Garage trader ROI vol 1 interactive

GARAGE IRELAND Vol 1 2017

NEW €20M FLAGSHIP AUDI SHOWROOM FOR DUBLIN

Insurance is now a huge issue for Irish Drivers, says Alan Nolan, SIMI garageTRADER

Garage Trader talks to Eoghan Fogarty, RAE Auto Factors

Colin McNab Charles Hurst Group Operations Director looks foward to 2017

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CONTENTS GT

GARAGE IRELAND www.garagetrader.co.uk

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Vol 1

2017

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Insur an huge ce is now issue a Drive for Iri rs, sh Nolan says Ala n , SIMI gara geTRA

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now a Insurance is for Irish huge issue s Alan Drivers, say I Nolan, SIM

er talks to Garage Trad rty, Eoghan Foga ors RAE Auto Fact

News

4 A new Skoda dealership opens in Waterford and Bolands take a top Aftersales award Garag e Eogha Trader tal ks to n RAE Au Fogarty, Colin to Fac McNa tors b Charl Hurst Group es Direc Opera tor to 2017 looks fow tions ard

Charles Colin McNab Operations Hurst Group s foward Director look to 2017

6

Mercedes E-Class wins Ireland’s car of the year

7 Toyota Ireland Dealer of the Year Awards

garageTRADER

2017 Vol 1

subscriptions: (UK £18.00 Outside UK £27.50)

8

Mervyn Stewart Ltd opens Ireland’s first Infiniti dealership in Belfast

13 Volvo dealers Greers of Antrim move to new Volvo Retail Experience dealership

Special Features 16 The latest developments from Bridge Van Dismantlers

TO ADVERTISE IN THE MAGAZINE CALL: (028) 9278 0099 REGARDING EDITORIAL CALL: (028) 9278 0101 General Manager Gladys Greer gladysgreer@greerpublications.com

Editor

Pat Burns patburns@greerpublications.com Publishers James & Gladys Greer Designed by Shaun Byrne, Design Stics Unit 34 Crescent Business Park, Lisburn, BT28 2GN Tel: 028 9278 0108

Greer Publications © 2016. All rights reserved.

No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form, or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise without the prior permission of Greer Publications.

20 Photos from the open nights at the new FG7 premises.

28 Photos from the stands at the motor trade show in Dublin

Page 11

People 11 We talk to Jevgenij Lyzko of Mannol UK 37 Michael Sanlon from TTS joins the World Skills team 41 Colin McNab looks forward to 2017 44 The latest developments in the Irish insurance industry.

45 Factor Ten – The lowdown on Eoghan Fogarty from RAE Motor Factors 46 The Driver’s Seat: We talk to Kevin Rogan Aftersales Director for Donnelly Group Page 41

COMMENT

Official statistics released by the Society of the Irish Motor Industry (SIMI) showed that new car registrations for 2016 were 146,672, up 17.5% on 2015.

Light Commercial Vehicles (LCV) for 2016 recorded an increase of 18.3% (28,180) when compared to 2015. Heavy Goods Vehicle (HGV) registrations in 2016 were up 31.3% (2,873) on the previous year.

Alan Nolan, Director General, SIMI, “New car registrations for 2016 finished at 146,600 for the full year, making it the highest year for registrations since 2008. Despite some slowing in the second half of the year, the numbers underline the continued growth and buoyancy in the economy. Used car imports have also seen growth, partly due to the strong economic recovery, but also driven by short supply of 2009-2013 Irish used cars and the strengthening of the Euro against sterling following the Brexit Referendum.

As we move into 2017 and the new 171 registration period the Industry is anticipating a continuation of the strong performance seen during 2016 and is projecting similar registration numbers to last year.” - Editor Pat Burns Follow us on

Garage Trader Magazine

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NEWS

Enterprise opens in Castlebar

New Skoda Dealer in Waterford

George Corbett Motors are the newly appointed sales and aftersales dealer for Škoda in Waterford.

Based on the Cork Road in Waterford, George Corbett’s purpose-built facility was redeveloped in the last number of months to accommodate the arrival of the ever-expanding range of Škoda vehicles. The expansion, combined with the arrival of Škoda, will facilitate up to 10 new jobs over the next 12 months across sales, aftersales and administration.

Originally established on the Park

Enterprise Rent-A-Car recently opened its newest Irish branch in Castlebar.

The new outlet will operate from Casey Accident & Repair Centre, Turlough Road, Castlebar, primarily serving tourists who wish to rent a car and explore the town and surrounding areas of Mayo as well as business people and locals who may require affordable transport from time to time without needing a full-time vehicle.

The company has also officially launched its new door-to-door tow truck service which will serve the entire Galway / Mayo area.

At present, the company employs more than 200 staff in 28 branches nationwide.

Speaking at the official launch, Richard Mahon, Area Manager, Enterprise Rent-A-Car Ireland, said that Castlebar is the ideal location

for a new branch given the area’s thriving business and tourism sector.

“This is one of the most beautiful regions in Ireland with stunning beaches and countryside, scenic coastal roads, and everything that overseas visitors want to experience when they come here,” Mahon said.

“These are record-breaking times for Irish tourism and we’re very excited to launch here in Castlebar and improve access to all the area has to offer.”

“I’d like to thank all our partners in the local tourism and business community, in particular the team at Casey Accident & Repair Centre for the friendly and helpful way they have worked with us ahead of the launch. This partnership has the potential to significantly grow an already thriving business,” Mahon added.

Road in Waterford back in 1995, George Corbett expanded rapidly gaining a reputation for quality and service in the region, before relocating to their current site on the Cork Road in 2003. George himself is widely known in the Motor Industry with vast experience gained across 33 years.

George Corbett Motors are widely known in the Waterford community and particularly in sporting circles from previous and current associations with Ballygunner, Waterpark Rugby Club and with Bohemians soccer academy.

Bolands Waterford take top Aftersales award Bolands Waterford has been awarded the Citroën & DS Automobiles Aftersales Dealer of the Year Award 2016. Sales Manager, Keith Browne was presented with the award by Chris

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Graham, Managing Director, Citroën & DS Ireland at the annual dealer conference which was held in the Mullingar Park Hotel recently.

Bolands Waterford has been a franchise of the Citroën & DS Automobiles Brands for close to 5 years now and is home to a team of sales and aftersales professionals who are ready and able to help customers with their vehicle requirements. The state of the art premises

is located on the Cork Road, Waterford.

Speaking about Bolands Waterford, Chris Graham, Managing Director, Citroën & DS Ireland, commented, “All the team at Citroën & DS Ireland would like to extend their congratulations to Bolands Waterford who exceeded expectations with their aftersales performance this year. We look forward to continuing to work with Jim and all the team on the exciting new product launches that are due to arrive later this year. “ Dealer Principal, Jim Boland, Bolands Waterford, said, “I am

delighted that the dealership has been awarded this Aftersales of the Year Award by Citroën & DS Ireland. The dedicated aftersales team who have worked extremely hard all year in not just meeting but surpassing their targets are delighted to have their hard work acknowledged with this award which gives us a great boost as we prepare for the busy months ahead and the 171 sales period. “ Pictured at the presentation is Chris Graham, Managing Director, Citroën & DS Ireland with Keith Browne, Sales Manager, Bolands Waterford.

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NEWS AUDI CENTRE TO OPEN NEW €20M IRELAND FLAGSHIP SHOWROOM IN DUBLIN

Dublin is set to be the home of Audi’s largest retail and aftersales service centre in Ireland as part of a multi-million-euro investment that will create up to 20 new jobs.

More than 100 additional jobs will be created during construction and fit-out.

The custom-built, multi-storey terminal, designed by Dublin-based EMD Architects, will be located on Bracken Road, Sandyford, and will replace the existing Audi centre on the 20,000 square-metre site.

The site is strategically located at Sandyford Interchange on the M50 and is a gateway to Sandyford Business Park along Drummartin Link Road.

“This is a significant investment in the Audi brand, in our customers and in our team – and the creation of this stunning, modern showroom confirms the strength of

our position in Dublin and across Ireland as a leading supplier of the prestigious Audi marque. said Donal Duggan, Head of Business at Audi Centre” “The investment, and the creation of a newly-expanded, dynamic and experienced team, marks another important milestone in the development of our business.”

Dublin and Belfast-based car retailer and aftersales group Charles Hurst, which is part of Lookers plc, one of the largest retail and aftersales service groups in the UK and Ireland, are spearheading the investment as part of an accelerated expansion plan in the growing premium car market.

“Audi Centre already offers customers an exceptional choice and a quality customer experience and soon we look forward to

further impressing all of our customers – old and new – with our new premises next year.” commented Steve Dean, Franchise Director of Lookers Audi.

Internally, the ground floor showroom consists of a customer reception area, service reception, new car display and new car handover bays. Customers will arrive at the first floor by escalators where the main new car display showroom awaits. In total there will be 20 new cars on display.

With panoramic views over Dublin, the sumptuous customer lounges will be situated here.

The first floor showroom also includes Audi Sport display, digital customer lounges and access to an indoor Audi Approved Plus centre for 100 cars.

“Audi is the leading premium car brand in Ireland. Key to this success is our strong and dedicated dealer network said Henning Dohrn Managing Director of Audi Ireland. We are delighted to be able to offer customers a market leading showroom from November 2017, which will be the largest Audi dealership in Ireland. Audi Centre will also be the first ‘terminal’ in Ireland to be built with a private Audi digital lounge, a customer experience which takes the next step in the digitalisation of our retail business. The digital lounge

is just one of many steps we are taking to maintain our leading position within the premium market in Ireland.”

The new Audi Centre showroom will also be Ireland’s greenest – the building envelope has been designed to include several low energy solutions and a wide range of enhanced service systems aimed at reducing energy consumption.

The environmentally friendly showroom boasts fast-charging vehicle facilities for both dual fuel and electric models.

The building will also provide an 18-bay service workshop with a publicly-accessible reception and a parts department, linking into the showroom and car wash and valeting facilities where a water treatment plant has been installed.

Construction of the new Audi Centre will mean that all current operations, currently situated in smaller sites at Ballsbridge and Goatstown, will be appropriately realigned and accommodated at the new super site at Sandyford from November 2017, providing a fully cohesive, integrated retail brand experience for all customers and staff.

Audi Centre will continue to operate as usual from all three existing locations until November 2017, while the development is under construction.

Subaru Ireland teams up with Dublin GAA Subaru Ireland has joined forces with Dublin GAA and signed a deal making Subaru the official car partner to Dublin GAA. Subaru will provide vehicles to the players and management of the Dublin senior football and hurling teams. They will be driving the versatile ‘go anywhere’ lifestyle Subaru AWD vehicle range.

The models being provided are from across the range, including Impreza, XV Crossover, Forester and Outback. Both teams will also benefit from a Subaru Forester Van to transport their kit around the country as they compete in the All Ireland Championships and

National Leagues.

Dublin GAA continues on a high, with fabulous success on the field in both codes. Over the last number of years Dublin have won All-Ireland football titles, League hurling and football titles as well as Leinster Championships.

Speaking at the signing of the deal Sean Dunne, Financial Controller of Subaru Ireland, said “We are very proud to become a partner of Dublin GAA and delighted to support some of the most talented players in the country, especially at a time when Dublin GAA is having such success on the field in both codes.”

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NEWS

Mercedes E-Class wins Car of the Year award

Michael Sheridan and John Galvin of the Irish Car of the Year committee, Ciaran Allen and Stephen Byrne of Mercedes-Benz and Tom Dennigan, Continental Tyres Ireland with the overall winner of the Irish Car of the Year 2017 – Mercedes-Benz E-Class

The Irish Car of the Year Awards in association with Continental tyres took place recently at the Powerscourt Hotel, Enniskerry.

Mercedes-Benz took the top award with their E-Class and also

a category win with the C-Class Coupé, crowned Irish Medium Car of the Year 2017.

Tom Dennigan of Continental Tyres said about the awards “Continental is delighted to be associated with

Irish Car of the Year, an event that continues to be the highlight of the motoring year.”

Stephen Byrne, Chief Executive, Mercedes-Benz in Ireland, said: “We are honoured to win the Irish Car of the Year 2017 award. This accolade bestowed by Irish motoring journalists is a recognition of the advanced technology and features to

be found in the new generation E-Class.”

