Aftermarket Sept 2024

The drive into a busy season for garages starts here…

Barely a few weeks have gone by since we were heralding the onset of summer and it’s already slipping by and preparing to give way to autumn.

I hope everyone found time to get away from desks and workshops and that you’re ready for what promises to be a busy season ahead.

Let me start this issue by highlighting a special Spotlight report on an upcoming campaign to crack down on the scourge of fake car parts and accessories.

We got the exclusive inside track on what is being planned to help stamp out this illegal trade which, if not dealt with, can ruin businesses, reputations and consumer trust. Find out more on page 6.

On a lighter note, we’re now just a few weeks away from the inaugural Aftermarket Event at Farnborough International, so if you’ve not already registered to take part in this unique event dedicated to the independent garage and bodyshop sector, get a move on!

You’ll find all the details you need

Editor

John Shepherd

john@aftermarket.co.uk

+44 (0) 1732 370 345

Head of Sales

Angela Lyus angela@aftermarket.co.uk

+44 (0) 7823 736 629

Managing Director

Ryan Fuller ryan.fuller@dfamedia.co.uk

Operations Manager

Emma Godden-Wood emma.godden-wood@dfamedia.co.uk

starting on page 18 – followed by our special ‘sneak peak’ preview of what promises to be THE event on the aftermarket calendar.

We are also edging ever closer to finding out who will emerge victorious from this year’s Top Technician and Top Garage competitions. The awards evening will be held in Coventry on October 26. For details and to check last-minute availability for a table at this prestige event turn to the back page.

In addition to the latest news about our industry, ready all about my visit to a garage in the Midlands that has a great story to tell about its family-run roots from the past to the present day — and how it is supporting the next generation of mechanics.

Also, check out our selection of some of the latest innovations on the market that could give your business the edge in our packed products focus pages.

In an exclusive article for this magazine Marc Russell, CCO of FixMyCar, gives his take on how sustainability can drive business in

Marketing Manager

Hope Jepson hope.jepson@dfamedia.co.uk

Production Design

Anthony Wiffen

Finance Department accounts@dfamedia.co.uk

+44 (0) 1732 370 340

Chief Executive

Ian Atkinson ian.atkinson@dfamedia.co.uk

Contributors

Yousif Al Ani | David Banks

Kayleigh Bradley | James Lett

Martin Pinnell-Brown | Marc Russell

the aftermarket as well as offering suggestions for garages to benefit.

On the long road ahead to autonomous driving becoming common-place, Martin PinnellBrown asks where this leaves the aftermarket?

And in our regular look at the skills and training scene, an aftermarket recruitment specialist advises garages to recognise the importance of maximising transferable skills from other professions.

Elsewhere in our feature pages read all about a new EU vehicle safety regulation that will impact the UK despite Brexit and find out why the auto market should stay alert.

Enjoy the issue and do let me know if you have a story to tell about your business to be featured in a future edition!

John Shepherd Editor

Published by DFA Media Group

192 High Street Tonbridge Kent TN9 1BE +44 (0)1732 370340 ISSN 2516-9149

Aftermarket

Fake car parts warning as crackdown looms

Aftermarket can reveal that UK authorities are set to launch a fresh campaign alerting garages and consumers to the risks of counterfeit automotive parts and products on the market

The Intellectual Property Office (IPO) is preparing a new campaign aimed at warning the automotive sector and motorists about the ongoing risk of fake and dangererous car parts on the UK market.

Industry sources told Aftermarket of the move during the summer — and the IPO confirmed preparations for a campaign are underway as this issue went to press.

Meanwhile, auto giant Mercedes-Benz has disclosed that it too is continuing its efforts to protect the group and its supply chain from criminal gangs trading in counterfeit goods (see our separate report on these pages).

A spokesperson for the IPO said: “We are currently planning to intensify our work to alert consumers and industry to this issue and the risks in the latter part of this year — most likely kicking off in the autumn at some point.”

However, the spokesperson said details would be given later in the year and thanked Aftermarket for offering to help promote fake parts warnings to garages.

The IPO’s campaign will be the latest since it published its most recent report, in 2018.

The agency said then that

the cutting-edge of crime nowadays is to be found inside vehicles with a “more pervasive piracy at play, transforming masterpieces into fakes”.

According to that report, car manufacturers, sparepart makers, vehicle designers, engineers and sales and maintenance teams, had all been affected by the same problem.

Cheap, counterfeit vehicle parts appeal to consumers, but they risk lives, compromise performance, damage the environment and put the long-term future of the motor industry at risk, the IPO said.

Latest figures on fakes in the auto sector are expected to be released later this year, but as of 2018 the IPO estimated 90% of counterfeit crime was going unreported. Online, it had been suggested that as many as one in six purchases are of fake goods, the agency said.

An EU survey of that

time suggested that 10% of consumers were being deceived into buying counterfeit products, with 7% of consumers intentionally seeking them out.

A related report around that time by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) said imports of counterfeit goods to the UK accounted for as much as £9.3 billion in 2013. This represented 4% of imports, well above the 2.5% average share of fake goods in world imports.

According to the OECD, that revenue not only failed to reach its rightful owners, those legitimate IP-owning businesses, it was not taxed and so did not benefit wider society.

Worse still, international criminal networks operating illegal and exploitive businesses reap the rewards, which in turn threatened consumer safety.

Last spring, the European

Union Intellectual Property Office (EUIPO) confirmed it had also turned its focus towards the “significant issue” of counterfeit automotive spare parts, posing severe risks to consumers and road safety across Europe.

EUIPO said it was mounting an awareness campaign highlighting how fake products ranging from critical safety components such as airbags and seat

How to spot counterfeit automotive spare parts

EUIPO urges consumers to be on their guard for vague or inaccurate product descriptions, undervalued shipments, and missing safety guidelines.

Other ‘red flags’ include the absence of official licensing, poor packaging, discrepancies in product appearance compared to genuine parts, incorrect or varying serial numbers, and misspellings on packaging or parts. These tips are crucial for consumers looking to ensure they are purchasing genuine and safe automotive components, says EUIPO.

belts to more common items such as floor mats and emblems, can compromise vehicle safety and performance.

Counterfeit automotive spare parts not only infringe intellectual property rights but also endanger lives by compromising the safety and reliability of vehicles.

According to EUIPO, investigations have shown that the majority of these counterfeit goods originate

from outside Europe, with China (94%) and Hong Kong (5%) being the primary sources.

This influx of counterfeit parts includes critical components like airbags, windshields, and accelerator pedals.

“Meanwhile, the rise of online sales, including social media platforms, e-marketplaces, and various websites, has contributed to a surge in the availability

of counterfeit automotive parts,” EUIPO said.

“Online sales now account for 60% of global seizures of dangerous products intended for the EU market. The convenience of online shopping, combined with the lower risk of detection for counterfeiters and the trend of shipping in small batches, has made the internet a hotbed for counterfeit automotive parts.”

The automotive industry

is a strategic sector in many European and non-European countries and for that sector, profit is proportionally very small in relation to the investment made.

This makes the sector even more sensitive to intellectual property rights infringement. In 2022, Spain’s Guarda Civil and Europol co-led ‘Operation Spare-off’ to tackle the counterfeit issue. Eighteen countries took part, including the UK.

Mercedes-Benz safety drive to protect brand

Auto giant Mercedes-Benz revealed on August 7 it was working with agencies including law enforcement authorities in a crackdown on counterfeit car parts amid concern over safety.

In May and June 2023, paper air filters were seized that can cause serious accidents after installation.

Counterfeit brake parts, wheels as well as body and steering parts were also seized. The counterfeit parts were destroyed after seizure, but last year alone the authorities seized more than 1.6 million MercedesBenz counterfeits in over 740 raids worldwide. The number of raids increased significantly by almost 20% compared to the previous year.

Renata Jungo Brüngger, Mercedes-Benz board of management member for integrity, governance and sustainability said: “The counterfeiting industry generates enormous margins and has the structures of organised crime.

“It endangers road safety, takes no account of the

environment and stands neither for fair wages nor for occupational safety. There are no quality controls.”

Brüngger said the company is determined to protect the reputation of its brand and also to protect its customers and legitimate supply chain.

To date, in cooperation with the authorities, the car maker has been able to track down many counterfeit factories directly, Brüngger said.

Raids are often preceded by months of investigation and preparation. The brand protectors at Mercedes-Benz check offers on websites, investigate indications of counterfeiting and conduct

intensive research to identify the factories of the counterfeiters.

The team makes the results available to the authorities responsible for conducting raids. In order to reliably detect product counterfeits, a trained eye and many years of experience are necessary, because a counterfeit often hardly differs visually from a genuine part.

Mercedes-Benz said its global intellectual property enforcement team are repeatedly called in by authorities to quickly verify counterfeit parts. In 2023, an average of more than two raids per day took place worldwide.

Counterfeiting networks

are increasingly moving to online platforms and social media in order to distribute counterfeit products on a large scale.

When trading, counterfeiters use the extensive anonymity and decentralised nature of online marketplaces and technologies.

In 2023, the company’s brand protectors deleted more than 142,000 offers of counterfeit MercedesBenz products and content infringing trademark rights. Typical counterfeit product ‘alarm signals’ for parts buyers can include significantly lower prices, abnormalities in product quality or sales via dubious online sources.

In some cases, it is immediately apparent from the product images or the designations that the products cannot be genuine, such as if Mercedes-Benz does not manufacture the products. However, the layperson will hardly be able to visually distinguish many of the offers from genuine products, the company said.

Rise in new and used car sales ‘big opportunity’ for garages

Latest figures showing continued growth in the UK’s new and used car markets presents a huge opportunity for workshops in terms of upskilling and services, the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has told Aftermarket.

SMMT confirmed on August 8 that the UK used car market has grown for the sixth consecutive quarter, rising 7.2% in the second quarter of this year, with increasing numbers of buyers switching to battery electric vehicles.

The figures came just days after SMMT reported the UK new car market rose by 2.5% in July, representing two years of consecutive

growth and marking the best performance for July since 2020. Nearly 148,000 new cars hit the roads.

Peter Lawton, SMMT head of member sections, told Aftermarket: “Sustained growth in new car sales is bringing more of the latest generation electric, connected and driver assistance technologies onto our roads and into vehicles all across Britain.

‘Robust’ “There is a huge need and opportunity for workshops to keep on upskilling and expand their services while also maintaining millions of conventional vehicles to keep Britain on the move.”

According to the SMMT,

Garage Hive opens IMI-approved centre

Garage Hive has announced the official opening of its Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) approved training centre in Nottingham.

The first IMI course to be held at the centre, housed in Garage Hive’s UK headquarters, is an intensive three-day programme aimed at

helping garage staff become proficient users of the garage management system.

Garage Hive director Alex Lindley said: “Giving staff the tools they need to do the job is a great first step.

“Our goal is to give independent garages more than just software. We want to provide them with

there were an additional 131,128 sales in the used car market in the second quarter of this year compared to the same period in 2023.

Nearly 47,000 battery electric vehicles found new owners between April and June, a rise of nearly 53% resulting in, at 2.4%, the highest ever share of the market, up from 1.7% on the same period last year.

Meanwhile, the UK’s light commercial vehicle market dropped 8.5% in July with 24,689 vans, 4x4s, pickups and taxis joining the road, according to the SMMT. However, SMMT said the overall market remains robust, with registrations up 2.7% year to date to become the best first seven months since 2019.

Pictured: IMI business development manager Michelle Barrett with Garage Hive’s Dawn Metcalfe, Tom Langridge and Alex Lindley

the training and support network to leverage its full potential.”

SBS Automotive becomes Borg Automotive Newman

SBS Automotive, acquired by the Borg Automotive Group in 2023, has been fully integrated into the group as of the end of June and is now operating under the name of Borg

Automotive Newman.

Aside from Borg Automotive Newman (BAN), the group has two other business areas — Borg Automotive Reman and CPI. Both units remanufacture products, while BAN trades

new units.

BAN sales director Bo Maagaard said: “Apart from the new name, we are still the same company, the same people, and located at the same addresses.”

The future belongs to e-mobility but combustion engines will be a key feature in the global auto markets for years to come, MAHLE’s aftermarket chief has said.

Philipp Grosse Kleimann, a MAHLE management committee member and head of the aftermarket business, was speaking on July 9 as the unit reported record sales of nearly €1.3 billion (£1bn) in 2023.

“The future clearly belongs to e-mobility — both on the road and in the workshop. Still, combustion engines will continue to play an important role in many parts of the world for some time to come,” he said.

“By using renewable fuels, these engines can have a quick and sustainable impact on climate protection.”

MAHLE said its BatteryPRO product line and five product groups — E-Safety, E-Scan, E-Health, E-Care and E-Charge — is already offering independent workshops a range of EV services.

Georges Mourad, MAHLE Aftermarket’s global service solutions director, said: “Battery service is becoming increasingly important. BatteryPRO’s newly developed products are the beginning of a new generation of diagnostic and service solutions for EV, covering the entire life cycle from diagnosis to maintenance.”

REMANUFACTURING MAKES SENSE

At ACTRONICS, we specialize in remanufacturing a wide range of electronic car parts, including ABS modules, instrument clusters, TCUs, and more. By choosing remanufacturing, you not only save on raw materials but also benefit from significant cost savings. Our Plug & Play remanufacturing solution ensures top-quality service, backed by a 2-year warranty.

ACTRONICS is your trusted partner in sustainable automotive solutions. Say goodbye to unnecessary waste and hello to cost-effective, environmentally responsible alternatives. Contact us today to learn more about our remanufacturing services!

Recaro Automotive enters into administration

Premium seat manufacturer

Recaro Automotive has entered administration, citing significant financial difficulties arising from “extreme price increases in recent crisis years” and the loss of an undisclosed major contract.

The Stuttgart-headquartered company said it had filed for insolvency and a court in Germany approved preliminary selfadministration on July 29.

However, the firm said it planned to maintain full production during the insolvency proceedings to continue fulfilling all existing orders and new customer inquiries.

Shareholders have emphasised the importance of the organisation in the region for the group and have pledged their support for restructuring efforts, the company said.

Recaro Automotive’s OEM partnerships include Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin.

The company said: “By working together as a team with our employees, suppliers, and customers through the possibility of an insolvency plan under German law, expect to stand on solid ground again in a timely manner.”

The insolvency proceedings are limited to Recaro Automotive GmbH and do not affect any other group companies.

Holger Blümle from law firm Schultze & Braun has been appointed as the preliminary custodian, while consulting firm Baker Tilly is providing legal advice.

Arnold Clark Autoparts boosts EV parts range

Arnold Clark Autoparts has ramped up its EV parts range as it moves to strengthen its hold on the components market.

The national motor factor said the significant expansion of its range positions the firm as a market leader offering the largest range of aftermarket EV parts, including popular Tesla components.

The move came just seven months after data from the SMMT showed the millionth battery electric vehicle (BEV) had joined the roads in Britain. The SMMT also forecast that 414,000 new BEVs are expected to hit UK

roads in 2024.

Arnold Clark Autoparts’ EV range includes headlights, wipers, sensors, coil springs, brake discs and charging cables — across major names in the auto sector including Audi, BMW, BYD, Dacia, Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, Tesla, Volvo, Peugeot and Toyota.

Steven McKenzie, assistant group buyer at Arnold Clark Autoparts, said: “We understand that electric mobility is gaining in popularity, and we are committed to supporting this transition by providing a robust range of parts that our customers can rely on.”

Chessington, Stockport join GSF’s new branches

GSF Car Parts is continuing its network expansion with the opening of an additional two branches — in Chessington and Stockport.

Doors opened at the branch in Chessington and regional distribution centre in Stockport on July 29, taking the total number of new branches to five during the summer months.

The Chessington branch spans 6,422 sq ft and supports the network with four new vans and three bikes. GSF said there are plans to expand this fleet as the customer base grows.

