the 11 regions will also be awarded £200 Sainsbury’s vouchers or £200 to spend on branded workwear - it’s a giveaway not to be missed.

AIBLE WOINN R E V T

A LE WOINN VERTIB

As an AutoCare garag e we are part of a well-respected network of over 6000 garages internationa lly.

FREE PRIZE DRAW ENTRY IF YOU HAVE AN MOT, SERVICE OR REPAIR COMPL ETED DURING JUNE OR JULY 2015, AT ANY AUTOCARE GARAGE. Citroën DS3 Cabrio PureTech 82 manual DSign Specification includes : • ABS with electron ic brakeforce distribu tion • Electronic stability control • Driver’s, front passeng er’s, front lateral and curtain airbags • Cruise control with speed limiter • Remote central locking with deadloc ks • LED signature – LED daytime running and chrome grille lights (DRLs), front surrounds fog lights • Chrome door handles , door sill protecto r and side rubbing • Front electric window strips s with ‘one-touch’ operation on driver’s • RDS stereo radio/M side P3 CD player with six speakers and steering

10 x HP 15.6" Laptops description

Citroën DS3 Cabrio DSign

AWAY SIZZLING SUMMER GIVE or Repair

15 x Samsung Sound description

Simply book your car in for an MOT, Service to WIN! with a garage you can trust for your chance

Bars

30 x Bosch Coffee Machine s description

Images are for illustration

HOW TO ENTER:

Your Warranty is Safe serviced by the manufacturer. you are not obliged to have your vehicle Government legislation states that AutoCare garages fit Original by us safe in the knowledge that You can have your vehicle serviced and your warranty won't be invalidated.

Equipment Matching Quality parts

purposes only. T&Cs

apply.

1. Simply call in or contact us to book your car in for an 2. Once work complete MOT, Service or Repair d, please visit www.aut during June or July ocaregarages.co.u 3. Prize draw made 2015. k to enter your details. on August 1st 2015.

4. Entries must be made before Midnigh t on 31/07/15.

INFORM MAY 2015

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MAY 2015 | GROUPAUTO NEWS

Quality is not just skin deep.

Wheel bearings with a genuine heart.

So called ‘Matching Quality’ bearing

Genuine OE FAG bearing

Shiny on the outside does not necessarily mean quality on the inside, especially if you have paid under the odds for a safety critical component such as a wheel bearing.

If you supply a component that is found to be the primary cause of an accident that results in severe injury or fatality, it could be your livelihood at stake - not just a warranty claim.

So look very closely before choosing low cost, un-branded or poor quality products. Or better still - just put your trust in the original manufacturer.

FAG. Because deep down you know that not all wheel bearings are the same.

You want more? We can help!

Simply call the telephone hotline on 08457 001 100 (local rate) or email hfd-info@schaeffler.com www.RepXpert.com

INFORM MAY 2015

www.schaeffler-aftermarket.co.uk

GROUPAUTO NEWS | MAY 2015

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AUTOCARE GARAGE CRESCENT MOTORING SERVICES HIGHLIGHT THE VALUE OF THE MOTOR CODES GARAGE SCHEME TO INDEPENDENT GARAGES CUSTOMERS TAKING THEIR CARS AND VEHICLES TO CRESCENT MOTORS, AND ALREADY BENEFITTING FROM ITS SUCCESS IN THE UK’S LEADING NATIONAL GARAGE COMPETITION WILL SOON BE GAINING FURTHER FROM ITS NEW ROLE IN A PLANNED SCHEME TO FURTHER ENHANCE CUSTOMER SERVICE. Named National Independent Garage of the Year in an annual nationwide competition run by Motor Codes, in association with Auto Express, Crescent Motors based on Wetmore Road in Burton-on-Trent, approached the organisers six months after picking up its prestigious Award, to review how the growing business could contribute to furthering the success of the competition.

that”, pointed out Burton MP, Andrew Griffiths, who joined the meeting at Motor Codes’ offices in London.

“This initiative was designed to investigate how our success could be translated into creating additional awareness and recognition for garages that are members of Motor Codes” said Crescent Motors’ Managing Director Steve Tallett.

The Motor Codes website enables drivers to find their local approved code member garage and to read independent online reviews. Currently some 14,000 ratings are posted monthly for the 8,000 garages that are registered to Motor Codes.

“The Motor Codes garage scheme, approved by the Trading Standards Institute, continues to make a valuable contribution to ensuring that garages deliver high-quality, consistent service, repair and MOT work to all drivers and improving the image of garages to all members of the public”, he continued.

“The importance of Motor Codes to every driver continues to gather momentum”, continued Steve Tallett.

Crescent Motors’ 100% customer satisfaction is derived from more than 400 customer posted reviews on the Motor Codes website which is available year round for drivers to consult and find their ‘best’ local garage.

“Motor Codes is all about ensuring the highest standards of service to motorists, and Crescent Motors are renowned across the country for just

“Winning award after national award for their quality and service demonstrates that they are one of the best garages in the country, and it is why they are seen as a shining example of what Motor Codes is all about”, Andrew continued.

The garage has devoted its own personal with significant contributions to local charities, new schemes like its Ladies' Nights providing instruction in basic car maintenance for female drivers; and its new reception, complete with toys to keep the kids amused, whilst their parent’s car is being MOT’d.

“Achieving a 100% satisfaction rating has always been our goal. We translate that into the enhanced service offered to every customer, whether they come to us for an MOT, an annual service, or just a replacement tyre”, concluded Steve Tallett.

AutoCare garages can request free return postage paid feedback forms from the AutoCare team. Contact Caroline or Julie on 01274 654605 for more information.

“Besides reflecting positively on our garage, it offers a valued signal to drivers of quality and attention paid to the repair, service or MOT of their vehicle at other Motor Codes registered garages. In that respect, it is unique, easily accessible and a highly reliable source of information that mutually benefits the garage and its customers”.

Part of Crescent Motors’ continuing success can be put down to its regular initiatives that has set it apart from its competitors and continues to enable it to maintain that position.

Crescent Motors’ Steve Tallett and Keith Green with Burton MP Andrew Griffiths

INFORM MAY 2015

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MAY 2015 | GROUPAUTO NEWS

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For Asian & American Vehicle Parts Blue Print provides the automotive aftermarket with highly accurate parts across 160 product groups including a range of over 1,400 Filters.

All Blue Print products are manufactured to OEM specification and are supported by a Three Year Unlimited Mileage Warranty.* * For full terms & conditions visit www.blue-print.com

INFORM MAY 2015 Ferdinand Bilstein UK Ltd, 9 Wheelbarrow Park, Pattenden Lane, Marden, Kent TN12 9QJ | Blue Print is a bilstein group brand

GROUPAUTO NEWS | MAY 2015

21

SUPPLIER PROMOTIONS HERE ARE THE LATEST PROMOTIONS FROM GROUPAUTO APPROVED SUPPLIERS, AVAILABLE TO OUR MEMBERS. All costs associated with running any of these supplier promotions can be claimed back from your marketing support fund (subject to a positive balance)

FREE SCREEN WASH Buy any two Triple R or Carlube 25/20 litre engine oils and get 4 x 5 litre screen wash FREE Sell-out offer to your customers - Buy any Triple R or Carlube 25/20 litre engine oil and get a 5 litre screen wash FREE Contact Tetrosyl on autosales@tetrosyl.com for full T&Cs

FREE BRAKE & PARTS CLEANER

MAY PROMOTION Buy 4 cases of

5 Litre £7.34 Hypalube Trade

5 Litre

£6.52

Part No. 0435

Part No. 0123

Buy 4 cases of Hypalube Trade Oils and receive a case of Brake & Parts Cleaner FREE*

Oils featured here to receive 1 case of Brake Cleaner 500ml FREE. (worth

5 Litre

£50

at trade)

£9.75 Part No. 0492

5 Litre

£13.50

5 Litre

Contact Granville on 01709 890099 for full T&Cs *Only available on part numbers 0123, 0435, 0492, 0198, 0924, 2593 & 1573

£9.46

Part No. 0924

Part No. 0198

ucts New Prod ● For use in DSG & DCT wet clutch systems ● Protects and extends component durability ● Controls heat build up and wear within the transmission

● Features in all Peugeot/ Citroën power steering applications from 2004 ● The only fluid recommended for the Citroën “HYDRActive 3”suspension

1 Litre

£5.64

1 Litre

Part No. 1573

£6.50 Part No. 2593

Tel: 01709 890099 Fax: 01709 891121 Email: sales@granvilleoil.com Web: www.granvilleoil.com Quality Blended In

FREE TUBE OF PRINGLES Sell-out offer to your customers - Buy a pair of KILEN Coil Springs and get a FREE tube of Pringles.

YOUR LOGO AND CONT ACT DET AILS GO HERE

THE SPRING SPECIALISTS

FREE

SPRINGLES Claim a FREE TUBE OF PRINGLES

For full T&Cs or to order your sell-out leaflets visit www.kilensprings.com/contact/groupauto.asp (leaflets must be ordered by 12th May)

WIN AN APPLE WATCH, IPAD MINI OR AN IPOD NANO EVERY FRIDAY

With ANY PAIR of Kilen

COIL SPRINGS THROUGHOUT

JUNE 2015 OFFER ENDS 30TH JUNE 2015

WIN AN APPLE WATCH, IPAD MINI OR AN IPOD NANO EVERY

FRIDAY !

Tenneco are giving away an Apple watch, an iPad Mini or an iPod Nano every Friday until 21st August.

Sell-out offer to your customers - Look out for the golden spanner on their next purchase of Walker or Monroe. Register the golden spanner’s unique code online to be in with a chance to win.

THE GOLDEN SPANNER PRIZE DRAW www.thegoldenspannerpromotion.com

www.tenneco.com www.tenneco.com T298_148x210_UK_Promotion_Flyer_04.indd 1

13/04/15 14:02

For full T&Cs or to order your sell-out leaflets contact your Tenneco Area Manager or call customer services on 0121 609 3000.

INFORM MAY 2015

22

MAY 2015 | G-LOGIX

The New BOSCH Aerotwin Plus Wiper Blades Now available to all GROUPAUTO members  New technology - Power Protection Plus  95% coverage  Patented special coating  Longer service life  Quiet wiper action

Important Update Significant reductions on ALL Bosch Wiper Blades. Available to order now at G-Logix.

INFORM MAY 2015

G-LOGIX

Order today via G-Net or online at www.G-Logix.co.uk

G-LOGIX | MAY 2015

23

G-LOGIX Q1 2015 UPDATE WHERE DID THAT FIRST QUARTER GO? THERE ARE PLENTY OF PROJECTS KEEPING US BUSY HERE AT GROUPAUTO HEAD OFFICE AND G-LOGIX IS ONE THEM. IT IS FAIR TO SAY THAT G-LOGIX HAS GOT OFF TO A FLYING START, MOVING ITS WAY UP THE PECKING ORDER TO BECOME THE THIRD LARGEST SUPPLIER TO THE GROUP. Q1 Stats - Sales up 55% on 2014, - 227 members trading - 18,177 orders placed - 49,332 parcels delivered The OE Engine Management programme is going from strength to strength, with G-Logix now being the largest supplier to the group on Air Mass Sensors, EGR Valves and Ignition Coils.

Members who have invested in the programme are benefitting from the quality of the product, resulting in low returns rates, coupled with the added value and selling power of the OE brands such as Delphi, Pierburg, Wahler and Bosch to name a few. Tailored stock packs allows members to cover their current business on Engine Management, but also highlights new opportunities by flagging up those fast moving part numbers. For more details on tailored stock packs and range detail, please contact your Business Development Manager.

Nordschleife is one of our most popular brands stocked in G-Logix; 118 members are stocking Nordschleife product, whether it be Wheel Bearings, Shock Absorbers or Water Pumps. Q1 sales were approaching the £200,000 mark, with units increasing month on month. Our private label programme provides members with the opportunity to promote and supply a unique, quality product, which looks great and is competitively priced.

Consumables and retail continue to be a key part to G-Logix’s success, providing members with a one stop shop, purchasing everything from Copper Brake Pipe to Karcher Pressure Washers, which are shortly to be introduced for this season. The ‘Deal of the Week’ provides members with substantial discounts to take advantage of, with new products being introduced to the promotion every month. Sell out material on G-Publish is created in line with every promotion so that members can simply print and distribute round their garages, to help drive business.

The new mezzanine construction is well underway and will be fully operational this month. This huge investment will create another 14,000 pick locations and provide additional floor space equating to over 1,000 sq. metres. We have a number of new ranges in development, which we hope to communicate to members in the coming months. A new presentation providing a full overview of G-Logix is now available to download from G-Source Info Hub, summarising the brands and products that are available Once again we would like to thank all the members for their support and we hope to provide you with some exciting news and additions to G-Logix very soon.

GROUPAUTO Purchasing Team

G-LOGIX

Member performance on Bosch is very positive, with sales increasing by 22% in Q1. We now have 140 members supporting and purchasing Bosch products via the warehouse. We have received positive feedback from members winning new business as a result of stocking Bosch product, supplying Bosch Car Service Centres and providing customers OE product that was previously unavailable to them. A number of developments and improvements have been made to Bosch terms over the course of the first quarter, please refer to page 25 for the full summary.

INFORM MAY 2015

24

MAY 2015 | G-LOGIX

Full range of BOSCH Automotive products Available through G-Logix* Engine Management Air flow meters EGR Valves Ignition Coils Cam/Crank/Knock Sensors Wheel Speed Sensors Glow plugs Spark plugs Fuel pumps Lambda Sensors Plug leads Temperature/pressure Sensors

Braking Pads Shoes Discs Drums Calipers Lighting Bulbs Headlights

Consumables Wiper blades Filters Air Cabin Fuel Oil

Diesel Injectors Injection Pumps Spare Parts Rotating Electrics Starters Alternators

Batteries

G-LOGIX

*Excludes CV, diagnostics and other specialist products INFORM MAY 2015

Order today via G-Netor online at www.G-Logix.co.uk

G-LOGIX | MAY 2015

25

G-LOGIX BOSCH UPDATE - Q1 2015 DURING QUARTER 1 OF THIS YEAR WE HAVE CONTINUED TO WORK CLOSELY WITH BOSCH TO IMPROVE OUR G-LOGIX OFFERING TO MEMBERS. THE SPARK AND GLOW PLUG TENDER PROVIDED US WITH OPPORTUNITY TO REVIEW THIS PRODUCT GROUP, AS WELL AS FOCUSING OUR EFFORTS ON THE WIDER BOSCH PROGRAMME. WE ARE PLEASED TO REPORT A NUMBER OF POSITIVE CHANGES TO TERMS THAT WILL SIGNIFICANTLY BENEFIT MEMBERS.