The category winners: Suzuki Baleno - Irish Small Car of the Year 2017 Mercedes-Benz C-Class Coupé Irish Medium Car of the Year 2017 Mercedes-Benz E-Class - Irish Large Car of the Year 2017 Peugeot 2008 - Irish Small SUV of the Year 2017 Hyundai Tucson - Irish Medium SUV of the Year 2017 Ford Edge - Irish Large SUV of the Year 2017 Ford Mustang - Irish Performance/Sports Car of the Year 2017

Out with the old, in with the new for Team P R Reilly

LKQ CORPORATION ACQUIRES ANDREW PAGE LKQ Corporation has announced that its United Kingdom subsidiary, Euro Car Parts, has acquired substantially all the business assets of Andrew Page Limited, a distributor of automotive parts in the United Kingdom. As part of the transaction, Euro Car Parts will acquire 102 Andrew Page branch locations, its national distribution centre and corporate office.

UK C.E.O. Martin Gray said, “I am delighted to confirm that the future of the Andrew Page business has been secured, which celebrates its UK centenary next year. We remain committed to assuring that the iconic Andrew Page “Brand” continues to thrive and will remain separate from Euro Car Parts, but will benefit from our UK infrastructure, inventory and the financial support from the LKQ Corporation.”

Gray added “I am thrilled to confirm that Mark Saunders will remain as Managing Director of Andrew Page and we are 6- garageTRADER

committed to retaining all team members – they are the DNA that makes Andrew Page so uniquely special. We very much hope that Andrew Page’s customers will continue to support Andrew Page, partnering with them to ensure that the Andrew Page proposition, that they rely upon and love, continues to meet their current and future requirements”.

UK Chairman and LKQ Board Member Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia added “As a competitor, I have always had the greatest respect and admiration for Andrew Page and the brand. So I’m absolutely delighted to welcome them into the LKQ family. The acquisition

by LKQ firmly demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the UK market, which includes their investment in the Euro Car Parts brand new 1.6M sq. ft. distribution centre, located in Tamworth and our recent acquisition of Arleigh, a specialist leisure wholesaler. “

Team P R Reilly are seeing a lot of changes to their headquarters in Dublin as they start another major project to rerack the main warehouses.

The development of their nationwide network over the last 3 years has seen the business constantly growing. Consequently Team P R Reilly are expanding their warehouse racking capacity to cater for the increased numbers of car parts and accessories that flow through the warehouses on a daily basis. The current racking is being upgraded to a larger, cleaner shelving unit to accommodate the new product brands and increased listings .

This is just one of a number

of recent changes for Team P R Reilly as they continue with the total redevelopment of the website www.team.ie. The Team AutoCentre site is also undergoing some changes – the most recent of which sees the site become mobile friendly.

As the leading distributors of car parts and accessories in Ireland since 1945, Team P R Reilly continue to be acknowledged as the driving force on the Irish aftermarket.

For more information on Team P R Reilly, or any of their products on offer, contact the team on (01) 832 0006 or at sales@team.ie. You can visit www.team.ie to see the full range of products on offer.

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NEWS GT Toyota Ireland Announces Winners of the Annual Dealer of the Year Awards 2016 Toyota Dealers from across Ireland gathered in Dublin recently for the annual Toyota Dealer of the Year Awards. The Awards take place annually to recognise the excellence achieved by Toyota Dealers and their staff who work tirelessly to ensure the success of the Toyota brand both locally and nationally.

Seven Awards were presented on the night to six outstanding Toyota dealers for their achievements in sales and aftersales across a variety

of categories.

The top prize, Toyota Dealer of the Year 2016 was presented to the Dealer who achieved the best overall performance across a wide range of metrics within sales and after sales. This year, it was awarded to Erne Motor Works, Co. Cavan. In addition to the accolade, Erne Motor Works received a cheque for €5,000, which will be used to reward the staff for their excellent achievement.

The 2016 winners are as follows: Toyota Dealer of the Year 2016, Erne Motor Works, Cavan Highest New Vehicle Sales in 2016, Toyota Long Mile, Dublin Hybrid Retailer of the Year 2016, Carroll & Kinsella, Blackrock, Dublin Sales Dealer of the Year 2016, Toyota Long Mile, Dublin Part Sales Performer 2016 , Tadg Riordan Motors, Ashbourne, Meath Accessory Sales Performer 2016 , Kellys Sales & Service, Mountcharles, Donegal After Sales Performer of the Year 2016, Hugh Boggan Motors, Wexford Steve Tormey, CEO, Toyota Ireland commented: “The annual Toyota Dealer of the Year Awards recognises excellence in sales, after sales and customer satisfaction. We are extremely proud of the Toyota Dealer network in Ireland and I would like to extend my congratulations to all of the 2016 Award winners”.

IM Group seeks seven new Citroen dealers

I.M. Group, the importers of Network.

Citroën in Ireland, has announced Currently, the group has a network a network expansion project for of 20 authorised sales dealerships 2017, as and a it seeks to further six appoint authorised up to repairers seven new across the dealerships country for to its Citroën. expanding The initial network. focus for Together new dealer Chris Graham Citroen with the range of Citroën vehicles and with IM appointments will be aimed at Group’s investment in personnel South Dublin, Cork East and and improvements to local Wicklow, with the group seeking infrastructure and systems this is to secure partners also in South an exciting time to join the Citroën Tipperary; Cavan/Monaghan; check out the website: www.garagetrader.co.uk

New Manager for FTA Ireland Freight Transport Association Ireland’s newly-appointed general manager says he looks forward to launching exciting new projects in 2017 and striving to make FTAI the most admired and influential membership trade association in Ireland.

Aidan Flynn (43), who was previously business services manager, takes up the post from today following the departure in September of Neil McDonnell, who had been with organisation for three years.

Mr Flynn said: “I am honoured and extremely proud to be chosen to lead the FTA Ireland team. I have worked with FTAI since the formative years of the Association in Ireland and together we have established a viable trade association in the midst of the worst Longford/Roscommon and Sligo / Leitrim.

Speaking on the announcement, Chris Graham, Managing Director, Citroën & DS Ireland, said, “We are delighted to begin 2017 with this positive news of our network expansion project. The I.M. Group acquired Citroën Motors Ireland from PSA in October 2015 and has since continued to invest in its

Aidan Flynn FTA Ireland economic recession in our country’s recent history, and have done so by promoting safety and compliance requirements to fleet operators.”

Before joining FTAI, Mr Flynn held a number of senior leadership positions within the transport and logistics sector in Ireland. These included the establishment of a dedicated commercial fleet training business, health and safety and risk management consultancy and road safety initiatives.

Mr Flynn is married with two children and lives in Dublin. network and team. We place great value of our existing partnerships with our network of 20 authorised sales dealerships and strongly believe that now is the perfect time to further expand and strengthen this network.”

For information on our franchise and open points please contact Kieran Courtney directly at Kieran. courtney@citroen.ie. garageTRADER - 7

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INFINITI Mervyn Stewart Ltd opens Infiniti and Skoda dealerships Garvan Doherty joins Mid Ulster Cars

Mervyn Stewart Ltd has opened the first Infiniti dealership in Ireland on Boucher Road, Belfast, while also opening a new Skoda dealership in Bangor.

Infiniti has announced that its new build at Boucher Retail Park in Belfast will be open for business at the end of the first quarter of 2017. It is currently operating from a temporary on-site facility as the work on the new build progresses.

The introduction of Infiniti Centre Belfast brings with it a new partner to the brand: Mervyn Stewart Limited will invest in the all new site on Boucher Crescent. The family-run business, which has been operating in Northern Ireland for over 50 years will carry out a design redevelopment to the premises to meet with Infiniti’s customer experience standards known as IREDI – Infiniti Retail Environment Design Initiative.

The new site is expected to be completed in early 2017 but will initially operate from one of Infiniti’s unique temporary retail sales environments, specifically designed to accommodate this development phase.

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Managing Director Stephen Stewart from Mervyn Stewart Limited said: “We are very pleased to introduce the premium brand of Infiniti to Northern Ireland. I am sure our customers will enjoy not only the exciting range of products on offer but also the environment and experience we will provide.”

Since the introduction of the British built Q30 in Spring 2016 and the more recent QX30, new car registrations in the UK have been dramatically increasing month on month. Sales so far in 2016 have increased by nearly 150%.

Barry Beeston, Regional Director for Infiniti in the UK commented: “Infiniti is now well on its way to establishing itself within the UK automotive industry as a challenger brand. Increased sales has placed the company as one of the fastest growing automotive brands in the UK. Expansion of the centre network is an important part of our growth strategy and now with the opening of Infiniti Centre Belfast it allows our brand reach to go further than ever before.”

Infiniti is currently introducing a new range of products to its

portfolio and this continues with the imminent introduction of the new 2-door coupe Q60 which has a starting price of £33,990.

Dealer Principal, Stephen Stewart, is well established in the area with other brands and the Infiniti dealership follows 12 months of negotiation and planning. Stephen acknowledges that launching a fresh product in a challenging sector is a big commitment but he is full of praise for the parent company and their desire to develop the brand in what will be Infiniti’s twelfth UK dealership.

He sees the prime location as an important factor in establishing Infiniti and building awareness of its uniqueness and excellence in the premium sector. He is very aware of the challenge, but is confident of working in partnership with a team that understands the industry through their substantial experience of the brand worldwide.

The new build will include both showroom and full aftersales facilities with 15 employees directly involved.

Mid Ulster Cars is delighted to welcome Garvan Doherty as Manager for their Toyota and Suzuki brands. Based in Cookstown, Mid Ulster Cars sell a wide range of new and used cars and are well positioned to service the ROI market for customers taking advantage of the strong Euro.

Having previously worked for a PLC, Garvan has 13 years’ experience with the Toyota brand.

The move to Mid Ulster Cars, a family owned business will see him take on a new set of responsibilities as he takes the next step in his career.

Wilsons Auctions

Name: John Ardill Company: Wilsons Auctions Position: General Manager, Head Office John has recently been appointed General Manager of Wilsons Auctions Head Office in Belfast. With business expanding, John will take charge of the day-to-day running of the flourishing branch, utilising his 17 years of experience in the company to facilitate business growth as well as continuing to manage the busy car department.

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Fuel Pumps

Ignition Coils

EGR Valves

Mass Airflow Meters

Cam&Crankshaft Sensors

HOFFER: Original in their quality check out the website: www.garagetrader.co.uk www.hoffer-products.com

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check out the website: www.garagetrader.co.uk

Mannol interview

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Garage Trader talks to Jevgenij Lyzko of Mannol UK Jevgenij Lyzko

Q1: Mannol is a new name in oils in Ireland… Can you tell us about the background and history of the company?

Mannol’s history dates back to 1993, when SCT-Germany was established. Since then we have extended over all five continents, now selling in about 60 countries all over the world. Our UK branch is relatively young, we have just celebrated our third anniversary, though, we have grown rapidly throughout this year.

Obviously, as a young company, we face certain difficulties, but no pain no gain!

Q2: What is your background and how long have you been with Mannol?

Back in the day I used to be head of sales of SCT-Germany in JCC countries and European region.

So, I’m with Mannol for about five years now and really glad I’ve

joined them. For the last three years I’ve been MD of Mannol UK, but I do think that the two years spent in SCT-Germany, were a huge factor, bringing worldwide expertise to launch a new distributional business in the UK. Q3: The Mannol brand is seen as an oil company but there is much more available than just oil. Can you tell us about the different departments within the company?

Mannol is an oil and additive brand, but to add to it, we have as well a wide range of SCTGermany consumable spare parts.

We have complete range of air, oil, fuel, cabin and transmission filters, brake pads, wiper blades, workshop equipment, bulbs for both passenger cars and commercial vehicles. As well we have a complete range of additives and cleaners to be added to make a

check out the website: www.garagetrader.co.uk

full offer of quality products to the end user.

Q4: There are other associated oil brands under the Mannol banner like Pemco and Fanfaro.

How do they fit into the range?

Yes, we do have three more oil brands such as Pemco, Fanfaro and Chempoil. We see UK and ROI markets as potentially very big so not to have clashes between our own customers we divide them between brands. As all of our products are the same top quality, this means that nobody gets any favour comparing to others, it is all about fair competition between them.

Q5: Does Mannol see the aftermarket or the Original Equipment market as it’s main target in the future?

Mannol always been aftermarket and there is absolutely no plans to change it. Why would you change something if it works perfect?

Q6: What are the plans for Mannol over the next few years?

Do you expect a decline in diesel engine car sales in the future?

We understand that is time to change and adjust, more and more hybrid and electric cars are on the market. So we are constantly working to develop new products for our competitive and changing markets.

Q7: Will the EU Brexit referendum or Donald Trump becoming President of the USA have much effect on the oil industry here?