Simon Gwyn-Griffiths, Chessington branch manager, said the launch will

help give garages in the area faster access to essential parts and improve overall service quality.

The 14,061 sq ft Stockport site, eight miles from Manchester, is equipped with 10 vans. GSF said the centre aims to improve delivery speeds throughout the city, serving local garages, national accounts, and click-and-collect customers.

The latest openings follow the announcement of plans for a national distribution centre in Wolverhampton, which GSF told Aftermarket is expected to come on stream in the fourth quarter of this year.

News in brief

A1 Remote Diagnostics has reported a surge in demand for its remote and mobile diagnostic and ADAS services.

A1, part of the A1 ADAS Solutions Group, said the increase in demand was due to reduced key-to-key times — which it said is an ongoing problem for technicians, as the complexity of modern vehicles makes diagnosing fault lights and accessing secure gateways increasingly difficult.

Managing director Iain Molloy said: “We’re now seeing workshops struggle with something as basic as resetting the service light on a VW ID3. A garage may feel its only option is to take the vehicle to a main dealer, but this can easily add a week or two onto what should be a fiveminute job.

“We’re changing the game for garages and bodyshops by working with them to make jobs that once took days, take minutes.”

Global coatings group Axalta has announced a new partnership to boost sustainable refinishing work, with an initial focus on customers in the UK and wider Europe.

Axalta said on July 16 it was partnering with Spain’s CESVIMAP centre — an R&D leader in the collision repair industry.

Under the partnership, Axalta’s refinish customers will have access to CESVIMAP’s Move2Green programme, which offers online self-assessment aimed at evaluating the environmental impact of work carried out by bodyshops.

The assessment analyses factors including energy efficiency, water use, waste management, responsible consumption and carbon footprint.

Cataclean has secured a deal to become the official supplier of fuel and engine additives to the Kwik Fit group.

Under the partnership, announced at the Goodwood Festival of Speed on July 11, Cataclean’s additives product range will be distributed via NAPA to more than 700 Kwik Fit retail autocentres across the UK.

Cataclean sales director William Jones said: “Our fuel and exhaust system cleaner is an ideal product for Kwik Fit and its customers, offering a comprehensive solution that cleans the entire fuel and exhaust system in one simple treatment.”

“This helps to reduce harmful emissions, improve MPG, and keep vehicles running better, cleaner, and longer.”

TING

20,000 auto vacancies ‘still

The UK’s automotive sector is continuing to “chip away” at the significant skills gap – but employers still face a huge task in filling vacancies, the Institute of the Motor Industry has revealed.

The IMI’s latest vacancy rate tracker for June 2024, using data from the Office for National Statistics, shows a reduction from 3.7 to 3.6 vacancies for every 100 employees.

However, the automotive sector remains No.2 on the ‘vacancies by sector’ chart — behind the hospitality sector at 3.8 vacancies per 100 employees, the IMI said on July 26.

Having dropped by 0.1% on the previous month, the automotive industry now has around 20,000 vacancies, across more than 200 varied roles.

IMI executive chair Kevin Finn said: “At the half-year point we can see clear evidence of a steady chipping away of the skills gap in the automotive sector.

“One of the most significant challenges is the technological advances in automotive, which means each vacancy is competing against tech roles across a wider range of industries. It’s critical that we do everything we can to change perceptions of what a career in automotive offers to effectively attract talent from other sectors.”

Finn said the IMI’s ‘There’s More to Motor’ campaign is helping to shift perceptions and encourage more people at all levels to consider a career in automotive.

Meanwhile, the Autotech Academy, a division of the automotive sector’s training and recruitment specialist, Autotech Group, said more than 1,000 newly qualified young mechanics are looking for work — despite IMI figures showing the sector could see a shortage of 51,000 vehicle technicians by 2030.

“The core of this issue lies in the difficulties newly qualified vehicle technicians encounter when trying to secure their first roles within the motor trade,” the academy said.

“This challenge not only prevents the career growth of these promising

professionals but also widens the industry’s skill gap, threatening its future sustainability.”

As part of its paid internship programme, each intern is provided with a complete tool kit and uniform, ensuring they are ready to work from day one, the academy said.

Interns receive hourly pay from the academy throughout their 6-12 month placement, alleviating any employment or PAYE issues for the employers.

At the end of this period, they either secure permanent employment with the employer or move on with valuable experience. During the internship employers have the chance to assess interns’ capabilities and fit within their business, offering a risk-free way to ‘grow their own’ talent.

Proposals to reform the apprenticeship levy have been unveiled as part of the legislative agenda of the new Labour government, outlined in the king’s speech.

Reform of what auto industry leaders have described as the “flawed” levy, along with plans for a Skills England Bill, was announced as King Charles set out the government’s legislative programme in July.

Sue Robinson, chief executive of the National Franchised Dealers Association, welcomed the proposed overhaul of the apprenticeship levy,

but said it was crucial ministers tackled a range of issues affecting the automotive retail sector.

Robinson said the government must also “restimulate” the private EV market and hold talks with the NFDA and the wider automotive sector on any major policy changes related to the ZEV mandate and business rates.

“The intensifying skills shortage continues to detrimentally impact the automotive retail sector,” she said.

“Increasing investment in training EV technicians is essential, particularly as more electric vehicles hit our roads.

In an NFDA survey conducted in the

run-up to the general election (see the July/August issue of Aftermarket), 82% of respondents said technicians were a key concern in terms of skills shortages affecting their business. More than 53% identified sales executive shortages.

The CEO of the Independent Garage Association, Stuart James, said: “The creation of Skills England and the reforms to the apprenticeship levy are particularly important for our sector.

“We are eager to continue our discussions with the new government, hoping to advance positive changes and support for our industry.”

skills crisis’, PM told

Easy2Recruit has warned there can be “no quick fix” to resolve the skills crisis facing garages and the automotive sector — despite the government’s launch of a new Skills England body.

Prime minister Sir Keir Starmer said on July 22 the new body would “bring together the fractured skills landscape” and boost skills training across the nation.

Easy2Recruit CEO and founder Ambi Singh (pictured), whose agency specialises in helping UK garages and automotive businesses hire high-quality overseas talent, said the government should be praised for launching Skills England so soon after taking office. However, he said ramping up apprenticeships in the garage sector

would take time.

“We cannot expect this new organisation to be able to immediately correct decades of drift on the skills front,” said Singh, whose agency specialises in helping UK garages and automotive businesses hire high-quality overseas talent.

Starmer said Skills England will be set up in phases over the next year. The new body will replace the existing Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education.

Education secretary Bridget Phillipson said the move was needed because the existing skills system is “fragmented and broken”.

Once set up, Skills England will work alongside the Migration Advisory

Dealership praise for newly

A newly qualified vehicle technician at a Nissan dealership in Somerset has been congratulated on his achievement.

Angus Brown, 21, a member of the aftersales team at FJ Chalke Nissan Wincanton, recently qualified as a level 3 light vehicle technician with the help and support of the FJ Chalke Academy.

Brown was something of a star pupil, passing all his practical and theory exams at the first attempt, the dealership said. Additionally, he diligently completed his off-the-job hours and job cards, key requirements

for the level 3 qualification.

Brown said: ‘‘I found my apprenticeship very enjoyable, although it was hard work at times. It’s great to work with such a closeknit team of colleagues and I’ve really enjoyed my career with the company so far.’’

Asked if he had any advice for apprentices following in his footsteps, he said: ‘‘Try not to get behind in your studies — it can be difficult to catch up! And don’t be afraid to ask questions — after all, everyone around you has been in the same position at the start

Committee to identify where skills are required to cut down on the need to bring in overseas workers.

However, Singh said: “There needs to be a range of recruitment options available. Garages are increasingly looking overseas to fill technician roles for the simple reason that there are not enough mechanics available in the UK.”

He cited Institute of the Motor Industry figures indicating that the automotive sector faces a 160,000 staff shortfall by 2030, with many of these being vehicle technicians.

“It will take a long time to nurture a new generation of technicians, and until the apprenticeship system is functioning properly again, garages will need to source overseas staff.”

of their careers.’’

Academy manager Kezia Fowler said the team is “super-proud” of Brown, who attained the qualification after three years of hard work.

“His journey with us so far has been marked by his determination and passion for the automotive industry.”

Angus Brown receives his qualification from Kezia Fowler and the Wincanton aftersales team.

Proposals that could pave the way for a national licensing scheme for hand car washes are set to be published later this year — as the government pledges a crackdown on unlawful business activity and unlawful working in the sector, Aftermarket has learned.

Home secretary Yvette Cooper said on July 21 that car washes and nail bars would be among businesses targeted by immigration officers over the summer.

Prof Ian Clark — who is leading the Work Informalisation & Place Research Group at Nottingham Trent University in preparing the car wash licensing scheme study — told Aftermarket he welcomed fresh impetus for the work.

Clark, a work and employment specialist, said car washes and nail bars are the two “premier sectors” at risk of unlawful working practices and potential links to criminal activities.

He said his team are working with the Car Wash Association (CWA) and Petrol Retailers Association as a “critical friend”.

Both associations have used the team’s research in submissions to ministers. Work on the proposed licensing scheme was paused when the general election was called but has now resumed.

CWA executive director Gordon Balmer said: “In a modern society, there is no place for modern slavery. We welcome the government’s initiative to target businesses employing illegal workers in car washes. However, it is disappointing that it has taken so long to address this well-documented issue.

“The CWA has long been deeply concerned about the persistent presence of non-compliant hand car washes operating illegally and disregarding health and safety standards.”

Balmer said the CWA had long lobbied previous ministers over the issue but had been “largely ignored”.

“We were early supporters and funders of the Responsible Car Wash Scheme, which submitted a comprehensive report to the Home Office in September 2022. Unfortunately, the report did not receive the attention it deserved.”

INEOS Automotive has become the latest company to sign up to The Motor Ombudsman’s Motor Industry Code of Practice for new cars.

INEOS joins a portfolio of 45 vehicle manufacturers in the UK with accreditation to TMO’s Chartered Trading Standards Institute-approved Motor Industry Codes of Practice for new cars and vehicle sales.

Accreditation means pledging to go beyond standards required by law with regards to the provision of new vehicles and new car warranties, including ensuring that spare parts are made available once a new model is launched.

INEOS Automotive is a subsidiary of INEOS, a leading manufacturer of petrochemicals, speciality chemicals and oil products.

The 4X4 maker’s accreditation under the Vehicle Sales Code covers consumers configuring and ordering any model from the marque’s expanding Grenadier line-up directly via the INEOS Automotive website.

Bill Fennell, TMO chief ombudsman and MD, said INEOS’ accreditation comes as part “of our overriding goal of continuing to drive standards even higher in the automotive sector and shaping best practice for the benefit of businesses and consumers”.

Fennell said in an exclusive article for Aftermarket, published in May, that cost of living pressures were a likely key driver in the record number of service and repair cases referred to TMO’s alternative dispute resolution service in a single quarter.

UK-based Exol Lubricants has presented its top award for exports to its distributor in Algeria.

Exol Algerie has been honoured with the firm’s export distributor of the year award for 2023.

An Exol spokesperson told Aftermarket the award is presented annually to one of its export distributors in recognition of outstanding performance, growth and dedication to excellence in the Algerian market.

Exol Algerie holds an exclusive and long-standing agreement that grants it

the sole rights to blend and market the entire Exol product range at its blending plant in Oran, northwest Algeria.

The agreement was signed in 2017, after Exol Algerie unveiled the 40,000 MT/year blending facility.

Last year, Exol Algerie made significant investments in packaging enhancements and introduced multi-language labels with QR codes — showcasing its dedication to customer satisfaction and brand elevation, the company said.

Intercounty invests £2m in new site, apprentice drive

Mercedes-Benz dealership Intercounty Truck & Van has announced a £2 million investment into a new service and parts location in Bedfordshire, including a recruitment drive for the next generation of technicians.

Intercounty said on July 15 that Dunstable’s Woodside Industrial Estate site offers a state-of-the-art workshop for the servicing and maintenance of all makes of vans and over-the-counter parts.

EV facilities include eight charging points to keep customers and the local EV infrastructure moving.

The site, just minutes from J11/J11a of the M1 and London Luton Airport, will also house three 24-hour service vans offering roadside assistance in the local area and emergency customer site visits. There are plans to introduce full 24-hour servicing at the dealership in the near future.

The dealership said it will actively recruit future skilled technicians through an apprentice programme and take part in the MercedesBenz EV technical training pathway.

Intercounty MD Nick Skillman (pictured) said: “The launch of our new Dunstable site offers incredible opportunity, both for us as

SMMT in Germany mission for UK auto investment

Trade partnerships and international investment are among key priorities to boost the UK’s automotive sector, SMMT chief executive Mike Hawes has said.

Hawes revealed the SMMT has already launched a “fresh focus” on ramping up trade relationships – hosting automotive representatives from Britain and Germany’s business departments in Berlin during the summer. The Berlin trade mission was organised in partnership with SMMT’s counterparts, the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA).

“From trade and industrial

a business and for the local economy, particularly as we welcome the transition to electric.

“We’ve been operating as a Mercedes-Benz franchise for over 20 years, covering Northamptonshire, Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire and Lincolnshire.”

Simon Neill, customer operations director at Mercedes-Benz Vans in the UK, said Intercounty had

been a partner of MercedesBenz Vans for over 20 years.

He said the site is set to provide customers and those travelling up and down the M1 with a huge range of services, parts, EV expertise and roadside assistance cover.

“We’re also incredibly pleased to see Intercounty Truck & Van investing in 30 more roles that will bring new talent and skill sets to the Mercedes-Benz Vans brand network.”

policy to the skills transition and automated vehicles, our two markets are intertwined and many of our challenges shared,” Hawes said.

“By working together and sharing best practice, we can seek successful, sustainable solutions that deliver a new generation of mobility and prosperity in the UK and across the EU.”

Hawes also welcomed the new UK government’s plans to go ahead with a global investment summit later this year.

“Putting our country front of mind for international investors is key, so is renewing the UK’s global trade strategy.”

TRUSTED & AFFORDABLE KITS FOR MECHANICS & GARAGE WORKSHOPS ADVANCED LEVEL

& CODING

Garage champions racing to finishing line

As we enter the final stretch of Aftermarket’s industry-leading competitions for this year, we reveal one set of semi-finalists — and have an exciting announcement about plans for 2025…

The excitement is mounting as we are now just weeks away from crowning the winners of this year’s Top Technician and Top Garage. Semi-finalists for Top Technician revealed for the first time in this issue are listed in the scroll of honour on the facing page.

The heat will be on at the Delphi Training Centre in Warwick this month, where all semi-finalists each have to successfully conduct five 20-minute fault-finding tasks on live vehicles and be scored accordingly.

The highest scoring five will go through to the finals of the competition and will be announced at our awards evening on Saturday, October

26 at the Double Tree by Hilton in Coventry.

The semi-finalists of the Top Garage contest will

be unveiled in our October issue and the winners of both competitions will be announced in a special

The story so far

Now in its sixth year Top Garage is dedicated to helping develop, reward and add value to the UK’s independent garage network and champion their success.

This year’s competition includes an additional category — Mobile Mechanic.

Other categories are: 1-3 Employees, 4-6 Employees, 7-9 Employees 10+ Employees, Multisite, Top Service Advisor BEN Workplace Health & Wellbeing.

Top Garage is run in conjunction with Top Technician, the annual competition for technicians with independent, fast-fit, and franchised workshops across the UK.

November edition of Aftermarket magazine.

Luke Garratt, UK & Nordics technical services manager for Delphi, said: “As a global parts manufacturer, supporting and engaging the end user of products in a meaningful way can be tricky, especially as a technician’s time in the workshop is extremely valuable.