Wiper Blades

Rebate constraints removed

The second change relates to the additional rebate payable on Wiper Blades. The Wiper market is particularly price sensitive and it is key that we try to provide the necessary tools so members are as competitive as possible on this product group. With this in mind we have managed to remove the additional rebate and roll this into terms, providing an invoice reduction of 4% on all Bosch Wiper Blades. The value of this improvement exceeds £30,000 to members.

Prior to updating the agreement in Q1 2015, Bosch stipulated that members had to support and invest in a minimum of 4 products groups in order to achieve any level of rebate. This has now been removed and rebate is now payable on all spend, regardless of commitment. (Usual exclusions apply).

Spark and Glow Plugs Substantial invoice reductions on Bosch Spark and Glow Plugs are now live and available to take advantage of via G-Logix. · Spark Plugs

10% weighted invoice reduction · Glow Plugs

17% weighted invoice reduction The reductions detailed above are just for GROUPAUTO members and will not be passed through to the market. As a result of these reductions, the Bosch Plugs programme offers members a competitive, realistic alternative to the other OE tier 1 suppliers. Members need to be aware of the offer that Bosch now presents; with a stock injection exceeding £20,000 (just on plugs), coupled with the usual benefits of being stocked in G-Logix.

Wiper Blades are our largest and one of the most successful product groups to be introduced into G-Logix. Member purchases are up 50% year on year, with well over 100 members supporting the Bosch Wiper Blade programme as of March this year.

In addition to the above, G-Logix are now able to offer members quantity break pricing on Bosch Aerotwin Plus Wiper Blades offering further invoice discounts. Sharper invoice pricing, combined with the further reductions available on all the fast moving blades, allows GROUPAUTO members to maximise their margin and confidently go to market with a competitive offer.

Summary points A year has now passed since G-Logix started to supply Bosch product; G-Logix now offers the full Bosch automotive portfolio to members, including Batteries. The improvements detailed above illustrate the commitment, relationship and direct that GROUPAUTO are directing. We are already working on a number of key product groups with Bosch, with further reviews planned throughout 2015…watch this space.

If you require any further information, such as paretos, stock packs or product information please contact Head Office or your Business Development Manager who will be able to assist you.

GROUPAUTO Purchasing Team

G-LOGIX

INFORM MAY 2015

26

MAY 2015 | INDUSTRY NEWS

INFORM MAY 2015

INDUSTRY NEWS | MAY 2015

27

EMPLOYERS: DID YOU KNOW THAT YOU ARE LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE FOR EMPLOYEES WHO DRIVE WHILST AT WORK? THE DEPARTMENT FOR TRANSPORT REPORTED THAT IN 2013, 1,713 PEOPLE WERE KILLED ON THE ROADS OF GREAT BRITAIN. THE HEALTH AND SAFETY EXECUTIVE (HSE) ESTIMATES THAT UP TO A THIRD OF THESE INCIDENTS INVOLVED SOMEBODY WHO WAS AT WORK AT THE TIME. “Many bosses have ignored this issue in the past, but the HSE has now made it clear that employers have duties under health and safety law to manage the risks faced by their workers on the road. It is vital that employers take steps to reduce the risks associated with driving at work” states Nick Chambers, Boswell Aftermarket Chief Executive.

Here are 9 steps designed to assist companies to meet this duty of care.

6. Ensure all employees driving on behalf of the company are initially vetted, inducted and regularly assessed, to establish that they are properly licensed, competent, suitably trained and medically fit to do so.

Vehicle safety

Journey planning 9. Ensure necessary journeys are scheduled to a realistic timetable and are planned to take into account the essential need for rest periods.

If you would like further advice regarding the above or wish to discuss any insurance related matters, please contact a member of the Boswell Aftermarket team on 01603 626155.

Alternatively, please visit www.aftermarket-insurance.co.uk

7. Ensure that when choosing vehicles to be used on behalf of the company, they are entirely suitable for their intended purpose and that utmost importance is placed on safety features.

Management policy 1. Assign a senior manager with specific responsibility for managing driving at work.

8. Ensure all vehicles used on behalf of the company are regularly inspected and strictly maintained using the manufacturer’s recommended service schedules.

2. Implement a Health & Safety policy, which incorporates a driving at work policy.

3. Routinely undertake, record and act on the findings of risk assessments dealing with all aspects of driving at work including driver safety, vehicle safety and journey planning.

4. Ensure every incident involving any vehicle driven on behalf of the company is recorded and that collective information is regularly analysed and action taken to reduce recurrence.

Driver safety 5. Provide a driver handbook that includes road safety guidance and sets out individual driver responsibilities, in support of the company’s policies and procedures, eg. what to do in the event of an incident.

INFORM MAY 2015

28

MAY 2015 | INDUSTRY NEWS

Lights,

Power Steering, Alternator,

Water PumP, Air-con, WiPers, Radio,

Sat-nav, iPod ...

...We’ve got it covered .

The Accessory Belt Drive System (ABDS) powers all the accessories we rely on to make modern driving safe and pleasurable.

Get peace of mind when choosing a complete Micro-V® Kit from Gates, with unparalleled support, OE parts and the best car parc coverage in the aftermarket.

Find out more about our Micro-V® Kits at Gates.com/europe/Micro-V-kit

The Drive Specialist INFORM MAY 2015

OE

INDUSTRY NEWS | MAY 2015

29

TECALLIANCE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH MEMBERS UNDER THE TECALLIANCE UMBRELLA, BOTH THE TECDOC ELECTRONIC PARTS CATALOGUE AND IDENTIFICATION SYSTEM AND THE TECRMI TECHNICAL SERVICE DATA DIVISIONS HAVE EXPERIENCED PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT AND MARKET GROWTH, WHICH HAS IN TURN BENEFITTED GROUPAUTO MEMBERS AND THEIR GARAGE CUSTOMERS. TecDoc Following the recent addition of two of the group’s notable approved suppliers - APEC and Autoelectro - as official TecDoc Data Suppliers, comes Key Parts, the third brand of the First Line Group (FLG), another highly regarded approved group supplier.

Commenting on this latest recruit, Shaun Greasley, Commercial Director of TecAlliance UK & Ireland said: “Over the last few years, the number of UK-based suppliers providing their parts information to the TecDoc CATALOG database has grown significantly and it is great to see FLG bringing their latest Key Parts brand into the system alongside the First Line and Borg & Beck brands that have been represented on TecDoc for some time.

“Not only does the addition of these reputable brands increase the depth of the TecDoc offering, which now stands at more than 530 parts brands, it also directly benefits those GROUPAUTO members that use the CATALOG system alongside their existing IT platform, to ensure that they supply the right part, first time to their valued garage customers.

“This is possible because of the system’s accessibility via the Internet. So in addition to the number of brands it represents and the accuracy of all the combined data it contains, users have the distinct advantage that a TecDoc licence allows them to keep a PC browser window open so they can quickly check the details and find the correct solution when their

existing parts catalogue system throws up multiple options for a particular application.

“Moreover, TecDoc CATALOG also allows members to define the aftermarket availability for parts they might perceive to be available only through the franchised dealer network.

An excellent working example are turbo hoses, which many members still believe they cannot source outside of the dealer, but which are in fact available through a number of TecDoc suppliers including FLG, under its First Line brand.

“Another development that is promoting competition and opening up opportunities for members, is the integration of the TecDoc CATALOG system into the Kerridge Commercial Systems ERP platform. By ensuring that our data is fully integrated with any software system provider a GROUPAUTO member may realistically choose to adopt, is obviously a sensible strategy for us as we would not want to limit members when it comes to these important decisions.”

TecRMI Although generally more relevant to members’ garage customers, TecRMI, which is the technical service and repair data arm of TecAlliance, also continues to grow with the addition of new options to help garages run more efficiently.

“The TecRMI system contains almost five million items of technical data, more than 15 million repair times, 114,000 service plans and 570,000 repair instructions and it is within the TecTIMES repair times section that the new TecPAINT element sits. With this addition, bodyshops can accurately price their refinish quotations and assess their internal efficiencies as it provides the time allocation as dictated by the vehicle manufacturer, for a multitude of vehicle specific refinishing processes.”

For more information about TecDoc or TecRMI, please contact Shaun Greasley on: 01829 752888 or email: shaun.greasley@tecalliance.net

“The TecRMI package already provides garages with multiple product options for diagnostic fault finding, as well as general service and repair schedules, requirements and processes,” Greasley continued, “but now includes a refinishing element to cater for the requirements of the bodyshop.

INFORM MAY 2015

30

MAY 2015 | INDUSTRY NEWS

NEW UPDATE ROLLED OUT TO SALESREP USERS LATEST ENHANCEMENT OF MAM’S TABLET APP FOR FIELD-BASED SALES PROVIDES NEW FEATURES AND IMPROVES USER-FRIENDLINESS MAM Software is delighted to announce a range of software developments for SalesRep, its innovative, feature-rich tablet app. Rolled out to new and existing customers, the update improves existing functionality and simplifies usability.

Available for iPad, iPad Mini and selected Android tablets, SalesRep allows field-based staff to access important information and conduct business when away from the office, strengthening customer relationships and improving productivity.

· Enhanced logic used on ‘Transactions’ - The existing ‘Transactions’ feature has been enhanced, to ensure only outstanding transactions are shown. · Benchmark reporting now available by line of business · Show balances over 90 days on ‘Account Enquiry’ · Sales Data offers 'Supplier' selection · Caching, paging and grid sorting introduced to the following searches: -Customer lists -Account enquiry -Customer notes

Communicating directly with an MAM business management solution via WiFi or 3G/4G, the app gives employees instant access to extensive customer information such as contact details, account information and transaction history. It also allows them to submit orders straight from the app and identify sales opportunities. Any information entered into SalesRep is instantly mirrored at the branch or head office.

-Transactions -Purchase history and orders -Product enquiries and orders Increased usability: · Updated colour scheme · Streamlined 'Add to Basket' process

In the latest update, several new features have been added to the app to increase existing functionality and improve user-friendliness.

Updates include:

· Allow user to control number of customers displayed by default

Additional functionality:

“We’re committed to continually developing our software to ensure that our customers get the most out of their solutions,” said Nigel Clemett, Commercial Director at MAM Software. “The latest release of SalesRep provides several new

· Quick Parts - A new option that allows users to quickly check pricing and availability of up to 20 parts before ordering.

INFORM MAY 2015

· Show transaction time on ‘Transactions’

features that improve usability and functionality - subsequently helping a companies field-based sales staff improve their productivity. We look forward to releasing further updates in the future.”

SalesRep is now available with no monthly charge for up to three users. Read more at www.mamsoftware.com/salesrep

INDUSTRY NEWS | MAY 2015

31

IAAF SUCCESSFULLY CHALLENGES BMW UNDER BLOCK EXEMPTION TRADE BODY QUESTIONS GERMAN MANUFACTURER’S WARRANTY RULING The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has successfully challenged BMW after the car-making giant refused to honour the warranty on a vehicle that was serviced and repaired outside of the BMW main dealer network.

The BMW 318i, which was less than three years old, was presented to a BMW dealership in Hampshire after it broke down due to a problem caused by the oil filter overheating the engine.

After inspecting the damage, BMW said it would not repair the vehicle because the oil filter was a non-manufacturer part and it didn’t have any record of the vehicle ever being serviced within the manufacturer network.

The vehicle owner pointed out to BMW that under current Block Exemption legislation, the manufacturer had a duty to honour the vehicle’s warranty. But when the owner received an unsatisfactory response, he turned to the IAAF for help.

Williamson added. “Within a week, we were advised that the vehicle would be repaired under warranty. It was a quick and pleasing U-turn from BMW.” The IAAF’s successful intervention has been heralded as a significant success for the automotive aftermarket. Williamson said: “The lack of understanding and co-operation shown

by BMW was disappointing and totally against what Block Exemption stands for.

“I’m pleased that we managed to bring resolution to a difficult situation, but this should serve as a warning to everyone that some motor manufacturers are clearly putting unnecessary obstacles in front of vehicle owners and questioning the validity of warranties when there is no reason to do so."

For more information about the IAAF, please contact Mark Field at Impression Communications. Tel: 07825 410 998 or email mark@impressioncommunications.co.uk

Wendy Williamson, IAAF chief executive, said: “The vehicle owner had come up against a brick wall with BMW. When they came to the IAAF asking for assistance, we looked at all the paperwork supplied by the owner and quickly came to the conclusion that BMW’s stance was completely wrong and against current BER legislation.”

The IAAF wrote a letter to BMW UK pointing out that under the provision of the Block Exemption Regulation, the fact that non-OE parts had been used on the vehicle was insufficient reason for the warranty to be declared invalid and that full details of the servicing schedule and parts had been supplied to the German manufacturer.

INFORM MAY 2015

32

MAY 2015 | INDUSTRY NEWS

As you work or have worked in the automotive industry, BEN is here for you, for your family...forever!

Fee

ling

BEN can help with: • • • •

Free, confidential and independent advice Financial assistance in times of need Nursing and residential care Someone to talk to

and so much more!

lost

?

Simply contact us on: ben.org.uk 01344 876770 careservices@ben.org.uk

INFORM BEN - MAY Motor2015 and Allied Trades Benevolent Fund. Lynwood, Sunninghill, Ascot, Berkshire SL5 0AJ. A charity registered in England and Wales (no.297877) and Scotland (no.SC039842).

