18 minute read
GUD to acquire APG
GUD Holdings has entered into an agreement to acquire the AutoPacific Group
Under the agreement, GUD Holdings will acquire the AutoPacific Group (APG) for a total consideration of approximately $744.6 million from funds managed or advised by Pacific Equity Partners (PEP) and its other shareholders (which are associated with APG’s management). GUD’s acquisition of APG will see the Group make a meaningful step towards its vision of becoming an integrated leader in 4WD Accessories and Trailering in Australia and New Zealand (ANZ) with future export potential. The transaction is expected to complete in January 2022 and is subject to limited conditions. “4WD accessories and trailering is a cornerstone of GUD’s automotive vision. This acquisition represents the culmination of management and the Board’s work in creating GUD’s Portfolio Vision,” GUD Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Graeme Whickman, said. “We are excited by the opportunity for GUD to expand its existing 4WD and Commercial Vehicle businesses with complementary products, customers, and capabilities. “APG is an industry leading designer, manufacturer and distributor of high-quality, engineered and functional automotive and lifestyle accessories that are suitable for all combustion and electric vehicle applications”. The synergistic acquisition represents an opportunity for GUD to expand its existing 4WD and Commercial Vehicle businesses with complementary products, customers and capabilities and further increases the mix of powertrain-agnostic products in GUD’s automotive portfolio. “APG represents a portfolio of market leading brands and has longstanding customer relationships across diverse channels,” APG Chief Executive Officer, Jason Kieseker, said. “With innovation at the heart of what we do, we see GUD as a natural fit for APG and we look forward to leveraging the synergistic opportunities that joining with GUD presents.” GUD Chairman, Graeme Billings, commented that “the combination of GUD’s existing businesses and APG, firmly establishes GUD as a leader in 4WD Accessories and Trailering in Australia and New Zealand. We see ourselves as the natural owner of the APG business and welcome Jason Kieseker and his team to GUD.” For more from GUD Holdings, visit www.gud.com.au
Based in the UAE in the MENA region, Eiffel is a leading lubricant (Automotive, Commercial Vehicle, Marine, Greases, Industrial and Specialty Lubricants) and grease manufacturer with more than 1,000 products. It says it produces the “highest quality lubricants at the most competitive market prices.” It exports to more than 40 countries across North America, South America, Australia, Europe, Middle East, Asia, and African regions. Lectroni Pty Ltd has been announced as the Australian distributor of the Eiffel Lubricants range. “It’s a huge privilege to be associated with such a reputed international brand that has a very comprehensive range of lubricants blended from the finest grade base stock procured from world class Exxon Mobil and European refineries and technologically advanced superior additives industry giants Lubrizol and Afton meeting specifications of major OEMs and highest standards of API, MIL, European and Japanese manufacturers,” Lectroni Pty Ltd Founder and Director, Sayeed Aslam, said. Since 2004 Burj Eiffel Int. Lubricants Ind. LLC with its brand name “Eiffel” has reportedly established itself as an organisation focused on quality, innovation, and customer centricity with its facilities being ISO 9001- 2008 certified indicating its rigorous emphasis and commitment to quality. Eiffel has multiple state of the art facilities for blending and filling of lubricants and greases in UAE, India, and Kenya, with an installed capacity of blending and filling more than 40,000 MT of lubricants, 16,000 MT of greases and 6,000 MT of viscosity improvers per annum. As the industry moves closer to Electric Vehicles, Eiffel says it is at the forefront of this industry change and innovation by continuously investing in research and development of lubricants that will cater to the electric vehicle revolution and contribute towards attaining a sustainable environment solution. Eiffel offers 62 API Licensed Products in the engine oil category for passenger cars and the commercial vehicle segment. Its products are approved by major OEMs such as Porsche, Volkswagen, Mercedes Benz, Man, Volvo, Mack and Renault. Products are available in all packing, small to bulk and Eiffel is committed to supplying orders within a lead time of delivery while assuring the best quality and services. It also offers private label brand production, providing complete end to end solutions from design to delivery. For more information, visit www.eiffellubricants.com.au
BOSCH EXPANDS ITS HYDROGEN PORTFOLIO
Bosch’s partnership with OMB Saleri will develop H2 tank components for mobile applications
Bosch expects one in eight new commercial vehicles to be powered by fuel cells by 2030. Bosch has expanded its product portfolio for mobile hydrogen applications: as of now, it also includes components for H2 tank systems such as tank valves or pressure regulators. For this purpose, the supplier of technology and services has entered into an engineering partnership with the Italian specialist OMB Saleri in which the products are jointly further developed. “In the drive to achieve climate neutrality, hydrogen will be an important building block in the future powertrain mix,” Bosch Powertrain Solutions Division President, Dr Uwe Gackstatter, said. “Together with OMB Saleri, we are making H2 tank components ready for volume production.” Targeting the global market for hydrogen refuelling solutions
Demand for powertrains that run on hydrogen will experience strong growth in the years ahead, especially in commercial vehicles. Bosch expects that by 2030, around one in eight newly registered commercial vehicles worldwide will be powered by a fuel cell. Bosch and OMB Saleri hope that the partnership they have now put in place for components for hydrogen refuelling systems will expand their market positions in the H2 sector. Their collaboration includes a licensing and engineering agreement for several products relating to hydrogen storage solutions at pressures of 350 bar and 700 bar. Joint simultaneous engineering teams are now further developing the existing products and optimising them for volume production. The two companies’ goal is to leverage economies of scale and offer components for hydrogen refuelling solutions at competitive prices. Bosch and OMB Saleri pool expertise