“For Delphi, sponsoring and hosting Aftermarket Top Technician & Top Garage is about much more than just putting our name to an event for publicity and exposure. We want to actively engage with technicians, continually showing that we support their ongoing skills development and dedication to the industry.

“By providing the perfect environment for the competition to take place and our technical resource to assist with the technical faults and judging process, we look to become a part of the technicians thought process.”

Garratt added: “Delphi proudly supports the Aftermarket Top Technician & Top Garage competition due to its high standards and the fiercely competitive yet supportive nature of the event. This competition not only highlights the

exceptional skills of technicians but also promotes an environment of continuous improvement and professional growth. We firmly believe in recognising and enhancing the expertise and dedication that drive our industry forward.”

Marc Perkins, automotive sales director UK Ireland, said: “Top Garage & Top Technician highlight and reward the best in the industry, and Castrol & The Race Group are delighted to join in the celebration as Full Event Partner for both competitions this year,”

“The focus on technical excellence, business development and networking with like-minded industry experts line up with the values we encourage through our Castrol branded programmes. Wishing all those taking part ‘good luck’, we’re looking forward to sharing your successes on October 26!”

We are proud to announce an exciting new development for 2025, when we will also be looking for the UK’s Top Apprentice , as part of our established Top Technician competition.

A formal launch announcement of Top will be made at The Aftermarket Event , on October 2-3 at Farnborough International — to find out

Top Technician

Gary Birse

Adam Cannell

John Fountain

John Hall

James McCallum

Andrew Ruellan

John Shuttleworth

Bryan Swales

David Weston

Gordon Wright

Thanks to our sponsors:

the latest about that, see pages 18-24.

Top Apprentice will join Top Technician and Top Garage in 2025.

Top Apprentice will be open to all apprentices nationwide who are currently in level 2 or level 3 study, from all colleges and training centres. The competition will officially open in early December but for now, all interested can register their interest online: https://bit.ly/4fJVMb2

Meet the Top Garage judges

(Top Technician judges will be featured in next month’s magazine)

James Dillon, TechTopics; Andy Crook, Atomic Success; Damien Coleman, Snap-on; Jim Wollaston, Castrol & The Race Group; Jack Davis, Topdon; Luke Garratt, Delphi; Ellen Plumer, Ben – Automotive Industry Charity; Mark Darvill, Hillclimb Garage; Simon Frost, ALLDATA; Mike Schlup, JLM Lubricants UK/Kalimex; Matt Robinson, LKQ Euro Car Parts; Buke Chandler, MOTUL.

DEDICATED TO THE INDEPENDENT GARAGE & BODYSHOP SECTOR

ALL UNDER ONE ROOF DIAGNOSTICS, TRAINING, TOOLS, TECHNOLOGY & WELLBEING

2024 EXHIBITORS INCLUDE:

Fault finding demonstrations on live vehicles

Live audience

Industry updates

New tools, equipment & software

Find out more about the Top Technician competition

Hear from and network with industry experts

Live panel discussions and seminars covering major issues and developing market trends

Health, Safety & Wellbeing Content in association with Ben - The Automotive Industry Charity.

Discover ways to level-up your business

Ask our speakers and panels your own questions

Farnborough opens its doors to welcome the UK garage sector

All roads lead to Farnborough on October 2-3 for the launch of this unique, two-day live event, featuring an unmissable mix of information, technology and skills for everyone working in and around the garage trade

Farnborough International, home to the world’s most prestigious aerospace events, is now ready to set an exhilarating pace on the ground too as host of The Aftermarket Event.

Sarah Marshall, venue director of the Farnborough International Exhibition & Conference Centre, said: “We are very excited to be welcoming The Aftermarket Event to our award-winning venue this October.

“At Farnborough International, we thrive on supporting independent

companies organising the launch of their products into the market.

“Utilising our dynamic event spaces, The Aftermarket Event will provide the independent garage and bodyshop sector a platform to showcase their practices, products and training opportunities.”

Marshall added: “I look forward to welcoming the DfA Media Group and The Aftermarket Event audience through our doors.”

Ryan Fuller, managing director of Aftermarket publisher DFA Media Group said: “We are very much

looking forward to holding the inaugural event. Farnborough is the perfect venue to present the very best from the UK garage sector.

“With a central location, free parking, and outstanding facilities, we believe it will tick all the boxes for our visitors!”

Farnborough has long been the nation’s go-to destination for today’s and tomorrow’s pioneers. On October 2-3, it will be the focus for everyone working in and around the garage trade — showcasing technology, skills, and the latest information and data powering all aspects of the aftermarket.

To join us at The Aftermarket Event as a visitor or to become an exhibitor, contact Ryan Fuller ryan.fuller@dfamedia.co.uk +44(0)1732 370340.

There is still time to take part in The Aftermarket Event, but the clock is ticking so register now.

Motul joins Event as Presenting Partner

High-performance lubricants brand Motul has become the latest major industry name to support The Aftermarket Event takingpart as a presenting partner.

The decision extends Motul’s long collaboration with Aftermarket magazine, as the brand is in its fourth consecutive year of being a main partner of the Top Technician & Top Garage competitions (see pages 16&17).

A feature of Motul’s participation to date has been a variety of incredible

machinery on display at the Top Technician & Top Garage finals and at the awards. This ranges from Le Mans race cars, to the Shelby Cobra that featured in the Elvis Presley movie, ‘Viva Las Vegas’.

This year again, Motul will bring along something exciting. Watch this space…

Now also featuring at Farnborough, Motul will host the welcome area as visitors

enter the show — as well as having a stand to showcase its workshop offer and latest product ranges, in addition to helping and advising those attending on technical lubricant and fluid-related issues.

Motul brings its own rich history to Farnborough, the home of pioneers. The brand dates back more than 170 years, making it older than the car, and in terms of lubricants it has been responsible for the three biggest steps forward in lubricant history in the last 70 years: Multigrade motor

oil, Semi Synthetic and Fully Synthetic Motor Oil — all Motul firsts.

Motul said: “The Top Technician & Top Garage initiative sits well with the Motul ethos of quality and promoting best practice. We welcome the chance to interact with the UK’s leading garages and technicians — and this year, across The Aftermarket Event, we will be featuring our NGEN next generation sustainable lubricants, our latest Additive range and the Motul BioClean sustainable, solvent-free parts cleaning system.”

ENERGIZE EV DIAGNOSTICS WITHPHOENIX MAX

Hot topics, great networking and more than 150 exhibitors

DAY 1

LKQ Euro Car Parts CEO

Kevan Wooden will deliver the keynote address on the opening day of what is already shaping up to be an informative and dynamic event for the garage trade nationally.

The first day will also include an update on the independent garage sector by the IGA’s Jonathan Douglass.

Castrol & The Race Group’s Dan Bridges and Dave Roberts will take the audience through

Farnborough venue

‘Understanding the right oil for your workshop and the challenges of belts & DPFs’ — including the basics of understanding oil, the importance of fitting the right oil and OEM approvals.

DAY 2

With more than 50 speakers lined up for the event, high-powered panel discussions will continue into the second day, with subjects including ‘Healthy Retention in the Aftermarket’, featuring Jennifer Webb, Director of HR Vitals, Ellen Plumer, Head of Outreach at Ben

Castrol & The Race Group are the event’s Headline Sponsor — with Distrigo Parts Distribution as a Registration Sponsor.

With further backing from major sector organisations including the GEA, IGA, RMI Standards and Certification, HEVRA and the British Compressed Air Society (BCAS), support for this industry-leading event has grown exponentially.

Media Partners include Car Mechanics, Auto Repair Focus, Hydraulics & Pneumatics, Plant & Works Engineering and Aftermarket magazine.

Visitors will also be able to meet representatives from major names in the aftermarket business including LKQ Euro Car Parts, Castrol & The Race Group,

Tackling the issues that matter to you!

The Aftermarket Event will also be tackling key questions of interest to businesses across the sector such as:

With an ongoing skills crisis, it makes good business sense to look after

the staff you have, but how do you do that?

What will workshops need to do over the coming years in order to stay relevant and profitable?

and Ambi Singh CEO of Easy 2 Recruit.

Other key topics will include ‘Mixed business? Are EVs still THE future?’ with Andy Crook and Peter Melville Technical Director at HEVRA, and ‘The evolving shape of the Aftermarket’ — with speakers from Delphi and LKQ Euro Car Parts.

Distrigo Parts Distribution, Delphi, Hella Guttman, Absolute Alignment, Ben, Autel, A1 ADAS Solutions, TOPDON, JLM Lubricants UK, Motul, HR Vitals, Garage Vitals, EINTAC, AJD Tools, Think Car and Pro-moto. EINTAC said: “We are delighted to be exhibiting. This year has been an extremely important one for us as we have revised our product line-up and overhauled our extremely popular Electric Vehicle Tool Kits to offer our customers higher quality, lower prices and more options. Alongside brand-new products and industry leading training courses, we are excited to be able to debut this new and improved EINTAC range at The Aftermarket Event.”

With the 2030 ICE ban set to be rolled back to 2035, are EVs still set to be the future of motoring? Could today’s mixture of drivetrains become the format for the future?

Stay ahead of industry challenges

LKQ Academy is here to help as the best automotive training provider in the UK. Offering the widest range of eLearning and practical training to up- ill your team.

Book your course today!

Scan QR Code to download our prospectus.

Insight on challenges and solutions from the experts

This dynamic twoday event includes an exhibition, interactive workshops, informative seminars, comprehensive training and more — all helping to provide fresh perspective on our vibrant industry.

In the Top Technician Workshop experience the multiple demonstration areas with on-vehicle faults being fixed and explained, live, for the audience.

The workshop will provide insight into not only diagnostic challenges, new equipment and industry

updates but also serve an introduction to anyone considering entering the Top Technician competition for next year.

Live demos to take place in the workshop will include one hosted by Damien Coleman, Product Manager Snap On, who will focus on ‘Troubleshooting Automotive Communication Networks’. More will be confirmed in the coming weeks.

On the business side, the Top Garage Theatre will be showcasing highlevel seminars and panel discussions featuring industry experts covering

At the close of the first day of the event, Aftermarket magazine will host a free drinks reception with some light entertainment for all exhibitors and visitors — the perfect backdrop to discuss the day’s programme and to network in a relaxed, enjoyable, and friendly environment.

the major issues affecting businesses in the sector.

Topics on the theatre programme will include access to data, the MOT, legislative changes and developing trends influencing and impacting the market.

Each topic will touch on advice for garages keen to improve their business workflow, adaptability, profitability and much more.

Among the thoughtprovoking panel discussions lined up for the theatre will be the ‘Evolving Shape of the Aftermarket’, with Edward Cockill, Managing Director of Uckfield Motor Services and Matt Robinson, Trading Director B2B LKQ Euro Car Parts.

Other speakers will include Dave Reece, Founder of the School of Thought, on ‘The Solution is Coming…’ And there’s more! The whole event will be colocated with another show — Safety, Health & Wellbeing Live — meaning visitors can get right up to date on latest issues concerning workplace safety and occupational health.

Exhibitors

J LM UK ( Kali mex)

Maxsafe

Topdon UK

Autel UK

A 1 ADAS Solutions

Delphi

Mattei Compressors

Ltd

LKQ Academy

Absolute Alignment

HELLA

Linco Automotive Ltd

Road Runner (Howden Brokers Ltd)

Mobile Eco Tuning (MET)

HR Vitals

Garage Vitals

Pro-Moto

HCL Fasteners Ltd

Eintac

MOTUL

AJD Tools}

shared stand

Think Car

Core Diagnostics Workshop Software

Associations

BEN(+ the BEN bus)

IGA(RMIF

RMISC

HEVRA

BCAS (British Compressed Air Society)

GEA

School of Thought

The British Motor Show

Registration & Lanyard sponsor: Distrigo

Shaftec adds new-torange brake calipers Durite boost for visibility

Birmingham-based automotive remanufacturer

Shaftec Automotive made further additions to its new-to-range portfolio in July, featuring 16 new brake calipers.

Key applications for these brake calipers include the BC11667/BC21667 for the

www.shaftec.com

VW T-Cross (2020), the BC11706/BC21706 for the Alfa Romeo Stelvio (2016), and the BC11897/BC27897 for the Hyundai i10 111 (2019).

Shaftec marketing anager

Adrian Kitchen said: “With each passing month, our new-to-range product line expands even further.”

Teroson panel bonder twin pack

Addressing rising demand for its products in the automotive market, adhesive technology expert Teroson has launched twin pack packaging for its panel bonder and automotive aftermarket range.

The new format will come to four products: Teroson EP5055, EP5065, EP5010TR, and EP1401.

Duncan Sands, head of sales VRM UK & Ireland for Henkel said: “Despite the change in packaging, we guarantee the same high quality, rigorous product checks, and 100% batch testing that our customers expect.”

Customers will not require any special equipment, as

Vehicle safety specialist Durite is expanding its van range with reverse-view brake light cameras.

Brake light cameras are retrofitted to the vehicle, replacing the existing brake light assembly and enhancing rear visibility, whilst retaining brake light function and ensuring compliance with safety regulations. Offering a wide-angle view, they provide the driver with extra visibility and reduce manoeuvring errors -

particularly when reversing. Light commercial vehicle operators can choose from a range of universal kits compatible with major makes and models. Alternatively, they can create a customised solution using Durite’s online kit builder.

Covering 10 leading brands including Ford, Mercedes and Volkswagen, the kit builder features 11 cameras and a choice of mirror-mounted monitor or 7-inch display screen.

www.durite.co.uk

DPF Cleaning

the twin pack will fit into existing 2K dispense guns, although Teroson can supply dispense guns if needed.

Melett boosts components, turbochargers range

Melett has announced an expansion of its product range for the secondquarter of this year.

These include a turbocharger suitable for a wide range of Audi and Seat vehicles, plus a biturbocharger assembly kit for Mazda CX5/3/6 2.2D models.

Melett said the biturbo kit comprises all the components needed to construct a fully assembled and calibrated Mazda biturbocharger.

The portfolio additions are designed to help the

aftermarket provide a highquality, cost-effective direct replacement solution for these popular diesel vehicles.

Meeting the growing demand for modern smalldisplacement petrol engine passenger cars, Melett launched core assemblies for a range of popular engines including Suzuki Vitara/ SX4 1.4L and Ford Fiesta 1.5L.

Expanding its reach in the common pick-up trucks and SUVs market, Melett also launched core assemblies, covering vehicles including Mercedes X-Class. www.melett.com

First Line launches additional parts

First Line has launched 40 new-to-range parts including 12 drive shafts, eight friction components, seven steering gaiter kits, five steering and suspension parts, three filters, two wheel bearings and cooling components, and one cable.

The steering gaiter kits are enhanced with the addition of key reference FSG3519, catering to Hyundai i30, Ioniq

Euro Expert 195 is must-have tool

Thinkcar UK’s latest tool release is the Euro Expert 195, which the company expects to become its best-selling and must-have tool for 2024 and beyond.

This mid-range tool is a nine-inch professional diagnostic pad offering THINKLINK Lite VCI for £1,350 plus VAT, including two years of software updates.

“We expect the Euro Expert 195 will be one of our best-sellers this year,” said Alex Gillbanks, MD of Impact Diagnostics, the specialist supplier behind Thinkcar UK.”

Gillbanks said the tool also offers Topology mode and inbuilt TPMS programming.

https://www.thinkcar.uk/

Euro Expert 195 provides comprehensive system functionality and supports DO IP and CAN FD protocols and retains the sleek, functional design of its predecessor. This ensures seamless compatibility with a range of external modules such as printers, battery testers, thermal imager and worklights.

FAG WheelSets released

and Kona models, as well as Kia Ceed, Niro I, Proceed and XCeed.