A company limited by guarantee, registered in England and Wales (no.02163894). Registered with the Homes and Communities Agency (no. LH 3766).

INDUSTRY NEWS | MAY 2015

33

BEN - DELIVERING POSITIVE IMPACT IN OUR AUTOMOTIVE COMMUNITY IN THE PAST SIX MONTHS TO FEBRUARY 2015, THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY CHARITY BEN SUPPORTED A TOTAL OF 887 INDIVIDUALS. IN THIS SHORT TIME FRAME WE DELIVERED £520,000 OF SUPPORT AND GRANTS TO THESE INDIVIDUALS AND THEIR FAMILIES. This support and financial assistance has: • Stopped people from becoming homeless

improve my condition and, something that I would have to wear for the rest of my life. I’d been a keen runner, something I’d never do again with this.

• Provided funding to purchase specialist equipment and adaptions to the home

To say thank you to BEN and everyone who has helped them to help me and my family, I’m taking part in a 5k Park Run to raise sponsorship for BEN and Shropshire Welfare Trust. I want to ensure there are funds available for BEN to help another family who are facing life-changing circumstances. None us know what is around the corner. ”

• Enabled us to arrange and pay for specialist services such as counselling and physiotherapy for family bereavement, mental health and family breakdown issues Many of those who turn to us for support present with issues that stem from a more hidden, rooted problem – those with financial concerns have often suffered a loss in household income due to a partner’s long term illness or breakdown in a relationship. Our goal is to work with those we help to provide tailored holistic solutions that create a long term impact.

The following story demonstrates how each case is different and there is no ‘one size fits all’.

Read about Kate’s road to recovery, the positive impact of BEN’s help and support on her and her family, and how Kate is now fundraising to help BEN to help another family in need. You will be inspired: “Aged 29, and 39 weeks pregnant with my second child, I suffered a stroke and then gave birth three days later while paralysed on my left side. A week spent in the stroke unit was not an ideal scenario for a new born and my husband, and nor was being separated from our eldest son who was just six at the time.

After getting early supported discharge with physiotherapy, I began to make progress but had been left with a Drop Foot; a condition that meant my muscles were not receiving signals from my brain and my left foot dragged making walking very difficult. The only option the NHS offered me was a bulky splint that wouldn’t

When all this started, I had two goals. One was to wear a pair of high heels and the second was to start running again…I’m happy to say that I’ve achieved both and am now back at work. I never thought we’d need help like this; we are so grateful that the support was there when we needed it the most. BEN gave me back my independence. They have helped with literally every step and, that has been life-changing for me and my family. We feel so lucky to have been helped by BEN.

Kate’s determination to raise awareness of BEN and how its help can make a significant impact has been outstanding. Not only has she allowed us to use her story publicly, she bravely stood up and told it to 1,000 guests at BEN Ball.

Through the physiotherapist, I heard of a piece of equipment called a ‘Walk Aid’ that stimulated the muscles with electrical messages. But unfortunately, my husband Tim and I could not afford this pioneering piece of equipment and private physiotherapy I needed as the NHS could no longer fund it. A hard decision but we opted for the physiotherapy.

After a stroke, the first six months is the prime recovery time and I knew that I could improve my walking with this aid. Being a nurse, the Shropshire Welfare Trust helped with part of the funding but this wasn’t enough to cover the whole cost. My husband Tim’s a mechanic, so we turned to BEN who helped with a financial grant to cover the full remaining cost. A welfare officer visited and offered us valuable support and help so that we could focus on my recovery and family.

Kate will be running her 5k Park Run on 23rd May at Quarry Park in Shrewsbury. If you would like to sponsor her, go to www.justgiving.com/ KateWeaver1. The sponsorship money will be donated to BEN, the automotive industry charity and Shropshire Welfare Trust.

Always remember if you or any of your colleagues need support, please contact BEN’s confidential helpline: Tel: 01344 876770 Text: 07781 472622 Email: careservices@ben.org.uk Visit: ben.org.uk/gethelp

INFORM MAY 2015

34

MAY 2015 | SUPPLIER FEATURE

In the right place at the right time.

Or how do you define availability?

Repair shops need products in original equipment quality, not just matching quality.

The independent repair shop is exactly what its name suggests: independent—and wants to stay that way.

DRIVING PERFORMANCE FROM DISTRIBUTORS TO TECHNICIANS

SMART PART(ner) www.mahle-aftermarket.com

To be well-positioned for the future, you require a partner who knows what you will need tomorrow. Only a development partner of the major OEMs can meet this requirement.

Original equipment quality as per GVO 461/2010 ensures that the manufacturer’s warranty stays valid and parts perform to the same standard as the original.

Our partners are supported with up-to-date technical information in multiple formats, which allows them to respond to the demands of the market.

INFORM MAY 2015

SUPPLIER FEATURE | MAY 2015

35

A NEW FACE AT MAHLE AFTERMARKET MAHLE AFTERMARKET HAS RECRUITED EXPERIENCED AFTERMARKET PROFESSIONAL PHIL RAMSAY TO THE POSITION OF TECHNICAL SALES SUPPORT, TO DEVELOP ITS ‘MAN WITH A VAN’ CONCEPT AND PROMOTE THE BREADTH AND QUALITY OF THE ENTIRE MAHLE AFTERMARKET PRODUCT RANGE TO GROUPAUTO MEMBERS AND THEIR CUSTOMERS. Phil has a broad range of aftermarket experience, most recently with IFA member Leamoco, where he was warehouse manager and parts advisor providing technical support to the sales team, but previously as co-owner of an independent workshop, so he has practical knowledge from both a distribution and installation perspective.

“The idea behind the ‘man with a van’ programme is to take MAHLE - and everything its brands stand for – directly to the technicians who are actually undertaking the service and repair work,” explains MAHLE Aftermarket Managing Director, Jonathan Walker. “However, to really connect with those technicians, you need someone who understands the realities and challenges of the installation process, not just a knowledge of replacement components.

“With Phil, we have a professional with both of these attributes, as well as the communication skills to help technicians understand the importance of fitting quality parts and who can

demonstrate the intrinsic quality that is part and parcel of every MAHLE Original, Knecht, Behr and Victor Reinz product we supply across the UK aftermarket.

“We are therefore keen to speak with GROUPAUTO members and identify which of their customers would benefit from a visit from Phil to help raise these important issues.”

NTR Filtration Additions One of the most important messages for original equipment manufacturers such as MAHLE to convey to GROUPAUTO members is new to range (NTR) additions, as this knowledge equips members with the solution when their garage customers make an enquiry or place an order.

Among the many recent NTR additions in the MAHLE Original filter range are five fuel filters, which cater for for several popular vehicles.

These include filter reference KC487 for the Chrysler Voyager 2.8 diesel from April ’10 to May ’13 and Jeep Compass 2.1 diesel from July ’11 onward, KL780 for Ford B-Max/Fiesta/Focus 1.4/1.5/1.6 diesels from September ’10 onwards, Mazda 2/3/5 1.6 diesel from November ’10 onwards and Volvo C30/S40/S60/V40/V50/V60 1.6 diesel from February ’11 onward, KL788 for Citroën Berlingo/C3/C4/C5/DS3 1.6 diesel from July ’10 onwards and Peugeot 207/308/508/2008 1.6 diesel from April ’10, KL838 for Audi A1 1.6 from March ’11 to May ’12 and KX340D for Iveco Daily LCV 2.3 diesel from September ’09 onwards.

When it comes to NTR air filters the LX3472 fits the Daihatsu Charade 1.0 from June ’03 to June ’08 and the LX3536 the Citroën C1/Peugeot 108/ Toyota Aygo 1.0 and 1.2 family from April ’14 onwards.

For more information about the quality products available from MAHLE Aftermarket, call the sales team on: 0845 688 5007 or visit: www.mahle-aftermarket.com

Finally, two new oil filters that cater for the BMW i8 1.5 from March ’14 onwards and Mini 1.2/1.5/2.0 from January ’14 onwards (OX815D) and Jeep Cherokee 3.0 from July ’11 onwards (OX1034D), round off the NTR headlines.

INFORM MAY 2015

36

MAY 2015 | SUPPLIER FEATURE

SEALING

VIBRATION CONTROL

www.corteco.com CABIN AIR FILTERS

www.corteco.com

We wont leave you stranded

RELY ON CORTECO

*

Even during the most important moments in your life, CORTECO will not leave you to fend for yourself.

INFORM MAY 2015

SUPPLIER FEATURE | MAY 2015

37

TENG TOOLS – MEASURING UP TO YOUR NEEDS TENG TOOLS HAVE JUST LAUNCHED THEIR 2015 RANGE AND NEW CATALOGUE. ONE OF THE KEY NEW RANGES THAT TENG TOOLS HAVE INTRODUCED IS A NEW, WIDER RANGE OF MEASURING TAPES WITH TWO NEW MODELS. First to be added are 10, 15 and 30 metre class II nylon tapes in high impact cases with aligning hooks for internal and external measurement and a pocket clip. 3 models that compliment the more traditional steel tapes in 3, 5 and 8 metres that Teng Tools offer in metric only or in metric/ inch versions.

The second new range includes 30 and 50 metre nylon tapes in high impact cases with a carrying handle and winder. A steel roller cage protects the case and the tape and ten fixing points keep the carrying case rigid, both features designed to improve the durability of the tape measure.

For further details contact IQ Supplies via the web site www.iqsupplies.com or call on 01525 711500 in the UK or 01 8612125 in Ireland.

For those that need calipers, micrometers, etc.

Teng Tools also offer a measuring tool set in their tool control system range as well as a short range of individual measuring tools, a more complete range is available from Limit, the sister range to Teng Tools which has over 600 different measuring tools in the range. – full details in the brand new 2015 Product Guide.

 Original Equipment product  Optimum emissions performance  Optimum fuel efficiency  Improved engine life  Europe’s No.1

The BOSCH Spark and Glow Plug Range Now available to all GROUPAUTO members via G-Logix

INFORM MAY 2015

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MAY 2015 | SUPPLIER FEATURE

DENSO Spark Plug Technology • Original Equipment Quality Programme • 97% coverage of the European car market • Patented Technology • Optimum Engine Performance

DENSO's replacement Spark Plugs deliver truly outstanding OE quality to the aftermarket. Choose from a complete range of continually updated references including Nickel, Platinum, Twin Tip (TT), Iridium and Super Ignition Plugs (SIP). Backed by continuous R&D, the programme guarantees optimum engine performance and improved technology for a better price. Contact your DENSO Sales Manager for current offers and promotion.

www.denso-am.co.uk

INFORM MAY 2015

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SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT

A KNOW-HOW GUIDE FROM THE EXPERTS AT DENSO SPARK PLUG REPLACEMENT INTERVALS DEPEND ON THE TECHNOLOGY AND MATERIALS USED DURING PLUG MANUFACTURE, ESPECIALLY IN TERMS OF THE ELECTRICAL AND HEAT CORROSION RESISTANCE OF THOSE MATERIALS. SO WHAT SHOULD GROUPAUTO MEMBERS KNOW? Here Nick Thomas, Product Manager, DENSO Aftermarket Sales UK & Ireland advises on all aspects of spark plug replacement.

Estimated mileage The estimated mileage of standard nickel spark plugs is between 30,000 and 45,000 km, platinum spark plugs around 70,000 km, and double platinum spark plugs more than 80,000 km. The estimated mileage of iridium spark plugs – depending on the thickness of the central electrode and the construction of the ground electrode – ranges from 60,000 km up to 120,000 km in the case of DENSO Super Ignition Spark Plugs, which feature a protruding ground electrode, like DENSO’s Twin Tip (TT) Spark Plugs.

Construction matters The central electrode and construction of the ground electrode both have a huge impact on the combustion process. The smaller the surface area of the central electrode, the lower the voltage required for combustion. In addition, you also have to take into consideration the distance between the electrodes.

The ground electrode is of key importance.

In 1974 DENSO developed a ground electrode with a now-familiar U-groove design, allowing more focused sparks on a smaller surface area; increased ignition efficiency. Another way to increase ignitability is the use of precious metal plates welded to the ground electrode.

Lower cost and improved performance?

In 2003, DENSO introduced Super Ignition Spark Plugs (SIP) featuring a fine tip on the platinum ground electrode.

Based on this construction, DENSO then developed and introduced Twin Tip (TT) Spark Plugs to the aftermarket; which proved a huge success. DENSO’s TT Spark Plugs are produced

without using precious metals on the electrodes – making their price comparable to standard nickel spark plugs – and feature a nickel centre and a ‘twin’ protruding ground electrode with a slimmer 1.5 mm diameter. The complete TT Spark Plugs range is highly consolidated, comprising 15 part numbers that together offer 87% coverage of the top selling EU car parc. If you are looking for a highly ignitable, high quality, durable spark plugs without the costs usually associated with high performance, choose DENSO TT. In both of these cases – SIP and TT Spark Plugs – the ground electrode facilitates the optimal use of electricity, to greatly limit energy loss caused by a fall in temperature through the ground electrode. This solution also allows for a heavier air/fuel mixture around the spark, resulting in better combustion in the combustion chamber – as well as lower fuel consumption, increased engine efficiency and smooth engine running. In low temperature conditions, start-up performance, response times and initial ignition are significantly reduced.

Gas operated engines What about gas operated engines? The operating temperature in a LPG, CNG or LNG engine is much higher than in petrol engines, as the gas/ air mixture burns at higher temperature. This higher temperature, together with increased electrical erosion from alternative fuels, gives a different service lifetime of a spark plug compared with normal petrol engines. This difference can be quite significant and depends on the vehicle application.

The increased voltage and combustion temperature of LPG engines means that the spark plugs used in these engines should be replaced more often.

It is therefore recommended to use iridium spark plugs with platinum ground electrodes in gas operated engines. DENSO Aftermarket’s Iridium Tough Spark Plug range delivers the highest ignitability available in the market, featuring a 0.4mm iridium centre electrode in combination with four times the lifetime of a normal nickel plug. In terms of coverage, DENSO has the highest Iridium coverage for LPG in the market which is around 90% of the popular car parc.