As we all buy product, either ready made or components, such as crude oil and additives, means exchange rate, crude oil prices and other major world economic events will have massive impact on pricing levels and obviously not only in our market but over pricing levels overall in a country. garageTRADER - 11

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business offers from volvo Cars in northern ireland

Business Contract Hire

V40 T2 Momentum

NonMaintained cost (per month)

Maintained cost (per month)

Initial rental (+ VAT)

Month agreement

Annual mileage

BHP

BIK%

CO2

P11d

£169

£190

£1,014

36

10,000

122

22%

127g

£20,350.00

V40 D2 R Design

£219

£241

£1,314

36

10,000

120

18%

89g

£24,190.00

S60 D2 Business Edition

£209

£230

£1,254

36

10,000

120

19%

99g

£22,540.00

V60 D2 Business Edition

£209

£230

£1,254

36

10,000

120

19%

98g

£23,740.00

S90 D4 Momentum Geartronic

£299

£324

£1,794

36

10,000

190

23%

116g

£32,900.00

V90 D4 R-Design Geartronic

£339

£364

£2,034

36

10,000

190

23%

119g

£37,400.00

XC60 D4 SE Nav

£209

£232

£1,254

36

10,000

190

23%

117g

£32,880.00

XC60 D4 AWD R-Design Nav

£249

£275

£1,494

36

10,000

190

27%

137g

£35,555.00

XC90 D5 Powerpulse AWD R-Design Geartronic

£479

£515

£2,874

36

10,000

235

29%

149g

£50,750.00

Greers of Antrim & Coleraine

028 9446 0066 www.volvocarsantrim.co.uk

Fuel consumption and CO2 figures for the Volvo Range in mpg (I/100 km): Urban 68.9 (4.1) – 19.1 (14.8), Extra Urban 85.6 (3.3) – 37.7 (7.5), Combined 155.2 (1.8) – 27.7 (10.2). CO2 emissions 237 – 48g/km. MPG figures are obtained from laboratory testing intended for comparisons between vehicles and may not reflect real driving results. *Important Information. Business users only. Offers available on Business

Contract Hire agreement 6+35. Subject to status. Costs exclusive of VAT unless indicated otherwise. Further charges may be made subject to the condition or mileage of the vehicle. 10,000 miles per annum. Metallic Paint inclusive. Subject to availability at participating dealers for vehicles registered 01/01/17 to 31/03/17. Not available with other promotions. Excess mileage charges may apply. Provided by Lex Autolease Ltd trading as Volvo Carcheck Leasing,out SK3the 0RB. garageTRADER 12website: www.garagetrader.co.uk

Greers of Antrim

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New Greers of Antrim Volvo Dealership epitomises Volvo Retail Experience Andy Duke, Dealer Principal

Volvo dealers Greers of Antrim has invested close to £1million in a new state of the art Volvo Retail Experience showroom and workshop. It is one of the first Volvo dealerships in the UK to become involved in the new initiative.

The new concepts are designed to remove some of the perceived barriers between dealers and their customers and improve trust, customer service and overall impressions of the brand.

Volvo Retail Experience (VRE) focusses on the space and design of the dealership and is designed to reflect Scandinavian-inspired values of calm, clean lines with ‘cool on the outside and warm on the inside’-style architecture.

The aim of VRE is to create an environment for customers in which high levels of visual transparency are key. Large exterior and interior glazing allows customers to see all activity in the new workshops,

turning the spotlight on what is often regarded as ‘back of house’.

Inside the showroom, there is a balanced focus on physical and digital presentation, making sure the sales and service areas are completely integrated to deliver an open, holistic environment.

Andy Duke, Dealer Principal commented that “VRE has been designed to tackle the challenge of bridging the gap between an ever-improving market sector and the current Volvo dealership customer experience.

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Workshops are integral to the customer experience, so being able to see in and out of the ‘window’

furniture though - it’s a new way of retailing designed to make our customers feel relaxed and at ease

between the dealership spaces becomes a symbol of trust between Volvo and our customers.

“VRE isn’t just about a change of

in an environment that informs and provides flexible waiting, working and assessment areas.”

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Greers of Antrim

We are pleased to have supplied Greer’s of Antrim with energy saving lighting with perfect car illumination in their showroom.

William McVey Building Contractors are proud to have been the building contractors for Greer’s of Antrim

William McVey Building Contractors Glenarm

T: 028 71 302 343

E: info@howie-lighting.com W: www.howie-lighting.com 14- garageTRADER

Tel 028 28 841 614 check out the website: www.garagetrader.co.uk

Greers of Antrim

is Volvo Personal Service (VPS), which streamlines aftersales functions to improve workshop efficiency, job throughput and revenue opportunities for dealers, while delivering a much more personal service to Volvo customers

via a dedicated service technician.

VPS, the new name for Volvo’s ‘One Hour Stop’ service, is shaped by trust, transparency and respect for a customer’s time. It works by utilising teams of Personal Service Technicians (PST) working on

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cars as groups rather than individually.

This allows for work to be carried out twice as

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Greers of Antrim

fast, nearly halving customer wait times.

PSTs then become a single point of contact for the customer, who knows that the person they are talking to is the person directly responsible for their car. This personal relationship builds trust and transparency and helps ensure greater clarity and efficiency.

Volvo Car UK has worked closely

with dealerships where necessary to adapt existing roles for service advisors and managers who will continue to oversee workshop and service operations ensuring no headcount loss during the implementation of VPS. These two new programmes are working well for Volvo dealers who have just celebrated their best sales figures in 25 years and will

Brothers William and Vincent O’Kane 16- garageTRADER

check out the website: www.garagetrader.co.uk

Greers of Antrim

maximise the potential for the new models due out in the next three years. Volvo has just launched the S90 and V90 alongside the V90 Cross Country and 2017 will see new XC40 and XC60 models launched here.

Andy Duke is delighted with the new premises and the VRE and VPS programmes. “VPS works

really well. Before, customers left their car here for the day and had to swap over their insurance onto a courtesy car. Now they can get their car serviced in half an hour and talk to the technicians working on their vehicle.

“The VRE is also proving popular amongst customers. There is an air of Swedish casual coolness about

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the showroom now and obviously our new site is close to Junction One retail outlet and Castle Gardens…”

Andy has been involved with Volvo since 1982 when he became Business Manager for SMW Volvo.

In 1993 he became a partner in Greers of Antrim and away from work he is the Director of Rugby

for Banbridge Rugby Club. There is a staff of 27 in total, including Andy’s son James who works in sales along with Volvo specialist Kieran Malcolmson. Greers also have a satellite site in Coleraine that offers servicing, warranty work, parts and Approved Repairs.

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Bridge Van Ltd

Bridge Van Ltd keep moving forward

Proud moment for Bridge Van ltd at the Business Awards.

Brothers William and Vincent O’Kane 18- garageTRADER

Team work and a positive drive to continually improve has been key to Bridge Van Ltd’s impressive performance over the last 25 years.

Keeping up with the times and developing your business to meet specific needs is essential if you wish to grow and prosper. Bridge Van Ltd who have spent the last 25 years doing just that.

William coming from being a self employed mechanic on

the family farm joined forces with Vincent coming from a sales background, and Bridge Van was established.

Deciding to specialise in just the van market meant Bridge Van could learn their product range and customer base quickly, adapting to the needs of both has underpinned the success of the business over the past 25 years Bridge Van has grown, evolved and adapted.

This has resulted in Bridge Van now being in the position of occupying a purpose built two and a half acre site right in the heart of Northern Ireland,

with 10,000 ft building with fully equipped workshop, stripping bays, sales counter, packaging and office space.

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Bridge Van LTD

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Positive Environmental Impact With a strict focus on the environment and best practice right from the outset, being constantly reviewed and updated ensured Bridge Van Ltd was one of the the first ATF’s in Ireland.

Their focus on the environment was further recognised The warehouse stocking 30,000 van parts when they won the ‘positive our stock is accurate”. When a reviewing their recycling rates / Paul & Damien in the Store environmental impact’ new vehicle arrives on site in the energy they use with a view to award in 2006 and morning all its parts are online further reducing its environmental almost 30,000 pieces online again in November before 5:30pm that same day impact. Having installed solar including genuine used parts, 2016 – A great way to celebrate because it is powered by Hollander panels in the past few years was plus an extensive range of quality their 25th anniversary.

International System’s, Pinnacle just another step in the journey. new aftermarket parts Bridge Professional Software. Everything On being asked what has made the Van Ltd can fulfil most van part is integrated from the van arriving biggest change to your business New E-Commerce site orders,”said Adele Bradley, on site to the customer buying the over the years, both Vincent and Marketing Co-Ordinator. “Our new parts on their laptop or device.

William commented, “Our staff- we Having launched their new e-commerce site is working well Considering the volume of vehicles are proud we have team members e-commerce site in 2016 ensures and we are receiving very positive process through the site every year with us almost 20 years and are Bridge Van is well placed to feedback from our customers. Our this is by no means an easy task. glad we have one of the strongest continue to develop and grow customers like the fact that all Going forward Bridge Van Ltd teams in the industry”. for another 25 years. “With information is current and has just started the process of

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FG7 Open Nights

Open evenings at new FG7 headquarters Wholesale motor factors FG7 recently held a series of Open Evenings at their new premises near Cookstown, County Tyrone.

The event included exhibitor stands from many major suppliers and there was also a number of prizes given out on the night including a holiday so it essential everyone attending gets a ticket via their local FG7 supplier.

The automotive parts distribution group moved to the new larger premises just outside Cookstown over the summer. The new 65,000 square metre building is on a 4 acre site and is centrally located to supply an even greater number of motor factors throughout Ireland.

The number of motor factors in the FG7 group continues to grow and has now expanded south of the border.

David Robinson and Gary Graham with magician Lee Hutchinson

David McCallum from Optimal

FG7 Directors

Dan Greenwood and Cyril Daly of Brake Engineering

Steven McLaren and Nick Rackyleft of Ring Automotive 20- garageTRADER

Darren McNally and Darren McKinney with Paul Hone (centre) Premier Car Parts

David Collins with Evin Brown of EcoMotive

Emmanuel Puissel of Restagraf (right) with Stepehn Bradley, Eddie Braham and James McEvoy

Eamon and Des O’Connor from Holts

Emmet and Peter OHagan with Ed Weston of Accustart

David McWhirter of Draper Tools serves Alan McGeehan

Gary Maskrey of WAI Global

Stuart Johnston of Granning Lynx NI and Emma Bell

Sven Raats of Kano check out the website: www.garagetrader.co.uk

FG7 Open Nights

Harold, Tom and Sharon Workman at the GT Exhausts stand Jason Hodges from Bosal

Jordan, John and Camillus Bradley

John Bowman of Meyle

Marc Roder and John Stewart of Ferodo

Mark Southam and James McConnell, Tibbetts Group

Nick Weir and Alistair Large of Comline

Patrick Teer in the Sealey demo van

Sean Goggin of Durite

Robin Campbell of RCA Agencies

Jeff McCartney

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Steven Ferguson and Davina Hutchinson of FG7 garageTRADER - 21

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Aftermarket

Schaeffler (UK) Ltd introduces New Ruville water pumps

Eight new water pumps for a wide variety of vehicles on the UK and Ireland’s roads have been introduced by Schaeffler (UK) Ltd. Ruville water pumps are now available for vehicles that include the VW Golf V (1K1) 2.0 GTI 10/2004-02/2009 (with housing), Ford models the Mondeo MkII 1.8TD, 08/1996-09/2000, and Fiesta VI 1.0 Ecoboost, 2013-.

Far Eastern models are also catered for with new part numbers for the Hyundai i30 1.6 CRDi, 12/2011-, Nissan Juke (F15) 1.6, 06/2010-, Toyota Previa 2.4, 05/199008/2000, and Mazda MX-5 1.6, 1995-1998

WAI leads the way in window regulators

WAI is encouraging the independent automotive aftermarket to take advantage of the upcoming opportunities in the supply and fit of replacement window regulators.

As vehicles begin to exit their manufacturer’s warranty and look to independent garages for costeffective vehicle maintenance and repair, WAI is focusing minds on the sales potential of its window regulator product range.

Research carried out by the company has identified vehicles prone to window regulator failure and, as a result, 50 percent of the range covers fast moving part numbers for Renault, Ford, PSA Group, Volkswagen, BMW, and Fiat applications.

In total, the WAI window regulator range offers 1800 parts covering 73,000 vehicle applications, quickly establishing the company as a leader in the supply of all types of window regulators namely: Scissor, cable, bowden and double Bowden and offers a quality 22- garageTRADER

aftermarket solution for window regulators.

Highlights of the range include Asian models such as Mitsubishi, Toyota, Honda and Hyundai, as well as popular European vehicles.

The range also includes manual window regulators that cover Citroen and Fiat brands.

There are also 74 parts available in WAI’s commercial vehicle (CV) programme covering the most popular applications.

The range covers both left- and right-hand, as well as front, rear and rear window, and can be equipped with comfort function technology based on the OEM manufacture.

WAIglobal has recently introduced a catalogue for its expanding selection of window regulators, including its CV range. The userfriendly A4 catalogue lists parts by model, application, WAI’s reference number, its OEM number and accompanies each listing with an image.

Valeo reignites leads range with product relaunch

Valeo Service UK has reignited industry interest by investing in its ignition leads range, bringing Original Equipment (OE) technologies to the aftermarket.

Valeo offers a complete engine management programme and its ignition leads range features 648 part numbers in total, covering popular applications such as Citroen Berlingo, Saxo and Xsara; Ford Fiesta, Focus and Mondeo; Renault Clio and Megane; and, Vauxhall Astra, Corsa and Zafira models.

The control systems specialist offers three distinct technologies of ‘high tension’ wire to conduct the ignition spark into the spark plug of any modern vehicle. The range is designed to meet all customer requirements and therefore its three wires each feature their own technological benefits.

Firstly, Valeo’s resistive cable technology provides customers

with the benefit of complete resistance along the lead’s length.

Secondly, Valeo’s reactive cable technology ensures that the lead deteriorates more slowly due to improved electrical stability of its conductor core and increasing the cable’s life, as well as offering enhanced suppression of high tension interference.

Finally, the third high-tension wire is Valeo’s premium option using copper cable technology. This has a range of technical benefits, such as longevity and suppression of radio interference.

The ignition leads range is part of Valeo’s engine management programme, featuring air intake throttles, fuel pumps, EGR valves, ignition coils, injectors and sensors, all of which are 100% OE quality, reflecting the brand’s commitment to providing customers with firstclass products.

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Aftermarket

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A logical choice: Euro Car Parts FIRST LINE ADAPTS TO strengthens partnership with INNOVATIVE MATERIALS Autologic

Euro Car Parts, the UK’s leading distributor of car and LCV parts, has renewed its contract with automotive diagnostics specialist Autologic, following last year’s exclusive agreement to add Autologic Assist, a fully integrated diagnostic support system, to its Workshop Solutions portfolio.

The ongoing relationship gives Euro Car Parts the sole, indirect, rights to distribute all Autologic products in the UK. A recognised world-leader in automotive diagnostics software, Autologic offers comprehensive coverage for brands including Audi, BMW, Citroën, Dacia, Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes, Peugeot, Renault, Volvo and VW. Utilising state-of-the art technology, Autologic Assist is the UK’s first fully integrated system, combining comprehensive diagnostics with third-party data and industry-standard aftersales support. In total, Autologic comprises eight service strands – AssistMobile, Assistportal, AssistOnline, AssistChat, Assistcall, Assistrescue, Assistcapture and Assist Pass-Thru Support. This is all backed up by an extensive, round-the-clock Vehicle Diagnostic Support service.

Bill Stimson, marketing director at Euro Car Parts, commented: “Autologic has a proven track

record in driving up efficiency, customer satisfaction and overall revenue, and is exactly the sort of technology in which garages should be investing. With highspec technology playing an increasing role in automotive design, it is vital that independent garages arm themselves with the very latest devices, enabling them to continue servicing ever-evolving vehicles and vehicle technology.

Investing in Autologic enables them to stay a step ahead of the competition, so we’re absolutely delighted that we can continue to offer it to our customers.”

Autologic’s Fault 2 Fix team, consisting of 50-plus, UK, in-house technicians, is able to supply vehicle diagnostic support at all levels for system users. This includes technical and device support, as well as regular upgrades to ensure the diagnostics provision is always up-to-date.

The extension of the Autologic contract complements a number of new initiatives launched by Euro Car Parts this year. Last month, Euro Car Parts announced the launch of Euro Academy, a unique and innovative technical resource designed specifically to support the independent garage.

The business has also announced it will be offering a first-to-market lifetime warranty on a wide range of mechanical parts. The new programme offers peace of mind to customers when it comes to purchasing major units such as clutch kits, rotating electrics and steering racks, as customers can rest assured that they will only have to pay for it once.

KYB 360 DEGREE PRODUCT IMAGES NOW LIVE The recently announced ambitious project by KYB Europe GmbH Aftermarket to provide 360 degree images of its products is now live.

Over 1,700 references are now available to view on http://360. kyb-europe.com. They rotate

completely and users can also zoom in on the 3D image to see more detail. The images will help technicians and distributors to identify the correct part for their vehicle, increasing the efficiency of the ordering process.

Jordan Day, Marketing Manager

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In their pursuit to cut emissions, vehicle manufacturers (VM) are intent on reducing the weight of their vehicles, as a 10% weight saving can lead to an impressive 6-8% reduction in fuel consumption and subsequently, emissions.

By adopting new materials, VM’s can find some of these weight reductions within Steering & Suspension components and as the UK’s largest supplier of replacement Steering & Suspension parts, First Line Ltd is naturally reflecting this original equipment (OE) movement within its range.

Innovative solutions have allowed lighter materials, such as plastics to be used in a far wider range of components. When it comes to load bearing structural elements like Engine Mounts, steel and aluminium structures have traditionally been used, however, Engine Mounts with the structural part made from plastics are appearing more regularly on mainstream production vehicles such as on the Vauxhall Astra 09> (First Line - FEM4097) and on the Vauxhall Vectra 02>09 (First Line FEM3999).

In technical terms, the material used is PA66+50GF, which is polyamide reinforced with 50% fibreglass. In addition to weight saving reductions, which can be as much as 35% when compared to

steel or aluminium, this material has many benefits such as better load distribution on the axles.

Load reduction on the front axles has a positive effect on the driving dynamics and enhances driving safety. Two other benefits come in the form of being resistant to rust and corrosion and they exhibit the same or improved noise, vibration and harshness properties.

When it comes to Steering & Suspension components, such as Stabiliser Link Bars, which are highly demanding components, new technology is also making its presence felt. In a number of VAG applications for example, carbon fibre reinforced plastic (CFRP) is used due to its immense strength to weight ratio. Although this material is more expensive, VM’s are investing in its development, meaning that premium quality aftermarket suppliers like First Line must follow suit in order to match the OE specifications.

First Line not only supplies the aftermarket with this new technology (First Line part number FDL7441), it also offers the preceding traditional design Link Bar (First Line number FDL6732).

Although First Line provides both parts, best practice is not to mix the two versions on the same vehicle and that they are always replaced in pairs.

for KYB Europe Aftermarket, explains “we launched our new 360 degree images at Automechanika in Frankfurt and I’m excited that they are now live for our customers to view”.

The 360 degree images are the latest support tool from the ‘KYB Suspension Solutions’ portfolio which KYB has developed for technicians and distributors, designed to make their job easier. garageTRADER - 23

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Aftermarket

MAHLE DPF turbo replacement checklist MAHLE Aftermarket is a renowned company within the aftermarket with a wealth of technical knowledge and experience. Among the company’s specialist areas is turbochargers and the way in which they function to maintain the engine’s optimum efficiency. This experience has enabled the original equipment manufacturer and systems supplier to notice simple, but easily overlooked mistakes being made when fitting new turbochargers.

When technicians are fitting a new turbocharger, there needs to be a thorough check of the diesel particulate filter (DPF) as there could be a build up of extremely fine soot particulates that occur with combustion, which may lead to the component breaking.

This could also be the reason if performance issues continue after a new turbocharger is fitted or if the new turbocharger fails immediately.

can even lead to the turbocharger completely failing.

The particulate filter has a limited uptake capacity and must be regenerated or replaced at specific intervals. If this is not done and the DPF exceeds its loading limit, the differential pressure rises. This can result in a loss of performance and malfunctions during driving and

Exhaust gases are continuously being filtered and if there is a build up of particulates, due to the excessive counter-pressure, the exhaust gases will no longer be able to pass through the DPF unobstructed, which can lead to a penetration of the bearing house,

stripping the oil film from the radial bearings.

This results in increased wear and may even lead to calcination and subsequent breakage of the rotor shaft. Coked residue in the oil return line to the oil sump is a clear indication of this damage scenario.

This clearly shows the importance of checking the DPF before fitting a new turbocharger, as a lack of this

simple routine could lead to poor engine performance and dissatisfied customers.

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

MAHLE Aftermarket Continues To Expand Thermostat and Filtration Ranges MAHLE is continually growing its product offering and has recently introduced more passenger car, light commercial vehicle and heavy duty components into its comprehensive thermostat and filtration ranges.

MAHLE is also an OE supplier on two of these new references, one for spin on oil filter, OC1255 and one for oil filter element, OX823/6D.

Thermostats

The thermostat additions include TX-83-76D, which caters for five Mitsubishi references from the high performance 3000GT to the popular 24- garageTRADER

Shogun, as well as the Canter truck.

Thermostat TI-133-88D fits the Chrysler Voyager IV 2.5/2.8 CRD.

Filtration

Panel Air Filter MAHLE has also recently updated its range of panel air filter references, including the LX2967, which fits both the diesel and petrol versions of the Audi A1 2.0 and the Seat Ibiza 2.0 diesel. LX3542 fits a range of Dacias and Renaults, including the Duster, Capur and Clio IV. LX3987 is for PSA vehicles, for the latest generation of the 1.6 HDI engine, and is fitted to many PSA applications, including:

Citroën Berlingo, C3, C4, DS3, DS4, DS5, Peugeot 208, 308, 2008, 5008 and Partner.

Other additions include the LX4053 for petrol Hyundai references, such as i10 1.0 and i10 1.2. LX4060 fits BMW 2 Series, X1 and Mini 1.5 and 2 litres.

Finally, LX4142 is for Mazda 2, 3 and CX3 1.5 and LX4143 for the 3, 6 and CX5 2.0.

Spin On Oil Filter

MAHLE has added two spin on oil filters to its range, the OC1243 will fit the diesel Isuzu D-MAX 2.5 DDI and the OC1255 is first fit as original equipment to a range of

Hyundai and Kia applications.

Oil Filter Element

MAHLE has also added three additional part numbers to its oil filter element portfolio. The OX387D1 element is for a range of BMW models, including the BMW 1 Series, 2 Series and 3 Series 2.0 litre petrol. OX823/6D is specifically for the Mercedes E Class 2.0 diesel engine from February to present and finally, the OX1076D fits the Audi A6, Audi A7 and Audi Q7 3.0 litre diesel engines

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Aftermarket

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HELLA RE-ENERGISES ITS BATTERY PROGRAMME

As one of Europe’s leading original equipment (OE) manufacturers and system suppliers for the passenger car, commercial vehicle (CV) and agricultural industries, HELLA also offers a huge range of aftermarket products that naturally reflect the quality implicit in a major OE manufacturer.

Battery related issues remain the root cause of most vehicle breakdowns and one in three vehicles enter workshops with defective or underpowered batteries. On top of this, as we enter winter, battery performance is reduced by as much as 35% as temperatures hit freezing.

Therefore, batteries are a particularly important product across all sectors, so as would be expected, the HELLA range is designed around quality.

To ensure its entire range remains at the very top of division when it comes to performance and durability, HELLA has recently reviewed, updated and expanded its range to provide the most appropriate solution for the varying needs of drivers.

The re-energised battery range consists of four models: Classic, Premium, Supreme and AGM, to cater for every conceivable application, from passenger car and

light commercial vehicles (LCV) to heavy duty and agricultural.

The Classic range is designed for smaller capacity engines and older vehicles, providing a cost effective solution for these applications because of its reliability and maintenance free convenience.

For general purpose applications, HELLA has designed the Premium range for all classes of vehicles. It is one of the top selling models in the range and offers matching OE performance and a long service life, which is why the range proves so popular.

With the Supreme, HELLA provides a higher than OE

specification solution for vehicles with extremely high energy consuming demands.

Particularly ideal for diesel engines and vehicles with a large number of electronic devices and energy sapping additions, its robust design and optimised performance ensures reliability and a long service life.

The HELLA AGM range is ideal for the growing number of vehicles featuring stop-start functionality, as it is designed to cater for this technology due to its excellent cyclic capacity as well as providing up to 50% more starting power.

As well as high quality products supplied by a reputable OE manufacturer, another major benefit for wholesalers distributing HELLA batteries is the no minimum order quantity stipulation and with next day delivery, factors only need to order what they need, when they need it.

INA helps independents

Global technology giant Schaeffler (UK) Ltd continues to help independent garages deal with new business opportunities by adding to its range of INA tensioner solutions.

Vehicle manufacturers (VMs) are beginning to recommend service intervals for changing components, for example, the Nissan service schedule for the Nissan Qashqai 1.5dCi recommends changing the timing belt and rollers at 72.000 miles and at the same time replacing the auxiliary drive belt and tensioner, warning that failure to do so can result in serious engine damage.