Steering and suspension offerings are bolstered by the introduction of part number FSK8201, a left/right suspension arm bush for the Toyota Rav 4.

For wheel bearings, the FBK1619 for the Toyota Yaris is a key addition. In the cooling category, the FTK559 thermostat kit is introduced for a range of Dacia and Renault models.

The new cable offering includes a gear cable for the Peugeot 3008 and 5008.

An FAG bearing kit for the Mini Countryman and Mini Paceman, manufactured as OE by Schaeffler, is now available to the UK and Irish aftermarket.

Schaeffler said on July 16 that kit No.713 6497 70 covers the rear axle for allwheel drive versions of the Countryman and Paceman produced by Mini from August 2010.

The kit includes a thirdgeneration hub bearing with multi-pole encoder for ABS,

www.repxpert.co.uk

ASR and ESP systems, plus the centring nut for fastening the unit to the drive shaft. Also included are stretch bolts for fixing the unit to the steering knuckle and a protection ring for the encoder.

Matthew Selby, sales and marketing director at Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket UK, said FAG WheelSets always include all the components necessary to make a replacement in the garage as simple, safe and efficient as possible.

Flexible light from Ring

Ring Automotive continues to add new and innovative products to its portfolio, the latest being the MAGFLEX1000 (RUBL1500).

The MAGFLEX1000 is an LED strip light that can be manipulated into all kinds of shapes, making it incredibly versatile for use.

It also comes with a stretchable strap with fixing hooks at either end that twist 1800, allowing the

https://ams-osram.com

lamp to span a wide area, such as under the bonnet, between vehicle doors when doing interior work, across the underside of the car or mounted to the ramp as a site light.

There are four light settings, which changes how long it can be used before needing a charge. On the highest light output, which is 1,000 lumens, it will last for three hours.

Nissens unveils throttle body range

Nissens Automotive has unveiled a 77-part number all-new throttle body range, further expanding its engine efficiency and emissions programme and catering for 280 OE references.

The range has been designed, developed, manufactured and tested to Nissens’ genuine quality standard and comes as a ‘first fit’ product, with the necessary seals and gaskets included to ensure an easy

https://nissens.com

and secure installation.

This in turn provides the independent service and repair sector with a complete aftermarket solution.

The initial Nissens throttle body range is for passenger car and light commercial vehicle applications.

Nissens’ engine efficiency and emission programme caters for 9,000 OE numbers and includes turbos, intercoolers, EGR valves, modules and coolers.

PartsInMotion showcase features new brands

Online distributor PartsInMotion.co.uk now features new brands including Milwaukee Tools, Valvoline and NAPA Oil. The firm has also introduced a range of batteries from leading brands such as Varta, Exide, Powerline and Yuasa.

The Milwaukee Tools brand offers thousands of automotive products for repairs, cleaning, lubricating, detailing and other automotive tasks.

In oils, major brands Valvoline and NAPA have joined the distributor. The NAPA lubricants range is designed to meet the specifications of in-warranty use with the correct application.

PartsInMotion.co.uk

Batteries for motorcycle, passenger car, marine and leisure applications are also available and shipped directly to customers.

The expansion in the number of products and brands available is a direct response to an upsurge in demand from workshops, technicians and car enthusiasts, who are turning to the internet for the highest quality parts, fast delivery and competitive pricing options.

Dynamo AI speaking up for mechanics

Magnetic Labs has announced the launch of Dynamo AI — which the company said is the first audio mechanics assistant poised to help garages save time and boost efficiency.

The garage management software firm said mechanics can simply ask Dynamo AI for information on a range of subjects such as availability of parts and the type of product required — receiving realtime answers via a Bluetooth earpiece.

Dynamo is particularly beneficial for busy garages dealing with diverse vehicle types, Magnetic said.

The system also offers

https://dynamoai.app

features that streamline garage management, including invoice preparation and customer messaging, notifications for job completion and additional work approvals.

Company co-founder Mike Duggan told Aftermarket the firm is in talks with a number of leading UK garage groups to roll out Dynamo and the garage management app WERK8.

The post COVID MOT cycle has become massively back weighted towards September and with no signs of it shifting, garages need to prepare now for the surge in test bookings.

With forecasts from trusted automotive sources pointing to another busy September period for garages, planning for parts purchasing is essential to ensure workflow does not get stalled this month.

For instance, GiPA, the respected automotive aftermarket intelligence organisation, in its Driver & Vehicle Standards Agency (DVSA) MOT test volume forecast estimates 3,357,676 MOT bookings in September. This is only just under 30,000 less bookings than the post COVID peak in September 2020 and 575,835 more MOT bookings than the pre-COVID 2,781,841 MOT tests booked in September 2019.

So, with a predicted surge of September bookings, what do garages need to consider when planning for the parts required to keep customers

vehicles on the road?

When it comes to gauging the most common MOT failures recent data from the DVSA, published in June, can help instruct planning and parts purchasing decisions. The DVSA results reveal brake-related issues - scoring at 29% - as the highest for MOT failures, closely followed by lamps, reflectors and electrical equipment, which make up a quarter of all failures.

Issues with a vehicle’s suspension completes the top three, responsible for 19% of MOT failures. The DVSA also reports that 684,746 vehicles failed their tests between October and December 2023 as a result of dangerous safety defects, with nearly two million vehicles failing their MOT across the year.

With October to December MOT failures among the highest last year, now is the time for garages to begin customer conversations on how to best avoid adding to the statistics. One key conversation to be had is the fitting of Volkswagen Group Approved Genuine

Parts compared to standard aftermarket parts.

There are many compelling reasons to fit Volkswagen Group Approved Genuine Parts. The fit first-time guarantee that comes with Volkswagen Group Approved Genuine Parts saves time and money in the workshop while helping to retain the residual value of a vehicle and they come with a warranty.

Volkswagen Group Approved Genuine Parts are also identical in quality to the parts used in new vehicle production and are subject to rigorous testing procedures, making a significant contribution to the safety and integrity of the vehicle.

Brakes are a good case in point for safety. With all brake pads sold in Europe for use on vehicles manufactured after 1999 having to comply

with ECE R90 Regulation, Volkswagen Group’s testing procedures feature four times the number of tests recommended by the R90 Regulation.

Similarly, friction material on Volkswagen Group Approved Genuine Brake Pads comprises a blend of at least 25 key constituentsECE R90 compliance requires just seven constituents. The result is lower wear, increased performance and longer service life.

The Volkswagen Group Approved Genuine Brake Pads are also developed to address comfort criteria including brake judder, steering wheel vibration, brake feel and noise levels. For more information on Volkswagen Group Genuine Parts speak to your local TPS centre or visit tps.trade

Volkswagen

Group Approved

Genuine Parts

TPS supply Volkswagen Group Approved Genuine Parts. All our parts are backed by a warranty and are designed to ensure that all Volkswagen Group vehicles maintain optimum performance.

Identical in quality to the parts used in new-vehicle production, Volkswagen Group Approved Genuine Parts are designed to fit first time, every time, saving you time and money in your workshop.

Order now from your local TPS Centre.

Family’s labour of love inspires a new generation

For brother and sister Russ and Robyn Houlden their Bear and Bee Garage in Grantham really is a labour of love that has deep roots of affectionate memories into their family’s past.

The Lincolnshire site was only acquired and opened last November as a sister site to the family’s Billingborough Cars and Commercials business in the county, but what a difference a year makes.

Robyn officially joined the business just six months ago, bringing her extensive events and conference management expertise to help shape the future of the firm.

And the business has already built up a solid reputation not just for your run-of-the-mill repairs and servicing, but as an important cog in the wheel of community activities — and as being a champion of next-generation mechanics seeking to get into the automotive world.

Bear and Bee is ‘new’ to Grantham, but it has a rich history of service to the community dating back to a business first started by Russ and Robyn’s grandad, Gordon Reynoldson, in the 1960s.

Their entrepreneurial spirit can be traced back to him too — for spotting a gap in the market and going from farm to farm across the

county working on tractors and farm machinery from the back of his van.

Ian Houlden, (Russ and Robyn’s father), who was in the roofing business, started working with Gordon and his then business partner sometime later. Ian had suffered a bad fall and decided to give up climbing ladders for a living.

“Dad could turn his hand to anything and he was certainly capable of fixing cars, so it was an ideal move,” said Russ.

Mum Bev, (Gordon’s daughter) and Ian’s wife, kept an eye on the finances and the three of them continued to build up the business after Gordon’s partner left the firm.

Gordon died 16 years ago and Ian passed in 2020. Russ, who had completed a business degree in 2014, had been helping out with the business during times when Bev and Ian were taking a break, so it was a natural progression for him to take over.

“I never intended to instantly go into the garage, I thought I might come back at some point, but I quite enjoyed it,” Russ said. He took over when he was just 28 and is now 32.

The family were determined to honour Ian and adopted the ‘Bear and Bee’ name — in fond memory of his nickname, ‘Teddy Bear’, and Bev’s nickname, ‘Bee’. Bev took a break from the

business after Ian’s death, but is still part of the team as a director of the business and she keeps an experienced eye on financial affairs.

And what a roller coaster ride it has been for the family, steering the firm through the pandemic while also coping with Ian’s death.

Russ said: “I was begging Robyn to join for years and since she joined six months ago taking charge of marketing and communications it’s been great.”

Robyn said: “We get on together really well as a family and just respect each other’s roles. We also have the same clear vision as to where we want the business to go in the future.”

Going forward, they are set on achieving more still. Russ said training is part of the firm’s plans to make the business EV tech ready, alongside expertise that already exists with its range of other automotive services including MOTs and diagnostics.

Meanwhile the customer base is building, with extensive use of social media. Robyn said the garage uses a lot of channels and Facebook has been particularly good in capturing new business across Grantham.

The firm is also still involved in some farm machinery work in association with business contacts. Meanwhile, both garage sites are also contenders in this year’s Top Garage competition.

In terms of local community involvement, Robyn has been spearheading the organisation of classic car shows during the summer for the garages that will include family entertainment

and fund-raising for cancer research as well as the automotive mental health charity Ben.

Meanwhile, Bear and Bee is now nurturing a new generation of mechanics as part of its workforce.

One of its apprentices is 18-year-old Mia Reeves (pictured). Mia already has level two and three engineering course passes under her belt from Boston College and she is also a motor sports enthusiast — although she sticks to the mechanics side of the sport.

Mia has yet to pass her driving test but knows all about how to help get a car back on the road and is a valued member of the Bear and Bee team as is her father, Alan, who also works at the garage.

Mia is also undergoing

The customer base is building with extensive use of social media

diagnostics training to complement her work in the workshop.

“I guess I was probably about three when I first picked up some tools while helping my grandad in the garage, so I’ve always been interested in the business,” Mia said.

Asked what advice

she would give to other young women considering joining the sector, she was unequivocal: “Just go for it. See a stereotype as a challenge and find your own way. Don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something.”

Former fashion photographer of 11 years, Kingsley, is now a valued electrical technician for the firm, having shown a keen interest in learning the trade and the company trained him over the years.

Now aged 35, Kingsley said his love of working on his first car, a Mini, several years ago, was reignited when he became disenchanted with photography work and wanted to try something new.

During the pandemic, Kingsley took a part-time job as a farm handyman, which included working on quad bikes. Despite having had no formal training as a mechanic, he had the drive and skills for the work and this was quickly spotted when he applied to join Bear and Bee after seeing an advert.

When Kingsley joined three years ago he actually joined the Billingborough garage and is now the firm’s electrics specialist across both sites.

“I’ve been here almost three years now and I’ve been put through some courses including my level two EV mechanic course.”

Kingsley also does a lot of diagnostics work and “loves being able to fix stuff that others can’t.”

He also has a message for the auto sector in tackling the skills crisis: “If someone turns up and is keen for work but has no qualifications, whatever their age, give them a chance.”

Cashing in on road to opportunities

Marc Russell, CCO of FixMyCar, looks at how sustainability can drive business in the aftermarket — and offers tips on how garages can benefit

The automotive aftermarket is a diverse and dynamic industry, encompassing spare parts, accessories, and components sold for vehicle maintenance and enhancement.

These aftermarket parts are categorised into three main types. Original equipment (OE) parts are produced by the vehicle manufacturers themselves. Original equipment supplier (OES) parts are designed and built by third parties, but meet the specifications set by the vehicle manufacturers. Lastly, non-original equipment parts are manufactured by independent companies aiming to replicate the design of OE and OES parts, ensuring compatibility with a wide range of car makes and models. There is a growing demand for customisation products to enhance the look and performance of cars, with drivers no longer just wanting to choose paint colour and the type of upholstery.

In 2023, Ferrari saw €460 million (£395m) of their total net profit driven by customisation. Not just in the luxury sector but more widely, consumers

Marc Russell, CCO of FixMyCar

want the latest automation systems, the most sophisticated tyres or efficient engines with the power to match.

As a result, aftermarket components have additional needs, including sustainable materials, extended safety and complex functionality.

With more than 300 million vehicles on Europe’s roads alone, garages, mechanics and dealerships must adapt their operations to remain competitive.

However, the dynamic automotive ecosystem presents opportunities and

challenges for businesses. Here are some tips on how to stay ahead.

EVs need the talent to match

Electric vehicle adoption is gathering pace despite challenges around cost, battery capacity, range and charging infrastructure. Data from banking group UBS shows European EVs will become the dominant powertrain choice in 2030, with sales predicted by investment firm Jefferies to reach 8.3 million. The rise in popularity is attributed to many factors, including increased choice of models from countries like China and consumers being more receptive to greener modes of transport.

The need for specialist skills increases as more EVs join Europe’s roads. Complex software knowledge and engineering are required to manufacture and maintain batterypowered vehicles. Not only that, but post-pandemic recovery, digital progress and changing customer ownership behaviour all contribute to high vacancy rates.

This skills gap presents an opportunity for mechanics to focus on specialist abilities by investing in training and certification. Garages can position themselves at the forefront of this expanding market, incentivising mechanics by offering to subsidise their training.

These specialised EV services can attract a new customer base, increase revenue, and ensure garages lead an evolving industry.

Longevity

driving innovation

There is a growing trend in the aftermarket design process where

Technology for autonomous vehicles needs specialist skills

tear means fewer microplastics are released into the atmosphere when driving.

By staying ahead of the curve, businesses can cater to the evolving preferences of drivers

sustainability and longevity are driving the manufacturing and distribution of parts. Efficiency is key for consumers — both in terms of maintenance and cost.

Innovations such as airless tyres eliminate the risk of punctures and provide a longer lifespan compared to traditional pneumatic tyres. The shape memory alloy material used with airless tyres allows them to adapt to uneven terrain and revert to their original shape.

Around 300 million used car and truck tyres are discarded each year in Europe and fewer than 13% are reused or recycled according to the European Climate, Infrastructure and Environment Executive Agency, CINEA. Tests also show that their resistance to wear and

For garages and mechanics, stocking airless tyres presents a lucrative opportunity as consumer interest peaks. By staying ahead of the curve and offering the latest tyre technology, businesses can cater to the evolving preferences of drivers.

Rise of self-driving, autonomous vehicles

After the UK government’s worldleading Automated Vehicles Act became law in 2024, a pledge was made to get self-driving vehicles on British roads by 2026. But this trend is not without scepticism.

FixMyCar research reveals British drivers remain sceptical about the safety and reliability of self-driving cars, with 80% stating they are unwilling to consider purchasing one in the next five to 10 years. Despite low levels of consumer trust, autonomous vehicles are rising.

Like EVs, the technology powering autonomous vehicles requires specialist skills beyond those needed for traditional automotive repairs. These skills include proficiency in advanced

software diagnostics, sensor calibration, and complex electrical systems.

Garages and mechanics can stay up to date with the latest technologies through online webinars, e-learning modules and onsite workshops. As the adoption of autonomous vehicles grows, businesses can offer consumers retrofitting services and upgrades for older models, ensuring they remain compatible with new technologies.