DENSO TT Spark Plugs In regions where LPG systems are fitted on older car parc, the price is often more sensitive than having the very low replacement rate of iridium plugs. Then DENSO has the very effective alternative to Iridium Tough plugs, the DENSO TT Spark Plugs. These plugs compensate for the required higher ignition voltage with smaller diameter centre and ground electrodes when using alternative fuels. DENSO TT Spark Plugs provide greater ignitability than platinum spark plugs, and their hardened ground electrode is more resistant to temperature and electrical erosion than standard nickel plugs. This makes the use of TT in LPG engines highly effective for an affordable price.

What is more, the ignition voltage required to ignite the LPG gas/air mixture is much higher than to ignite a gasoline/air mixture. In the case of a gas/air mixture, an ignition voltage of 10-15 kV is usually sufficient. LPG engines require higher ignition voltage; approx. 25-30 kV.

INFORM MAY 2015

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MAY 2015 | SUPPLIER FEATURE

This Year’s Cool Line-up

Fully Automatic A/C Machines Part No.

With a complete range of accessories and consumables available from your multi-specialist

710201 710202 710295 710203

Description Easy Pro ProHFO Maxi

www.valeoservice.co.uk

INFORM MAY 2015

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VALEO LAUNCHES 4 CLIMFILL® AIR-CONDITIONING STATIONS VALEO HAS LAUNCHED ITS NEW AIR-CONDITIONING REFILL STATION LINEUP: CLIMFILL® EASY, CLIMFILL® PRO, CLIMFILL® PRO HFO & CLIMFILL® MAXI, WHICH WILL STRENGTHEN AND ENHANCE THE OFFERING OF THE AIRCONDITIONING (A/C) SPECIALISTS IN THE UK INDEPENDENT AFTERMARKET. ClimFill® Easy is the perfect entry level solution for garages moving into A/C refill servicing, while the ClimFill® Pro is the most advanced refill station available in the marketplace. The Pro can be adapted for HFO gases thanks to a specific conversion kit.

The Valeo range also has a dedicated station for HFO-1234yf : ClimFill® Pro HFO. Last but not least, ClimFill® Maxi is dedicated to commercial vehicle applications.

Designed to supply all vehicles types, the new Valeo refill stations provide numerous technical and practical advantages. All Valeo refill stations are fully dedicated to an ultimate ease of use and efficiency. They are thus fully automatic.

ClimFill® Pro and ClimFill® Maxi are equipped with eco-friendly patented couplers that prevent refrigerant gas release into the atmosphere when decoupling the station. Those couplers are available as an add-on option for ClimFill® Easy.

The range of stations also includes a manual mode if needed.

refrigerant via the low-pressure side of the AC system.

Furthermore, maintenance of the machines has been made easier with a dedicated Pump Monitoring System which is unique to the market. This ensures optimum air quality to secure the pump performance and preservation.

The Valeo ClimFill® range features high performing filters meaning filter replacement is only required once annually.

In addition, consistent high quality performance is always assured whatever the conditions thanks to the Suction-Mode (S-Mode). In this mode, the air-conditioning station combines 3 elements: Pressure, pulsed injections and compressor suction to succeed in feeding

VALEO SERVICE UK LAUNCHES CLIMFILTER™ SUPREME AN ULTIMATE PROTECTION WITH VALEO CABIN AIR FILTER THANKS TO ANTIALLERGEN PROPERTIES Valeo Service UK has launched ClimFilter™ Supreme into the UK automotive aftermarket, a new range of polyphenol coated cabin filters which provides the most advanced and effective protection against allergens, harmful gases, odors, pollution, dust and particles for motorists and passengers.

The air inside the vehicle cabin can be up to five times more polluted than outside air and constant exposure to allergens may provoke strong allergies at any age. Nowadays more than 2.1 billion people in the world and up to 30% of the European population suffers from inhalation allergy issues. These figures have doubled in the past ten years.

Valeo ClimFilter™ Supreme provides 95% efficiency against allergen, approved via tests performed in real conditions by the laboratory AIRTEST, under the scientific aegis of RNSA. Based on the combined filter media, Valeo ClimFilter™ Supreme is covered with an additional polyphenol coating that improves protection by capturing most allergens and neutralising them.

Polyphenols are the natural compounds known for their antioxidant properties – Using polyphenols in the Valeo ClimFilter™ Supreme is a technical breakthrough.

ClimFilter™ range made of ClimFilter™ Comfort (particle technology) and ClimFilter™ Protect (active carbon technology).

Valeo Cabin Air Filter range consists of 29 references of ClimFilter™ Supreme while the ClimFilter™ range reachs 500 references covering 98% of the European vehicle parc.

The ClimFilter™ range is listed on TecDoc and also in a new catalogue, which includes a practical fitting time indicator for technicians.

Awarded “Innovative Development of the Year” at the Moscow International Motor Show in 2013, the new ClimFilter™ Supreme is a Valeo patented innovation and complements the existing

INFORM MAY 2015

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MAY 2015 | SUPPLIER FEATURE

Steering the Way in Quality!

Looking for steering components that guarantees FIRST TIME FIT with OE matching quality? Look no further than febi!

With a comprehensive range from control arms, tie rods & stabiliser links to tie rod ends, steering rack boots and steering dampers, to fit a wide range of EUROPEAN and Asian vehicles, you can’t get better value!

s at t r a p i for feb h c r a Se .com e v i l i b e www.f

febi is a bilstein group brand

INFORM MAY 2015

SUPPLIER FEATURE | MAY 2015

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FEBI: STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS STEERING AND SUSPENSION COMPONENTS ARE HIGHLY SENSITIVE PARTS AND DRIVING VEHICLES WITH WORN STEERING PARTS CAN NOT ONLY LEAD TO EXPENSIVE BILLS FOR THE VEHICLE OWNER, BUT ALSO PUTS LIVES AT RISK. Traffic calming measures such as speed bumps, salt on the roads in winter and potholes are wearing steering and suspension parts prematurely. Couple this with the new tighter MOT regulations on steering and suspension leaves you with no doubt that high quality and regularly serviced parts are essential to not only keep a vehicle under control – in every day driving as well as in crash-avoiding manoeuvres, but also to ensure it passes its next MOT test.

In relation to the stricter MOT regulations for steering and suspension the ball joint dust covers have become testable items and will henceforth fail if they no longer prevent the ingress of dirt.

What’s more is that motorists are generally not aware of how dangerous it can be having worn steering and suspension parts in their vehicles: Unstable braking and loss of control while turning and at high speed are some consequences that could occur. Many think that having electronic aids such as anti-lock-braking might guarantee safety. But how many vehicle owners are aware of the fact that steering components are the only things holding the wheels on to the vehicle? This is why Steering & suspension parts must be produced to a high precision level. febi bilstein do not make any compromises and strictly comply with the specification of the manufacturers, to ensure that not only the quality of material is on par but also the fitting accuracy. So you can be sure that our steering parts fit exactly to the corresponding vehicle. febi uses best practice to ensure the quality is no less than 100%, and applies a zero tolerance approach to errors. This means that if a part doesn’t match up to these standards it will be discarded without a second thought. To further

ensure this high level of accuracy febi parts are produced with modern CNC machines.

Drop Forged Aluminum

The material is checked metallurgically and mechanically undergoing a series of tests and various monitoring devices. Behind all this are febi’s highly skilled specialists who are committed to delivering the best spare parts, helping keep vehicles on the road safely.

Because febi fully complies with OE specification if a car has drop forged aluminum control arms, then when you buy the replacement part from febi, it will also be drop forged aluminium (see image). If the vehicle has spot welds febi ensures that the number of spot welds (see image) used

by OE is exactly the number that they use.

Spot Welded

febi’s steering range is all encompassing, next time you’re looking for steering and suspension parts, and you want to be sure of the quality and precision of fit, ‘Think febi’!

You can depend on tested OE quality spare parts by febi bilstein. The entire range can be found at www.febi-live.com 1

2

3

4

5

The ball pin is protected by a dust protection collar. Two spring rings ensure the correct fit (Fig. 5). It is automatically checked if the track rod end piece has the correct movement. Even the slightest deviations from the standard will be detected and the part discarded (Fig. 6).

6

7

8

9

10

In the further course of production, track rod end pieces are provided with a protective cap to ensure they get through the transport to our customers without damage (Fig. 8,9). Finally, the steering part is equipped with its counternut (Fig. 9,10).

INFORM MAY 2015

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INFORM MAY 2015

SUPPLIER FEATURE | MAY 2015

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LET MANBAT HELP TO PUT THE FOCUS ON PROFITS BUSY MOTOR FACTORS, LIKE THOSE RUN BY TYPICAL GROUPAUTO MEMBERS, ARE GENERALLY VERY HECTIC ENVIRONMENTS THAT ARE HIGHLY GEARED TO THE NEEDS OF THEIR CUSTOMERS, WHICH OFTEN MEANS THEY ARE FAR LESS FOCUSED ON THEMSELVES AND THEIR OWN INDIVIDUAL REQUIREMENTS. With this fact not withstanding, Manbat, who supplies members with premium quality VARTA®, Lucas and Numax batteries, as well as the group’s own Powerstart range, will continue to encourage members to take a moment and consider some of the highly profitable opportunities that other non-automotive battery sales can provide.

Over the last few years there has been a massive increase in the number of people willing to have a camping holiday in the UK, as well as a growing number of ‘young pensioners’ with disposable income to spend on leisure activities such as caravanning and motor-homing. So alongside marine, the leisure battery market has also grown and these too can yield excellent returns, as they are considered an aspirational purchase that improves a lifestyle, rather than a distress purchase that is purely a cost and inconvenience, as they are in relation to their automotive counterparts.

Other leisure related activities that are also able to open the doors for members willing to consider the bigger picture include the golf and motorcycle sectors.

First on the list for members that are located close to Britain’s thousands of miles of inland waterways or near the coast, could be Numax marine batteries, which are the original equipment (OE) fitment for such well known brands as Sunseeker and Princess Yachts.

Marine batteries command a higher price and greater margin than their automotive battery cousins, which makes them an attractive proposition for members interested in increasing profits.

In common with its automotive offering, Manbat provides members with a choice of brands when it comes to motorcycle batteries, so in addition to its own Numax Motosport range, it also supplies the renowned Lucas brand, as well as the crème de la crème VARTA OE range.

In the same way that there is a clear similarity in the technology incorporated into both automotive and commercial vehicle (CV) batteries, such a link also exists between automotive and motorcycle batteries. Therefore, just as many members are comfortable in supplying both automotive and CV batteries, motorcycle batteries should hold no fear for members considering new opportunities.

Finally, as can be witnessed by the number of batteries that Manbat has now donated to automotive industry charity BEN (see the April ’15 issue of Inform), the need for high quality batteries to power the growing number of mobility vehicles and related equipment, shows no sign of slowing down. As a result, there are also opportunities for members to supply the batteries to the many mobility retail outlets that are popping up on many a high street.

Although members will primarily know Manbat for its automotive and CV batteries and the automotive sector is where the company has its roots, Manbat has been supplying batteries into all the aforementioned sectors, and more, for many years, so it has the knowledge and experience necessary to help members develop their battery business.

With new motorcycle registrations continuing to increase year-on-year and the stock of second hand vehicles also on the rise, the opportunity to benefit from the supply of motorcycle batteries grows proportionally.

For further details, please call Manbat Customer Services on: 01743 218500 or visit: www.manbat.co.uk

INFORM MAY 2015

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NGK UPDATE MAY 2015 NGK FERRARI VICTORY SEBASTIAN VETTEL IS CELEBRATING HIS FIRST VICTORY FOR THE SCUDERIA FERRARI FORMULA ONE TEAM – SPARKED BY NGK SPARK PLUGS (UK) LTD. The four-time world champion finished ahead of current world champion Lewis Hamilton to win the Malaysian Grand Prix.

NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd recently announced the continuation of its 20-year partnership with the Scuderia Ferrari team for the 2015 F1 season.

The world’s leading ignition company – which this year celebrates its 40th anniversary in the UK – says its strong co-operation with the legendary Italian race team is growing year by year.

Vettel, who joined Ferrari this year, finished ahead of Mercedes’ drivers Hamilton in second place and Nico Rosberg in third with Ferrari team-mate Kimi Raikkonen coming fourth. His victory in the second GP of the season was the

INFORM MAY 2015

40th of his career – only one short of Ayrton Senna, who is third in the all-time list – and the race was the first time Mercedes had been beaten since last August's Belgian Grand Prix.

NGK spark plugs have helped teams achieve more than 300 wins in Formula One races and a total of 32 World Driver and Constructors’ Championships.

Marko Wowczyna, Automotive Director, NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: “It is fantastic that NGK has helped Sebastian Vettel achieve a victory in only his second race for Scuderia Ferrari and with Kimi Raikkonen taking fourth place this bodes well for an exciting season ahead.

“We are proud to continue our work with Scuderia Ferrari and display our brand on the most prestigious cars in motorsport and I’m sure that all our customers who are F1 fans will be looking forward to following the team’s performance throughout the 2015 season.”

For more information about NGK and its products and services, please visit the website at www.ngkntk.co.uk. You can also check out its blogzine at ngktorque.com

NGK MECHANEX THE LEADING SUPPLIER OF ORIGINAL EQUIPMENT (OE) SPARK PLUGS, GLOW PLUGS AND NTK SENSORS FEATURED THE NGK SPARK PLUG CHALLENGE DURING THE INAUGURAL EVENT. Marko Wowczyna, Automotive Director, NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd, said: “We met up with a lot of current – and potential new customers – at Alexandra Palace and we were encouraged by the level of interest shown in our products in this our 40th anniversary year in the UK.” The ignition specialist continues to set the pace 40 years after being incorporated as a UK subsidiary company of Japan and displayed its new range of NTK exhaust gas temperature sensors (EGTS) and its expanded ignition coils range.