The partnership brings together the two partners’ know-how. The Italian technology company OMB Saleri, based in Brescia in northern Italy, is considered one of the world’s leading specialists in components for hydrogen storage solutions. As a partner, Bosch will benefit from its engineering expertise, a modern H2 test infrastructure and testing stations, and components that have already proved their worth in initial applications. In return, Bosch will contribute its experience in the commercialisation of innovative products as well as a global development and manufacturing network for large volumes. Bosch is working on mobile and stationary fuel cells
Bosch believes hydrogen has a bright future as an energy carrier, and is making considerable upfront investments in this area. From 2021 to 2024, the company plans to invest around 600 million euros in mobile fuel-cell applications and a further 400 million euros in stationary ones for the generation of electricity and heat. The portfolio for vehicles ranges from individual sensors to core components such as the electric air compressor and the stack to the complete fuelcell module. For more from Bosch, visit www.bosch.com.au
ARE YOUR CUSTOMERS PREPARED FOR STORM DAMAGE BILLS?
Data shows car owners are bearing the brunt of the latest spike in La Nina storms with an increase in weather damaged vehicles expected
The latest data from AutoGuru and Openpay shows that drivers should be prepared this stormy season as it remains the most popular time for front windscreen replacement, with requests only set to increase. In fact, The Bureau of Meteorology has recently confirmed the latest stormy La Nina cycle and cyclone Tiffany have no plans to slow down, so with expected storms across Australia continuing, damage for some car owners will be inevitable. The latest data from automotive service booking platform AutoGuru and buy now pay later provider Openpay has found that the most popular servicing and repairs request at this time of year is front windscreen replacement, followed by tyre replacement, inspection, and repair, with requests increasing by 133 percent in recent months. Yet with unpredictable weather looming, insurance premiums rising and costs increasing due to global supply chain issues, Australians will need to be doing their maths to cover the potential costs say experts. While the average windscreen replacement currently costs $300-$600 depending on the make and model of your car, excess often sits at $500. This could see many Australians looking to cover the cost themselves, rather than lowering their excess to save a couple of hundred dollars then shouldering the cost in hiked premiums in the long term. With this financial strain, car owners are looking to alternative and more modern payment methods, as data from Openpay (Openpay sales data, Q4 2021) shows the average BNPL auto plan is valued at $662 with customers spreading this cost over an average of 4.3 months. AutoGuru says this signals that customers are choosing methods that afford them greater flexibility for repairs and extras in this price range rather than traditional insurance models during an already tricky time for cash-flow management. “We know that storm season is upon us and while we’re used to seeing increased windscreen repairs around this time of year, the extra uncertainty La Nina adds to the equation could see an uptick in windscreen damage – as well as more cosmetic damage that’ll need fixing in the long term,” said Kane Tierney, a Fleet Manager and Qualified Mechanic at AutoGuru. For more from AutoGuru, visit www.autoguru.com.au
REPORT REVEALS EXPORT MARKET CONFIDENCE
The DHL Export Barometer has revealed that Australian businesses are confident exports will recover in 2022
The results of the annual DHL Export Barometer signal a strong recovery in Australian exports. This year, 69 percent of Australian businesses surveyed believe that their export revenue is likely to increase over the coming 12 months, following a 19-year low of 47 percent in 2020. Businesses highlight a range of reasons to expect growth, including increases in customer demand, sales and marketing, and the launch of new products or services. This optimism extends to plans to hire new staff (48 percent) and increase wages (57 percent). COVID-19 impacts export revenue, but recovery expected in 2022
This year saw more businesses report growth in export orders, while a third (33 percent) recorded an increase in terms of revenue. For businesses that experienced declining revenue in 2021, 59 percent expect it to return to pre-pandemic levels by end of 2022. New export challenges, with increased cost of freight most highlighted
Increased freight costs impacted 65 percent of businesses, followed by supply chain issues such as a shortage of products or raw materials (43 percent), and international travel restrictions (43 percent). “International travel restrictions that created a shortage in airline cargo capacity in 2020 have created flow on effects to the cost of freight and the ability of exporters to visit business contacts and manufacturing facilities overseas,” DHL Express Australia Chief Executive Officer and Senior Vice President, Gary Edstein, said. “The pandemic has proved how vital international connections are for sustaining global trade. Businesses with efficient growth strategies, considered target markets and the support of robust logistics networks such as DHL Express will continue to recover into 2022.” Businesses concentrate on export markets, with North America now the main target
The most common export destinations included New Zealand (targeted by 58 percent of businesses), North America (52 percent), Europe (39 percent), and the UK (38 percent). North America also this year took top position as the main export market, surpassing New Zealand which ranked first in past years. More exporters use e-commerce to generate orders