Future of the aftermarket industry

The automotive aftermarket is undergoing significant transformation, powered by sophisticated technology and consumer demand for greener, hyper-customised mobility choices. Garages, mechanics and dealerships are having to upskill their workforce to meet the evolving needs of the modern driver.

Whether it’s practical training around software handling for autonomous vehicles or the maintenance of batteries for EVs, the need for specialist talent has proved a challenging gap to close.

It’s time for aftermarket businesses to put their foot on the pedal and act to future-proof their position in the industry.

Are garages ready for the electric revolution?

James Lett, technical editor of Autodata, says the

new government’s ‘2030 vision’ is a wakeup call

for UK garages

There’s a lot of talk about the electric vehicles deadline in the media. While it looks like the new Labour government is committed to reinstating the 2030 target for EVs, the most recent king’s speech failed to address key commitments to EV growth, leading to uncertainty over how this deadline will be met.

Furthermore, a recent report by AlixPartners revealed the UK is set to significantly miss the current targets for EV sales by 2035.

It is clear more needs to be done if these targets are going to be met.

While the majority of the conversation centres around charging points, battery range and cost, there is one core element that is being

forgotten: do we have enough people to service and repair EVs?

Without innovation and training, the aftermarket risks falling behind and losing business as more EVs hit the roads. But the responsibility cannot rest solely on the aftermarket to make this change.

Cross-industry collaboration will be vital to equip aftermarket technicians with the skills to perform EV repairs and services safely and effectively.

Before 2030, we must ensure each part of the automotive ecosystem is ready. With the amount of upskilling and preparation needed, garages not immediately expecting to work on EVs should still begin planning and learning as much as possible now.

Current roadblocks

EV repairs pose several challenges for technicians.

Unlike traditional petrol and diesel vehicles, EVs feature high-voltage electrical systems and complex battery management. Implementing these sophisticated charging systems requires updated certifications and new skillsets for diagnosing faults and issues.

These skills and certifications come with two issues for garages.

First, it is expensive to train and invest in these skills, putting garages off making the investment. However, the aftermarket should remember it is much more expensive to take on new technicians compared to upskilling Continued on page 36

current staff

Then there’s the time element. Garages are notoriously time-poor, with a constant stream of cars entering and leaving workshops. However, the business opportunity must be considered against the time commitment.

While people’s working patterns may need to be shifted to accommodate training, the long-term benefits of being able to work on EVs far outweigh the stress of covering people’s shifts on a few occasions.

Finally, the cost of equipping workshops with EV-related equipment is a consideration, especially considering only 44% of new UK light vehicle sales are expected to be zero-emission battery electric vehicles by 2030.

Technicians remain uncertain of the EV demand and are left with the difficult decision of purchasing these specialised tools and undertaking upskilling without an immediate guaranteed return on what would be a significant investment.

Adapting to the EV boom

Despite this uncertainty, many industry experts predict that by 2027, EVs will be comparable to or cheaper to buy and operate than internal combustion vehicles, cultivating an advanced automotive aftermarket industry. Therefore, adapting aftermarket practices to this growth will be beneficial to business in the long term.

Technicians and other aftermarket service providers have a significant

Hybrids top the

Technicians and other aftermarket service providers have a significant opportunity to maintain their automotive market share

opportunity to maintain their automotive market share by acquiring service business from out-of-warranty car owners, particularly as EV sales continue to grow.

According to EV Solutions, EVs require a service check twice a year, especially for tyre rotations, vehicle inspections, and a service check. While fluid maintenance and mechanical repairs are less frequent in EVs, there will still be instances of physical damage, electrical concerns, collision repairs, and battery servicing.

These services and repairs can also be relatively quick and rarely plug up repair shops for days on end, unlike a major engine or transmission overhaul or replacement. In saving the garage time, this should further incentivise technicians to pivot into the EV service space.

list

of most repaired vehicles in Europe

Research by Autodata indicates that its online platform receives the most searches from automotive technicians for hybrid vehicles in comparison to EVs. Autodata said its analysis offers valuable insight into which vehicles encounter the most mechanical problems, enabling motorists to make informed decisions when purchasing their hybrid or EV vehicles.

In the UK, the Mitsubishi Outlander and Toyota Yarris come out on top. The top 10 list includes: Mitsubishi Outlander, Toyota Yaris, Toyota C-HR, Toyota Corolla, Ford Puma, Fiat 500/500C, Kia Niro, Mercedes-Benz C Class, Hyundai Ioniq and Toyota Auris.

In the EV segment, the Nissan Leaf is the undisputed leader, with over 20,000 searches carried out by

Collaborative solutions

To support the nationwide transition, the automotive industry needs to work together to equip garages with the tools, talent, and training to thrive. This collective support can be from large manufacturers and industry bodies, all the way through to technicians and drivers themselves.

This includes advocating for apprenticeship programmes, providing a direct pathway for young people into the industry and arming them from the get-go to work on EVs. We have already seen efforts to attract apprentices to the automotive industry grow, with advertising for apprentices in automotive industry have more than doubled since 2021.

Further to this, incentives and grants help to encourage more independent garages to invest in the necessary tools and training programmes.

Manufacturers also play a crucial role. By providing accessible technical information and offering training programs, they can help bridge these gaps in knowledge. Additionally, they must develop innovative solutions that solve the problems with stock EV parts, leveraging the opportunity to improve on early OEM designs.

Whether the deadline is 2030 or 2035, as we move closer, we need strong collaboration so garages, technicians, and drivers can remain confident in meeting the demands of a greener future.

UK garages, according to Autodata. The Renault Zoe, Tesla Model 3, Kia e-Niro and the Jaguar I-Pace complete the top five most-repaired electric models.

Analysis reveals similar trends across Europe.

As for hybrids, the Toyota brand also features prominently in the overall rankings. The Toyota Yaris hybrid dominates as the hybrid vehicle requiring the most repairs in four countries (France, UK, Germany and Italy).

Peak performance

DENSO says upgrading spark plugs can bring major benefits

DENSO is a prominent OE manufacturer that has a comprehensive aftermarket product range, which includes spark plugs that not only match, but often exceed, the performance and durability of many OE products.

Upgrading OE spark plugs with DENSO’s advanced spark plugs can bring an older vehicle’s ignition system up to the latest standards. The company’s twin tip (TT) spark plugs, for example, improve the combustion process to the level of a new model, which means that an older vehicle can perform better and more efficiently.

The Iridium TT is exclusively designed for automotive applications, while the Iridium Power is intended for nonautomotive uses, but both feature a patented 0.4 millimetre iridium centre electrode, for optimal performance.

The reason behind these performance improvements is that both products are designed and engineered to provide more effective fuel/air ignition in the engine’s combustion chamber. They are usually achieved with a lower initial voltage requirement, which places less stress on the ignition coil, so more energy remains in the coil. This enables the ignition system to perform better under more demanding operating conditions, such as under full load acceleration.

Looking at the various improvements these upgraded plugs deliver, power and torque outputs are an obvious starting point. Upgrading from nickel to iridium

spark plugs can provide measurable increases in these areas. The graph illustrates that there was an increase in power of 3% and 4% respectively, by using Iridium Power and Iridium TT spark plugs, compared with the standard nickel type spark plugs. The figures for torque improvement were similarly impressive.

These improvements are made possible by use of finer electrodes, with the Iridium TT having a ground electrode of just 0.7mm diameter and the centre electrode even smaller at 0.4mm. These finer electrodes provide less masking to the flame and significantly reduce flame quenching, compared to larger nickel electrodes. The flame is therefore able to grow more quickly, effectively burning more of the fuel and providing a more efficient combustion that produces more power.

When it comes to fuel consumption and exhaust emissions, upgrading from nickel to iridium spark plugs can have an equally impressive effect — enabling the fuel to be used more efficiently during acceleration and high load conditions.

Iridium Power and Iridium TT spark plugs also demonstrate improved fuel consumption compared to the standard nickel type spark plugs achieved for the same amount of energy produced by the engine (kWh). This reduction in the consumption of fuel required to produce the same vehicle performance also

means reduced CO2 emissions, because the fuel is burned more efficiently within the engine rather than in the exhaust.

Driveability is another major concern to motorists. So upgraded spark plugs that can overcome engine misfiring issues and improve the smoothness of the engine is a great benefit to the overall driving experience.

By upgrading to a higher performance spark plug such as the Iridium TT, the increased ignitability they provide, due to their smaller electrodes, reduces the chance of misfires. This then helps the engine run more smoothly when idling. With fewer misfires and a smoother running engine, less fuel is wasted into the exhaust, which means less unburnt fuel passes into the exhaust — reducing emissions of hydrocarbons and carbon monoxide. The smoother running engine also allows the idle speed to be lowered, further reducing fuel consumption and emissions.

Visit https://www.denso-am.eu to find out more

Compared to the standard nickel type spark plugs, Iridium Power plugs result in a power increase of up to 3%. Iridium TT even up to 4%. The difference is best noticed iwth high engine speeds.

Beyond the drive for sustainability

Brembo highlights how environmental innovations in braking systems are driving advances in mobility

Braking specialist

Brembo said its ‘Beyond’ family heralds a new era in technological innovations, guaranteeing significant environmental and cost savings — and forms a key part of the company’s mission to lead the way in sustainable mobility.

The company said it is putting its full weight behind delivering sustainable, advanced mobility solutions through its award-winning ‘Beyond’ product line. Brembo said the line embodies its mission to provide braking solutions that significantly improve the driving dynamics of new mobility vehicles, while also reducing their overall environmental footprint and saving money for their owners.

Aftermarket workshops and distributors can already benefit from two Brembo Beyond solutions, each founded on the company’s six decades of developing advanced OE braking technologies with top vehicle manufacturers and racing teams: the Brembo Beyond EV Kit for electric vehicles and Brembo Beyond Greenance Kit for light commercial vehicles.

The Brembo Beyond EV Kit, whose stand-out technologies were awarded a place in the innovation gallery at Madrid’s 2022 Motortec exhibition, comprises a range of first-to-market

pads and discs that are tailor-made for the most popular EVs on the road.

Safety

As battery EVs use regenerative braking in addition to traditional dissipative braking, the friction brakes are used less. Over time, this means the brake components can become rusty, affecting safety and escalating maintenance costs, Brembo said.

The company’s goal was to create an EV brake kit that was effective, silent and long-lasting, as well as being lightweight and corrosion resistant. Beyond EV pads and discs are designed to meet these criteria, applying many of the technological advances pioneered for the OE market.

Each Beyond EV pad features a dedicated, highly durable copper-free friction material and galvanized backing plate which reduce dust and noise when braking.

Beyond EV discs also receive a special anti-corrosion treatment on their braking surface. Together, the combined system guarantees highly efficient, extended braking performance for electric cars, along with rust protection beyond 60,000 miles (up to and beyond 100,000 km) of road use, even in the toughest conditions, Brembo said.

There is a Beyond EV Kit for all the most popular BEV and plug-in hybrid (PHEV) vehicles on the road including Tesla Models 3, S, X and Y, Audi e-tron, Renault Zoe, Nissan Leaf and BMW i3.

Emissions

Meanwhile, the Brembo Beyond Greenance Kit comprises eco-friendly discs and pads engineered to bring customers a range of attractive cost savings and environmental advantages, the company said.

Each Kit consists of a special alloy brake disc designed for high wear resistance, partnered with a brake pad featuring a unique friction compound. The particulate emissions usually produced by brake deployment are slashed by -83% in PM10 and -80% in PM2.5 vs standard disc, and the expected lifetime of the disc is tripled vs a standard aftermarket solution, according to Brembo.

“This leads to cost savings averaging 15% over the total life of the vehicle — making a significant impact on the bottom line for owner-drivers and fleet operators.”

There are Greenance kits for all the most popular European LCV models. With a parc coverage of 70%, every workshop and distributor can confidently prioritise the Greenance kit for LCV and sedan brake replacements, Brembo said.

Greenance dramatically reduce particle emissions and Brembo was named as a top innovator for the kit in the European Association of Automotive Suppliers (CLEPA) awards for 2023.

These current Brembo Beyond ranges are just the start of the many ecominded solutions the company said it intends to offer the aftermarket.

Visit www.bremboparts.com for details

Increasing growth in the used EV and hybrid market strengthens the business case for garages and workshops to invest in skills and equipment, the CEO of LKQ UK and Ireland has said.

Kevan Wooden’s comments came as latest SMMT figures published in August showed continued growth in the UK’s new and used car markets.

Wooden said only 11% of UK mechanics are currently qualified to work on EVs, which means there is an opportunity for independents with the right capability to position themselves as plug-in specialists, and to retain existing customers as they trade-up into electric, while winning new customers from the competition.

“Given the size of the EV skills gap, the fact that seven in 10 motorists prefer to

use independents, and the projected continued growth of the second-hand EV market — not to mention Labour’s commitment to electrification — our advice is to upskill now.”

Wooden said his company has already upskilled 3,000 technicians in servicing hybrid and electric car maintenance and repair through the LKQ Academy to help address the skills gap. The company is also expanding its training nationwide to build capacity.

Batteries can energise workshop opportunities

With government pressure on vehicle manufacturers to reach the UK’s ZEV mandate, requiring 22% of new cars sold this year to be zero emission, hybrid and electric vehicles remain a topical issue in the aftermarket.

Alongside the advanced technologies on which these vehicles rely, Ecobat Battery, the UK’s largest battery distributor, is reminding workshops that a 12V battery is still a fundamental requirement for these vehicles, irrespective

of their powertrain.

Following this theme, Ecobat Battery is again highlighting an emerging opportunity, by bringing into focus three hybrid vehicles: the Toyota Auris and Prius and the Lexus CT200.

As is often the way with hybrid vehicles, there can be a level of confusion as to the actual functions of batteries used.

In the three vehicles referred to, the 12V battery is used only for their 12V systems — such as lighting, windows, central locking and alarms — and is either an 054 or 055 AGM auxiliary battery.

As these vehicles age, the batteries reach the end of their life, increasing demand for replacements.

There is more good news for workshops because the replacement process for these batteries is straightforward. The vehicles’ 12V systems simply need to receive a supply feed during

removal of the old battery while the new one is installed. There is no need for any diagnostic intervention.

Ecobat Battery offers a range of replacement options including Lucas LF054/LF055 or Numax 054/055.

Visit https://www.ecobat battery.com/applications/ cars-vans/ for details.

Innovations in thermal management for EVs

With the development of its new Coolant Control Hub max (CCH max), supplier FORVIA HELLA is further advancing the centralisation of thermal management in EVs.

The system is based on the Coolant Control Hub developed by FORVIA HELLA, which has already won orders valued in the low to mid three-digit-million euro range.

As a highly integrated system for the thermal management of the drivetrain, battery and interior, CCH max relies on an innovative coolant distribution system using environmentally friendly refrigerants, reduces the complexity of thermal management and increases the performance of EVs.

FORVIA HELLA’s MD for electronics, Jörg Weisgerber, said: “Longer ranges even at very low outside temperatures,

shorter charging times and the affordability of electric cars are of central importance for the further market development of electromobility. A major key to this is not least the intelligent design of the thermal management system.”

CCH max primarily utilises the water-glycol cooling circuit to optimise the temperature of the drivetrain, battery and vehicle interior, consistently reducing the number of

components required.

The refrigerant system is primarily used to cool and heat the water-glycol circuit and the use of refrigerants can therefore be reduced by more than 80%. This enables the safe and costefficient use of natural and environmentally friendly refrigerants such as propane or CO2, PFAS chemicals can be completely dispensed with.