INA is now offering an enhanced range of new products to enable independent workshops to cater for this trend and has launched a number of Front End Auxiliary Drive (FEAD) v-ribbed belt sets,

including belt and all components, for a wide variety of models, including the Nissan Qashqai, and the Renault Kangoo 1.5dCi, 06/2012-.

There’s also similar kits for vehicles that include the Ford Galaxy 1.9 TDi 03/1995-05/2006, VAG Alhambra, Cordoba, Ibiza, Inca, Caddy, Golf, Passat, Polo and Sharan 1.9SDi and 1.9TDi, 09/1996-03/2010, and PSA Berlingo, C5, Nemo, Xsara, Picasso, 206, 407 and Partner 1.4HDi and 1.6HDi, 09/2005-, plus the Mercedes-Benz A-Class and B-Class 1.5CDi, 06-2012-.

check out the website: www.garagetrader.co.uk

The new additions come hard on the heels of the company’s introduction of timing belt kits with OE quality water pumps which provide an enhanced range in line with the service offered by franchised dealers which has already proven to be a big success.

and 180CDi, and Citan 108, 109, 111 Cdi, CLA and GLA 180CDi/ Nissan Note, Pulsar, Qashqai 1.5CDi/Renault Captur, Clio, Grand Scenic III, Kangoo, Megane III and Scenic 1.5dCi, 11/20011-

The INA range has now been extended to include new part numbers for vehicle that include the Dacia Logan II, Sandero II 1.5 dCi, MercedesBenz A-Class 160CDi and 180CDi, B-Class 160CDi garageTRADER - 25

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Dublin motor trade show

Aftermarket and Motor Trade Show The Citywest Hotel in Dublin was the venue for the 2016 Autotrade show. A wide variety of stands represented the Irish new car, aftermarket, accident repair and motor factors market with many of the exhibitors travelling from Europe and the UK to attend the show.

The event will return in October 2018.

Photos: Jenny Matthews Shane Donnellan, Barry Gregg, Vicky Reilly, John Ahern and Jack Commins at the Team PR Reilly stand.

Kevin Cowman of Ano-Sonics LTD.

Gary and Brian Hardiman of SMS, Diesel Spares.

Sandra Gunning, Kevin Kilgarriff and John Higgins from “Child of Haiti” at the Auto Trade Expo, Citywest.

Maurice Bibb of LED Autolamps.

Thomas and Kevin Grant from Grant Engineering.

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Josh Tayor of Febi bilstein at the Auto Trade Expo, Citywest.

Joanne Durnian and Tracey Hunter of GT Exhaustes.

John Ruddy, John O’Hanlon, John Hayden and Frank Lynch from National Autoparts. check out the website: www.garagetrader.co.uk

Dublin motor trade show

Bob Cooney, Alex Greene and Dave Ahern from Assured Performance Ireland.

Chris Greenhalgh, Jonathan Allen and Marc Roden from Federal-Mogul Motorparts.

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Eamon Darcy, Des O’Connor and Shane Mooney of Holts.

Peter Keeley, Siobhan Jackson, Ciara Gill, Sandar Burzik and Damien McGrath at the Blacklion Stand.

Michael and Thomas Corcoran of Soltec (Ireland).

Lance Boseley and Dave Byrne from Jewelultra/ Diamondbrite.

Gerard Flaherty, JB Garage Equipment.

Ashley Fannin and Hugh Kierans from Modern Tyres.

Chris Greenhalgh, Jonathan Allen, Marc Roden and John Stewart from Federal-Mogul Motorparts.

Gavin Tetley and Stuart Alexander from Car-O-Liner.

Eamon Rigney and Killian McNabb from Equipco Ireland.

Wojciech Borkowski and Lachie Morrison from 247 Lighting.

Kieron Fogarty and Niall Flynn from JH Donnelly. check out the website: www.garagetrader.co.uk check out the website: www.garagetrader.co.uk

Arthur Patterson and Bob Berg from AirCat Pneumatic Tools who won the “Powertool Manufacturer of the Year Award” garageTRADER - 27 garageTRADER - 27

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Tech Tips SKODA OCTAVIA 2.0 TDI TIMING BELT KIT INSTALLATION fuel injection pump pulleys clockwise, install the new Dayco HT (High Tenacity) timing belt, followed by the replacement top idler and bolt from the kit.

Rotate the belt tensioner with its position index inside the space in the back plate as shown (figure 3) and tighten to 20Nm + 45°.

Figure 1

The 2.0-litre TDI diesel engine used in the Octavia, features a timing belt driven water pump.

As replacing the belt also requires the auxiliary drive system to be removed, Dayco recommend that all the systems’ components primary drive and auxiliary drive - be replaced at the same time.

This step-by-step technical guide will help technicians through the process, to avoid complications and ensure a first-rate job.

As with all primary drive system jobs, the work should be undertaken when the engine is cold, so ideally the vehicle will not have been run for at least four hours.

Remove the plastic cover to reveal the engine, followed by the mudguard moulding under the right hand wheel arch, which will allow access to the auxiliary drive system, then remove the tensioner and auxiliary belt.

Remove the tie rod beneath the engine and then the crankshaft, or TVD, pulley in order to remove the lower and central timing belt covers. Then from the top of the engine move the differential pressure sensor of the FAP with its bracket and the electric fuel pump with its bracket, followed by the fuel filter and cooling circuit tank, to be able to then remove the top 28- garageTRADER

timing belt cover.

Remove the lower bolt of the engine mounting bracket flange, correctly support the engine and then remove the upper right engine mounting bracket, followed by the bracket flange.

Rotate the crankshaft clockwise to match the timing reference marks on the pulley and lock the pulley in place using Dayco tool T10050 (figure 1). Insert Dayco tool 3359 into the camshaft pulley and a second into the fuel injection pump pulley and loosen both pulleys.

After loosening the bolt of the tensioner, rotate the tensioner and remove the upper idler in order to remove the timing belt and then, remove the tensioner.

Then tighten the camshaft pulley bolts to 20Nm + 45° and the fuel injection pump bolts to 20Nm + 90° (figure 4) Remove all the timing tools and rotate the engine clockwise several turns to ensure that it is correctly timed and that the belt tensioner index is still in the space of the backing plate as shown previously.

Remove the alternator pulley bolt

Figure 2

at the back of the auxiliary belt tensioner located under the rear side of the alternator and replace the tensioner with Dayco APV2511.

After replacing the timing belt covers and other previously removed components, replace the crankshaft pulley with Dayco DPV1123 and tighten the bolts to 10Nm + 90°. Finally replace the auxiliary belt with Dayco 6PK1070.

Figure 4

and replace the pulley with Dayco ALP2395 and using a 13mm ballend Allen key, remove the bolt

To view this installation, or any other Dayco technical video, visit www.daycoaftermarket.com and click on Dayco TV.

Remove and replace the belt tensioner stud with the new one supplied with the Dayco timing belt kit KTBWP5630, along with the lower and central idlers with nut and bolt respectively.

Remove the water pump from the casting and after flushing the system and ensuring the mating surfaces are clean, soap the O-ring and install the new water pump from the Dayco timing belt kit.

Install the new belt tensioner and nut, but make sure that the tab is inserted into the slot in the housing as shown (figure 2). Then, after rotating both the camshaft and check out the website: www.garagetrader.co.uk

Tech Tips

Mintex Guide to Brake Replacement Being at the forefront of braking technology for more than 100 years, Mintex has continued to provide a complete aftermarket solution, delivering high braking standards and safely braking millions of families and motorsport champions worldwide.

However, while most mechanics concur with Mintex’s exceeding standards and replace brakes efficiently, it can be tempting to take shortcuts to save time, meaning simple tasks such as cleaning rust and dirt can be overlooked. This has led to Mintex visiting colleges around the country to teach trainee mechanics best practice tips, making sure these simple, yet effective steps aren’t ignored, which ultimately ensures customers don’t return with complaints such as brake judder.

Mintex provides its top tips on changing brakes the correct way.

Repairing brakes and removing rust Before beginning the brake repair process, it’s key to look for uneven wear on the discs and pads, as well as checking all components

surrounding the axle and examining the hydraulic system for any broken parts. Parts showing signs of heavy wear or defectiveness should be replaced in accordance with the vehicle system and brake manufacturer’s guidelines.

When dismantled, it’s imperative to remove any rust or residue from the contact surfaces and caliper bracket as this can result in pads sticking which can cause uneven wear and noise on the brake pads.

To prevent the likelihood of brake judder, use a wire brush or emery paper to get rid of any rust from the hub. Once removed, use a brake cleaner to clean the surface and check the cleaned hub with a DTI gauge for any possible lateral run-out deviations. If the rust and residue is not cleaned from the hub brake judder will be inevitable,

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which gives a vibration through the brake pedal or steering wheel.

During the cleaning process, it’s important to take great care not to damage the caliper bracket and Hub. Greasing the surface Grease the newly cleaned areas with a non-conductive, heatresistant and solids-free agent such as Mintex CereTec Advanced Lubricant.

Do not use copper paste on the brake surface, as it conducts heat and can react negatively with the vehicle’s ABS system.

Fitting the new brake disc Fit the new brake disc onto the wheel hub and secure the newly fitted disc with the screws, wheel studs or nuts. A DTI gauge should be used to check for any lateral runout. We recommend a lateral runout of 0.07mm below the maximum radius.

Putting the pistons back into the caliper Using the correct piston wind back tool, the brake piston(s) must be moved back into position, taking note of any brake fluid that may spill out of the brake fluid reservoir.

Also, be sure to pay attention to the different versions of the caliper and brake systems, as well as manufacturer-specific requirements and special tools.

Aftercare To optimise braking performance, Mintex recommends the new brakes require approximately 200 miles to become fully conditioned.

Hard or aggressive braking must be avoided during this period as it can effect the overall performance of the new system.

Mintex provides a complete aftermarket braking solution.

Part of TMD Friction, the global leader in manufacturing original equipment friction materials, Mintex benefits from the manufacturer’s extensive research, development and testing to deliver high-quality braking products for guaranteed powerful performance. garageTRADER - 29

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Gem Oils

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Millers Oils celebrates its 130th year in business

range was and has been award winning, being awarded ‘The Most Innovative New Product’ at the World Motorsport Symposium, winning the ‘Technology and Innovation’ award at the Motorsport Industry Awards and the ‘Queen’s Award for Enterprise’.

Millers Oils have expanded globally with presence in 57 countries.

The company has relationships with some international customers in particular over thirty years in Malaysia and Panama.

The success of Millers Oils has always revolved around its people and it has, as a company, always recognised the value that highly skilled and motivated staff bring to its innovative products and business. 2017 is a very special year for the company and Millers Oils look forward to many more anniversaries in the future.

2017 marks Millers Oils 130th year in business. The business has a long and rich history and has always kept its roots firmly in Brighouse, Yorkshire.

In 1887, the company’s founder, John Watson Miller, purchased the company stock, fixtures and fittings for £266.65. The company still have the original hand written bill of sale, safely preserved by the company historian. To the present day the company turnover is £20 million, employing a total of 106 members of staff.

Today, Millers Oils is a highly innovative independent blender of

market leading advanced oils and fuel treatments. Since the early days the business has gone through extensive developments bring into the modern marketplace. In 1973 building started on an extension of the oil blending plant and it was built almost entirely by Millers Oils staff. Even Robert Miller, grandson of the founding member and chairman from 1966-2007, donned his overalls to pitch in.

In 2011 the company opened up a Research and Development laboratory, an excellent resource to continually develop new products.

The technical team who work in the research centre provide an analysis service for customers, quality control and carry out comparative research. Millers Oils has had significant success with their products incorporating nano technology.

This venture began with the Motorsport range which was titled ‘Nanodrive’. This

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Classic cars at Millers

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Gates Belts

The FAQ on PTFE

Gates technical experts answer some common questions from mechanics and explain the special properties of timing belts made with PTFE. It’s rare for Gates Technical Workshops to take place without some discussion about the construction of timing belts in general and, in particular, why so many timing belts contain polytetrafluoroethylene or, PTFE as it is more usually known. Here are the answers to some of the most frequently asked questions.

What is PTFE and why is it used in timing belts?

PTFE is a synthetic material that most automotive technicians will have heard about, not just because it is often associated with items of non-stick kitchenware. The characteristics of PTFE coatings make it suitable for use in the construction of timing belts.

Its high resistance to water, heat, and corrosion by chemicals are especially useful. PTFE also possesses very low frictional properties, more usually expressed as a low ‘frictional coefficient’.

As a result, vehicle manufacturers often specify the use of PTFE in timing belts designed as OE fitment (e.g. VAG TDI engines). And in the aftermarket too, drive system overhauls involving belts made with PTFE have become more and more common

Are timing belts

made with PTFE better than those that are not?

There are performance benefits.

With increasingly high loads and average engine operating temperatures rising beyond 120°C, the need for timing belts with improved durability is increasing and PTFE plays an important role in the performance of modern drive systems. Adding a PTFE coating to the fabric cover of the belt’s toothed side and/or backside reduces friction and abrasion, resulting in improved wear resistance. Another major benefit is less noise from the drive.

Belts with PTFE demonstrate significantly lower weight loss/ abrasion

What can you say about the quality of the PTFE used in aftermarket belts?

From a visible inspection, it’s not easy to tell that a belt coating contains PTFE and the amount of PTFE found in aftermarket belts may vary a lot from brand to brand.

Some may have only a relatively thin PTFE film on the belt surface.

In such cases, with an extended period of high load as well as extreme dynamic belt tensions or

high temperatures, such films are likely to wear away quickly, leaving the base fabric material exposed.

The PTFE coating on a timing belt manufactured by Gates penetrates the surface of the fabric.

As the PTFE is an integral part of the belt, performance is maintained throughout its intended lifetime.

This is one reason why Gates timing belts are characterised by low wear, low noise levels and conform to OE quality standards without exception.

Why are some PTFE timing belts white, while others are black?

PTFE coated belts can be supplied in a range of different colours, but are more usually either black or white.

The colour of the belt has no effect on its performance or function.

since the early 2000s and Alfa Romeo, Avtovaz, Citroën, Fiat, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Peugeot, Renault, Seat, Skoda, Volvo and Volkswagen are just a few of the vehicle manufacturers that fit them as OE as well as in the aftermarket.

When it’s time to replace an OE Gates timing belt made with PTFE, you can be sure that the aftermarket replacement supplied by Gates will also have been made with PTFE. You can also be sure that it will have been manufactured to the same OE quality standards.

PTFE black or white: no differences in performance or function

Is Gates an OE supplier of belts made with PTFE? Gates has been manufacturing PowerGrip® PTFE coated timing belts 32- garageTRADER

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Training

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Schaeffler stars at technical and training weekend The best independent garages from all over the UK and Ireland have hailed the third annual Autoinform LIVE weekend of innovative technical and hands-on training a massive success.

Academy in Wolverhampton, was split into three packages designed to streamline and improve the overall experience of delegates.

First-time visitors attended the ‘Green’ band module, which included popular sessions from previous shows, while secondtimers took part in the ‘Amber’ band featuring some new and updated training modules.

For third-time delegates there was the ‘Red’ band which provided a new programme of topics.

The event – organised by training specialists ADS and supported by the Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association (OESAA), which promotes the benefits of fitting original equipment (OE) parts – featured technical presentations by some of the automotive industry’s leading companies, including global technology giant Schaeffler (UK) Ltd. Malcolm Short, Technical Services Manager for Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket in the UK, said the event proved popular with the 450 delegates who attended.

He said: “We had around 200 delegates participate on our courses and we received many favourable comments. A lot of people said that this year’s event was the best yet and it was good to have so many people keen to learn about our products and how they can help them in their businesses.

“It is vital that independent garages get the right hands-on training and this year we have all worked hard to put on the right level of courses, not only for the new delegates, but also for those who have attended in previous years.”

This year’s event, which was held at the state-of-the-art GTG

Schaeffler – the OE supplier of LuK clutches, INA tensioners and FAG wheel bearings to the independent automotive aftermarket – provided courses on a number of topics.

These included presentations on: the INA GearBOX – the complete transmission repair solution covering everything needed to carry out a professional transmission repair in just one box E-Mobility, Thermal Management & the E-Arc Stabiliser – a detailed look at the vehicles that will be driving into workshops in the future and Schaeffler’s involvement in the future of mobility. This included the latest advances in

water pump technology – the Thermal Management Module, as well as details of the ElectronicArc stabilisation systems being increasingly fitted to modern cars Twin Clutch Technology including diagnostics. This covered how twin clutch systems operate and the benefits they offer to the vehicle manufacturer, driver/ owner and independent workshops as a profit-making opportunity.

It included information about diagnostics and trouble codes, plus a practical removal and installation demonstration of the latest FIAT Group LuK 2CT repair solution.

There were also details of www. repxpert.co.uk), Schaeffler’s online tool for professional garage mechanics needing free access to VM fitting information with details of everything they need to know about LuK clutches, INA belt systems and FAG wheel bearings.

The event attracted a lot of positive comments from delegates who praised the organisers and the content of the show – some taking to Social Media to register their approval.

John Donnellan, of Donnellan Auto Services also posted: “Great weekend, excellent training. Thanks to everyone involved with this event. Will definitely be back next year.”

Spies Hecker announces new course for 2017: PSA Textured Matt Training Spies Hecker is launching a new training course for 2017 specially tailored to the new finishes recently introduced by Peugeot and Citroën, which can be problematic for refinishers. And the effect, which has not previously been seen in large-scale automotive production, is becoming increasingly popular.

Kevin Welling, Training Academy Manager for Axalta Coating Systems in the UK and Ireland, says, “The surface of these finishes, when touched, has a

distinctive feel combined with a semi-matt gloss. The noticeably coarse paintwork changes appearance depending on the angle of light and the viewpoint, making a seamless repair quite tricky. Due to the increase in popularity of this, we felt it was important to create a training course dedicated to these repairs. And it will fit in well with the other colour-based courses Spies Hecker runs at the Training Academy.”

The new PSA Textured Matt

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Training course will take refinishers through each stage of the repair and will include:

•Finding the correct colour formula •Getting the right volume ratio for mixing the Permasolid HS Clear Coat 8034 with the Percotop CS 222 Structure Additive •Surface preparation –

particularly important for these special effect paints • Application techniques • Drying techniques

“Refinishers who complete the new course should return to their bodyshops feeling confident about tackling these special finishes.

And bodyshops that offer these specialised repairs can potentially attract new clients,” adds Welling. garageTRADER - 33

TIME TO TURN THINGS AROUND

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MEET SYROX: THE NEW COMPLETE, COMPACT AND EASY-TO-USE REFINISH SYSTEM FOR CARS We have what it takes to deliver the right colour, every day. We’re the economical no-nonsense paint system that’s right for your everyday working conditions.

DISTRIBUTED BY: Coachfinish NI Ltd 02890 320541 sales@coachfinish.com www.coachfinish.com

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34AN AXALTA COATING SYSTEMS BRAND

180-190 Donegall Avenue Belfast BT12 6LY Co.Antrim Northern Ireland

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©2016 Axalta Coating Systems.

All rights reserved.

Discover our brand, products and tools WWW.SYROX.COM

Refinish

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Syrox - Time to turn things around The Syrox refinish system from Axalta Coating Systems is complete yet compact, making it very straightforward for users. It is a no-nonsense, easy-to-use refinish brand for cars designed to deliver an economical way to work in everyday conditions to bodyshops of all sizes.

Applying the products is simple to learn, thanks to familiar application methods. Syrox’s substantial online global colour formula database gives users access to more than 70,000 colour formulas, so you get outstanding colour competency at a competitive price.

And the specially designed product packaging turns the mixing room

on its head. The easy-to-handle, comfortable-to-hold bottles come in a variety of smaller sizes and they have a level indicator window, so

you can easily see when you need to re-order. And it helps to reduce waste. Just shake the bottles before use, and you’re ready to go.

With Syrox, there are no compromises to make. Not on colour and not on quality.

Distributed by Coachfinish NI Ltd.

ColorSpot from Spies Hecker: Making colour identification more accurate To improve colour identification, Spies Hecker offers refinishers a new daylight lamp with LED technology. By simulating different light conditions and light intensities, the new lamp can help refinishers identify deviations in colour matching for solid and effect paints.

ColorSpot, the new daylight lamp from Spies Hecker, can be used for almost anything, from colour comparison with colour swatches and sample panels to damage assessment and checking freshly painted surfaces for dust inclusions. Kevin Welling, Training Academy Manager for Axalta Coating Systems in the UK and Ireland, says, “ColorSpot provides refinishers with a tool that will reveal even the slightest hint of metamerism or effect differences.”

Three levels of light intensity

The intensity of the energy-saving LEDs can be set to three different levels. Light level 1 makes it possible to compare light solid and effect colours accurately. Light level 2 is suitable for medium to light and mid-toned effect colours.

And for darker effect colours, light level 3 shows the nuances helping to achieve an optimal colour and effect match.

able to identify colour differences, quickly and reliably,” Welling says.

Powerful battery A powerful battery ensures the cordless lamp can be used for long periods. The battery can be charged on its base station. “Due to the low

energy consumption of the LEDs, the battery can handle a long day’s work. Thanks to its minimal weight and ergonomic shape, ColorSpot is comfortable to handle and will support refinishers’ work,” Welling adds.

“In addition to bright daylight, you can set the lamp to a warmer, but still white, evening light. Equipped with this tool, refinishers will be

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Refinish

Strong Preference for Neutrals... but Colour is Coming Back Axalta Coating Systems has released its Global Automotive 2016 Color Popularity Report which confirms a continued global pre-eminence by white, while hints of colourful hues enliven traditional neutral colours to bring colour back into the mainstream.

Regional highlights from Axalta’s 2016 Color Popularity Report include: • Worldwide: White stays in first place on nearly four of every 10 new vehicles.

• Africa: Light colours are most favoured here: silver and white combined make up 63 percent of new purchases.

• Asia: In China, more than half of vehicles sold are white. Solid white is more popular than pearl white by more than 39 percentage points. Conversely, Japan prefers pearl white (27 percent) to solid white (seven percent).

• Europe: At 17 percent, grey is more popular here than any other region. Black is declining and now seven percentage points behind first place white.

• North America: Grey is making a mark rising two percent in popularity and lengthening its lead over silver.

• Russia: Beige/brown is at eight percent, just as in China. No other region reaches that mark.

• South America: Green comes in at five percent, tied with Russia for green’s most popular regions

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Synergy and AkzoNobel celebrate award success Synergy Vehicle Refinishing Solutions Ireland Ltd has celebrated its first anniversary by lifting one of the honours at the Irish Auto Trade Awards. The independently owned company, set up a year ago as Ireland’s sole importer and wholesale distributor for all brands produced by AkzoNobel’s Vehicle Refinishes business, carried away the award for Paint Brand of the Year 2017 in recognition of the Sikkens brand.

Presented at a Gala Dinner in Dublin’s CityWest Hotel, the awards were decided through a rigorous judging process which involved online voting by the auto industry. Competition was intense, with nominations up by almost a third on last year.

“As the representative of Sikkens and all other AkzoNobel vehicle refinishing brands in Ireland, we are proud to have played a part in building appreciation of it in this country,” says Peter Daly, Synergy VRSI’s Managing Director.

“We see this as one of many positive signs vindicating the decision to create an independent AkzoNobel distribution partner that could respond quickly and flexibly to

changing local needs. With our strong customer relationships, AkzoNobel’s global support and the reputation of brands like Sikkens,

we think there will be many more successes to come.”

Standox calendar 2017: A meeting of generations Generations of Colour is the new Standox wall calendar for 2017.

The 12 images are like a meeting of automotive generations, with classic cars shown alongside current models. It’s a portrayal of shapes and colours that will appeal not just to car enthusiasts.

Contrasting classic models with today’s reincarnations has a certain appeal – it may conjure nostalgia for cars driven in the past.

Developments in technology and the defining spirit of each era are apparent in the changing shape of the bodywork. In many cases, the classic and current model really only share the same name, but sometimes the family resemblance is unmistakable, such as with the Porsche 911.

This automotive leap in time is the

central theme of the Standox 2017 calendar Generations of Colour, created by photographer Ramon Wink from Bad Ems, Germany.

Prompted by a good dose of irony, all images also share another theme. They are all photographed in backdrops that are considered to be typically German: a Bavarian beer garden, a traditional sausage stand, a romantic snow-covered Christmas market.

Sometimes it is only something small that gives the images their German character, for example a couple of German Shepherd dogs, cardboard cutouts from the Mainz Carnival or the dense thicket of signs seen on German motorways.

For over 30 years, Standox has commissioned renowned German photographers to create the brand’s wall calendar which can be ordered from the Standox web shop, www. standoshop.co.uk, in the literature/ poster section. System Tools Plus members will automatically receive their free calendar as part of their colour programme update.

BROWN BROTHERS Distribution Partner with Laser Tools Racing in British Touring Car Championship 2017

BROWN BROTHERS Distribution has been selected, for a third year running, as an Official Partner to the Laser Tools Racing Team for the 2017 Dunlop MSA British Touring Car Championships.

The Laser Tools Racing team was new to the BTCC in 2014, set up to support young driver Aiden Moffat. Aiden made BTCC history in 2013 as the youngest driver to ever start on the grid in a BTCC race. Following a successful season

in 2016 and now aged 20 there are very high hopes for Aiden in 2017.

Back in the Mercedes A-Class, Moffat is set to grow on last season’s results with the first race taking place on the 1st April at Brands Hatch. “Touring cars is where we’re going to stay,” said Moffat. “It’s a fantastic championship and as a team we’re constantly improving.”

Danielle Aiken PPG UK Marketing

Manager said “Following a brilliant season last year, we are really pleased to be associated with such an ambitious and exciting team for a third year running. We are looking forward to seeing the Brown Brothers Distribution brand showcased in the British Touring Car Championship. We wish both Aiden and the Laser Tools Racing team all the best for the 2017 season.”

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Transport Training Services Transport Training Services

Michael joins World Skills Michael joins World Skills 2019 Team UK 2019 Team UK Concentrating hard here is TrustFord Apprentice Concentrating hard hereBody is Repair Technician Michael Sanlon at TrustFord Apprentice Body Repair the UK National Skills Final Technician Michael Sanlon at in UK the NEC Birmingham late the National Skills Final 2016.Birmingham Michael trains inNov the NEC latewith Transport Services, Nov 2016. Training Michael trains withNutt’s Corner and after winning theNutt’s NI Transport Training Services, competition in March, gotNI Corner and after winninghethe through theinheat competitions competition March, he got in May tothe theheat UK competitions final. Following through in his performances in the skills May to the UK final.

Following competitions there Michael his performances in the skillshas been invitedthere to join the Squad competitions Michael has UK Shortlist fortoWorldSkills Kazan been invited join the Squad UK Shortlist WorldSkills Kazan 2019, sofor congratulations to Michael 2019, so congratulations to Michael and best wishes for the training and and best wishesahead. for the training and competitions competitions ahead.

“Yet again ‘wee Norn Iron’ “Yet again ‘weethat Norn demonstrates weIron’ have young demonstrates that have young people skilled to we world class people skilled world classto standards andtothe training standards and thesays training support them,” TTStoTrainer support them,” says TTS Frank McNally. “MichaelTrainer has a Frank McNally. has and a natural talent for“Michael body repair natural talent for body repair and is developing his skills during istraining. developing skills during helps Hishis calm approach training.

His calm approach helps him cope with the pressure of him cope with the pressure of competition, I’m confident he will competition, I’m confident he will

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do well.”

WorldSkills is the do well.” world’s largest WorldSkills is the international world’s largestskills competition which international skills takes place which every competition two years cities takes place in every around two yearsthe in globe. cities The UK around theenters globe.a team into thesea The UK enters competitions team into theseand is currently competitions ranked and in the isseventh currently ranked world. in Competitors seventh the who have world.

Competitors who have the UK represented represented the UK at past WorldSkills atCompetitions past WorldSkills and Competitions and their employers their haveemployers benefited have benefited immensely from the immensely the world classfrom training world class training programmes programmes offered as part of offered as part of the international the international competition journey competition journey and competing on and competing on the international the international stage. stage.

check out check outthe thewebsite: website: www.garagetrader.co.uk www.garagetrader.co.uk

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Riverpark

The Future of Motor Trade – Skills and Talent Focus The Motor Trade in Northern Ireland is an important sector which contributes greatly to the overall performance of the economy and it is an industry that continues to innovate and develop technologically at a pace that is sometimes hard to keep up with.

The Industry has much to offer for those willing to work hard and it can offer a ‘Job for Life’ for many; yet attracting young and inspired talent can seem impossible at times, and indeed the industry has not traditionally appealed to some of the best young talent in Northern Ireland.

In an environment whereby increasing profit margins and reducing costs is a must for the performance and survival of many businesses in our industry, focus has been placed on employees and their individual performance along with retention of gifted and talented staff. Particular thought and rationalisation has been given to new employees in our industry

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and there is a movement within the industry to recruit at the earliest opportunity and develop and mould individuals to suit the individual company requirements. This focus puts particular emphasis on getting the right people interested in motor trade.

Up until recently, there was a great gap and lack of understanding within the educational sector as to what roles and opportunities existed in our industry. Many teachers, careers officers and indeed many young people interested in working with cars, had only considered light vehicle for the most part.

Riverpark Training, through liaison with careers advisors, teachers and learners has over the past 3-4 years, seen a shift in the training environment and there is now an increased focus on outcomes for education providers. This shift in focus and the desire to generate long term employment for their students along with a programme of talks and participation in schools

expos by Riverpark Training has resulted in greater interest from schools and students who previously wouldn’t have been interested in Motor Trade as a career path.

Riverpark Training has observed a number of young people choosing not to go to university

and to undertake to complete an apprenticeship in the various sectors of motor trade and this change in the educational environment and an increase in interest in apprenticeships can only be good for our industry as a whole.

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Riverpark GT Electric Vehicle Course Riverpark Training teamed up with EMTEC in Nottingham to deliver an Electric Vehicle Level 3 course to six delegates from leading bodyshops in Northern Ireland in early December.

Colin Hagan from Riverpark Training, also travelled and attended the course. The two days were very interesting and very informative on making safe and removing electrical components to Electric, and Hybrid vehicles.

With this vehicle technology now becoming more common in our bodyshops, it is critical that the accident repair industry is able to isolate these vehicles and remove and replace damaged components.

The electric power in some of these vehicles can exceed 500 volts with an amperage that would certainly kill an untrained operative.

Some vehicles have kinetic energy charged from the deceleration of the vehicle and by moving them around a bodyshop could deliver a nasty shock to the un-trained technician. Further courses are planned with EMTEC in the new year. Please contact Patricia at Riverpark Training for further details Titanic Exhibition 2016 On the 8th and 9th November the Riverpark Training team put on a display at a new careers convection

held in the Titanic Exhibition centre Belfast. Over 5000 students attended over the two days and one evening. Riverpark Training delivered live demonstrations on plastic welding, PDR repair and polishing techniques These have a go demonstrations proved very popular for students and teachers alike and gave our team the opportunity to show of our practical skills and explain the various opportunities available to these 2017 school leavers.

Traditionally, our team have visited schools and provided talks to students on the motor industry, this new event has allowed us to exhibit to everybody in one venue. We have had an enormous increase of interest after the event and we are currently following up additional requests to provide live demonstrations in schools. After a large increase of student intake in September 2016, we still have many apprenticeship vacancies unfilled, mostly in vehicle parts but also in body repair and Paint. It is therefore predicted that in 2017 we will have a better informed school leaver on Motor Vehicle. This should allow us to meet the needs of employers with a good standard of young apprentices.

New Intake of Apprentices This year again the intake of apprentices choosing Riverpark

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Training has increased. The training team have been very busy placing these new students with employers and providing career advice to them to smooth the transition from school to work based learning.

which will be a vocational tutor.

If this a successful outcome they are then invited to attend a 2-3 day induction. Then and only then do we discuss employment opportunities.

In the last five years, the demand for quality people in the motor industry has increased. As customers demand better services then the industry must respond.

Gone are the days of greasy and dirty overalls, now we need an image makeover. The modern motor industry needs vibrant keen productive staff and the school leavers need to have a good positive career path, why then do we have an impending skills shortage? The answer is twofold, firstly the motor industry is not held high enough by the general public and media, and secondly, it has been destroyed by the use of trainees as free labour.

From an employer’s perspective having young people available to carryout low risk tasks for no cost could seem appealing but from their perspective they have no career incentive and usually tire and move on. This wastes time and afford for both parties with overall no benefit to either. The solution is to invest in the right person for the individual company. That is why Riverpark Training spend so much time in making these connections and removing the risk to both employer and apprentice.

Every apprentice application that is received by Riverpark Training is firstly vetted then if successful the next stage is interview with two members of staff, one of

N.I Skills Challenge 2007 Riverpark Training will be running a Autobody Repair and Car Painting competition in February 2017. This competition will be adjudicated by World Skills UK and will be seen as part of the feeder competitions for World Skills 2019 in Russia.

The competition is open to any apprentice currently working towards Level 2 or recently achieved Level 2 throughout the island of Ireland. We have obtained sponsorship from tool manufacture’s and paint companies to supply a good level of prizes for this competition and successful winners will also have the opportunity to receive free training that could launch them to a World Skills arena. If you have a highly talented apprentice or wish to nominate yourself please forward an email detailing current ability to dave@riverparktraining.com

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for every application

Premium Performance

from a UK brand you can trust

Call: 02892 633600 - 02892 633603 40- garageTRADER Email: batteries@charleshurstgroup.co.uk

Charles Hurst Ltd. 62 Boucher Road, Belfast. BT12 6LR. check out the website: www.garagetrader.co.uk

Colin McNab

Charles Hurst, Usedirect Dublin

Colin McNab – looking forward to 2017…

The €15million development of a new Audi franchise in Dublin is just one of many reasons Colin McNab of Charles Hurst Group has much to look forward to in 2017….

As Group Operations Director for Ireland, the new Audi Dublin showroom comes under Colin’s remit and he is looking forward to the official opening. But the Hurst Group already has a strong interest in the car market in Dublin as they have a UseDirect and a Used Car Centre in the city. Hurst’s are able to source stock from the North of Ireland, as well as various Lookers sites in the UK. Lookers are the biggest Mercedes dealers in the UK and one of the largest Audi dealers as well as having a number of BMW dealerships in the UK so they have much greater access to quality used cars than before.

This has come about as a UK-based subsidiary, FPS, supplier of parts to wholesalers and motor factors was recently sold and Lookers used to the money raised to buy more Mercedes and BMW dealerships in England, which in turn gives them access to more used cars.

“UseDirect had not been performing in Dublin as well as we

expected it should have, but now it is increasing every year and keeps on climbing,’’ say McNab.

dealerships and he knows the used car market inside out.

“You get guys who are new car ‘’The exchange rate is helping us specialists and you get guys who too and not only are used car sales are used car specialists,” says very strong Colin, ‘’but in our it is very “One of our biggest Naas Road rare you get challenges nowadays is outlet but someone we have getting enough used cars, who knows customers like so for the first time we are both, travelling Brian. employing used car buyers from all over “The used to keep our Ireland car business stock levels up”. to our is very Northern strong for dealerships to buy cars. We can us at present. One of our biggest manoeuvre vehicles over the border challenges is getting enough used with agility which puts us in a unique position versus the other dealers. When the cars are sold in the South the VRT tax is then paid which is driven by emissions so the system works well for low CC diesels.’’

Brian Walsh, originally from Ballycastle, will be the General Manager at the site. Brian himself was a former car dealer who worked for Duffy’s in Dublin before going to Jamaica to manage a Jaguar Land Rover and Audi

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Brian Walsh

cars so for the first time we are employing used car buyers to keep our stock levels up. We never had to send people out to buy used cars for us but it has worked really well for the Group Providing we keep stock moving we can continue to grow the used car business.’’

“There is much more control with used cars than there is with new.

Both the Republic of Ireland and the UK have bounced back to a greater extent but the Northern Ireland new car market is still not back to where it should be. Back in 2004/2005 there would have been 68,000 new cars sold in NI and we have only managed to get back to 57 to 58,000.

Colin McNab came up the hard way – from the garage workshop floor all the way up to the Charles Hurst boardroom. From Sales Manager, to Franchise Director to Group Operations Manager Group, no doubt due to his personality, sales and administrative ability, with hard work and perseverance.

This was the traditional route for ambitious managers in the past, and has resulted in the success of a number of the Hurst Directors currently serving on the board. He garageTRADER - 41

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Colin McNab From the Workshop to the Boardroom

left school at 16 and commenced his apprenticeship in Alexanders in Belfast city centre working on British Leyland cars, a business which was later taken over by Charles Hurst. He followed into service management with Charles Hurst, and then into car sales, enjoying a hugely successful period with the Renault franchise.

I was probably a bit geeky as a teenager. Back then you had to sign up for an apprenticeship at 16 and I started with Alexanders in 1979 or 1980… I remember my first day, I went from being a cocky 16 year old to being someone who was sent out for biscuits and fags for the mechanics. I was an ‘alright’ mechanic but there were some great guys around at the time – BL were producing cars like the Morris Marina at the time and engine and gearbox rebuilds were standard practice. The first car I worked at was a Morris Oxford and I remember getting sent down into a dirty oily pit under the car to work at it. That would be unheard of now!

As Group Operations Director for Ireland responsible for more than 700 staff for classic marques like Bentley, Jaguar, Lexus, Ferrari, Maserati and Aston Martin, also franchise agreements with some of the most popular volume marques, he is very conscious of the need for capable and committed staff.

