8 minute read
CoolDrive establishes new Tools and Equipment division
NEW ANBI MASTER DISTRIBUTOR
BSA has been secured as master distributor for the extended ANBI range
Following hot on the heels of the launch of its extended range, ANBI says it is excited to announce the appointment of BSA Group Battery Specialties Australia as a Master Distributor. “We’ve been in negotiations with the highly motivated team at BSA Group for some time,” Digital Pulse Systems General Manager, Theo Brown, said. “Their national footprint and exceptional distribution network, combined with their appetite to push deeper into the automotive aftermarket were critical in the decision to provide them with Master Distributor status.” The ANBI journey started back in 2018 with the launch of its innovative negative battery isolator switch, the ANBI Switch. Today that range has been extended to include an under-bonnet battery conditioner, 8mm battery boss adaptors, and premium quality battery terminals. “We stocked and supported the ANBI Switch for more than 12 months,” BSA Group Sales Director, Steve Palmer, said. “And when Theo approached us with the opportunity to secure a Master Distributor agreement to help them take the extended range to market, we jumped at the chance.” Battery Specialties Australia (BSA Group) has reportedly been leading the industry for more than 30 years and is a one-stop solution for all Consumer, Industrial and Special Purpose battery needs and accessories. It has a national network of branches in all states and territories. “Today, BSA Group is the largest battery wholesaler in Australia and are exclusive suppliers to several government departments, multi-national retailers, and private organisations,” Steve said. “We’re committed to growing our automotive division, and the ANBI range is the perfect fit to help us increase penetrate this market.” One product in the extended range has Steve and his highly experienced sales and technical team particularly excited: the ANBI Battery Conditioner. The all-new ANBI Battery Conditioner transmits a high-frequency digital pulse within the battery. These digital pulse frequencies break down the sulphates in the battery, extending battery life and increasing battery reliability. “Battery conditioner technology has been around for more than a decade, and in the more recent past, the technology has been integrated into a wide variety of battery chargers,” Steve said. “But of course, this only works if the battery is on charge. The all-new ANBI, under-bonnet battery conditioner works to reduce sulphates whenever the vehicle is in use.” “There is no doubt that BSA Group will play an important role in the success of the extend ANBI range moving forward, and we’re committed to making it work.” For more information about stocking and recommending the ANBI range in your business, visit www.anbiswitch.com.au To place a trade order, call BSA Group on 1300 255 228.
The company has announced a renewed focus on becoming a leader in the Tools and Equipment space for automotive workshops
This new company division for CoolDrive Auto Parts will reportedly further support workshops to ensure they are ready for the future of the automotive landscape, with the very latest in tools and equipment from leading brands being available. “At CoolDrive Auto Parts, we pride ourselves on being able to offer the best products and equipment, both new and classic to our customer base,” CoolDrive Auto Parts Chief Executive Officer, John Blanchard, said. “With the constant advances in vehicle technologies, workshops need to ensure they have the very best tools and equipment to appropriately service their customer’s vehicles and to succeed in the modern automotive aftermarket. “This enhanced range will include our existing product lines and brands, as well as new offerings ranging from window tint meters, to top-of-the-line diagnostic scan tools and equipment packages, to specialist workshop equipment.” Available to CoolDrive customers, some of the product offering includes an exceptional range of air-conditioning tools and equipment, the renowned Autologic diagnostic range, plus the recent partnership with SP Tools which brings its quality products directly to CoolDrive branches. Professional repairers can stay up-to-date with the latest from the global brands stocked by CoolDrive including Bosch and its diagnostic and ADAS tools, GYS battery chargers, battery support units and welding equipment, as well as CPS Motorvac’s broad range of workshop specialist service equipment. The new Tools and Equipment division at CoolDrive will be led by Matthew Douglass, who recently joined the team, bringing with him more than 30 years of automotive industry experience. “I have a passion for the industry and coming from a family who owns and operates multiple 4WD specialist workshops and multi-brand car service and repair workshops across the United Kingdom, I understand the challenges facing workshops today,” CoolDrive Auto Parts Category Manager – Tools and Equipment, Matthew Douglas, said. “Joining CoolDrive has given me the opportunity to broaden its product offering through my knowledge and customer service of providing only the very best tools and equipment. “I am looking forward to working with an already knowledgable team and supporting them day to day. CoolDrive Auto Parts wants to be the number one provider in the growing Diagnostic Sector, and together I feel we can accomplish this.” Matthew has extensive experience across a number of areas within the automotive trade including independent vehicle specialists, diagnostic tool manufacturers and vehicle manufacturers, and is well-versed to drive growth within this CoolDrive business division. For further information on CoolDrive Auto Parts and its product and service offerings, visit www.cooldrive.com.au
MANN+HUMMEL NAMED A SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR FOR GM
It is the 26th time the company has received the award
At General Motors’ 29th annual Supplier of the Year awards, GM recognised 122 of its best suppliers for their exemplary performance in the 2020 calendar year. The suppliers were awarded for going above and beyond GM’s requirements and providing GM customers with innovative technologies that stand out in the automotive industry. Suppliers from 16 different countries received this award, including MANN+HUMMEL which is based in Ludwigsburg, Germany. MANN+HUMMEL says it is a global leader in filtration technology with a focus on developing “intelligent solutions that enable cleaner mobility, cleaner air and cleaner water.” Among the solutions it offers are air filtration and intake systems for different mobility and industrial applications.