For more information on NGK Spark Plugs (UK) Ltd and its products and services, please visit the website www.ngkntk.co.uk Also you can check out its new blogzine at ngktorque.com

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GRANVILLE LUBRICANTS THERE’S NO DOUBT ABOUT IT, THE WORLD OF AUTOMOTIVE LUBRICANTS HAS CHANGED DRAMATICALLY IN RECENT YEARS. SINCE THE ISSUE OF THE 2011 EU DIRECTIVE TO REDUCE VEHICLE EMISSIONS AND SET A COMMON STANDARD FOR REPLACEMENT PARTS, THE AUTOMOTIVE INDUSTRY HAS SEEN THE RAPID DEVELOPMENT OF NEW TECHNOLOGIES TO MEET THIS REQUIREMENT. Naturally this has meant responding to the increasing demand for low SAPS engine oils for Automotive Lubricant Manufacturers and, as DPF checks became standard for MOTs from February 2014, the need for motorists to use enginespecific oils has also become more apparent to avoid clogged up filters and expensive repairs and replacements.

But as a result of this necessity to reduce emissions, the average customer now expects more miles for their money as these new technologies continue to improve fuel economy. To meet this demand, transmissions have become more technologically advanced to reduce friction and drag. Dual Clutch Transmissions and Direct Shift Gearboxes are increasingly utilized by manufacturers like Volkswagen and Audi, which has had huge implications for the Automotive Lubricant industry.

“DCTs have almost become the norm for some manufacturers,” comments Simon Marston, Logistics and Special Projects Manager for Granville Oil & Chemicals, “which in turn requires lubricant manufacturers to react and formulate products to meet these ever changing and developing technologies.

“Formulating products which meet the demands required by these new technologies is only possible by selecting the highest quality base stocks and most up to date additive packages available to us.

“The recent launch of our DCT fluid reflects our commitment to updating our portfolio of products to reflect what is happening within the industry,” said Simon, “It is important to us that we offer our customers a complete package of lubricants to carry out the service requirements as set out by the manufacturer.”

Of course, the result of the increasing complexity of these technologies is that it is more important and more complicated than ever to ensure that the correct lubricant is used for your vehicle’s specifications.

This is the reason why Granville is committed to helping their customers make the right choice when selecting a lubricant for their vehicle’s specification. As well as manufacturing a wide range of automotive lubricants to meet most vehicle specifications on the market, Granville customers have access to a variety of resources to assist them in making the correct choice including the “Make the Right Choice Guide” and the interactive lubricant advisor both of which are available from the Granville website, along with the Technical Support Hotline.

For more information about Granville’s Lubricant range call us on +44 (0)1709 890099, email us at sales@granvilleoil.com, or visit us at www.granvilleoil.com.

INFORM MAY 2015

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MAY 2015 | SUPPLIER FEATURE

Your First Choice For Steering & Suspension First Line offers the most comprehensive range of Steering and Suspension. >

A range consisting of over 7500 references

>

Premium quality components, no compromise

>

Includes all the necessary fitting components as standard

>

Plus, over 60 HD Stabiliser Link Bars

To discuss steering and suspension or any of our other approved ranges contact your dedicated area sales manager today.

www.firstline.co.uk

INFORM MAY 2015

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MASSIVE INCREASE IN VEHICLE COVERAGE WITH WPS WIPER MOTORS EXTENSION TWENTY-TWO NEW PART NUMBERS ADDED TO RANGE WAIglobal UK has massively extended its reach with the introduction of new WPS wiper motor references.

Twenty-two new references have been added bringing the total range to 29 and covering more than 2000 vehicle applications.

Vehicle makes and models featured in the range extension are Audi A3, Citroen, Mercedes Benz (200, 300, 500 series & C Class and E Class), Peugeot Boxer and Volkswagen Golf and Passat.

Features in all Peugeot/ Citroën power steering applications from 2004

These join existing marques such as Fiat, Renault, Seat, Skoda, Vauxhall and Volkswagen bringing the vehicle parc coverage to well over 90 percent.

The new additions have already been added to MAM & TecDoc cataloguing systems, allowing customers to identify the correct part in the quickest time possible.

All WPS wiper motors are manufactured to original equipment (OE) specifications with gears made from composite material to resist stripping. The product also features boards, mounting grommets and crank arms when required and to aid installation.

Wiper motors fail because of a number of reasons, including linkage breakage, corrosion or even from freezing weather conditions.

The WPS range of wiper motors brings a highly sought after replacement parts opportunity to motor factors and garages in the independent automotive aftermarket.

For use in DSG & DCT wet clutch systems

Only available from main dealers and Total - Original equipment for Peugeot/Citroën

The only fluid recommended for the Citroën "HYDRActive 3" suspenion

Controls heat build up and wear within the transmission

Protects and extends component durability

Fully Synthetic

Tel: 01709 890099 Fax: 01709 891121 Email: sales@granvilleoil.com Web: www.granvilleoil.com

INFORM MAY 2015

Quality Blended In

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MAY 2015 | SUPPLIER FEATURE

FPS UPDATE MAY 2015 COMPONENTS Gates Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) range Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) engines are becoming increasingly dependent upon the reliability of the accessory belt drive system (ABDS) to run trouble-free. Garages are therefore recommended to add ABDS checks to their service criteria by replacing belt(s) and metal(s) at the same time.

As a renowned OE supplier of complete accessory belt drive systems, Gates now offers an extensive aftermarket range of Micro-V® belt kits as well as Drivealign® idlers and tensioners for the HGV segment branded as Extra Service.

Highlights include:

New-to-range Valeo Column Switches

Part No.

Description

Application

VE363535

Crankshaft sensor

Vauxhall Astra 1.7 (12/2009>)

VE363570

Crankshaft sensor

Toyota Auris 1.4 (03/2007>)

VE363536

Crankshaft sensor

Vauxhall Agila 1.2 (04/2010>)

Do not miss out on this great opportunity to increase your vehicle electronics sales with Cambiare & FPS. Log on to www.cambiare-ve.com for a full range overview or call the Cambiare hotline on 0845 543 8280 for technical support.

The Gates HGV range covers the 7 major manufacturers in the European truck market, consisting of 500+ part numbers with market leading coverage, fully catalogued on GatesAutocat.com.

More Cambiare EPS added FPS has added 23 new engine position sensors (EPS) to the successful Cambiare engine management portfolio. This range extension consists of both crankshaft and camshaft sensors that cover over 2.1 million vehicles on the UK roads and focuses on vehicles that have recently come out of the manufacturers’ warranty period.

INFORM MAY 2015

The turn signal, wiper and lighting functions play a key role in enhancing driver safety and the switches must be replaced as part of the MoT test if found to be faulty.

Clock springs are a new addition to the Valeo column switches range. The clock spring enables the steering wheel to turn while maintaining the electrical connection between the steering wheel airbag, horn and the vehicle’s electrical systems.

Features and Benefits: • 100% OE range

BGA Timing Chain Kits Please speak to your local FPS or Gates representative to learn more about the Gates HGV range.

The Valeo column switch range consists of 280 part numbers and features complete modules, single levers and clock springs for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, including Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Fiat, Iveco, Peugeot and Renault.

BGA has recently launched the timing chain kit, part number TC0900FK for the popular BMW N47 engine. The OE chain on this engine is prone to rattle between 40,000-70,000 miles; an indication that it could snap at any moment resulting in catastrophic engine failure. The BGA kit features uprated chains providing superior quality, ensuring peace of mind for the installer.

BGA also offers part number TC0380FK for the popular Fiat 1.3L Multijet engine. With this particular engine, the oil mix is prone to diesel contamination affecting the performance of the chain. Here again, the BGA kit offers a complete solution and contains all the necessary components for a timing chain overhaul.

Both references are available now, same day from FPS.

• growing market opportunity for the independent aftermarket • wide range available for French, Italian and newly added German brands • easy to fit, without specific tools

Blue Print new-to-range Steering and suspension The Blue Print steering and suspension range contains 4,800 part numbers and covers 9,900 vehicle variants. The range includes arm bushes, coil springs, leaf springs, leaf bushes, power steering pumps, power steering reservoirs, track rod ends, link arms, anti-roll bar bushes, stabiliser links, suspension arms, shock absorbers plus much more.

SUPPLIER FEATURE | MAY 2015

Highlights include: Part No.

Description

Application

ADN18424

Shock absorber (rear LH/RH)

Nissan Qashqai 1.6i, 2.0i ('10-14)

ADN186157

Suspension arm (upper)

ADN187240

Track rod end Nissan Juke 1.2i (outer RH) ('14>), 1.5DT, 1.6i ('10>), Leaf ('10>)

Track rod end Chevrolet Aveo (inner) 1.2i, 1.3DT, 1.4i, 1.6i 2011>

ADG087200

Nissan Qashqai (2006>)

Steering and suspension components have to withstand a fair amount of hard work on a vehicle. It is important that these items are kept in good condition and replaced with quality parts when necessary.

Blue Print works with its manufacturers to ensure that it is the first to market with new filters as soon as a new vehicle is introduced.

All Blue Print products are matching OE quality, meeting EC1400/2002 standards and offer 3 year unlimited mileage warranty.

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Comma Performance Motor Oils The comprehensive range of Comma Performance Motor Oils is blended to the highest international standards. They meet the strict vehicle manufacturer requirements of 99% of the UK passenger and light commercial vehicle parc.

As they are subjected to rigorous quality controls and tested to extremes of performance in motorsport, they are backed with a unique 100% guarantee of quality and compatibility

by Comma.

NON-COMPONENTS Don’t get faded – get Renovo!

Comma Performance Motor Oils can be used by application on any vehicle with complete confidence. Speak to your local FPS representative or visit the non-components on the F:Drive section and search for PMO to get a full overview of this quality range of motor oils from Comma.

Created by a car enthusiast, the Renovo range of products has everything needed to clean and restore faded, tired and dull looking, convertible soft tops.

Filters Blue Print’s filter range contains over 1,600 part numbers covering more than 13,450 applications. The range includes oil, air, fuel and cabin filters as well as in-tank fuel filters and transmission filters.

New-to-range filters include: Part No.

Description

Application

ADM52266

Air filter

ADN12285

Air filter

Mazda 3 1.5i (2013>)

ADC42367

Fuel filter (in-tank)

ADN12539

Cabin filter

Nissan Note 1.5DT (2013>)

Using the simple 3-step process of cleaning, reviving and proofing, it is possible to get a soft top looking like new, whilst also restoring waterproofness. Furthermore, the added UV protection and mould inhibitors ensure safety against all weather conditions.

Also within the range is a plastic window polish that not only reduces scratches and staining but also restores transparency and reduces the cloudy finish of Perspex® windows.

Call your local FPS branch today or visit the noncomponents section on the F:Drive to find out more about this unique product range.

Mitsubishi Shogun Pinin 1.8i (1999-2001) Nissan Qashqai 1.2i, 1.5DT, 1.6DT (2013>)

INFORM MAY 2015

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MAY 2015 | SUPPLIER FEATURE

Automotive Performance you can trust since 1965 2015 marks the fiftieth anniversary of the Comma brand. The past half century has seen Comma evolve as a leading brand of high quality engine lubricants, coolants and automotive chemicals.

Technicians can rely on Comma’s experience and reliability to develop and supply premium quality products for an increasingly complex vehicle parc.

Fit with confidence using Comma’s online product recommendation, supported by our 100% Compatibility Guarantee.

Contact your Comma Area Sales Manager to discuss your automotive lubricant needs and visit CommaOil.com INFORM MAY 2015

SUPPLIER FEATURE | MAY 2015

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FPS NEWS AUTOMATIC AUTOCAT+ UPDATES MAM AutoCat+ allows you to automatically set preferences on all current and future FPS catalogue sections in one go. Simply update to the latest version of Autocat+, select ‘Parameter Maintenance’ on the General/6 button and tick on the ‘set all FPS data sections to Preference level 2’ box, after entering your password.

DELIVERING MORE THAN PRODUCTS FPS has introduced yet another channel to keep factors up-to-date with further developments, in addition to the regular updates aboutnew product launches and range additions.

The FPS fleet of more than 300 vans provides nationwide coverage to deliver orders in the quickest time. With the vans regularly parked on the factors’ forecourt, they are the perfect vehicle to deliver information, and not just products, direct to their doors.

FPS has also partnered with Cambiare and Royal to develop some recent additions to its fleet.

As the sole UK distributor of these brands, FPS has utilised the entire vehicle, and not just the backs, to display the bold designs from these brands. The result: two one-off vans, customdesigned to showcase the brand message.

Next time one of the FPS van drivers visits, don’t forget to take a look at the latest designs on the vans to stay up-to-date with the varied range of stock and services offered by FPS.

FPS TAKES FLIGHT On 13th March 2015, FPS completed what is believed to be the first UK commercial delivery to be made by a drone, from their Sheffield distribution centre to local customer Brakeline.

The trial was a “proof of concept” project, investigating the feasibility of drones being used to carry out an immediate, local service.

Current legislation on the size and weight of items carried and restrictions on locations for flying mean that deliveries of this kind will not be commonplace any time soon for FPS. However, the exercise has made it clear that the possibility cannot be ruled out in the longer term, in line with the company’s far-reaching future vision.

The modified DJI s1000 drone used in the delivery was flown under strict conditions, by qualified pilots, with permission from the CAA for aerial work. The proof of concept video and more information can be found on the FPS website at www.fpsdistribution.com.

Whilst most of the vans carry the trademark mint green of FPS, the back of the vans now promote selected products and services that could also interest the factors. Some of the latest designs display FPS’ protective work wear, in-vehicle connectivity and spray paint ranges.

INFORM MAY 2015

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MAY 2015 | SUPPLIER FEATURE

TAKING THE FIGHT TO THE DEALERS AFTER LISTENING TO FEEDBACK FROM GARAGES CONCERNING THE INCREASING NUMBER OF PRODUCTS IN ITS NICHE RANGE, THE FIRST LINE GROUP (FLG) IS URGING GROUPAUTO MEMBERS TO KEEP THEIR CUSTOMERS UP-TO-DATE WITH THE ARRIVAL OF THE PRODUCTS, AS THEY CAN MAKE A REAL DIFFERENCE TO THEIR PROFITS AND WIN BUSINESS FROM THE FRANCHISED DEALER. Within the niche range, gear control cables and turbo hoses particularly provide the independent with opportunities as they can make a margin that would normally be harder to achieve on any standard product primarily because these products are generally thought to be available only from the dealer and at dealer prices!