‘The Hurst Group has become one of the great success stories of business in Northern Ireland. It is recognised for our outstanding business performance, but our success has been built on the hard work, commitment and contribution of all our employees,’ says Colin. ‘We need to nurture and provide our employees with opportunities for further training 42- garageTRADER

and career development, celebrate and encourage success at all levels with our annual Guild of Excellence Awards which rewards achievement, and value our people, their ideas and opinions.

“I was interested to hear that a motor industry guru recently giving a talk told the SIMI guys that the biggest threat to the southern market is the Charles Hurst Group and Lookers plc.” That challenge no doubt spurs him on to greater heights. In Belfast work has just started at a new Jaguar Land Rover dealership on Boucher Road, the city’s motor mile, and the cost of the build will be £7.5million including the land purchase. Other initiatives there include a purposebuilt van centre with van rentals. ‘’The van market is buoyant and is driven by other industries and has enjoyed a greater recovery than cars, he says. Another very successful initiative is the First Time Buyer outlet. This was an idea of Colin’s brought on by the number of friends of his four children who used to ask him if there were cars that were both cheap to buy and relatively cheap to insure. Colin set up the outlet and it only stocks cars £5000 and under and no higher than Group 3 insurance. They sell around 900 cars a year and stock about 60 to 70 at a time. ‘’Pricing is very tight and there is no wriggle room’’ he says. Colin himself worked there for a month and says it was a great experience to be at the coalface again. He is a people person and likes to go round the sites talking to customers. “Years ago you would have had four visits from people wanting to buy a car. Now you just get one. One chance, and then they are gone. We have to sell cars the way the customer wants us to sell it to them, not the way it used to be…

Colin McNab came up the hard way – from the garage workshop floor all the way up to the Charles Hurst boardroom. From Sales Manager, to Franchise Director to Group Operations Manager, no doubt due to his personality, sales and administrative ability, with hard work and perseverance.

This was the traditional route for ambitious managers in the past, and has resulted in the success of a number of the Hurst Directors currently serving on the board. Colin’s father, a Queen’s graduate, had no interest in cars, or any connection to the motor trade, and expected him to follow his education through to university, but Colin knew what he wanted to do from an early age – his mother couldn’t believe he could name every car passing in the street from the age of six! This was the beginning of a fascination with cars which has lasted a lifetime. “I don’t see my job as work, more of a hobby.’’

He left school at 16 and commenced his apprenticeship in Alexanders in Belfast city centre working on British Leyland cars, a business which was later taken over by Charles Hurst. He followed into service management with Charles Hurst, and then into car sales, enjoying a hugely successful period with the Renault franchise. As Group Operations Director for Ireland responsible for more than 700 staff for classic marques like Bentley, Jaguar, Lexus, Ferrari, Maserati and Aston Martin, also franchise agreements with some of the most popular volume marques he is very conscious of the need for capable and committed staff. “But where do we get new staff from nowadays?

The motor trade needs to become more attractive to bring in the best people and it needs to be more flexible for staff or it won’t attract the right people. Do we really need all our sales staff at 9-00am every morning when there are no customers about? We are working on some new initiatives such as Product Geniuses who can work less hours, but know the product inside out. They can sell the car and then pass the customer on to

our finance team to help to close the financial side of the deal.

The motor trade is notoriously male dominated and we need to get away from that. We’re looking at a better maternity deal for our staff, we have made the unprecedented decision to introduce a full year of paid maternity leave for those who have been with the company for more than 12 months at the time of birth. This generous policy makes us an industry leader in the retail sector” – this is also to ensure that our staff are encouraged to return to work too. If people want to go to university before they work in the motor trade what do they study?

Accountancy? Management?

There is no real answer to that and really good sales people are hard to find so when you get a good one you want to hold on to them. ’Recently Charles Hurst introduced an Apprentice Academy where on-site training and personal development is an integral part of the apprenticeship, with someone to mentor the young people through the early years of the job to maximise their capability.

These apprentices could be the managers of the future. Colin now sees a need to introduce a better educated recruit into the motor trade to bring new ideas to the industry, on a route which doesn’t require starting on the garage floor. There are various areas to develop careers in – not just sales, but technical, maintenance, accounting, and marketing, to name a few. If suitable these recruits would be fast-tracked through the company to develop into management roles for the future. Looking ahead to future staffing requirements, his view doesn’t just extend to graduates and apprentices. He believes that a wealth of talent exists in many of the females who left due to having families and found the long hours in the trade unsuitable for young family life. He is sure that there is a place for talented trained salespeople on a flexible hours basis in the mix of the motor trade working week.

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garageTRADER - 43

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NEWS

Insurance now a huge issue for Irish Drivers. - By Leo Nulty

SIMI Director General, Alan Nolan, has questioned the significant increase in the cost of motor insurance premiums for consumers and businesses, despite the continuing reduction in the overall cost of motoring, which he says must now be a serious concern across all sectors.

‘Since 2013,’ says Nolan, ‘motor insurance premiums have increased by 71.3% and in the past 12 months alone, increases have been running at 38.6%. With further significant increase in premiums predicted, this will continue to unfairly burden

Alan Nolan 44- garageTRADER

motorists and businesses, and is a particularly serious issue in the case of younger drivers and those on lower incomes. Our experience of previous periods of high insurance costs suggest that car maintenance will reduce, increasing the risk of accidents and the incidence of uninsured driving is also likely to increase.”

In the past number of years, many drivers have been shocked to receive vastly increased premiums from their insurance companies, despite not having registered any claims in the previous six months.

Since 2013, premiums have increased by over 70% Traditionally higher premiums have been the preserve of younger drivers and young male drivers (YMDs) in particular, as they are statistically a higher risk than the more mature driver. In recent years however, all drivers have seen their premiums soar, not just younger drivers. This in turn has led to many drivers reducing their levels of insurance to decrease their outlay when renewing their policies.

Insurers claim that the higher premiums are a result of an increasing number of claims which have to be paid out, but Minister for Finance Michael Noonan opined

earlier this year that this may not be the case. At the time, Noonan said the figures relating to 2015 were still being compiled. However, the available figures showed insurance companies paid out €1.01 billion in 2014. This is less than the €1.5 billion paid out in 2011 and the €1.06 billion paid in 2012.

However a court of Appeal hearing in March 2016 ruled that the insurance sector have to cover the outstanding claims of Setanta Insurance, which collapsed in 2016 with almost 2,000 claims unsettled.

This, no doubt, will have had an effect on policies too.

Kevin Thompson, the chief executive of Insurance Ireland, an industry lobby group, points to the large number of fraudulent claims, and says that whiplash claims in Ireland typically cash in at about €15,000. In the UK, the figure is typically €5,000.

“We need to strengthen the powers of the injuries board to resolve more claims and reduce costly legal fees. We need to further increase the resources given to road traffic enforcement – there’s no substitute for enforcement. We should internationally benchmark awards. Eight out of every ten motor injury claims in Ireland are

In November 2016, The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance report on the Rising Costs of Motor Insurance was released and some of the key recommendations included: • An end to the “closed shop” mentality of the industry and calls for full transparency in relation to claims information; • Calls for the Central Statistics Office to be given a statutory role in collating insurance data; • Recommends that consumers be given detailed cost information in renewal notices; • Calls for more pro-active regulation of the industry by the Central Bank of Ireland with a greater focus on consumer protection; • Recommends that insurance companies be compelled to inform the consumer whether they have taken into account the mandatory medical assessments for over 70s drivers when calculating insurance premia for this cohort; • Greater powers for the Personal Injuries Assessment Board (PIAB), with the objective of increasing the number of claims cases settled by PIAB, thereby reduces claims costs generally; • Insurers be compelled to notify customers in advance of settling claims made against them;

for whiplash and awards here are three times UK awards – €5,000 versus €15,000. And we need to fix Setanta. As things stand, insurers are being asked to price a product to factor in the cost of a competitor failing. We can’t think of any other sector where this happens, for example, Dunnes Stores wouldn’t be expected to do this for Tesco so why should insurance companies?”

In November 2016, The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Finance report on the Rising Costs of Motor Insurance was released. The Insurers immediately refuted the report’s claim that consumers had been ‘thrown to the wolves’ by the insurance industry. The arguments continue, but meanwhile there is no sign of premiums coming down for Ireland’s motoring public.

check out the website: www.garagetrader.co.uk

Factor 10

GT

Garage Trader talks to Eoghan Fogarty, Managing Director, RAE Auto Factors 1.What was your first job?

At the age of 12, I started working as a tyre fitter at Roscrea Tyres 2.What was your first car and what do you drive now?

My first car was a 1.1 Peugeot 205 Van which cost 350 pounds. I had to borrow £2000 from the credit union to insure it!

3.What did you listen to on a recent car journey?

My 3 kids arguing in the back!!

4.What is the one thing you wish you could do better?

Tell Lies! I’m no good at it. I think I am too honest for this world!

5.What is your biggest achievement?

Professionally- opening my third Motor Factors. Personallywinning the Irish Touring Car Championship.

6.What is the most stupid thing you’ve ever done?

Buying a Mini Cooper project. seven years later and it’s still not finished!

7.What would be your specialist subject on Mastermind?

Brown Bread & Jam 8.What one law would you make, change or amend?

People constantly driving in the overtaking lane on motorways at 80 kph!

9.What is your favourite film?

The (original) Italian Job- you can’t beat those Minis!

10.What did you want to be when you were growing up?

A race or rally driver!

Team P R Reilly launch Saleri Electronic 48V pump Team P R Reilly have launched the innovative new 48V Saleri water pump which will generate four times more power than conventional 12V pumps but without any increased amount of current. As automobiles today require more and more energy in order to give power to several electrical devices the new 48V pump limits kW consumption.

As one of the many world brands distributed through Team P R Reilly, Saleri, is a leading original equipment water pump

manufacturer who also supply water pumps to such prestigious automotive brands as Audi, BMW, Ferrari, Fiat Ford, Maserati, GM-Opel, Aston Martin and Porsche.

manufacturer of water pumps. The Saleri programme is distributed in Ireland through Team P R Reilly.

Covering 85% of BMW production needs, over 8% of AUDI production needs for engine main cooling, 500.000 pcs per year only for GM and with a turnover of 155M Euro last year Saleri really established itself as a leading

Team P R Reilly launch Filtron Mobile App

Team P R Reilly have launched the FILTRON Catalogue app. This portable and interactive filter search engine for workshops, distributors, sellers and car owners alike uses Tecdoc data downloaded directly from almost every filter manufacture in Europe and allows you to quickly and easily find the correct filters for your car.

Download the free FILTRON mobile app and quickly locate technical specifications, pictures

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and filter installation guides or you can simply search for filters by manufacturer and model, OE number or the vehicle registration number.

The app is available from both the Apple store and Google play.

The Filtron range is distributed by Team P R Reilly.

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Drivers Seat Garage Trader talks to Kevin Rogan , Mimi Aftersales Director for Donnelly Group lot of controls and procedures to be closely managed.

Did you plan to get involved in this industry?

No, I thought I was going to go into the construction industry as a domestic electrician .

What was your biggest disappointment?

No disappointments, life is a schooling. Every day we learn and move on.

What was the best piece of advice you ever received?

Always leave people in a better place than when you first met them.

Whom do you most admire?

Alan Sugar and President Obama.

What is the most difficult aspect of your job?

Trying to spin so many plates.

What is your most effective or personal asset?

My personality and my determination to make business better for everyone.

You’ve won the lottery. What car would you rush out and buy?

Bentley GT V8S

Kevin Rogan MIMI I started as an apprentice Mercedes Benz Auto Electrician. Completed my apprenticeship and continued on with College part time and completed a HNC in Motor Engineering and HNC in Motor Vehicle Management. Then went on to complete a HND in Management. Became a workshop Controller in Mercedes Benz Belfast, then on to a customer 46- garageTRADER

service advisor for Mercedes. Got my first Management post at the age of 24 as a service manager for SERE Motors looking after two sites, Mazda/Seat. Went on to run Northern Ireland’s largest Peugeot dealership as Service manager in 2003. Then became After Sales Manager for Ferrari/Maserati/ Bentley/Aston Martin in Belfast for 7 years. In November 2015 I

got the role as Group Aftersales Manager for Donnellys covering 24 branches in NI with over 330 staff in after sales. After 12 months I have been appointed as a director for after sales and a member of the board. In my first 12 months with Donnelly’s we have grown aftersales GP by 14.8%.

The 2016 aftersales turnover was around £30million which takes a

How do you relax?

Spending time with my wife and beautiful daughter. I enjoy running at least three mornings a week before work to get me focused.

Tell us something surprising about yourself…

I don’t believe in work cut off times. If a job needs sorted as long as you get six hours sleep you need to give it all and that may mean seven days a week if the project requires it.

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www.charleshurst.com Tel: 028 9038 3484