“As GM works to achieve a future with zero crashes, zero emissions and zero congestion, we are proud to have innovative and dedicated suppliers around the world as partners in this mission,” GM Vice President, Global Purchasing and Supply Chain, Shilpan Amin, said. “Throughout a challenging year, our suppliers have shown resilience and dedication in working toward our shared goal of long-term sustainability for our planet and the communities we serve, while meeting our present needs. “We are pleased with what we’ve accomplished together in the past year, and we are excited by the opportunity that lies ahead.” “I could not be prouder of our global team for again earning this very important recognition from General Motors for 2020,” MANN+HUMMEL Vice President OE Americas, Mike Ternes, said. “Especially during an extremely challenging year for our entire industry, our team remained focused on doing what was needed to support our customer General Motors.” For more information, visit www.mann-hummel.com
SHAREBOX COMES TO AUSTRALIA
Australian car dealers now have the opportunity to take advantage of the Sharebox concept
The Norwegian tech-company Sharebox has made its successful self-service technology available for the Australian market. Sharebox explains that it develops, sells, and operates advanced dealer-focused solutions worldwide thus automating manual operations and transforming them into a self-serve experience. Sharebox hardware consists of both secure outdoor systems and moveable indoor terminals that automate service check-in and check-out, thus contributing towards increased revenue. With an office now open in Perth, Sharebox customers can utilise self-serve check-ins and checks-outs with a digital customer journey for car maintenance and services. “We are looking forward to gaining traction in the market and talking about how to go digital. Our proven self-service platform makes it easy to offer customers a 24-hour availability service through the use of digital solutions for both delivery and pick up of the vehicle,” Sharebox Country Manager for Australia, Dan Jørgensen, said. “Digitisation of interfaces and channels will lead to new revenue opportunities for those aftermarket players that move faster than their peers. The technology trends are already shaking up the new-car market. It is only a matter of time before disruption is seen in the aftermarket. “Our goal is to provide the best possible brand and customer experience – including for workshop visits. For us at Sharebox it´s invaluable to have five years of experience from the Nordic countries when we launch here.” Audi and Volkswagen dealers in Norway have used the service for several years and the Norwegian importer has signed a long-term agreement to rollout Shareboxes on all of their Audi, Volkswagen, Skoda, Seat and Cupra dealerships. “Sharebox has now become a fully-fledged solution that helps us with the key drop-off and pick-up 24/7, including payment solutions. It helps us so well that we foresee an extension with one cabinet per brand and at each main entrance for an even better customer experience,” said Kjetil Barli, the Service Marketing Manager for Audi and Volkswagen, Norway. The network of Toyota dealers in Norway have also chosen Sharebox as their preferred solution. “We are very pleased with Sharebox and their solutions. For us, Sharebox has contributed to us digitising the customer journey for our workshop customers,” Kent Jenssen, the Digital Business Developer for Toyota Dealer Network, Norway, said. “The customer can deliver, pay and pick up the car around the clock. Flexible payment solutions also contribute to increased customer satisfaction, then the customer can choose to pay in the way that suits them best. “Having notifications sent to the customer advisors when the car has been delivered by the customer has worked seamlessly. “Our customer advisors pick up all keys in the morning and have a full overview of which customers have delivered a key in the locker. We are now working with full integration of our customer DMS systems and are now also planning indoor check-in terminals to be able to offer an even better and more flexible solution for both our customers and our employees. “This will also help take some of the pressure off in the mornings and afternoons. We have achieved our goal of making it easy for the customer, and the customer does everything via their mobile phone.” For more information, visit www.sharebox.global
Dan Jørgensen, Sharebox Country Manager for Australia