In 2021, a record 82 percent of export businesses used e-commerce to generate sales. Looking to 2022, they will build on this by investing in online marketing (40 percent), followed by improvements to website design (34 percent), fulfilment and delivery (29 percent), and customer service (26 percent). For more information, or to view the full report, visit www.dhl.com
AUTOMECHANIKA SHANGHAI ANNOUNCES NEW SHOW DATES
Players throughout the global automotive ecosystem can look forward to the 17th edition of Automechanika Shanghai returning across the 1st to the 4th of December 2022 at the National Exhibition and Convention Center (Shanghai). The show was initially put on hold in a swift response to the country’s efforts on containing the spread of emerging COVID-19 cases. Nonetheless, the fair offered several value-added services to support players across the value chain during the interim period. In the weeks leading up to the decision, a number of factors were considered during discussions between organisers Messe Frankfurt (HK) and relevant stakeholders. “These included further consultations with the authorities, in addition to assessing an appropriate timeslot in the global Automechanika brand calendar,” Messe Frankfurt (HK) Deputy General Manager, Fiona Chiew, said. “In this respect, holding the show from 1 to 4 December 2022 was the most viable outcome for all. We appreciate the support, patience and understanding of everyone in the automotive ecosystem during this interval.” Messe Frankfurt says Automechanika Shanghai is one of the most influential global trade fairs in the automotive industry, offering an arena for marketing, trade, networking and education. Each year, the show effectively communicates developments in the macro operating environment and filters them into activities across the show floor and fringe programme. As such, its comprehensive coverage can bridge players across the domestic and international supply chain. From this perspective, the fair will continue supporting business development by exploring effective ways to connect the automotive industry in the year leading up to the new show. By the same token, Automechanika Shanghai had a duty to bring industry players together during the original show dates, and a strong response on AMS Live during those dates further highlighted the rising need for a resilient digital toolkit while global markets recover. Buyers could begin sourcing from over 2,900 potential suppliers on 10 November. This further opened up on 24 to 27 November 2021, where players fully leveraged AI matchmaking, lead management tools and real-time analytics. Over 50 video recordings and livestreamed events on AMS Live also proved immensely popular. For example, 2,049 viewers tuned into How AIoT is Transforming the Active Safety of Commercial Vehicles. Elsewhere, a Dialogue with Automotive Entrepreneurs (Shanghai Stop) collected an audience of 2,440. Several exhibitors also leveraged the show’s global reach by holding their product demonstrations and launches on the platform. On top of this, a dedicated team from the organisers produced 1,900 appointments and recommendations on Match Up since its launch in August. For further enquiries about participating in Automechanika Shanghai, please visit: www.automechanika-shanghai.com or contact Messe Frankfurt (HK) Ltd on +852 2802 7728 or auto@hongkong.messefrankfurt.com
BURSON EZYPARTS UNVEILED
A faster, simpler and cleaner way to find what you need from Burson Auto Parts
Burson Auto Parts recently unveiled its all new, web enabled, simplified and speedier Burson EZYParts catalogue and ordering system for trade account customers. Designed to assist automotive repairers find and order the parts they need and ensure that they are operating at the maximum possible efficiency, the Australian trade supplier of parts, tools and equipment says Burson EZYParts reduces the time spent finding, ordering and quoting the correct parts required for the vast majority of general automotive vehicle servicing and repair work. Burson EZYParts provides a broad view on parts availability, detailed technical information and accurate repair time data to enable repairers to see the stock available at multiple Burson Auto Parts stores within their proximity. The speed and efficiency of the Burson EZYParts system is enhanced with intuitive vehicle search functions that include Registration, VIN and Free Text capabilities to help you find the exact replacement or service parts required quicker than ever before. Burson EZYParts also includes more detailed product information and product images covering the vast range of quality service and replacement parts in the Burson Auto Parts range. The system also easily allows for side-by-side parts comparisons to be made before making parts purchasing decisions. Burson Auto Parts trade customers can also customise their Burson EZYParts interface to perfectly suit their own customised profit, quotation and other cost factor requirements. This ensures greater accuracy of customer quoting, reducing the possibility of invoicing errors and inconsistencies. Updated vehicle Log Book Service guidelines ensure that customers receive the correct service as required for their specific vehicle requirements. This also enables Burson Auto Parts trade customers to provide more accurate quotations for specific jobs including labour time to their customers. “We have invested significantly in making our valued trade customers lives easier. There is no doubt that once a workshop operator is running this totally updated parts sourcing, ordering and business assistance software package that they will be saving significant time and money,” Burson Trade Executive General Manager, Steve Drummy, said. “It is easy to use, faster and cleaner as it is a total software package that has been custom designed to suit the specific requirements of Australian automotive repair and service providers. “We know that once our trade customers use Burson EZYParts anywhere, anytime and on any device, it will become an integral part of their business management.” For more information, call 1300 BURSON (287 766).
INTRODUCING PARTLY
An open data standard for selling online
The increasing average age of vehicles, the booming number of do-it-yourself customers, and the convenience of purchasing parts online have driven strong growth in the e-commerce automotive aftermarket in the post-Covid era. Partly says the global e-commerce automotive aftermarket is anticipated to grow a staggering 15 percent per year and notes that consumer purchasing preferences are also projected to rapidly migrate from the traditional brick-andmortar model to buying online. It says this is creating untapped opportunities for auto parts manufacturers, distributors and retailers to expand to e-commerce; allowing sellers to not only own the relationship with their buyers but also create a desirable purchase experience. However, managing vehicle compatibility (or fitment data) and integrating this data with e-commerce platforms can be extremely difficult due to the data complexity and required updates. Displaying this data in an intuitive system for the average consumer is another story entirely. In addition, cross-referencing aftermarket parts with interchangeable OEM equivalent parts can also be a strenuous process, despite being critical. These challenges, combined with the limited technical know-how, are preventing many businesses throughout the auto parts supply chain from expanding online, in spite of the attractive opportunity presented. Partly explains that it is an auto data technology company that solves many of these problems through a new open global data standard, regionalised for each country, including Australia. The company provides a tool called PartsPal which allow users to manage all parts data and catalogues in one place. Through any subscription with Partly, users will have access to Partly’s databases which have over 20 million aftermarket parts and 25 million OEM parts, covering multiple brands. Web developers and agencies can also use the Partly API to query fitment data and part information for their own custom development. With these solutions, part sellers can have a centralised tool to manage catalogues and publish products to their own website and marketplaces like eBay. Users can get fitment data automatically from the Partly databases, or add their own fitment data. The software also allows cross-referencing aftermarket parts with equivalent OEMs, allowing sellers access to high-quality data. This solution aims to enable sellers to build their online channels at a fraction of the cost of custombuilt solutions. It caters to businesses of all sizes, from smaller distributors to manufacturers. For more information, visit www.partly.com
INTRODUCING BETTER ACCESS TO NEVDIS DATA
Blue Flag is an authorised provider of Plate-to-VIN NEVDIS data
Customers can use an API to access and integrate data from the National Exchange of Vehicle and Driver Information System (NEVDIS) within their own computer systems and websites. The Blue Flag system allows its clients to search for cars by VIN, Registration Plate or chassis number. It makes life easier by allowing VIN or Registration Plate information to be populated directly into a ‘pre-fill’ form. Alongside the NEVDIS data, Blue Flag says it collects and cross-references many data sources, therefore reducing its clients’ risk when making decisions for purchasing, quoting and valuation. Blue Flag has established various methods for accessing NEVDIS data, allowing clients to integrate customised solutions using Blue Flag’s API (application programming interface). Simply enter a vehicle’s registration number to reveal a vehicle’s VIN or chassis number; engine number; basic attributes (for example, model, colour, body type and more); year of manufacture; registration status and expiry date; written-off status (including reason such as accident, hail or flood damage); and stolen status. Access to NEVDIS data provides security and peace-of-mind. Check the registration status and expiry of your fleet regularly or check vehicles prior to driving. Buying registered cars into stock? Your job will be a whole lot easier with timely access to stolen and write-off statuses, including the detailed reason for a write-off such as minor hail damage or full-scale flood damage. Keep in mind, a vehicle written-off years ago could have been rebirthed, but fortunately, NEVDIS has you covered, says Blue Flag. The Blue Flag API caters to all types of customers, whether it be searching five cars a week or tens of thousands per month. The system is simple to integrate with your current website or portal and you can visit www.blueflag.com.au to sign up and test the API for free. For more information, visit www.blueflag.com.au/nevdis or email edward.bunting@blueflag.com.au or call 03 9427 1230.