The decisive factor here is intelligent and needs-based distribution in the water-

glycol circuit. CCH max uses a new type of individual cooling system that allows optimally adapted target temperatures for the vehicle interior and/or the battery in a joint water-glycol circuit, respectively. The system solves the need for efficient heating of the interior and battery with a flexible heat pump system that utilises all available heat sources such as the ambient air, the drivetrain and the refrigerant system itself.

For this purpose, the refrigerant system is equipped with a self-heating function that enables it to generate sufficient heat internally as soon as other heat sources are not available to the required extent.

Compared to conventional centralised thermal management systems, CCH max can reduce the weight of the overall system by around 20%.

TRemote reliability

Repairify looks at the importance of investing in innovative technology including remote services

he proliferation of advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS) as standard for new vehicles helps mitigate the risk of collisions and protects the driver, their passengers as well as pedestrians and other road users.

However, with all this innovative technology, if the vehicle is involved in a collision, these systems need to be recalibrated to ensure it returns to the road safely.

If a repairer is not equipped with the correct tools and skills to conduct this type of work on site, traditionally vehicles are booked into a main franchised dealership to get the work done, which on average can add three days to the job.

This increase in key-to-key times has led to investment in products such as Repairify’s Remote Services to do the work, so the vehicle is back out on the road as soon as possible.

With Repairify Remote Services, the process to do the work is straightforward. The first stage is connecting a Repairify device to the OBD2 port of the vehicle.

The second stage is where a technician connects the vehicle over the Internet to an OEM tool that performs the functions required by today’s bodyshops and service centres.

The final stage, once everything is connected, is where Repairify can provide a multitude of services based on the job requirements, which range from full vehicle scans to clearing of fault codes and calibrations on sensors, lidars and radars.

This full-service offering ensures a multitude of work can be carried out without having to switch products. In addition, the calibrations completed using Remote Services are completely aligned with OEM standards and requirements.

Alongside this, Repairify’s technicians can monitor the vehicle and the OEM tool during the diagnostic sessions, so it provides the user with peace of mind knowing that they are supported throughout the process.

When it comes to information about jobs or the repairs being done, in the past it used to involve considerable

Using online technology relevant information for the job, including fault codes and calibrations carried out, is kept under one roof

paperwork. However, by using online technology all the relevant information for the job, which includes fault codes and calibrations carried out, is kept under one roof.

This ensures easy access and full visibility for both parties and means that if there are any issues down the line there is a record of what job or repair has been performed on the vehicle, aligning with the repairer’s duty of care liability, and safeguarding the reputation of the business.

Online tools enable repairers to keep pace with technological changes via automatic updates and work requirements which means businesses are futureproofing themselves by having access to products that perform the work safely and potentially open new sales avenues that will bring in additional revenue streams.

Wake-up call over auto safety systems

A new EU vehicle safety regulation will impact the UK despite Brexit and the auto market should stay alert, says Yousif Al Ani, ADAS principal engineer at automotive risk intelligence company Thatcham Research

The EU’s New Vehicle General Safety Regulation, also known as GSR2, came into effect across Europe in July of this year in a bid to make driving safer for vehicle occupants and vulnerable road users (VRUs).

The UK is yet to sign up to GSR2, which vehicle manufacturers will adhere to across Europe. The technology mandated by this directive is already found in most new cars — and the UK could be at risk of falling behind in automotive safety by not adopting it.

GSR2 amended the minimum performance standards (known as type

approval) for motor vehicles in the EU, adding new required advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).

These include intelligent speed assist (ISA), autonomous emergency braking (AEB), driver drowsiness and attention warning (DDAW) and emergency lane keeping systems (ELKS).

GSR2 will affect new cars sold across Europe, including the UK, and the regulation mandates active safety features such as ISA and AEB to be fitted as standard on new cars.

Crash avoidance is the future of automotive safety. Modern vehicles are very good at protecting occupants in

the event of a collision through passive safety features, such as airbags and crumple zones, but these have limited benefit to VRUs.

KSI (killed or seriously injured) statistics amongst VRUs remain stubbornly high at more than 11,000 each year according to Department for Transport figures. The key to reducing these numbers is through the wider introduction of active crash avoidance systems.

As ADAS is increasingly fitted to cars, vehicle manufacturers will need to address concerns from drivers that these systems, such as emergency

lane keeping systems, interfere with their driving experience. Striking a balance between safety, performance, and integration to create systems that cooperate with drivers is a real challenge for manufacturers.

Drivers must also be aware that ISA is an assistance system and that they remain liable for the safety of their vehicles. Incorrect information provided by ISA does not exempt drivers from speed limit infractions. It can also be overridden or switched off at any time.”

What does GSR2 mean for the UK?

Many vehicles sold in the UK will use EU specification software as manufacturers try to avoid the additional complexity of creating UK-

specific variants, which increases the cost of bringing a vehicle to market.

Northern Ireland will adopt GSR2 requirements following the EU type approval process due to the Northern Ireland Protocol, which also adds additional variant complexity.

Where there is a difference in regulations within a specific region, manufacturers typically cater to the most complex market, leading to EU specification vehicles likely being sold in the UK.

When does GSR2 apply?

GSR2 first applied from July 2022 in the first phase, which mandated additional technical requirements on new vehicle models without adding new features.

Phase 2 applied to new vehicle models from July 2022, but applied to

existing vehicle models from July 2024. This mandated ADAS features such as ISA, AEB, DDAW, and ELKS.

Phase 3 also applies from July 2026, mandating an increase in scope to include advanced driver distraction warning (ADDW) and additional pedestrian and cyclist AEB.

The regulation only applies to vehicles built after the cut-off dates. No retrofit or software changes are required for any vehicles built before July 6, 2022, or existing models built up to July 7, 2024.

Intelligent speed assist

ISA recognises traffic signs and provides an overspeed warning. This feature is already fitted to many preGSR2 vehicles. It warns the driver when the speed limit is exceeded to increase

speed limit compliance and reduce the severity of collisions.

The system uses a forward-facing camera mounted in the windscreen to detect traffic signs in conjunction with speed limits from map data.

If the speed limit is exceeded the driver is given visual and audio feedback, typically via a chime and the speed limit flashing within the vehicle instrument cluster.

A few select vehicles implement feedback via the accelerator pedal, but most vehicles only employ audio and visual warnings. ISA can be switched off or temporarily overridden by the driver at any time by continuing to apply pressure to the accelerator pedal.

It can be switched off but GSR2 requirements mandate that the feature is reenabled (automatically switched back on) every time the car is started.

This is the key difference in GSR2 compliant vehicles versus existing vehicles which already possess a form of traffic sign recognition. The other key difference is that the regulation mandates systems achieve an accuracy of greater than 90% in all EU member states, where there are no performance criteria for older systems.

Are there common issues drivers may experience?

Systems may detect the wrong speed limit where signage is missing or inaccurate due to incorrect or outdated maps. It is therefore crucial that drivers install regular map updates provided over-the-air by the vehicle manufacturer.

Temporary signs, such as roadworks, may conflict with valid map data. Drivers may make an appropriate choice of whether ISA is providing a safety benefit and can override the feature by accelerating. Drivers must be reminded that they are always liable for the safe and legal progress of the vehicle.

Will it change in the future?

There are no additional requirements planned for ISA, but as part of the regulation vehicles must capture and store data regarding how the feature is used. The European Commission will

continue to monitor and review how ISA works in the real world as it rolls out onto more vehicles.

Other technology mandated for ‘M1’ passenger cars by GSR2 includes AEB, RADARs and potentially other sensor technologies like LIDAR to prevent collisions.

It scans the forward path of the vehicle for potential impact targets and applies braking to avoid or mitigate a collision. It applies to specific scenarios, such as car-to-car, car-topedestrian and car-to-cyclist.

AEB has been shown in some studies to reduce car-to-car rear end collisions by around 50% and car-to-pedestrian collisions by around 30%. It also provides impact mitigation where a collision cannot be avoided, reducing the severity of injuries. It causes no noticeable impact to drivers, operating in the background with an extremely low false event rate.

GSR2 Phase 2 mandates car-to-car rear and crossing pedestrian collision scenarios to be supported by every new vehicle. Currently 92% of new vehicles sold in the UK (according to Thatcham Research vehicle risk data) already possess this functionality, driven by consumer ratings such as Euro NCAP.

Phase 3 will add requirements to support additional scenarios for pedestrians and cyclists.

Driver drowsiness & attention warning

DDAW is an occupant monitoring feature using a driver-facing camera for direct driver monitoring.

It detects the position of the driver’s gaze and measures alertness through metrics such as how long the driver looks in one area or if the driver’s eyes are closing. Using this information, it alerts the driver when looking away from the road for too long or if drowsiness is detected.

Crash statistics show distraction and impairment to be contributing factors in many collision scenarios.

GSR2 mandates that a new sensor is fitted on all vehicles to allow for basic attention and drowsiness monitoring from phase 2, a key factor driving the

introduction of this technology.

Emergency lane keeping system

ELKS (which includes emergency lane keeping assist and lane support systems) is a collision avoidance feature using forward-facing cameras and RADARs to prevent a vehicle leaving the lane of travel.

Sensors detect when a driver crosses a road edge or crosses lane markings into the path of an oncoming vehicle and corrective steering is applied to remain in lane.

GSR2 mandates this feature, which is already fitted to almost all new premium vehicles due to inclusion in Euro NCAP, although with a lower fitment rate than AEB.

Meanwhile, further technology mandated by GSR2 includes:

Alcohol interlock installation facilitation (AIIF), making it easier to fit aftermarket alcohol interlock devices in vehicles;

Event data recorder (EDR), also known as a black box, which records and stores vehicle data shortly before, during, and immediately after a road traffic collision; ESP (electronic stability programme), which helps to prevent a loss of control in cornering and during emergency steering by stabilising the car if it veers off its intended path; Emergency stop signal (ESS), when brakes are forcefully applied, the rear indicator lights will flash to alert other vehicles behind the car; Reversing detection systems (RD), which alerts the driver to the presence of people or objects at the rear of the vehicle;

Tyre pressure monitoring systems (TPMS), monitoring tyre air pressure and providing feedback in real-time to the driver to prevent accidents caused by under-inflated tyres; Cybersecurity, addressing the increase in connected vehicles on European roads which require robust cybersecurity to prevent them from being stolen;

Systems to replace driver control, including level 3 autonomous features to pave the way for automated vehicles to be adopted in the EU.

Sports car manufacturer Porsche is integrating automated guided vehicles (AGVs) into its intralogistics, and these are now controlled via the MHP FleetExecuter.

This is the first time in the company’s history that a centralised fleet management system has been used. Integrated into the existing IT infrastructure, this cloud solution is in use at the main plants in Zuffenhausen, Germany, where it serves as a functional core for automating the logistics process.

Further rollouts are intended in the near future for manufacturing the Taycan, for example. Plans include numerous projects in which a total of several hundred vehicles will be deployed in various AGV fleets with over 300 functions. The Porsche AG subsidiary MHP is responsible for consulting, implementation, product development, service and support.

There are currently 27 AGVs carrying out up to 1,600 material transports daily, including loading runs, over a distance of 750 metres.

The MHP FleetExecuter coordinates various new and older assets, such as lifts, high-speed doors and existing systems. The AGVs also negotiate four automatic gates, a double lift system and four intersecting thirdparty systems between the various high-bay racks.

Henning Hiebsch, partner and business owner FleetExecuter at MHP, which is owned by Porsche, said: “We are dealing with

a completely new type of architecture here. In order to meet the individual requirements at Porsche, we have configured and enhanced the solution to fully guarantee processcritical production supply to 100%. Despite its technical complexity, its use remains intuitive for the operator.”

To this end, the application was digitally modelled and simulated completely in advance and then physically tested in the MHPLab, an MHP test area in Ludwigsburg, as well as in a customer-friendly cloud infrastructure. As a result, the software could be put into operation just a few months after the project was started.

Marc Lösken, head of Porsche Brand Logistics said he was pleased the project got off to such a successful start despite within just nine months.

Four parties with 100 participants were involved in the project and a number of connections had to be made to internal and external systems. But despite this, the FleetExecuter was able to go into automatic operation on time.

Plants 2 and 3 at Porsche in Zuffenhausen went live last year. Ten more projects

will follow, including in ‘Bau 70’, the assembly hall for the Porsche Taycan, where new AGVs will be supporting production supply.

The MHP FleetExecuter fully exploits the potential in intralogistics: the software can increase efficiency by up to 20%. It offers more transparency and resilience on Porsche’s shop floor, providing the basis for improved processes. It can also be used to achieve reliable system availability and costs can be reduced through process-optimised energy management.

Albrecht Reimold, member of the executive board for production and logistics at Porsche said: “By using the MHP FleetExecuter we are much more efficient and flexible in our internal plant logistics. It allows us to control our ever-increasing number of driverless transport systems precisely. At the same time, the software-controlled transport systems allow us to cut out some trips previously made by HGVs and so make a contribution to sustainability.”

As companies are increasingly using AGVs, cross-manufacturer software is needed for fleet management to ensure

that AGVs from different manufacturers can all be controlled.

Management and IT consultancy MHP launched FleetExecuter as a cloud solution to do just that: centralised and consolidated control of a company’s entire fleet regardless of the manufacturer — and equally regardless of the communication interface, data source and the individual system’s degree of automation.

MHP said the integration of FleetExecuter is a prime example of how it is transforming itself from a consulting company into a full-service IT and software provider.

Since spring 2023, MHP has been offering softwareas-a-service solutions (SaaS solutions) together with technology and industry partners. Companies from the automotive, manufacturing and logistics sectors receive tried-and-tested, ready-touse software products, which enable them to digitalise their processes.

Individual solutions are constantly being developed and improved, as has been the case over the past two years with MHP’s digital fleet management solution, which has made a significant leap forward since Porsche awarded the contract.

Following the first proofs of concept, the go-live has now taken place at Porsche, with orders placed across the entire value chain.

Visit https://www. mhp.com/de/solutions/ industrial-cloud-solutions/ fleet-executer to find out more.

Get in lane now for the self-driving era

On the long road ahead to autonomous driving becoming common-place, Martin Pinnell-Brown asks where this leaves the aftermarket?

The thought of fully autonomous cars is a mouth-watering proposition for manufacturers and consumers alike but if we are being honest with ourselves, we are still a long way from it being a reality.

In 2024, we are currently sitting at level three on the vehicle autonomy scale, which can be described as the middle ground when it comes to vehicle autonomy.

This is because self-driving is limited since the vehicle is only in full control in some situations and it monitors the road and traffic and informs the driver when they need to take control of the vehicle. The way this is achieved is through the help of ADAS systems, which are now standard on vehicles that come off the production line.

An example of this is Ford’s BlueCruise system, which is available in the Mustang Mach-E electric car. This system mixes the traditional use of sensors and cameras that keep the vehicle in its lane and at the correct speed through the reading of the road

Before going fully autonomous, we must have the infrastructure in place to provide autonomous vehicles with the data needed

signs and a driver monitoring system that ensures the driver has eyes on the road.

If not, a warning is heard to grab the attention of the driver. These systems are compact and are not seen on the vehicle because they are integrated into the car’s panels, windscreen and dashboard.

There are however some limitations to systems like BlueCruise and this is highlighted by the fact it can only be used on certain pre-mapped sections of motorway, which include the M25,

M40, M5 and M1. So, before we go fully autonomous, we must have the infrastructure in place to be able to provide autonomous vehicles with all the data they need.

Even with all the technology on board vehicles, there is always the possibility of them being involved in incidents and because the technology is integrated in various parts of the vehicle, it will mean if cameras and sensors are replaced they will need to be calibrated correctly to meet the manufacturer’s requirements.

This means that it is now more important than ever for shops to have access to the right tools and services as well as knowledge and skills to do the work.

Having the correct equipment on site means that businesses will be able to run diagnostics and calibrations inhouse, which reduces repair times. In addition, it opens new sales avenues for them because the additional technology on the vehicle will lead to an increase in the amount of work to ensure these systems are calibrated correctly.

