Cover Story: Monroe - Road trips are here to stay

ROAD TRIPS ARE HERE TO STAY!

Monroe supports driver safety and is ready to help grow your suspension business

With local travel here to stay for the foreseeable future, more than ever vehicle owners need to get their cars serviced to ensure they are in the safest possible running condition. An important vehicle safety factor that tends to be overlooked is the checking of worn shock absorbers. According to independently sourced market statistics, the current Australian industry standard for shock absorber replacement is eight out of every 100 vehicles serviced or inspected. Based on known shock absorber wear rates and national averages for annual distances travelled, it is clear from these suspension replacement statistics that not enough vehicles are being checked for shock absorber wear. If your workshop’s shock absorber replacement rate is low, then your customer’s vehicles may not be in the safest condition possible and you’re missing out on shock absorber replacement business. All too often, many customers only learn their shock absorbers need replacement when something has gone terribly wrong. By informing your customers of the increased emergency stopping distances, reduction of steering response and excessive tyre wear effects of worn shock absorbers, Monroe says you are assisting them to make sensible and highly responsible vehicle maintenance decisions. When you select Monroe, it says you are selecting the peace of mind that comes with more than a century of engineering in every shock absorber, and a global manufacturer who backs their quality “Built To Last” promise with a five year Monroe OE Spectrum range warranty that is reportedly unrivalled by any competing ride performance products. As most motorists rely on their mechanic’s opinion in relation to the replacement of shock absorbers, Monroe says your reputation for providing total customer care can only be enhanced with its industry only five year warranty, with every set of Monroe OE Spectrum shock absorbers fitted. It explains your business can make the most of Monroe’s five-year warranty initiative by joining Monroe’s long term alliance program with repairers, suspension specialists and re-sellers across Australia: the Monroe Safety Specialist program. Monroe explains that its Safety Specialist Program enables any automotive workshop, no matter what size, to become a direct part of Monroe’s national marketing strategy. Monroe Safety Specialists are listed on the Monroe Dealer Locator page at www.monroe.com.au which is used by more than 20,000 consumers per month and along with a dedicated free call 1800 number, directs consumer enquiries to their closest suspension inspection and replacement expert. In addition to this, Monroe says it also supports suspension replacement business growth through equipment that increases productivity and assists technicians in testing worn shock absorbers. Monroe explains that the Monroe Shock Absorber Tester is an easy-to-use handheld high-tech tool that enables automotive technicians to test shock absorber wear on passenger and light commercial vehicles within seven minutes. It says the tool makes it easier to clearly identify an otherwise invisible danger to vehicles that you are servicing. Technicians can also Bluetooth-link the tester to print reports for their customers. To watch the instructional video on the Monroe Shock Absorber Tester go to www.monroe.com.au/ products/monroe-shock-absorber-tester.html Monroe also exclusively provides another important tool to assist workshops in increasing their suspension business, productivity rates and workplace safety: the Branick 7600 Strut Spring Compressor. This complete metal spring compressor is suitable for use across a vast range of simple and more difficult coil configurations, featuring a long handle that provides extra torque to make compression both easier and safer. It can be wall or trolley mounted and can safely handle the entire spring exchange requirements for most Australian workshops including Heavy Duty, Ford F-150, Toyota Hilux and FG Falcon models without the need for additional adaptors. Whether it is the instructional training and tools that increase shock absorber inspection rates, the successful Monroe Safety Specialist program or the industries only five-year OESpectrum range warranty, Monroe says it is dedicated to driver safety and supporting your business growth. Monroe invites you to become a Monroe Safety Specialist or find out more about Monroe’s workshop tools by contacting your Monroe Territory Manager or calling Monroe Australia’s customer service team on 1800 088 205. For more information, visit www.monroe.com.au

MONROE BUILT TO LAST TECHNOLOGY

Monroe is bringing its technology to the heavy duty truck and trailer industry

In another strong commitment to Australian manufacturing, Monroe has launched its Heavy Duty Truck and Trailer shock absorber range, to be manufactured at its Adelaide plant. Bucking the trend against local manufacturing, Monroe – which says it is the world leader in ride performance – has re-tooled its plant and re-skilled its enthusiastic workforce to ensure that premium quality Australian made heavy duty ride performance products are designed, manufactured and rigorously tested locally to ensure they meet the demanding requirements of the local Heavy Duty Truck and Trailer industry. Monroe Australia says it has made this important local manufacturing decision to ensure that its range of Heavy Duty Trailer ride performance products exceed the toughest requirements of this most challenging environment. This includes the sourcing of premium quality Australian materials to meet Monroe’s heavy duty customers’ requirements for optimum reliable performance and longer life. The rationale behind this Monroe Australia initiative included supporting the company’s loyal and highly experienced Adelaide plant workforce, further developing the plant’s manufacturing capabilities and to provide new local employment opportunities. Monroe says the quality that is synonymous with all of its ride performance products is assured with this locally designed and manufactured Heavy Duty Trailer range. All ride performance products in the range are made using the latest IS09001 Quality System manufacturing processes and to ISO140001 environmental standards, along with design validation testing in compliance with the latest ISO9001-2015 standards. Monroe’s local manufacturing also delivers major design and performance advantages for all products included in the Monroe Magnum Heavy Duty Truck and Trailer range. All reserve and pressure tubes are made from Monroe Australia’s own tube mill with locally sourced material, producing high frequency welded tube at speeds in excess of 100 metres per minute. “Local manufacturing ensures we have the right design and quality to meet the demands of the local environment, which are some of the harshest conditions in the world”, Monroe Australia Plant Manager, Pat Larobina, said. Custom designed rebound and compression valving, and mirror finished hardened inner tubes are some of the unique manufacturing advantages of this Aussie made heavy duty commercial vehicle range. Each Monroe Magnum Heavy Duty Trailer shock absorber is also 100 percent damping force performance tested to ensure that they are optimised for their specific trailer application. “Australian manufacturing of our Heavy Duty Monroe Magnum shock absorber range has been met with positive feedback from the Commercial Transport Industry including Truck Drivers,

Mechanics and Distributors, the majority of which have a strong footprint across this country and in New Zealand,” Monroe Commercial National Sales Manager, Chad Torok, said. “Our commitment to local manufacturing is also seen as a firm assurance to deliver high quality suspension components that are specifically fit for purpose in meeting our unique Australian heavy duty transport conditions.” To find out more about Monroe’s locally manufactured Heavy Duty shock absorber truck and trailer range, contact your local Monroe State/Territory Manager, visit www.monroe.com.au or call the Monroe customer service hotline on 1800 088 205.