First Line turbo hoses are manufactured to the same high specifications as the original equipment (OE) fitted part, so the material used in their construction is always consummate with the original item.

It was in order to provide the independent garage with an alternative to the franchised dealer that FLG introduced its First Line branded turbo hoses last year. The addition has been an immediate hit and the range now includes more than 500 part numbers covering many popular European and Asian applications.

As with any rubber product the material naturally degrades over time, but as turbo hoses are constantly exposed to large changes in temperature and pressure and can suffer from the effects of engine over-boosting and failing turbo oil seals, they are subject to high levels of stress, which along with contamination from oil and other common automotive chemicals, means they will eventually fail and need replacing.

INFORM MAY 2015

FLG has introduced a new range of over 60 First Line gear control cables for numerous automotive and LCV applications.

In common with a traditional gear linkage, the gear control cable selects and engages the different gears within the transmission system and is becoming a favoured method of gear control, particularly with LCVs. To ensure a smooth gear selection however, the control cable needs to be in good condition and if it needs to be changed, a high quality replacement is a necessity.

As is customary with many of the components in its portfolio, FLG is blazing the trail with gear control cables for members and their customers, as they are an innovative product that provides them both with a new and high margin profit opportunity.

First Line Turbo & Engine Hoses

The complete programme actually includes several different types of hose, although the majority are turbo hoses, which fit between the turbo and the intercooler and the intercooler and the inlet manifold. Also included are air filter hoses, which fit between the air intake and the air filter housing and the filter housing and the turbo, as well as some turbo oil feed/return hoses and crankcase breather hoses.

Gear Control Cables

First Line Hose Clips Another vital area when replacing any hose is the connector. So naturally, First Line hoses are only supplied with OE specification connectors where standard.

A range of First Line hose clips are also available to members and come in two specifications: the 1000 series and the super heavy duty 1100 series.

Offered in packs of 10 or singularly, the 1000 series is a quality range of 12mm wide stainless steel, spring-loaded, constant tension clamp clips that consists of eight part numbers and caters for diameters from 30-110mm. Whereas the 1100 series provides a 18-25mm wide heavy duty bolt clamping option, consisting of 12 part numbers, catering for diameters from 34-85mm, also available singularly, or in packs of five.

Again, following its standard practice, FLG source these products from factories that also supply their cables as original equipment fitment for the vehicle manufacturers. As a result their quality is first rate, as is the range, which covers popular models such as the Fiat Punto and Ford Focus and provides excellent LCV coverage that naturally includes applications such as the Ford Transit and Transit Connect, Vauxhall Vivaro, Mercedes Vito and Renault Kangoo.

Cables During 2014 FLG introduced 126 new hand brake cable references into its already market leading range of First Line branded cables. With these additions, the range now extends to more than 2,300 part numbers.

The breadth of the range and the vehicle coverage it provides explains why FLG remains at the forefront of the supply of cables to

SUPPLIER FEATURE | MAY 2015

the automotive aftermarket in the UK and the continuing level of range additions demonstrates its commitment to these key, safety critical products.

Another recent range extension is the introduction of clutch and brake cables for left hand drive vehicles. This development is aimed at offering products to service a small, but growing niche market in the UK and the range now comprises more than 230 references and covers all the popular applications.

The FLG product team has focused particular attention recently on hand brake cables for Asian applications. These vehicles account

for close to 25% of the UK vehicle parc. FLG has used its extensive experience of sourcing high quality products from around the world, to put together a leading range of automotive cables for these vehicles. Among the more popular applications are Mitsubishi Shogun 2006 onwards, Hyundai i30 2007 onwards, Kia Rio 2005-2011 and Nissan Juke 2010 onwards.

The complexity of some vehicles means it can be difficult to clearly and confidently identify products for specific vehicles. This is particularly true of light commercial vehicle (LCVs) and the Ford Transit is a good example.

Nearly 40 brake cable references are now needed to cover all the options available on

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this vehicle from 2000 to 2013. In response to the many requests from GROUPAUTO members, FLG has produced a bulletin, which gives clear and concise vehicle and product information to prevent the incorrect part being supplied.

For more information about the premium quality products available from the First Line Group, please call the sales team on: 01869 248484 or visit: www.firstlineltd.com

INFORM MAY 2015

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MAY 2015 | SUPPLIER FEATURE

FRAM®: FIRST CHOICE FOR FILTRATION TODAY’S CARS REQUIRE FILTERS THAT OFFER THE HIGHEST LEVELS OF QUALITY, RELIABILITY AND MANUFACTURE, TO KEEP THEIR ENGINES RUNNING SMOOTHLY AND THEIR FUEL, OIL, AIR AND CABIN AIR CONTAMINATION FREE. WITH FRAM® REPLACEMENT FILTERS IN STOCK, PARTS DISTRIBUTORS CAN BE SURE THEIR CUSTOMERS ARE GETTING WORLD-LEADING FILTRATION PERFORMANCE. Oil, air, fuel and cabin air filters are one of the largest product groups for motor factors.

Demand is high and consistent as every service will require a filter. Replacement filters also need to be superbly designed to meet the needs of each vehicle application, and give garages the reassurance of a perfect, first time fit.

Original quality, aftermarket availability Sogefi Group, the name behind the UK’s top selling Fram® filter brand, is one of Europe’s largest OE and aftermarket filtration specialists – delivering top-notch OE credentials, as well as all-makes, OE quality aftermarket choice.

Sogefi is also a leading global supplier of flexible suspension components, air management and engine cooling systems.

Thanks to these credentials, Sogefi can guarantee the quality and reliability of its Fram® filters through advanced, original technologies that are manufactured on Sogefi’s own OE production lines, and subjected to the most demanding quality and lifetime tests.

Unique technologies The company also has a strong commitment to research, making a considerable annual R&D spend to further optimise the efficiency, size, weight and environmental compatibility of its products. Innovations include Sogefi’s exclusive, zig-zag Chevron pleating technique, making it possible to include significantly more filter media within a given space and delivering enhanced performance. Sogefi has also pioneered highly efficient Diesel3Tech™ technology, which combines three, high performance filtration materials in a single filter element to achieve up to 95% filtration for particles down to 4μm; and up to 99% of contaminating water.

INFORM MAY 2015

Sogefi’s efforts to protect the environment also ensure that Fram® filters are increasingly compact and lightweight; reducing the raw materials and recycling required.

Premier league expertise Nigel Duffield, Sogefi Aftermarket’s Sales Manager UK & Ireland, explained: “Sogefi is in the true ‘premier league’ of replacement filter suppliers because we work in partnership with all major car, and commercial vehicle equipment manufacturers. Nine of the UK’s top 10 selling cars of 2014 were equipped with a Sogefi filter module, for example.

“Through our Fram® brand we offer customers a complete choice of continually updated, OEquality automotive filters for all major American, European and Asian car marques”, he continued.

“As a result, we are clearly established as the industry leader when it comes to speed to market, especially in respect of new vehicles".

Nigel Duffield, Sogefi Aftermarket’s Sales Manager UK & Ireland

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FPS AND SOGEFI CONFIRM NEW SUPPLY AGREEMENT FOR FILTERS SOGEFI, EUROPE’S LEADING OE AND AFTERMARKET VEHICLE FILTER MANUFACTURER, IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE ITS NEW PARTNERSHIP WITH MAJOR UK AUTOMOTIVE PARTS DISTRIBUTOR FPS. The Warwickshire-based wholesale and distribution company, which employs over 1,000 people and operates across the UK through a network of 22 sites, has added Sogefi’s Fram® and Sogefi Pro brands to its filtration programme to cover both passenger and commercial vehicles.

The new agreement will enable FPS to supply customers with Fram® oil, air, fuel and cabin air filters for average 96% of the passenger vehicle parc on a same-day basis. FPS customers will also have same or next-day access to the

complete range of Sogefi Pro filters, which cover about 93% of the heavy duty, truck and bus parc – including hydraulic filters, diesel filters, oil filters, air filters, water filters, urea filters, air dryers and cabin air filters. The filters under both brands feature many Sogefi-patented innovations for optimum performance, durability and efficiency, and offer fast and excellent newto-range availability.

“FPS Distribution is the partner of choice for a number of leading automotive brands. We are proud to now further strengthen that association through our new partnership with Sogefi, as a leading global supplier of OE quality, automotive replacement parts,” said Neil Davis, Managing Director of FPS.

the top 10 selling European cars, making them an essential addition to any distributor’s filtration portfolio. Our new partnership with FPS helps to ensure that Sogefi can offer the very best service to the UK aftermarket; both now and for many years to come.”

The Italian-owned Sogefi Group is a longstanding supplier of cutting-edge, original filter solutions. It owns a number of original patents for key filter technologies. The company’s Aftermarket division is also Europe’s leading provider of filters for the independent aftermarket. Its Fram® and Sogefi Pro brands offer OE-quality replacement filters for all major American, European and Asian car and commercial vehicle makes.

Nigel Duffield, Sales Manager UK and Ireland at Sogefi Aftermarket Business Unit added: “Sogefi filters are fitted as original equipment on 9 of

DIESEL DO NICELY THE ADDITION OF DIESEL DEEP CLEAN COMPLETES THE SET OF FUEL PERFORMANCE ENHANCING PRODUCTS AVAILABLE FROM THE LUCAS OIL ADDITIVES RANGE. New Diesel Deep Clean looks set to become popular with garage customers thanks to its total system approach to fuel system cleaning.

It tackles Diesel Particulate Filters, exhaust systems, the injectors and lift pumps. It reduces NOX emissions, increases fuel efficiency and restores lost diesel engine power, all at the same time. Diesel Deep Clean now sits on the shelf alongside Lucas Oil’s Deep Clean (for petrol engines only) Upper Cylinder Lubricant (petrol and diesel), Ethanol Fuel Conditioner, Bio-Diesel, Fuel Stabilizer and Lead Replacer.

UCL removes internal tar and varnish deposits on injectors, improves the fuel burn and increases fuel economy. Ethanol Fuel Conditioner protects vehicles from increasing levels of ethanol in fuel, while Fuel Stabilizer prevents fuel degradation in standing vehicles.

Lead Replacer is the vintage vehicle owner’s friend, allowing any lead free petrol from any forecourt pump to be used in the fuel system of any vintage vehicle.

INFORM MAY 2015

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MAY 2015 | SUPPLIER FEATURE

e gu ew lo N ta n! ca soo 15 ut 20 o

Perfect Timing

FAI Timing Chain Kits Our all-new range has over two hundred part numbers, covering thousands of applications, and it’s growing all the time.

Vehicle manufacturers are increasingly fitting timing chains in preference to belts and changing them is a more time consuming and expensive job. That’s why every FAI Timing Chain Kit has every part that you need to make a complete repair and is made to OE matching quality for European, Japanese and Korean vehicles. Our latest catalogue shows the full range.

A complete solution in a box.

It’s about time.

www.faiauto.com Tel: MAY 08708 INFORM 2015 391802

Best Availability. Best Value.

Best Quality. Best Service.

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FAI ENGINE PARTS PROGRAM IS EVOLVING TO MEET THE NEEDS OF TODAY'S AFTERMARKET OVER 30% OF ENGINES IN THE CAR PARC NOW USE TIMING CHAINS INSTEAD OF TIMING BELTS. FAI OFFERS OVER 200 PART NUMBERS COMPRISING COMPLETE AND ECONOMY KITS. INCLUDING ALL THE TIMING COMPONENTS HELPS THE INSTALLER TO COMPLETE THE REPLACEMENT WITHOUT DELAYS CAUSED BY MISSING PARTS. SOME ENGINES USE A TIMING BELT KIT AND A TIMING CHAIN KIT. THE FAI CATALOGUE IDENTIFIES THESE ENGINES AND LISTS THE FAI TIMING BELT KIT WHICH SHOULD BE FITTED AT THE SAME TIME AS THE TIMING CHAIN KIT. FAI has a comprehensive range of variable valve timing (VVT) hubs in the relevant timing chain kits, following the ethos of giving the customer a complete solution. Many timing chains fatigue due to excessive forces resulting from the VVT hub failing. Our experience shows that the VVT hubs are susceptible to failure when the wrong grade of oil is used or contaminated with metal or silicon (dirt) particles. Both scenarios will prevent the VVT hub from working correctly with eventual failure guaranteed.

For further information on the FAI Timing Chain Kit range and fitting instruction videos, please refer to the web site www.faiauto.com.

Note: Some engines with the same engine code (e.g. Nissan QG18DE) use different VVT hubs. You must fit like for like. FAI is the only company to offer kits for all variants of this engine.

A complete installation/solution in a box Fitting FAI Timing Chain Kits is a job that can be readily achieved by non-franchised garages.

Diesel engines in BMW models, including 1, 3 and 5 series also diesel versions of the Mini, have two timing chains kits. FAI Timing Chain Kits are available for both the upper (timing) chain – TCK 133, and the lower (injection pump) chain – TCK 134. Since the chains are located at the rear of the engine, which has to be removed to facilitate a repair, it is false economy not to change both chains and all of the associated components at the same time.

The trade needed someone to make it simple… and FAI has done just that, with the introduction of a new kit, the TCK 133C, which includes all of the necessary parts to change both chains, as well as the crankshaft and camshaft sprockets plus the oil pump chain.

INFORM MAY 2015

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MAY 2015 | SUPPLIER FEATURE

WHO SAid YOU CAN’T HAVE YOUR CAKE ANd EAT iT? it’s generally accepted that quality comes at a price. However the Alternative Range of air conditioning and engine cooling parts from BEHR HELLA SERViCE might just be the exception to the rule.

The Alternative Range comprises of more than 400 thermal management products, including air conditioning compressors, condensors, radiators and intercoolers for selected popular vehicle models.