Overall car makers are determined to get autonomous vehicles on the road, which could be 2035 or earlier depending on what you read, so ADAS equipment will continue to evolve meaning a person does not need to operate the vehicle.

This will result in technicians needing to know about the technology inside the vehicle because if they do not, they will not be able to work on them. In addition, the qualifications from organisations such as the IMI will need to expand to meet the growing complexity of the technology — so that the people undertaking them have the necessary skills to do the work and complete right first-time calibrations.

Ford’s BlueCruise system. Photo: Ford

Cashing in on digital self-service

Tjekvik, a provider of self-service technologies for dealerships, says aftersales saw rapid growth in the first half of 2024, cutting queues and boosting revenue

The first half of 2024 saw another sharp increase in the number of motorists using digital self-service solutions when interacting with dealer aftersales departments, according to Tjekvik.

Half-year results indicate that record numbers of customers are choosing to avoid queues, particularly during peak times, by using digital solutions to check in and check out their vehicles brought to dealerships for service, repair and MOT.

In the first half of 2024, Tjekvik said nearly two million digital self-service interactions took place at dealers globally using the group’s technology, which it said was equivalent to an additional 93,000 interactions per month.

In the UK, customers have embraced Tjekvik’s home check-in service, with 55% choosing to check in their vehicles from the comfort of their own homes.

Digital journey

Significantly, 26% of these customers continue their digital journey using Tjekvik’s in-showroom check-in solutions. Tjekvik said it is now on track to exceed four million self-service

transactions globally by the end of this year.

Digital self-service technologies are also proving to be increasingly effective for driving sales of value-added products and services, such as seasonspecific tyres, premium lubricants, air conditioning checks and service plans.

Tjekvik has found that many customers feel more comfortable in reviewing and purchasing such items away from the service reception.

In the first half of 2024, customers interacting with Tjekvik technology purchased over 141,000 value-added items, generating more than £7 million in additional revenue, averaging almost £1.1 million per month across all sites.

This represented a significant yearon-year increase, with over 3,000 more items sold per month, contributing an extra £420,000 in monthly revenue compared to 2023. This revenue boost can be partially attributed to the average value of purchases increasing from £35 to £50 compared to the first half of last year.

Customer service

Tjekvik said its services are also an efficient way to generate sales leads and drive retention tools such as

service plans. There were 59,611 vehicle valuation requests, up by nearly 2,000 requests per month compared to the same period last year; while an additional 980 service plan enquiries were generated with 57,564 sold in total.

Christian Mark, CEO and co-founder, said: “Our 2024 half-year results underscore the increasing demand for digital self-service in automotive aftersales. Customers are looking for faster, more convenient, more personalised experiences. By choosing our digital solutions, dealers can focus on providing higher-quality customer service while driving additional revenue through value-added sales.”

Tjekvik’s technologies, which have been adopted by major dealer groups including Group 1, JCB, John Clark, Hartwell and Vertu, enable customers to check in and check out their vehicles at a time and place most convenient for them, either at home, or at dealers via tablets and easy-to-use touchscreen kiosks.

Instead of waiting for service advisers to become available, customers use digital self-service to provide preservice instructions, select added-value items, provide authorisation and drop off their keys.

Motorists set to benefit from new worn tyre rules

Michelin backs roll-out of regulations that could reduce tyre scrappage and save billions every year

New EU safety regulations that could save motorists around £6 billion a year by preventing the premature scrapping of millions of tyres has been backed by Michelin.

EU regulation R117-04, which came into force on 1 July, is intended to ensure better safety on the roads while protecting the environment.

Tyres sold across the EU and into the UK must now meet specific criteria for wet-grip, rolling-resistance, and noise emissions, even when worn down to the tread depth of 1.6 millimetres to 2mm, Michelin said.

The new regulation guarantees improved safety on the roads and for solving the issues of protecting both the planet and the purchasing power of European motorists, the tyre giant said.

Statutory test

This new European provision includes a stringent statutory test that allows for improved road safety while encouraging motorists to rely on trusted tyres, right down to the legal tread depth of 1.6mm.

A wet braking test adopted by the European authorities measures the distance required for a vehicle to decelerate from 80-20 kilometres per

hour (50-12mph) on a standard road surface with a water height of 1mm.

In addition to these specific points, this test includes other precise parameters, such as the road grip coefficient or the ambient temperature. The tests on wet ground are already in force for defining the safety threshold of new tyres according to the regulations and are widely recognised by the tyre industry.

They also meet the more extreme situations that a motorist may encounter on the road, Michelin said.

Performance

“Designing tyres that perform from the first to the last mile is in Michelin’s DNA and stems from a design choice made by the group, with one aim: user safety.

“For example, when stopping on wet ground, a worn Michelin tyre designed to maintain its performance over time can brake on average 3.4m shorter than a new competitor tyre.”

This distance represents about one car length — a few metres that can be crucial in an emergency.

Each year, Michelin invests the equivalent of around £1bn in innovation and R&D, allowing its 6,000 researchers to create, for example, new tyre

Designing tyres that perform from the first to the last mile is in our DNA

architectures, innovative tread patterns, and even to discover composite materials with hitherto unseen properties.

According to a Michelin study, 50% of tyres are removed before reaching a residual depth of 3mm. The new regulation is expected to influence the demand for new tyres in Europe, which could be reduced by 128 million units every year, leading to a reduction in CO2 emissions of around 6.6 million tonnes.

On a global scale, an estimated 400 million tyres are removed prematurely every year. Keeping tyres longer will also benefit consumers, saving European motorists’ purchasing power. This means around £6bn could be saved by drivers every year.

www.michelin.co.uk

Find your battery match online

Banner is on a mission to give garages a hand by taking the strain out of matching the right battery to every vehicle type

Battery giant Banner is urging garages to take advantage of support from tools such as its online Banner Battery Finder portal (see the link at the end of this article).

The move comes as the manufacturer turns the focus on automotive battery replacements — and all this against a backdrop of a one-size-fits-all approach no longer being the case.

Ensuring the correct and optimum battery is being used for the relevant vehicle type is of paramount importance.

Banner says perhaps the single most significant challenge facing suppliers of automotive batteries relates to incorrect use and the fitment of the wrong battery type — particularly when it comes to start-stop applications.

So, with such technology now firmly established in the aftermarket, the manufacturer says its Banner GB AGM battery is now the second most popular seller.

The good news is that finding the correct battery by application is not only fundamentally important, but easier than ever before. That’s why suppliers such as Banner are promoting tools such as its online portal.

“Such a system is very easy to use. All technicians need to do is enter the relevant vehicle registration into the portal and the search

facility does the rest,” Banner said.

As well as displaying the relevant Banner battery for the vehicle in question, supplementary information is presented in the form of the relevant part number, capacity, power rating and suggested selling price.

The portal incorporates additional support functions to assist garage technicians — in fact for anyone called on to replace car batteries — by making the process as easy as possible.

Leading the refinements is the inclusion of comprehensive information relating to a battery’s exact location on the vehicle. No longer is it simply a case of looking under the bonnet. Knowing the correct location from the outset will undoubtedly prove beneficial, Banner says.

UK country manager for Banner Lee Quinney said: “Whilst the Banner Battery Finder is widely accepted across our motor factor customer base, our aim is to promote its presence and simple functionality to a wider audience, and garages in particular.

“Indeed, with batteries being far more vehicle specific than ever, the importance of selecting the right battery for a particular vehicle has never been more consequential.

“Our online tool makes the process foolproof, which is something you should expect from a company that stands as an OE supplier to leading vehicle manufacturers such as Aston Martin, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, Skoda and VW.”

Our aim is to promote the online portal to a wider audience, garages in particular

There are also detailed, step-by-step fitting instructions. Technicians can trust the portal to help them ensure that battery removal and replacement is seamless and stress free.

Also, check out all aspects of best practice and what is required when it comes to the field of battery diagnostics.

Full technical data is on hand in an easy-to-understand and clearly presented format.

https://www.bannerbatteryfinder. co.uk/

Frankfurt welcomes world’s auto aftermarket

The biennial Frankfurt Automechanika trade show, which takes place this year from September 10-14, offers global opportunities worth more than $448 billion (£358bn) — out of which some $50bn is presented by the UK aftermarket sector.

Automechanika director Olaf Musshoff told Aftermarket earlier this year that the event is set to welcome participants from more than 170 countries, of which the UK contingent of businesses is an important part.

This special preview of the show highlights just a small selection of companies and brands that will be heading to

Melett turbocharged for event

Melett, a leading provider of precision-engineered turbochargers and components for the global automotive aftermarket, will be displaying some of its latest products while its team will be on hand to discuss how the company supports turbocharger repairs.

Among the products on display in hall 5.1/stand D48 will be a new-to-range replacement aftermarket turbocharger suitable for Jaguar and Range Rover applications.

Attendees can also expect to see recent releases for ball bearing core assemblies, compatible with a range of applications including BMW 1-5 series 2.0D.

There will also be Melett’s extended range of genuine HELLA actuators for a range of Chrysler, Jeep, and Mercedes 3.0D applications, as well as commercial and marine applications such as DAF, MAN, and Volvo Penta. The company is also an approved supplier to several vehicle manufacturers for their own aftermarket turbo programmes.

Melett group sales director Darren Johnson said: “Choosing a quality turbo repair specialist not only helps reduce warranty returns, provides peace of mind, and protects

Germany for this prestige event.

Aftermarket editor John Shepherd will also be in Frankfurt to meet UK garages and businesses taking part, along with suppliers to the UK market. Contact John (john@aftermarket. co.uk) if you would like an opportunity to meet during the show and be considered for coverage in our full post-show review, which will be published in October’s edition.

business reputation, but it also helps improve the overall reputation of the aftermarket.”

PCL gets smart

Tyre inflation expert PCL is looking smart for the show, with its new Bluetooth enabled Accura Qube to be showcased in hall 8/stand J73.

Exhibiting alongside TECALEMIT, PCL is inviting visitors to see this innovative smart unit in action. Coupled with the PCL Workshop Connect app for remote inflation and reporting, it allows operators to build a database of inflation data through the app’s reporting mechanism, with each inflation recorded and downloaded as a PDF and CSV file.

Featuring all the benefits of the standard Accura Qube, series II, the Bluetooth model is ideal for HGV roadside tyre maintenance as it

provides a 15-metre operating range, allowing the operator to keep out of harm’s way in case of tyre failure during inflation.

The system is a must for garages, dealerships, car hire, roadside assistance vehicles, MOT centres and automotive production lines.

launches VLS

Schaeffler’s complete portfolio of repair and service solutions for combustion engines, hybrids and EVs will be ready for inspection at Frankfurt.

Under the banner of ‘sustaining motion, pioneering future’, this year’s trade fair outing will include the launch of the firm’s automotive aftermarket division under a new banner as Schaeffler vehicle lifetime solutions’ (VLS).

Schaeffler said the new name reflects its commitment to developing the division along with sustainable innovation, technological progress, and new tailor-made customer solutions.

VLS chief executive officer Jens Schüler said: “The division’s new strategic focus encompasses products, repair solutions and services for the traditional automotive aftermarket, whilst also prioritising the development of new technologies,

Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH /Petra Welzel

including electrically powered, digitally connected, and automated mobility solutions.”

Schüler said Schaeffler’s integration of Vitesco Technologies is an important step in the transformation to VLS — with the portfolio including key technologies for the electrification of the powertrain.

Highlights will include the NOx Sensor from Vitesco, which precisely and continuously measures the nitrogen concentration in the exhaust gas of diesel vehicles.

Repairify highlights ADAS

Repairify will be demonstrating its advanced vehicle diagnostic and calibration technology in hall 9.0/ stand D36, spearheaded by its asTech Digital ADAS Calibration Unit.

With all new vehicles fitted with a variety of ADAS features, there are considerable opportunities for all repairers, whether they are collision, glass or mechanical, to utilise Repairify’s suite of diagnostic and ADAS solutions.

Vehicles have featured ADAS functions for several years now and those that would have gone into the franchised network for the first three or four years are appearing within independent dealers — presenting a significant business opportunity for shops to generate new revenue streams from ADAS calibration, new parts programming, module programming, and diagnosis of complex issues.

Repairify said asTech Digital ADAS includes everything needed for a repairer to get started, with ADAS camera, radar, and lidar calibrations. Technicians have peace of mind

knowing that they are covered by Repairify’s global insurance policy, while using OEM tools and following OEM methods.

Phil Peace, international MD of Repairify, said: “Repairify continues to expand operations across Europe, reinforcing our global presence. Automechanika is the perfect opportunity to demonstrate our knowledge, technology and expertise.”

ZF Aftermarket focused on future

ZF Aftermarket will be promoting its newest products and solutions designed to enhance the operations of professionals that support the ecosystem.

Located in the Forum, ZF said it will host a marketplace-like environment including specific areas for distributors, workshops and fleets. There will also be a ‘heritage area’ focused on ZF’s innovation and partnerships. Meanwhile, the ‘hands-on area’ will feature live training sessions and product demonstrations.

Philippe Colpron, head of ZF Aftermarket, said: “Automechanika Frankfurt is the perfect place to discuss with our customers and partners from around the world how we will navigate rapid industry changes and technological advancements together.”

ZF is also set to premier its ‘[pro] Manager’, designed to take its customer relationships into the digital world, as well as introducing Sachs Air Struts, and celebrating the 40th anniversary of its workshop concepts.

ZF said [pro]Manager improves the customer journey through automated

customer communication from the workshop to car owners and order processing.

BorgWarner unveils new look

Timing chains, friction plates, mechatronic modules for dual clutches and inverters will be among latest products featured in hall 3/ booth A11 by BorgWarner.

“As the world’s leading aftermarket trade fair, Automechanika Frankfurt is the perfect platform for us to showcase BorgWarner’s new company logo and latest aftermarket solutions as well as our market-leading turbochargers and exhaust gas recirculation solutions,” said Michael Boe, aftermarket vice-president and general manager for BorgWarner Turbos and Thermal Technologies.

The company’s lineup at this year’s show also includes a range of turbocharger solutions, ensuring optimal performance and efficiency across various vehicle types, as well as exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valves and coolers, helping reduce harmful emissions and enhance engine efficiency.

BorgWarner will also present its ignition technologies, advanced transmission solutions and thermal management products such as high voltage coolant heaters and cooling fans.

The company said sustainability plays a vital role, not just in reducing emissions, waste and materials by remanufacturing turbochargers and EGR valves, but also buying carbon neutral certificates since 2021 for all product transportation and shipments to compensate for CO2 emissions at its aftermarket headquarters.

DENSO is back!

After an absence of six years, OE manufacturer and system supplier DENSO will return to Frankfurt, represented by its European aftermarket division

DENSO Aftermarket Europe has a longstanding relationship with

Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH /Petra Welzel

Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH /Petra Welzel

Automechanika Frankfurt and is delighted to be back as one of the global exhibition’s tier one suppliers.

Exhibiting in hall 2.0/stand C91, DENSO will be using the international event to commemorate 75 years of commitment to innovations, including the creation of the QR code in 1994 and world firsts in ignition, rotating electrics and thermal systems.

Diesel development and the spark plug revolution are key DENSO specialisms, but the company has also redefined the landscape when it comes to air conditioning, with the creation of the HVAC system — capable of controlling the climate in three different cabin zones and helping improve overall fuel economy when the AC is on.

DENSO will also highlight its robotics expertise by demonstrating an intuitive robot that will compete with visitors in a ‘Connect Four’ game.

Town & Country has it covered

Leading manufacturer of protective seat covers, Town & Country Covers, will be in a section of the SMMT stand in hall 5.1/E75.

The firm, operating for 20 years, is one of the oldest seat cover manufacturers in the UK.