As the name suggests, parts within the Alternative Range are specifically designed, engineered - and priced - to provide a more economical alternative to fitting the equivalent BEHR HELLA SERVICE OE part. Ideal for older vehicles, they provide the perfect balance of quality and value.

So the next time you come across someone who wants to have their cake and eat it, offer them the Alternative Range from BEHR HELLA SERVICE. For more information call 01295 225600.

www.hella.co.uk INFORM MAY 2015

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BRAND NEW CAR MAT RANGE FROM MAYPOLE MAYPOLE HAVE ADDED A NEW RANGE OF CAR MATS TO THEIR EXTENSIVE PORTFOLIO OF AUTOMOTIVE ACCESSORIES. THE RANGE NOW CONSISTS OF NINE GREAT VALUE CAR MATS TO SUIT ANY STYLE OR BUDGET, AND ALL FEATURE PATENTED ANTI-SLIP BACKING. We have four types of car mat sets, which include Carpet, All Weather, Heavy Duty and Luxury. The car mats are available in black or grey and in a variety of styles and trims.

The All Weather car mat set (MP6373) is made completely of black PVC with a contrasting sporty red trim, offering great protection from mud and dirt.

The Luxury car mats are a mixture of carpet and heavy duty PVC, and available in a choice of grey (MP6345) or black (MP6343). The Luxury mats also feature trim lines to allow them to be cut to size easily for a custom fit.

All of the car mats from Maypole come as a set of four (two front and two rear), and are a universal fit which makes them suitable for a wide range of vehicles, vans or motorhomes.

All of the car mats are competitively priced, and supplied with Maypole retail packaging complete with display hook, making them ideal for motor stores.

To view the range visit www.maypole.ltd.uk or call the sales team on 0121 270 4301

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MAY 2015 | SUPPLIER FEATURE

MOTORISTS GIVE INDEPENDENT SECTOR THE THUMBS-UP IN COMMA SURVEY IN THE AUTUMN OF 2014, COMMA COMMISSIONED A WIDE RANGING MOTORIST SURVEY TO EXAMINE SERVICING PATTERNS AND GET INSIGHTS INTO VEHICLE OWNER ATTITUDES. SOME OF ITS MOST REVEALING FINDINGS HAVE NOW BEEN PUBLISHED IN MARKETING INFORMATION BULLETINS AND WORKSHOP SUPPORT POSTERS FOR DISTRIBUTORS TO SHARE WITH THEIR CUSTOMERS. “We have extensive data on the make-up of the car parc as a whole, and that ensures we continue to supply GROUPAUTO distributors and factors with the right products,” says Comma brand Spokesperson, Mike Bewsey. “But it’s just as important for us to understand as much as we can about what motivates vehicle owners when it comes to the servicing of their vehicles. Our survey uncovered some really positive trends for the independent aftermarket which we want to pass on to our distributor partners and their customers, the end-user workshop technicians.”

ity prioritise service qual 9 out of 10 motorists why we use Comma over the price... That’s right, quality assured, the use Comma - this means 100% Ask your technician to covered by Comma’s your vehicle. PLUS it’s product is selected for tee.

Compatibility Guaran Ask your technician about

www.CommaOil.com Research carried out in

One significant finding strongly suggests that EU Block Exemption really is impacting the market, since while 40% of vehicles are still in warranty, 51% of consumers have their vehicle serviced at an independent workshop. Moreover, nine out of ten consumers rank quality ahead of price, and trust workshops to fit good quality products when servicing their vehicle.

“These are really good signs, with motorists shown to have confidence in the independent sector to do a good job on their vehicles,” said Mr Bewsey. “We are fully committed to supplying GROUPAUTO members with all the right Comma brand products to meet and exceed those expectations. We back them with our unique 100% Compatibility Guarantee, and further support them with extensive marketing and product training tools which can all be viewed and downloaded from the distributor section of the Comma website at CommaOil.com”.

INFORM MAY 2015

We can safely service your in-warranty vehicle, using the right Comma engine oil & flui ds For your complete confidence and safety, your technician will use Comma’s product recom mendation, backed by Comma’s unique 100% Comp atibility Guarantee to select the right Comma product for your vehicle.

Ask your technician about using Comma to service your vehicle today.

www.CommaOil.com

2014 on behalf of Cosan

Lubricants in Great Britain.

the many benefits of using

Comma

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COMMA LUBRICANTS RESPOND TO REQUIREMENTS OF A CHANGING MARKET COMMA REPORTS THAT, WITH THE ECONOMY RECOVERING, IT HAS BEEN AN EVENTFUL TWELVE MONTHS FOR THE VEHICLE LUBRICANTS SECTOR OF THE UK PASSENGER VEHICLE AFTERMARKET. SMALLER SUMP CAPACITIES AND EXTENDED OIL SERVICE INTERVALS MORE THAN EXPLAIN THE SLIGHT DECLINE – 1.4% PER ANNUM* – IN VOLUMES, BUT SALES VALUE IS STEADILY INCREASING AS THE TECHNOLOGY OF CONTEMPORARY LUBRICANTS BECOMES MORE COMPLEX AND JUSTIFIES A HIGHER PRICE PER LITRE. With 99% coverage of the UK car parc, the Comma range of Performance Motor Oils (PMO) has been developed to meet the majority of application requirements, and is covered by a unique 100% quality and compatibility guarantee. Longer oil drain intervals demand such high quality products, which include new technology Low SAPS oils specially formulated to protect catalytic converters and diesel particulate filters. It should be noted too that turbochargers are very sensitive to which engine oil is used. Leading supplier BTN Turbo - with whom Comma has a collaborative relationship – reports that no less than 95% of turbocharger failures are lubricant related. And there’s no escaping the relentless expansion in vehicle manufacturers’ own lubricant specifications and oil industry standards. These now play a significantly more critical role in lubricant selection than viscosity or synthetic type alone, and the Comma brand PMO range is constantly updated to stay abreast of their exacting requirements.

“haven’t got a clue what goes on” when their car is serviced, nine out of ten are more concerned with quality than price alone when it comes to selecting a service destination. This last statistic is supported by the study’s finding that 85% of consumers trust the workshop to select parts of the right quality.

“These are telling insights for our sector of the industry,” says Cosan Lubricants spokesperson, Mike Bewsey. “The impact of EU block exemption can certainly be detected in the findings, and that’s a great positive, with motorists increasingly relying on independent workshops to make the vehicle maintenance decisions. With

the fully cpmprehensive Comma PMO range, we are fully committed to supporting independent distributors, factors and their customers to satisfy their needs in a changing, more complicated vehicle parc.

SOURCE: Cosan Lubricants, (various primary sources including analysis based on data supplied by Kline)

An independent motorist consumer study commissioned in October 2014 by Comma’s parent company, Cosan Lubricants, revealed that while 40% of vehicles are covered by a warranty, 51% of consumers now visit an independent workshop to have their vehicle serviced. And while 46% of consumers say they

INFORM MAY 2015

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MAY 2015 | SUPPLIER FEATURE

A PROMISING FUTURE WITH DAYCO IF ONE WERE TO JUST TAKE A GLIMPSE AT THE HEADLINES IN THE MOTORING PRESS, IT WOULD BE EASY TO CONCLUDE THAT THE DAYS OF THE INTERNAL COMBUSTION (IC) ENGINE ARE NUMBERED AND THAT WE’LL ALL BE DRIVING ELECTRIC OR HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLES BY THE END OF THE YEAR! However, with the Ford Motor Company recently celebrating the production of its five-millionth fuel saving EcoBoost petrol engine, it’s clear that there are still many miles left in the IC engine and they’ll be in and out of the independent workshop for many years to come and it is therefore by developing engines with these sort of efficient credentials, that the bulk of environmental benefits will materialise.

As Ford’s technical partner for power transmission, Dayco was instrumental in the research, design and manufacture of the ultralow friction resistance belt-in-oil driven oil pump and the High Tenacity (HT) or ‘white’ belt driven timing drive system, which is incorporated into the EcoBoost engine programme. This technical expertise has also allowed it to work with many other vehicle manufacturers (VMs) to develop

INFORM MAY 2015

suitable solutions for their fuel saving initiatives such as variable speed/on demand water pumps and belt activated Start-Stop systems, alongside its ‘core’ primary, auxiliary and timing drive system specialism.

The ecological concerns for the environment that are driving fuel saving and emission reducing technology by the VMs are shared by many large manufacturers, including Dayco, which has taken the importance of ecology to heart and gone beyond standard emission and fuel efficiency regulations with its improvements to its European transport and logistics operation that resulted in a 50 tonne reduction in its carbon dioxide emissions in 2013.

Hand in hand with its concern for the environment is Dayco’s commitment to its aftermarket customers like GROUPAUTO members, on whom the company is dependent to ensure its world-class products are delivered to independent garages at the frontline of the service and repair sector.

With this customer commitment and the recent changes to its distribution arrangements in mind, Dayco Aftermarket UK will be at the forthcoming GROUPAUTO Spring Event in Portugal, where national sales manager Steve Carolan will be on hand to explain the many benefits that revised supply structure will bring to members.

“Getting to know members and forging closer relationships with them and their garage customers is an important area for us to develop,” said Carolan, “which is why this month’s Spring Event in Portugal and the AutoCare show in Milton Keynes last month are great opportunities for us build one-to-one business relationships in a way that we never could when Universal Automotive were the members’ primary contact for Dayco.

“We are now far more able to talk with members and explain the extent to which Dayco products, particularly the HT belt, are becoming the predominant original equipment (OE) fitment for many European VMs and how these premium quality products can help them to grow both their timing belt and FEAD (front end auxiliary drive) sales.

“In addition, we are keen to work with members’ garage customers to help them ensure belt replacement is undertaken in the most efficient and cost effective manner, therefore avoiding warranty claims and any unwanted inconvenience with their customers.”

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AUTOELECTRO LISTED ON TECDOC AUTOELECTRO, THE BRADFORD BASED REMANUFACTURER AND SUPPLIER OF STARTER MOTORS AND ALTERNATORS, IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT THE COMPANY AND ITS PRODUCTS ARE NOW LISTED ON TECDOC WHICH IS THE MOST WIDELY USED AUTOMOTIVE CATALOGUING SYSTEM IN EUROPE. Managing Director Tony Bhogal commented that this was a significant investment by Autoelectro and a major milestone in the progression of the company. Autoelectro is now the largest British owned company in its sector of the market in the UK, being established and continually trading since 1986.

In the last financial year Autoelectro has experienced double digit growth in its sales as it continues to consolidate its position against growing competition from cheaper copy Far-Eastern product. Tony Bhogal added, “We are not a box pusher of cheap product but offer our customers a quality product which is of equivalent if not better standards of the OE parts supported by excellent technical and sales support which is highlighted by our investment in TecDoc”.

Further Information is available from our Sales Office on 01274 656101 or email sales@autoelectro.co.uk

Tony Bhogal added that the listing would provide springboard to expand out into Europe giving European companies access to its massive stocks and range.

INFORM MAY 2015

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TRW ELECTRIC PARK BRAKE FOR HIGH VOLUME LIGHT TRUCK PLATFORM TRW AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS CORP. (NYSE: TRW), WILL BRING THE WEIGHT SAVINGS AND DIVERSE FUNCTIONS OF ITS ELECTRIC PARK BRAKE (EPB) TECHNOLOGY TO THE LIGHT TRUCK MARKET BEGINNING WITH A FIRST-TOMARKET INTRODUCTION ON A HIGH VOLUME NORTH AMERICAN PLATFORM IN 2017.

“Extending the range of our electric park brake to light trucks and sport utility vehicles is important for several reasons,” according to Ed Carpenter, vice president and general manager of TRW’s global braking business. “EPB can save more than 20 pounds per vehicle for larger trucks and SUVs when compared to conventional drum-in-hat park brakes – leading to enhanced fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.

“In addition shifting from a mechanically controlled to an electronically controlled solution enables many new functions that can work with other vehicle systems to add value for consumers. For example EPB can work in conjunction with electronic stability control to allow for safer emergency stops by preventing wheel lock, or help relieve fatigue in traffic jam situations by holding the vehicle stationary when needed and allowing the vehicle to move forward when safe to proceed,” Carpenter said.

TRW is a pioneer in electronic parking brake technology and has more than 50 million EPB calipers on world roadways. The heavy duty EPB solution features higher clamp loads - from 18.5 kilonewtons (kN) for larger passenger cars, light trucks and mid-size SUVs - to the heavy duty version with a 25 kN clamp load.

Further advantages include freeing up interior cabin space through the elimination of levers or foot pedals used to engage mechanical park brakes as well as the brake cabling – all replaced by a simple button or switch and electronic wiring. This simplifies vehicle assembly, allows for more flexible interior design and saves more weight.

TRW LAUNCHES DUAL STAGE TRANSMISSION OIL PUMPS TRW AUTOMOTIVE HOLDINGS CORP. (NYSE:TRW) HAS ANNOUNCED THAT IT HAS STARTED PRODUCTION OF ITS DUAL STAGE PUMP TECHNOLOGY ACROSS TWO MAJOR EUROPEAN VEHICLE PLATFORMS. The dual stage pump is TRW’s latest innovation in pump technology. It is highly suitable for wet dual clutch transmissions due to its ability to integrate two external gear pumps in a compact single housing. The first stage is a low-pressure pump which cools and lubricates the wet clutches with oil. The second stage is a high-pressure pump that serves as a hydraulic pressure source to actuate the clutches, shift forks and other elements.

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An electric motor runs the pump at variable speeds, operating only on-demand and reducing viscous friction losses, leading to a highly efficient solution.

Gregor Eipert, global sales lead for TRW’s Transmission Motor Pump Unit business commented: “TRW has been working on the integration of electric motors, pumps and electronics for many years and has produced millions of highly integrated motor pump units for various applications.

“By using sintering technologies, the TRW dual stage pump offers an efficient and cost effective solution for state-of-the-art dual wet clutch transmissions. Our customers also benefit from the integrated dual stage pump which utilizes

just one pump and one electric motor to provide the same functionality as comparable systems which need two pumps and two electric motors.”

TRW has produced over 40 million pumps to date, including eight million transmission oil pumps. The company has proven experience with different liquid formulations for powertrain, drivetrain and transmission applications and can offer the full range of pumps, from low to high pressure applications (0 – 200 bar). TRW continues to innovate in this area and new pump developments are underway such as variable displacement pumps with either an external gear or pendular design.

SUPPLIER FEATURE | MAY 2015

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TRW LAUNCHES NEW ‘PART FINDER APP’ FOR EUROPE AND ASIA TRW AUTOMOTIVE AFTERMARKET’S NEW ‘TRW PART FINDER APP’ FOR EUROPE AND ASIA IS NOW AVAILABLE FOR FREE DOWNLOAD. THIS DEVELOPMENT FORMS PART OF TRW’S 2015 DIGITAL STRATEGY AND FURTHER SUPPORTS THE COMPANY’S OBJECTIVE OF BECOMING A LEADER IN THIS FIELD. The ‘TRW Part Finder App’ has been developed for both iOS and Android. It can be downloaded from both the App Store and Google Play Store.

Android customers in Asia can download it directly from: www.trwaftermarket.com

“Giving our customers the ability to protect their businesses by confirming product authenticity via this App is a major step forward.

“With eighty-nine percent of the product supplied by TRW in 2014 - that’s more than 56,000 part numbers - carrying a unique two-dimensional (2D) matrix code on product box labels, allowing for part traceability and accountability, TRW’s customers can have complete confidence of the OE quality part inside the sealed box faster and easier than ever before,” he concluded.

The App permits access to TRW’s web based catalogue on the move, using either the OE or TRW part number as an entry reference point. In addition, with the integration of the businesses anti-counterfeiting functionality ‘TecIdentify’, it allows users to scan TRW’s product boxes and verify authenticity.

“Technology is driving our industry,” TRW’s Online Marketing Manager, Alexander Knorn explained: “As leading suppliers of automotive parts and systems into the global aftermarket, we fully support our customers by providing relevant and timely information through their preferred channels; wherever and whenever they need it.”

Offering improved performance, the App perfectly complements and strengthens TRW’s existing digital portfolio which includes an integrated catalogue and free online technical resource, ‘Tech Corner, both of which were launched on: www.trwaftermarket.com in 2014.

“As a global leader in automotive safety, TRW has long been involved in the industry-wide fight against counterfeited products,” Alex continued.

INFORM MAY 2015

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MAY 2015 | SUPPLIER FEATURE

POWER MAXED RACING UNVEIL 2015 BTCC LIVERY BTCC TEAM POWER MAXED RACING ARE PROUD TO UNVEIL THEIR 2015 BTCC 3M LIVERY THAT WILL BE USED AS A BASE DESIGN BY JOSH COOK AND DAVE NEWSHAM FOR THEIR TITLE CHALLENGES. DEVELOPED WITH VEHICLE BRANDING SPECIALISTS JOYCE DESIGN WITH SUPPORT FROM 3M’S COMMERCIAL GRAPHICS DIVISION, THE LIVERY BRINGS CUTTING EDGE VEHICLE WRAP TECHNOLOGY TO THE BTCC. Both Power Maxed Racing cars, #17 driven by Dave Newsham and #66 driven by Josh Cook will run the same Power Maxed inspired base livery with each car being given space for the drivers personal sponsors.

Working with top UK vehicle wrapping company Joyce Design and with support from 3M, Power Maxed Racing have been able to push the boundaries of racing livery and develop a truly unique wrap for 2015. The livery utilises the latest IJ180 Controltac Graphics Film, more often found on high end vehicle wraps therefore equally at home with the robust racing in the BTCC. Joyce Design are highly experienced vehicle graphics company with an international client base, having worked with some big names including McLaren, Lady Gaga, Damien Hurst and Top Gear.

INFORM MAY 2015

Russell Joyce commented, “When we were approached by Power Maxed Racing to support them again for the 2015 season, it was an easy decision to make. We love our motorsport and operate in a wide variety of formula, plus we know how to make a visually stunning but highly practical livery.”

He continued, “As one of 3M’s top UK Authorised Vehicle Wrappers, we insisted on 3M materials, we needed a finish that was bright and vibrant for spectators and sponsors but also hardwearing to stand up to the robust racing the BTCC offers.”

Adam Weaver, Power Maxed Racing Team Principal commented, “The BTCC is an exceptional marketing platform and the livery plays a critical part in this. We had to work with the best and the results speak for themselves, Joyce Design and 3M have done an amazing job.”

Weaver continued, “The livery is the personification of the changes we have gone through for our 2015 season. We have left no stone unturned in our preparations for the year ahead and have employed the best in British motorsport to make sure we have a strong chance at many podiums.”

The cars will be on show to the public at the BTCC media day on the 24th March at Donington Park where Josh Cook’s Racing for Heroes, Help for Heroes official charity partner, livery will be unveiled for the first time.

SUPPLIER FEATURE | MAY 2015

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AUTOMOTIVE BRANDS ADVICE ON STANDING OUT FROM THE REST DISPLAY STANDS ARE A WONDERFUL WAY TO CAPTURE CUSTOMERS' ATTENTION AND PROMOTE PRODUCTS.

The stands have been fantastically received by our GROUPAUTO Motor Factor Members.

They are possibly the best way to control presentation and make sure products are displayed to the best potential and offer an easy solution to monitor and replenish stock.

*20 Mugs *20 T-Shirts *Caps *Pens

It’s a competitive market and point of sale stands help promote products to stand out from competitors, and is an excellent method to make sure products get noticed.

*Brochures/Leaflets As part of the offer, Automotive Brands are also offering stand exclusivity in each area to GROUPAUTO Members. “We feel it is important to work with you and if another Motor Factor in your local area has similar stock, we will make sure that it will not drive traffic away from your stores.” Say Graham Hollis, Sales Manager at Automotive Brands.

The main advantages of point of sale stands are: • It encourages the customer to purchase your products • It improves the sales of a product • It boosts a company's image • It attracts more customers and satisfies their queries • It provides customers product information related to special offers, and benefits of a product • Fully lit signs make your product get noticed and draw attention to the brand Footfall is a good way to determine where to locate a profitable stand. These areas are usually near the front entrance of a shop or near till points.

Automotive Brands the company behind the award winning Steel Seal, J-B Weld & Power Maxed cleaning, additives and car care product range has taken into consideration the above factors when designing and developing Power Maxed and J-B Weld eye catching stands.

The new fully lit stands have really been making an impression and sales have increased considerably since the new stand launch at the beginning of the year.

excellent price of £618.26. Part of the package will also include full set up of the stand by a sales member, who will fully stock it and we will provide the following free promotional product:

"All I can say is Automotive Brands never disappoint! A package that supports both sides of our business. Looks the part and performs even better. We use it, we sell it, we trust it." says Pete Shephard, Manager at Alex E Carr Engineering.

Stands have been fully allocated in April, however Automotive Brands are now taking orders for May and onwards.

Please call the Sales team on 01789 330668 to talk in more detail about how to become a stand stockist in your local area.

Automotive Brands Power Maxed stand retail value is £4612.40 (Inc VAT) but is offering Group Auto members stands at an amazing price of £1893.45. Part of the package will also include full set up of the stand by a sales member, who will fully stock it and we will provide the following free promotional product: *150 Shampoo & Ultra Wax Sachets *78 Glass Cleaner Atomisers *20 Power Maxed Racing T-Shirts *100 Pens *Mugs/Keyrings and Coasters The J-B Weld stand retail value is £1432 (Inc VAT) and is available to GROUPAUTO members at an

INFORM MAY 2015

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SOUND BITES

SHAFTEC FACTORY MOVE DOUBLES CAPACITY TO DRIVE EUROPEAN GROWTH

PREP YOUR CAR FOR SPRING WITH POWER MAXED TRAFFIC FILM REMOVER

Shaftec, a leading aftermarket supplier of remanufactured and new transmission, braking and steering parts for passenger cars and light commercial vehicles, has upgraded to new Midlands-based premises; in a move which will double production and stocking capacity for the TecDoc certified data supplier.

With things now starting to warm up, spring is the ideal time to get your car ready for the summer. One problem that car owners usually find because of the colder months is winter grime and traffic film builds up to form a tough ingrained substance. Hence, the buildup of dirt makes it a much harder clean.

Tom Curtis, Shaftec Director explained: “Moving to bigger, more central premises will allow us to operate with increased efficiency and to bring to fruition some exciting development plans.

“The fact that Shaftec is thriving while the wider economy and manufacturing sector is still in recovery is true testament to the hard work put in by our whole team.”

This development is the culmination of a significant investment plan which has seen employee numbers increase by 18 percent and stock holding by 45 percent over the past 12 months. It signals the company’s determination to further increase its presence in the UK, across Europe and beyond; cementing its position as a major global player in its field.

One product standing out in the market is Traffic Film Remover. Part of the Power Maxed range, it’s proving to be a powerful pre wash used to remove bugs, dirt and grime.

“You will be undoubtedly pleased with the results. It provides the deepest clean possible by breaking down all dirt and grime and degreases vehicle bodies, alloy wheels and chassis.” says Graham Hollis, Automotive Brands Sales Manager. “We spent some considerable time and effort to develop Traffic Film Remover. Its fast action powerful formula is designed for the toughest of dirt.”

Power Maxed Traffic Film Remover ready-to-use (also available in concentrate)is very simple to use, spray on the troublesome area, leave to soak in and work for a couple of minutes then rinse off with water or jet wash. It is safe to use on Rubber, Plastic, Alloy, Wiring & Glass and is effective to use on all types of vehicles including cars, vans, trucks and industrial vehicles.

Power Maxed Traffic Film Remover boast many positive reviews added to the website and in forums, which has increased Traffic Film Remover sales dramatically this year.

The new factory comprises 42,000 square feet and is situated in the heart of Birmingham’s industrial Centre, the inner city district of Hockley. Fully equipped with the latest machinery and technology for increased efficiency, the facility also incorporates an additional production line to support increased demand.

Recently it was nominated for Detailing World ‘Best Pre Wash of the Year’ award.

Detailing World is the largest resource for detailers, valeters and car cleaning enthusiasts, with over 77,500 members.

Tom continued: “Our business is growing, our customer base is expanding and by committing to these premises we are sending out a clear message that the Shaftec brand is rapidly gaining momentum.

One of the main benefits of Power Maxed Traffic Film Remover is it offers a touch less wash. It’s easy to use with a jet wash as it requires minimum effort with noticeably outstanding results.

“With a strong brand and cohesive offer, we exhibited at last year’s Automechanika, Frankfurt for the first time and interest was high. By actively seeking likeminded distributors which will allow the brand to grow in a controlled way, I believe we are more than ready to make our presence felt in the wider European Aftermarket.”

“This is an achievement for a new product. I’m sure we will get lots of votes, and hopefully win it.” Says Adam Weaver, Automotive Brands Managing Director.

It’s also a real money saver for car cleaning enthusiasts wanting to save a few pounds without compromising on the quality of finish. Power Maxed Traffic Film Remover is available in 1 Litre Ready to use (£7.99), 5 litres (£16.99) & 25 litres (£39.99) concentrates.

By using Power Maxed products to carry out a D-I-Y deep clean, vehicle owners can avoid the need for a professional clean which can top £65 for both an exterior & internal spring-clean.

The Power Maxed car care range, which comes with a money-back guarantee if consumers aren’t 100 per cent happy, has been brought to the market by Automotive Brands, which is based in Bidford-on-Avon and is dedicated to developing, producing and distributing high-quality motor products without the high-end price tag.

For more information, visit www.powermaxed.com

INFORM MARCH 2015

Thousands of Applications Hundreds of References

One Solution: Stock Ring Autobulbs

It is a fact that the simple Autobulb is a safety critical component of any vehicle on the road.

Often overlooked it is a key part of providing the right light ahead on a dark road or warning other road users that a driver is braking or about to change direction.

One of the most common reason for MOT failure is a blown bulb.

As the leading UK supplier of autobulbs, we have the widest range of bulbs to suit your requirements.

Lighting

Inspection spection Tools T ls Too

Battery care

Tyre T Ty re care

Innovation on the move ringautomotive.co.uk

In-car n-car Connectivity

EXTRA SERVICE HGV PARTS Unexpected breakdowns cause a considerable loss of time and incur high costs.

Gates’ HGV programme - EXTRA SERVICE - is designed to provide trouble-free, long-lasting solutions for the demanding working conditions placed on trucks and buses.

Popular parts in the EXTRA SERVICE range include: Part No.

Description

Applications

8PK1222ES

Micro-V Belt

DAF LF 45/55, CF 65

8PK1520ES

Micro-V Belt

DAF LF 45/55, CF 65

8PK975ES

Micro-V® Belt

Volvo FM12, FH16, FH12

8PK1538ES

Micro-V Belt

Volvo FM, FH, FH12

11PK1890ES

Micro-V Belt

Mercedes Actros

T38584

DriveAlign Tensioner

Iveco EuroCargo, DAF LF 45/55, CF 65

T38604

DriveAlign Tensioner

Mercedes Actros

T36196

DriveAlign® Idler Pulley

Iveco EuroCargo, DAF LF 45/55, CF 65

T36516

DriveAlign Idler Pulley

Iveco EuroCargo, DAF LF 45/55, CF 65

T36518

DriveAlign Idler Pulley

Scania G/P/R Series

® ®

® ®

® ®

® ®

For full application information visit Gates Autocat at www.gatesautocat.com

Quality, performance and endurance DAF have recently switched to Gates EXTRA SERVICE Micro-V® kits for certain XF & CF applications to ensure superior performance.

For more information contact your local FPS or Gates representative For further information and full application data visit partinfo.co.uk or GatesTechZone.com For technical support, please call the Gates Technical Hotline on 0844 980 0062*, or email info@gatestechnical.com * Available Monday - Thursday, 8.30am - 5pm, and Friday 8.30 - 4pm. (Calls cost 3p per minute from landlines).