All covers are designed and made from scratch by an in house team.

Director James Newman said: “We haven’t had the chance to exhibit in recent years. Want to make sure we have a good amount of traffic on the stand, so it made sense to partner with another significant company in the industry.”

MAHA UK’s trio of expertise

MAHA UK managing director Neil Ebbs, along with Luke Fuller and Louis Tunmore, will represent the company in Frankfurt.

Ebbs said the company is eager to demonstrate and discuss how its premium workshop solutions can support the automotive sector.

MAHA will showcase a range of modern and futureproof products and services designed to enhance vehicle testing and maintenance processes. Highlights include advanced brake testing systems, vehicle lifts, and diagnostic tools.

MAHA will have a presence at the show in three areas: hall 8/stand C06 and C07, as well as open air F10/K30.

Nissens powers ahead

Incorporating Nissens Automotive, AVA Cooling and Highway Automotive, the Nissens Group is inviting workshops and distributors to visit hall 3.0/stand D91 and discover how the powerful brands can help support and grow their aftermarket business.

Nissens Automotive’s primary focus is to supply its customers with solutions for current technology, while looking ahead to future technologies.

One example is the recent introduction of a throttle body range. The 77-part number range fits within the engine efficiency and emissions programme, catering for 280 OE references.

In addition to the throttle body programme, Nissens offers a wide range of replacement parts for essential vehicle systems, which are grouped into three categories: climate comfort,

engine cooling and engine efficiency and emissions systems.

Comline brands in spotlight

The Comline Group will be highlighting its Comline, Motaquip and Allied Nippon brands to drive new business and strengthen existing partnerships.

Comline’s diverse products including filtration, braking, steering & suspension to name but three.

In addition, the company will be profiling a trio of EV brake pad ranges alongside its growing steering and suspension product offering for EV models.

Comline is also set to give a glimpse of the future of its business by profiling some exciting, state-of-the-art technology at hall 5.1/stand C35.

BM Catalysts eye expansion

Positioned prominently in hall 3.0/ stand E30, BM Catalysts will highlight the latest addition to its range — Gasoline Particulate Filters (GPFs).

This technology helps ensure that vehicles meet particulate number emissions standards under all driving conditions, which is especially important for vehicles type-approved under real driving missions (RDE) conditions.

The initial release of its GPF range earlier this year included six part numbers with a car parc coverage of over 2.3 million vehicles. The company recently launched a further five references.

BM said with over 60% of its sales now coming from international markets, it continues to explore new distribution partnerships to expand its global reach.

Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH /Petra Welzel

Inspiring tomorrow’s automotive generation

Students taking part in the Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association’s (OESAA) Academy Live training roadshow have praised the handson approach of the organisation’s members.

OESAA Academy Live shows students and apprentices the different career opportunities available in the automotive sector, as well as illustrating existing and new technologies, products, tools, technical best practices, and diagnostics.

Following events at Trafford College, Suffolk New College and Heat (hybrid electric automotive training) Blackburn College, OESAA caught-up with three students to ask about the impact these events could have on their studies and future careers.

Jawad, from HEAT Blackburn

College, highlighted VARTA’s battery presentation, in particular, saying it “opened our eyes and widened our knowledge about the different battery types, like AGM or EFB”.

On whether he wants to forge a long-term career in the sector, Jawad said: “I think a lot of people think the automotive sector is just about oil changes —manual labour —but we’ve learned that there is so much skill and knowledge required.”

At Suffolk New College, Malachi, a T-level engineering student, said: “I really enjoyed hearing about all the different aspects of engineering. It’s more than just the mechanical side; it’s about diagnostics and the future of automotive technology, like hydrogen vehicles and electric cars.”

The exposure to various pathways within the automotive industry was

particularly interesting to Malachi: “I was never aware of the diverse roles within the automotive sector until OESAA Academy Live. Bosch and Brembo opened my eyes to potential careers I hadn’t considered before.”

OESAA hopes to inspire more apprentices and students during its next two events, scheduled to take place in October 2024.

Visit oe-suppliers.org for more information about OESAA.

Show time for student ambassadors

Last June’s UK Garage & Bodyshop Event has been commended for its successful ‘Show Maker’ initiative as part of its participation in School of Thought’s Ambassador Programme, which saw 15 enthusiastic students gain invaluable work experience.

The initiative reflects the event organiser’s commitment to supporting the next generation of automotive professionals, providing the students with a variety of tasks and roles throughout the show.

As part of the programme, the students, wearing their distinctive Show Maker t-shirts, engaged with exhibitors, helped visitors, assisted in various operational aspects of the event, and gained first-hand experience in the automotive industry.

Each student received a certificate of participation — a valuable addition to their CVs, highlighting their involvement in the event.

Alex Jones, marketing director of Messe Frankfurt, organisers of the UK Garage & Bodyshop Event, said: “A huge

thanks to Sandwell College for helping give these 15 students the chance to participate. All of the Show Makers were a valuable addition to the team, and I’d like to thank them for their support on behalf of Messe Frankfurt.”

This initiative not only supports the students’ development, but also highlights the importance of bringing fresh talent into the industry, Jones said.

The Show Makers taking part included Barry Alhassane, Akeel Ali, Ryan

Bradshaw, Ebrima Ceesay, Connor Day, Marwan Hussein, Kelechil Ifendu, Rishab Langi, Prince-Armani Mbuyamb, Stephen Odiase, Sahil Pal, Callum Riley, Juan-Carlos Srango and Jasvir Singh.

Dave Reece, founder of School of Thought, said: “Attracting young talent into the industry is crucial to help plug the skills gap. By offering these students a platform to gain practical experience, we are investing in the future of the automotive sector.”

Tips for finding your best hire in the skills maze

Glen Callum Associates calls for ‘skills-based hiring’ strategies to navigate aftermarket recruitment challenges

Automotive aftermarket recruitment agency Glen Callum Associates (GCA) is helping businesses tackle ongoing talent shortages in the sector by providing practical advice and innovative solutions, sharing insights on how firms can overcome recruitment challenges — and thrive in today’s competitive landscape by adopting a ‘skills-based hiring’ strategy.

The current recruitment market presents significant challenges, with the UK unemployment rate at 4.4% and an estimated 904,000 vacancies between March and May 2024 which, according to the Office for National Statistics, is 12% above pre-Covid levels.

Additionally, 93% of hiring managers express concern about continued talent shortages according to some research data.

GCA says an effective solution to these talent shortages is by adopting a skills-based approach to hiring — prioritising a candidate’s skills, adaptability and potential over traditional job titles or industry experience.

Skills-based hiring evaluates candidates through practical tasks and scenario-based questions, focusing on both hard skills, such as data analysis, and soft skills, such as communication and leadership.

The approach has been implemented by 40% of UK recruiters and has led 43% of businesses to shift their job adverts to focus on skills and competencies rather than qualifications. What’s more, 20% of businesses have removed degree requirements from job adverts, according to the Totaljobs Hiring Trends Index (HTI) for the second quarter of 2024.

In today’s competitive landscape, the top skills that stand out to SMEs include a good work ethic, with 38% of businesses valuing this trait highly. Following closely, 37% prioritise team players, while 31% value quick learners.

Confidence is key for 27% of SMEs and the ability to work under pressure is crucial for another 26%. Additionally, 26% of businesses look for candidates who are a good personality fit for their company, according to Totaljobs’ HTI.

Kayleigh Bradley, senior recruiter at GCA, said skills-based hiring offers numerous advantages.

“It reduces the time to hire by streamlining the recruitment process and decreases hiring costs by lowering expenses associated with lengthy recruitment phases.

“This approach also improves diversity, attracting a broader range of candidates from diverse backgrounds. It enhances talent attraction by drawing in candidates who are genuinely interested and engaged.”

Importantly, a 2023 study by Deloitte indicated that companies with solid skills-based hiring practices see a 17% increase in employee retention and a 23% increase in productivity,

To implement a skills-based approach, GCA advises businesses to consider

removing degree requirements from job adverts to attract a wider pool of candidates.

Updating job descriptions to emphasise the skills required for the job and providing a clear list of responsibilities, rather than an exhaustive list of previous experiences and qualifications, is also crucial, says the agency.

Additionally, using skills-based assessments such as online tests or scenario-based questions during the interview process can be highly effective. While this approach may not be applicable to all positions, it is an efficient way of recruiting for many roles.

“At GCA, we understand the importance of broadening the talent pool by recognising transferable skills from allied industries,” Bradley said.

This not only addresses the skills gap but also brings fresh perspectives and innovative approaches to our sector. By adopting a skills-based approach, businesses can attract passionate and capable individuals, contributing towards a more diverse and dynamic workforce.”

Email GCA — jobs@glencallum.co.uk — to find out how we could help you to navigate the recruitment landscape.

On the move

Autogem appoints ‘dream duo’ Kane and McGilp

Autogem has recruited two aftermarket sales professionals as part of its people, processes and products strategy.

Rikki Kane and Jenna McGilp (pictured) have been appointed as commercial sales director and commercial telesales manager respectively, after amassing more than 50 years

of combined experience in the industry.

Autogem said the Scottish pair have built an impressive reputation while working together at Viking Wholesale Tyres.

Autogem’s MD Prashant Chopra said they would help take the company to even greater heights — following the appointment of Tony Neill as head of strategy less than a year ago.

Kane said: “Autogem is fantastic at product development, training initiatives and marketing, so it’s up to us to amplify these messages and give the business the success

New appointments strengthen team for Diesel Technic UK

Luke Winship and Kevin Petrie have joined Diesel Technic UK’s sales team.

Winship has been appointed sales manager central region while Petrie joins as sales manager north and Northern Ireland, respectively. Both report to general manager Mark Todd.

Winship brings over 12 years’ experience in the commercial vehicle parts aftermarket, specialising in wholesale distribution, working with factors and buying groups as well as vehicle manufacturers at central or local dealer level.

He is based in Wolverhampton and is responsible for growing and managing Diesel Technic’s business with partners across central England and Wales up to the M62 corridor. He has held sales

manager and business development positions at Euro Car Parts, Globe and most recently Majorsell.

Petrie’s wealth of experience includes more than 30 years in automotive aftermarket sales covering passenger cars, LCVs and commercial vehicles. He has held sales manager and business development positions at Ring, UC, Wurth

and most recently SIP Industrial Products.

Todd told Aftermarket the pair join Peter Shufflebotham, sales manager southern region and Jane Highton, pricing and product analyst in the sales team working out of Diesel Technic UK’s headquarters in Kingswinford, West Midlands.

that it deserves.

“I’ll be looking to create new business leads and sales opportunities and I’ll be putting a lot of pressure on myself to get the right results.”

McGilp said: “There is so much potential here. Autogem feels like a close-knit family and my first impressions are that we can make a big difference to the business in a number of ways.”

In a related move, Andrew Beaumont has been promoted to head of operations managing the logistics team and two new team members in the customer service department. Meanwhile Lee Harris is the firm’s new parts specialist and Natalie Lawton is customer service coordinator.

Todd said the latest appointments are part of an ongoing development programme to expand the firm’s customer base in the UK by increasing the support available to partners and end user fleets.

Rikki Kane Jenna McGilp

Lee Harris Natalie Lawson

Our round-up of the latest industry appointments. Send your people and recruitment news to the editor: john@aftermarket.co.uk

Eastwood to help drive A1 ADAS Solutions growth

Kieran Eastwood has been appointed operations manager for A1 ADAS Solutions Group as the company gears up for national expansion.

Eastwood is responsible for managing the business’ processes and working closely with health, safety and compliance director, Helen Molloy, to uphold the group’s ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 accreditations.

The appointment follows Eastwood’s relocation from Australia. A1 said he has extensive JLR knowledge and a wealth of operational experience, having recently managed branches of the vehicle repair centre chain Motorserve.

The group, which

specialises in ADAS, mobile and remote diagnostics, and garage equipment, is growing at pace.

Eastwood said: “The group’s plans for the next 12 months are really exciting. There couldn’t have been a better time to move back to the UK and join A1.

“Having just completed my IMI AOM230 accreditation, there’ll be plenty of opportunity to get hands on in the business too. This will be vital to truly understand what new processes might be needed and how they will impact the customer journey.”

Repairify expands technical sales team

Repairify has bolstered its technical sales team with the appointment of Jon Davies as technical sales executive.

He is responsible for expanding the company’s end user training and helping to grow its market penetration of its advanced vehicle diagnostic and calibration technology.

Repairify, which announced the appointment on June 18, said Davies has a wealth of expertise in promoting and installing diagnostic products

and ADAS equipment, having previously worked with Hella Gutmann Garage Equipment ND at Snap-on Diagnostics.

Phil Peace, MD at Repairify, said: “Jon’s IMI-accredited technical and master technician qualifications and considerable expertise in installing and training end users in the field of diagnostics and ADAS equipment, will expand our technical sales team further, supporting our growth and benefiting all our customers.”

Everyone wants to get what they paid for.

Aftermarket is independently verified by ABC, because we want our advertisers to know they’re getting the exposure they’ve been promised.

ABC. See it. Believe it. Trust it.

To advertise call Angela Lyus on 01732 370340 or email angela@aftermarket.co.uk

It’s a tough old world out there right now businesswise. I’ve just come back from the summer holidays with a decent tan and raring to go, but there’s still a lot of gloom around out there.

I read a report from the IMI during the holiday which said there are still around 20,000 vacancies in the automotive sector and that we garages and the like still have a lot more to do to attract new blood into the industry.

That’s why we should be encouraging the younger generation in particular and if they show an interest in getting into the business, we’ve got to do whatever we can to support them — even if there is a risk of them moving on once they’ve got more experience under their toolbelt!

Of course, I’ve only got one apprentice, Jay. As regular readers will know, Arthur Parkit Motors is a relatively modest outfit — ‘small but perfectly formed’ the wife once said. But for some reason, when I suggested using that phrase in some flyers for the business at my marketing workshop with the local chamber of commerce, they did not

think it was such a good idea.

Anyhow, during our summer holiday my thoughts drifted back to when I got started in this business. I’m originally from the West Midlands and I was lucky enough to get a foot on the ladder in the Morris Commercial days. I ended up doing my training with a firm called Colmore Depot, for those of you who will admit to going back that far!

Apprenticeships in those days, back in the 60s, literally seemed to be the best route into any number of careers.

I left school with some good exam results and had already set my heart on getting into the garage business. I’d always loved tinkering around on the family motor with dad, so I kind of knew I wanted to do that for a living.

It was the ‘old man’ that helped to get me my apprenticeship through a friend of a friend. It was the ideal start for me, although it’s much easier today, despite the skills shortage we keep hearing about.

If you were not a fast learner then you did not last long. There were none of the other learning and training opportunities

Getting the next generation of technicians on the road

that are around today.

I was talking about this to the guys from Garage Services Online (GSO) recently. I’ve already asked them about helping me to upgrade our website and I’m letting Jay take the lead on that because, as I’ve mentioned here before, he really shows a talent for technology and has some great ideas for using it to promote the business.

He’s proving to be a real asset in the workshop and I’ve been talking to GSO about ideas for further training support too.

I have also had a brainwave and decided on some executive action: I’m thinking of surprising him by putting us forward for next year’s Top Technician and Top Garage competitions.

But before that, I’ve raided the kitty and I’m treating Jay and Mrs P to a night out… at next month’s Top Technician & Top Garage awards evening.

I think it will give the lad a real boost and who knows, motivate him to try and bring home an award for us at some point in the future.

Hope to see you there!

WEDNESDAY 11TH DECEMBER • OLD BILLINGSGATE MARKET

GATSBY GLAMOUR AWAITS

Join your automotive family for a standout event filled with vintage elegance, festive cheer and unforgettable moments.

BOOK NOW:

Final held at Delphi Academy, Warwick

Book your table now: