The Garage 353
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>The</strong><br />
Supporting the Independent <strong>Garage</strong> and MOT sector<br />
Issue <strong>353</strong><br />
August 2023<br />
MAHA UK repeats vital safety<br />
messages in response to<br />
two-post lift maintenance<br />
and user bad habits<br />
PACKED WITH<br />
ALL THE LATEST<br />
GARAGE AND<br />
WORKSHOP<br />
NEWS, EVENTS<br />
& FEATURES<br />
UFI Filters business<br />
keeps growing in the UK<br />
Aftermarket<br />
Reduce ‘Key to Key’ Time by<br />
Choosing Adhesives to Repair,<br />
Replace, Rebuild<br />
<strong>The</strong> Motor Ombudsman’s<br />
Motor Industry Code of<br />
Practice for Service and Repair<br />
Please visit our website - www.garageandmot.com<br />
1 Front.indd 1 27/07/2023 15:01
DO YOU OWN OR RUN AN<br />
INDEPENDENT GARAGE?<br />
We can support you with:<br />
Scan here to visit<br />
the IGA website<br />
• Legal Advice<br />
• HR Support<br />
• MOT Quality Control Schemes<br />
• Health & Safety Programmes<br />
• Technical Support Helpline<br />
• MOT & Technical Training<br />
• Implementing Legislation<br />
• Digital Service Records<br />
• Trust My <strong>Garage</strong><br />
• Utilities Management<br />
• Industry Scam Information<br />
• Access to ADR for consumer disputes<br />
• Exclusive Member Offers & Services<br />
• Lobbying for issues affecting your garage<br />
...and any other issues you need help with<br />
<strong>The</strong> Independent <strong>Garage</strong> Association has been your trade body since 1913.<br />
Join us to receive everything you need to run a successful garage<br />
business, all in one place at an unbeatable price.<br />
Contact our friendly team today to find out how your<br />
independent garage can benefit from membership:<br />
01788 225 908<br />
enquiries@rmif.co.uk<br />
Independent<strong>Garage</strong>Association.co.uk<br />
IGA.indd 1 27/07/2023 11:30
<strong>The</strong><br />
Supporting the Independent <strong>Garage</strong> and MOT sector<br />
Issue <strong>353</strong><br />
August 2023<br />
Welcome to the latest issue of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Garage</strong>.<br />
This month’s issue contains an<br />
exclusive report from <strong>The</strong> Motor<br />
Ombudsman on repair complaints<br />
sent to them during the first half of 2023.<br />
It’s a good opportunity to check where you<br />
may be able to improve.<br />
In our Workshop feature, Castrol<br />
identifies five key steps to help create<br />
a more inclusive workshop experience<br />
whilst Totalkare now offer a new range<br />
of tyre changers for both heavy and light<br />
commercial vehicles.<br />
EV vehicles are becoming an evergrowing<br />
part of the workshop, either as a<br />
repair or one of your own service vehicles.<br />
GYS are now offering their portable<br />
Super Pro EV Charger. A product that is<br />
certainly worth considering adding to your<br />
workshop.<br />
Enjoy the magazine.<br />
Paul Gregory Editor<br />
paul.gregory@ppmedia.co.uk<br />
Subscribe to<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Garage</strong><br />
To ensure you receive a printed copy of <strong>The</strong> <strong>Garage</strong><br />
every issue, visit our website and input your details.<br />
Don’t forget the magazine is FREE to receive.<br />
www.garageandmot.com<br />
Contact us<br />
Editor<br />
Paul Gregory<br />
paul.gregory@ppmedia.co.uk<br />
Design & Layout<br />
Mark Blacker<br />
mark.blacker@ppmedia.co.uk<br />
Advertising Manager<br />
Paul Leith<br />
paul.leith@ppmedia.co.uk<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Garage</strong> is published by:<br />
Partnership Publishing Limited<br />
Bridge Road<br />
Wellington<br />
Telford<br />
TF1 1EA<br />
Telephone: 01952 415334<br />
Website: www.garageandmot.com<br />
Twitter: @garageandmot<br />
Facebook: @<strong>The</strong><strong>Garage</strong>Mag<br />
Instagram: @<strong>Garage</strong>andMOT<br />
LinkedIn: <strong>The</strong><strong>Garage</strong>Magazine<br />
<strong>The</strong><br />
BEST RANGE.<br />
BEST AVAILABILITY.<br />
AUTOELECTRO.CO.UK<br />
+44 (0) 1274 656101<br />
Every care is taken over the accuracy of material in <strong>The</strong> <strong>Garage</strong> but the publishers cannot be held responsible for any errors or omissions. Views and<br />
opinions of contributors, advertisers and interviewees to <strong>The</strong> <strong>Garage</strong> are not necessarily those of the publishers who cannot accept responsibility for such<br />
contributions.<br />
© Partnership Publishing 2020 / 2023 - All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced in any form without prior consent of the publisher.<br />
3 Welcome.indd 1 27/07/2023 17:02
CONTENTS<br />
<strong>The</strong><br />
MONTHLY<br />
ISSUE IN PRINT<br />
AND ONLINE<br />
DIRECT TO<br />
GARAGES & MOT<br />
CENTRES<br />
Inside<br />
News<br />
06. UFI Filters - a leading company in filtration and thermal<br />
management, as well as in hydrogen filtration, is celebrating<br />
its 6th year anniversary in the UK with outstanding results.<br />
08. <strong>The</strong> Motor Ombudsman - reports on some of the key<br />
drivers of vehicle service and repair concerns brought by<br />
consumers to its Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)<br />
service since the beginning of 2023.<br />
10. Onkar - No point in having principles if you’re going to<br />
yield when the going gets tough.<br />
14. Castrol - launches new engine oil performance standard<br />
for hybrid cars. Castrol’s HYSPEC standard is designed<br />
to ensure Castrol’s oils for hybrid cars provide exceptional<br />
performance when faced with challenges unique to hybrid<br />
powertrains.<br />
15. TEROSON - Reduce ‘Key to Key’ Time by Choosing<br />
Adhesives to Repair, Replace, Rebuild.<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Garage</strong> has established<br />
itself as one of the major<br />
trade titles in the UK servicing<br />
the independent garage<br />
sector. With subscription<br />
and free circulation it arrives<br />
on the principals desk of the<br />
independent garage sector<br />
every month. <strong>The</strong> online<br />
version of the magazine<br />
is emailed to over 10,000<br />
people in the automotive<br />
industry every month.<br />
www.garageandmot.com<br />
@garageandmot<br />
For more details or to book your<br />
next advert contact Paul Leith on:<br />
01952 415334<br />
paul.leith@ppmedia.co.uk<br />
20. GYS - are pleased to announce the launch of the NEW<br />
Super Pro EV Charger. Requiring no fixed installation, this<br />
portable EV charger operates on both single and threephase<br />
power, and can charge at an impressive rate of up to<br />
22kw (equivalent to approx’ 70 miles of charge per hour).<br />
22. Copart - to increase storage capabilities by 50% in<br />
Cambridgeshire. Originally announced last year, expansion<br />
works can now commence at Copart’s Operation Centre in<br />
Wisbech, which will support the company’s continued<br />
growth in the East of England.<br />
Feature<br />
24-31. Workshop<br />
<strong>The</strong> Road to Inclusive Workshops - Castrol study identifies five<br />
key steps to help create a more inclusive workshop experience.<br />
Workshop equipment experts Totalkare bring to market their<br />
expanded reach of tyre changers for both Heavy Duty and Light<br />
Commercial Vehicles. Creating tomorrow’s garages via today’s<br />
refurbishments, with Straightset <strong>Garage</strong> Equipment.<br />
People<br />
34. People stories and movements from around your industry<br />
Your data<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Garage</strong> is published by Partnership Publishing and is produced 12 times a year. Your data and privacy is<br />
important to us. We would never give this information away or sell it onto a third party. You would only receive<br />
magazines or information from one of Partnership Publishing’s publications.<br />
However, if you wish to stop receiving <strong>The</strong> <strong>Garage</strong> and would like us to erase all of your information from<br />
our databases then email your name, company and address to paul.gregory@ppmedia.co.uk<br />
4 THE GARAGE<br />
4 Contents.indd 1 27/07/2023 15:54
Parts for All Vehicles<br />
We are the experts in supplying<br />
high quality, competitively priced<br />
automotive Parts for all Vehicles.<br />
Our product ranges include<br />
Omnicraft, OmnicraftPlus, Motorcraft,<br />
Oil, a wide range of Consumables<br />
and comprehensive off the shelf<br />
availability of Genuine Ford Parts.<br />
With Centres throughout the UK,<br />
making regular deliveries, you’re<br />
never far away from great service,<br />
expert product advice and unrivalled<br />
technical know-how.<br />
We use the latest technology to<br />
process your order and to ensure that<br />
you get the right parts when you need<br />
them. And with our exclusive trade<br />
offers, why call anyone else?<br />
Visit PartsPlusUK.com<br />
to find out more or to locate<br />
your nearest Centre.<br />
LOOKING FOR A NEW CAREER?<br />
We are expanding our team, use the<br />
vacancy search function on our website<br />
to find your perfect role.<br />
PartsPlusUK.com/job-search<br />
OE 1157224061_PP_Press_Advert_V1.indd Connection FP.indd 1 1 13/07/2023 27/07/2023 10:07:46<br />
12:50
NEWS<br />
UFI Filters business keeps<br />
growing in the UK Aftermarket<br />
UFI Filters, a leading company in filtration and thermal<br />
management, as well as in hydrogen filtration, is<br />
celebrating its 6th year anniversary in the UK with<br />
outstanding results. <strong>The</strong>se have been achieved despite<br />
the challenges of COVID-19 and Brexit.<br />
Karl Ridings<br />
UFI Filters UK led by Karl Ridings, Sales Director<br />
& General Manager UK & Ireland – Aftermarket,<br />
has quadrupled its results in six years, since<br />
the opening of the branch for the English and<br />
Irish markets. <strong>The</strong> company, moreover, expects<br />
another double digit growth of the business in<br />
2023. This result has been possible thanks to UFI’s<br />
partnerships with the key distributors and with the<br />
most important trading groups in the UK.<br />
UFI Filters UK is marking these achievements by<br />
moving into bigger offices in Alcester<br />
and strengthening its customer<br />
service team to maintain the high<br />
levels of service.<br />
<strong>The</strong> company’s growth has been<br />
possible thanks to many winning<br />
factors: 1) a dedicated warehouse in<br />
UK, that benefits from the services of<br />
supply chain partner DB Schenker. 2)<br />
a dedicated sales team counting four<br />
sales managers for different areas<br />
and a commitment to developing<br />
the business into different market<br />
segments, for light vehicles and<br />
heavy-duty. 3) it’s new partnership in<br />
2023 with Parcelforce, which offers a<br />
sector-leading next day delivery with<br />
high level traceability and tracking. 4)<br />
the launch of the heavy-duty range<br />
for the UK and Ireland Aftermarket in<br />
2021 which is allowing UFI Filters to<br />
open new channels of distributors –<br />
indeed, the target is to reach a solid<br />
market share in the HD segment over<br />
the coming years.<br />
Karl Ridings, Sales Director &<br />
General Manager UK & Ireland –<br />
Aftermarket comments: “It was a<br />
great opportunity to set up the UFI<br />
Filters branch in the UK in 2017. <strong>The</strong><br />
market needed the original quality<br />
of our company’s product that is<br />
chosen by 95% Original Equipment<br />
manufacturers worldwide. We have<br />
closed 2022 very successfully, slightly<br />
overachieving at the target we set<br />
when we launched the business,<br />
which entailed securing a healthy<br />
market share. I’m really proud of the<br />
results of the whole team. Thanks<br />
to the recently introduced range in<br />
our warehouse, I’m sure that we will<br />
be able to grow the business even<br />
further, not only in the light vehicles<br />
segment, but also in the heavy-duty<br />
one.”<br />
6 THE GARAGE<br />
6,News UFi Karl Riding.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:19
<strong>The</strong><br />
Supporting the Independent <strong>Garage</strong> and MOT sector<br />
PRINT • DIGITAL • ONLINE • ENEWS<br />
<strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong><br />
MONTHLY MAGAZINE<br />
GARAGEANDMOT.COM<br />
<strong>The</strong><br />
<strong>The</strong><br />
Supporting the Independent <strong>Garage</strong> and MOT sector<br />
Issue 350<br />
May 2023<br />
Supporting the Independent <strong>Garage</strong> and MOT sector<br />
Issue 349<br />
April 2023<br />
PACKED WITH<br />
ALL THE LATEST<br />
GARAGE AND<br />
WORKSHOP<br />
NEWS, EVENTS<br />
& FEATURES<br />
Bridgestone’s<br />
‘Inspirational’<br />
Headquarters<br />
officially reopened<br />
ebay launches<br />
‘certified<br />
recycled portal’<br />
NTDA launches<br />
new licence<br />
for Mobile Tyre<br />
Technicians<br />
<strong>The</strong> Motor<br />
Ombudsman’s<br />
2023 Star Awards<br />
invite consumers to<br />
shine the spotlight<br />
on excellence<br />
PACKED WITH<br />
ALL THE LATEST<br />
GARAGE AND<br />
WORKSHOP<br />
NEWS, EVENTS<br />
& FEATURES<br />
Extending MOT test risks<br />
adding 300,000 unsafe<br />
vehicles to UK roads<br />
Unprecedented demand<br />
for Automechanika<br />
Birmingham 2023<br />
Castrol launches new<br />
app to reward and<br />
support independent<br />
workshops<br />
Please visit our website - www.garageandmot.com<br />
Industry braces for a rise<br />
in counterfeit lubricants<br />
due to cost-of-living crisis<br />
1 Front.indd 1 11/05/2023 09:26<br />
FEATURING<br />
ADVANCED DRIVER<br />
ASSISTANCE SYSTEMS<br />
(ADAS)<br />
Please visit our website - www.garageandmot.com<br />
1 Front.indd 1 29/03/2023 12:52<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Garage</strong> has established itself as one of the major trade titles in the UK servicing the<br />
independent garage sector.<br />
With subscription and free circulation it arrives on the principals desk of the independent garage<br />
sector every month. <strong>The</strong> online version of the magazine is emailed to over 10,000 people in<br />
the automotive industry every month. We have a range of print and online advertising packages<br />
available, starting from just £65 plus VAT.<br />
For more details please contact Paul Leith, paul.leith@ppmedia.co.uk<br />
CALL: 01952 415334 VISIT: WWW.GARAGEANDMOT.COM<br />
<strong>The</strong> <strong>Garage</strong> Filler page V2.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:53
INDUSTRYNEWS<br />
Industry insight<br />
<strong>The</strong> Motor Ombudsman<br />
<strong>The</strong> Motor Ombudsman<br />
reports on some of the key<br />
drivers of vehicle service and<br />
repair concerns brought by<br />
consumers to its Alternative<br />
Dispute Resolution (ADR) service<br />
since the beginning of 2023.<br />
Earlier this year, <strong>The</strong> Motor Ombudsman’s comprehensive Motor<br />
Industry Code of Practice for Service and Repair celebrated<br />
15 years since being launched, and is today adhered to by<br />
thousands of independent garages, franchise dealer workshops,<br />
and body repair centres across the UK. <strong>The</strong> now long-established<br />
Code of Practice was introduced in 2008, with the principal aims of<br />
driving up standards in the service and repair sector, and to reduce<br />
the level of consumer detriment.<br />
During the first half of this year, issues stemming from a vehicle<br />
service and/or repair conducted by a business, accounted for<br />
the second largest proportion of disputes (around 20%) brought<br />
to <strong>The</strong> Motor Ombudsman by consumers after new and used<br />
vehicle sales complaints (40%). To quantify this, a total of 2,323<br />
service and repair cases were logged by individuals with <strong>The</strong> Motor<br />
Ombudsman’s Alternative Dispute Resolution between January<br />
and June 2023, growing year-on from year by 11% from the 2,097<br />
recorded for the equivalent period in 2022. This slight increase in<br />
complaints can be attributed to the fact that consumers are keeping<br />
their existing cars for longer due to supply issues with accessing new<br />
ones, coupled with rising prices, thereby making the prospect of<br />
changing vehicles less affordable.<br />
When looking at the key drivers behind consumer complaints,<br />
drivetrain issues, which cover the powertrain, transmission, as<br />
well as the fuel and exhaust systems (for petrol, diesel or hybrid<br />
vehicles), were responsible for over half (57%) of all service and<br />
repair complaints seen in the opening six months of this year. Most<br />
related to the failure of individual components found within the<br />
engine, such as injectors, or problems with fluids, such as coolant<br />
and oil, or the complete mechanical breakdown of the engine itself.<br />
Similarly, concerns in relation to customer service proved the<br />
second biggest grievance during the first half of the year, making<br />
up nearly a fifth (19%) of complaints. A key issue for consumers<br />
was replacement parts being on back order and delaying repairs,<br />
which was exacerbated where vehicle owners were having to make<br />
finance repayments on a vehicle that was off the road. This was<br />
further compounded by the fact that consumers may not always<br />
have access to a courtesy vehicle from the business, when they are<br />
heavily reliant on one for personal commitments and commuting, as<br />
demonstrated by the following case:<br />
Consumer A said: “<strong>The</strong> business has been waiting on parts for<br />
over three weeks now. After leaving me without a car for a<br />
week, and after complaining, I got a hire car from them. <strong>The</strong><br />
inconvenience of not having my own bigger car has been very<br />
upsetting, I cannot get my grandchildren’s prams and chairs in<br />
the car, and I can’t get my bike in, as I like to go riding. I’m still<br />
waiting now, and I think I deserve to be compensated for<br />
a problem not of my doing.”<br />
Other disputes were initiated by vehicles being damaged whilst in<br />
the care of a business, and having to pay for diagnostics and several<br />
repairs despite the initial reported fault not being solved.<br />
Chassis issues (8% of service and repair complaints), which<br />
encompass areas of the vehicle, such as the suspension, brakes, and<br />
steering, were largely put down to poor workmanship and a substandard<br />
level of care and skill than would ordinarily be expected<br />
of a business. This was followed by bodywork disputes (8%) due<br />
to damaged paintwork and parts being fitted incorrectly during<br />
repairs, and electrical problems (6%) which resulted from erroneous<br />
software updates, and faulty components affecting the operation of<br />
vehicles. Complaints about the interior were the fewest in number,<br />
at just 2% of service and repair disputes. <strong>The</strong>se were focused<br />
around damaged cabin fittings, and replacement parts of inferior<br />
quality.<br />
<strong>The</strong> lion’s share of service and repair complaints during the first<br />
half of this year were about diesel models (53%), although this was<br />
down from 55% in the first six months of 2022, and will no doubt<br />
continue to decrease as consumers shift away from this fuel type.<br />
When comparing the first half of 2022 and 2023, petrol vehicles<br />
have continued to account for around 40% of the complaints<br />
8 THE GARAGE<br />
8,9 Industry Insight TMO.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:20
INDUSTRYNEWS<br />
During the first half of this year, issues stemming from a vehicle service and/or repair conducted<br />
by a business, accounted for the second largest proportion of disputes (around 20%) brought to<br />
<strong>The</strong> Motor Ombudsman by consumers after new and used vehicle sales complaints (40%).<br />
raised by vehicle owners. However, service and repair disputes on<br />
electric vehicles have increased very slightly year-on-year from<br />
1% to 3% of complaints, as these vehicles grow in number, with<br />
hybrids following a similar trend, increasing from 2 to 3% between<br />
the first half of last year and this year.<br />
<strong>The</strong> average monetary value attributed to the preferred<br />
resolution by consumers to help bring their dispute to a close,<br />
was £3,675 for the first six months of 2023, up year-on-year from<br />
£3,010 for the same period last year. This can be explained by<br />
rising inflation, and the increasing cost of replacement parts and<br />
labour rates. <strong>The</strong> relatively high resolution figure itself can be<br />
attributed to the fact that some complaints resulted in the need<br />
for a replacement engine, which is often the most expensive part<br />
of a non-electric vehicle to repair and replace, as shown by the<br />
following case example:<br />
This equally highlights a greater number of consumers exercising<br />
their right to turn to a free alternative dispute resolution service, to<br />
try to conclude their concerns in a fair and impartial setting, rather<br />
than pursuing often more expensive legal recourse as the first port<br />
of call.<br />
To apply for accreditation to <strong>The</strong> Motor Ombudsman’s Motor Industry<br />
Code of Practice for Service and Repair, visit<br />
www.<strong>The</strong>MotorOmbudsman.org/join.<br />
Principal vehicle service and repair<br />
issues reported by consumers<br />
(01 January - 30 June 2023)<br />
*<strong>The</strong> figures marked in brackets denote the percentage of overall service and repair issues reported to <strong>The</strong> Motor Ombudsman by consumers in each category during the first six<br />
months of 2023. Please note the list of issues reported on this graphic is not exhaustive.<br />
Consumer B said: “I accepted a quote from the garage for<br />
£1,500 to service my car and to fix an oil leak. Once work had<br />
started, I was then informed by email that my car was no longer<br />
a running vehicle, and that I now needed a new engine that<br />
would cost me in the region of £11,000. I am a business owner<br />
and father of three children, meaning I can simply could not<br />
afford this kind of repair. As I got no help from the garage to get<br />
my car back on the road, I eventually had to sell it for parts. My<br />
car was valued at £14,000 when it went in, and came out as a<br />
non-runner worth just £6,000.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> impact of high repair bills may be accentuated in<br />
circumstances where consumers may be considered to be<br />
potentially vulnerable, as illustrated below by the complaint<br />
submission received by <strong>The</strong> Motor Ombudsman. In cases such<br />
as these, where challenging conditions have been identified,<br />
<strong>The</strong> Motor Ombudsman will look to prioritise these disputes for<br />
resolution to keep any potential personal inconvenience and<br />
stress to a minimum:<br />
Consumer C said: “My car has been returned to me, and it’s<br />
not working at all, and does not start. I have not been supplied<br />
with a courtesy car either and, as a disabled person, I am<br />
forced to stay at home, and the little savings that I had, have<br />
been spent on hiring a car and paying for taxis to attend my<br />
medical appointments and treatment. My mental state is just<br />
declining, as I have no money to pay for alternative repairs, and<br />
I am basically stuck at home because I cannot walk even to the<br />
nearest bus stop due to severity of my back pain. I would like to<br />
ask you, in fact beg you to help, because I am just desperate.”<br />
In light of consumers not wanting to be out of pocket, especially<br />
when faced with expensive repairs during times of increasing<br />
pressures on household incomes, a free-of-charge repair<br />
emerged as the most sought-after request to bring a dispute to<br />
a close (28% of those who stated a preferred remedy). This was<br />
closely followed by compensation (24%), and a full refund (20%)<br />
for work that had already been paid for, and was considered substandard<br />
in the eyes of consumers.<br />
Looking ahead to the second half of 2023, and <strong>The</strong> Motor<br />
Ombudsman expects the impact of the ongoing cost of living<br />
crisis to drive an even higher volume of cases than previous years.<br />
1<br />
2<br />
Drivetrain<br />
issues (57%)<br />
• Replacement ement water pumps<br />
subsequently causing cambelt<br />
failures<br />
•<br />
Bolts being dropped in the turbo<br />
during repairs and causing damage<br />
•<br />
Sealant getting into engine coolant<br />
during repairs<br />
•<br />
Fuel injectors snapping in engine<br />
cylinder heads<br />
•<br />
Exhaust pipes being secured ed to<br />
bodywork ork with cable ties<br />
•<br />
Oil leaks caused by 'O' rings not being<br />
replaced ed during servicing<br />
•<br />
Engines with stretched timing chains<br />
being replaced ed unnecessarilyessarily<br />
Customer service<br />
issues (19%)<br />
•<br />
Being charged for the most e<br />
xpensive<br />
replacement ement parts<br />
•<br />
Delays to the delivery of replacementement<br />
parts<br />
•<br />
Being charged for ser<br />
vicing and MOTs<br />
when cars were e deemed a write-off<br />
•<br />
Being billed to keep old parts<br />
removed ed from vehicleses<br />
•<br />
Being charged for par<br />
ts that did not<br />
fix the problem or for w<br />
ork not<br />
carried out<br />
• Vehicles es being taken to third-party<br />
garages without the owner's<br />
permission<br />
Businesses not being able to provide<br />
pre-arranged courtesy cars<br />
3 Chassis<br />
issues (8%)<br />
• Fitting of differ<br />
ent sized tyres to the<br />
rear axles of vehicles<br />
es<br />
•<br />
Shock absorbers s being damaged<br />
during brake pad replacementsements<br />
•<br />
Calipers leaking brake fluid after<br />
repairs<br />
• Fitting of incorrect brake discs<br />
leading to brake failures<br />
•<br />
Businesses losing locking wheel nuts<br />
Average consumer claim value relating to a<br />
service and repair complaint<br />
(Jan - Jun 23)<br />
£3,675<br />
(£3,010 in H1 2022)<br />
4 Exterior<br />
issues (8%)<br />
5 Electrical<br />
issues (6%)<br />
6 Interior<br />
issues (2%)<br />
Diesel (53%)<br />
Petrol (41%)<br />
Hybrid (3%)<br />
Electric (3%)<br />
www.<strong>The</strong>MotorOmbudsman.org<br />
• Vehicles es sustaining bodywork ork damage<br />
whilst in the care of a business<br />
•<br />
Windscreen wipers being fitted<br />
incorrectly and causing bonnet<br />
damage<br />
•<br />
Scratched paintwork due to screws<br />
not being securely ely fastened<br />
• Fitting of misaligned sunroofs and<br />
wind deflectors causing wind in the<br />
cabin<br />
• Parts being replaced ed when the fault<br />
was in software giving false error<br />
codes<br />
•<br />
Battery replacements ements causing faults<br />
to show on dashboard d screens<br />
• Damage to fuses and wiring looms<br />
after cars have been cleaned<br />
•<br />
Software updates rendering the<br />
infotainment and t<br />
ouchscreen<br />
systems unusable<br />
•<br />
Software updates causing drops in<br />
fuel consumption<br />
• Rear lights not working foll<br />
owing<br />
repairs to vehicle e wiring<br />
•<br />
Software issues during charging unit<br />
replacements ements preventing enting vehicleses<br />
from startingting<br />
•<br />
Bases of seats being replaced ed with<br />
differ<br />
ent shaped cushions<br />
• Vehicles es being returned to customers<br />
with scratches on the steering wheel<br />
•<br />
Businesses chipping centre e consoles<br />
on customer vehicleses<br />
•<br />
Instrument cluster mileages es being<br />
wiped during recall work<br />
Consumer service and repair complaints<br />
by fuel type<br />
(Jan - Jun 23)<br />
THE GARAGE 9<br />
8,9 Industry Insight TMO.indd 2 27/07/2023 12:20
OPINION<br />
I’M SORRY, BUT IT’S<br />
A NO FROM ME!<br />
Ah, the joys of the motor trade. Always driving<br />
something different, never the same car twice.<br />
My neighbours never knew if it was our car, a new<br />
sales car or a customer’s car.<br />
However, that also brings with it some challenges. Walking<br />
out of the gym one morning I found myself standing in the<br />
car park thinking not where had I parked, but what had I<br />
parked!<br />
I’ve mentioned before I love driving, washing or just looking<br />
at a good car, that the passion runs deep with me. How deep, I<br />
hear you ask? Deep enough to turn a good job offer down. I had<br />
just left JLR and had a very good interview with a large German<br />
OEM supplier. <strong>The</strong> interview went well and the phone call came<br />
through the next day offering me the position, hooray!<br />
<strong>The</strong>n they told me about my new company car, a Toyota Prius.<br />
I know, I know, that’s exactly what I thought. Allow me to explain.<br />
Whilst at JLR my car was a Discovery Sport, Yulong White and<br />
fully loaded. I never drove it, my wife did. She likes new cars; I<br />
prefer jumping in and out of something different every week.<br />
<strong>The</strong> money was better, the commute was slightly easier.<br />
But the car was . . . just not for me. When I told him that, he<br />
hesitated and asked me what I meant. I explained that I have<br />
a history of fun cars, and that they are more than a means<br />
of getting around. I told him they are an extension of our<br />
personality, that they say a lot about us without us saying a word.<br />
What would my arrival in a Prius say about me, I asked<br />
him?<br />
“It’s just a car Onkar, I don’t know what you’re going on about.”<br />
he told me.<br />
Hmmm, it appears he doesn’t get it or that I’m overreacting?<br />
I ask if I can opt out of the car and source my own. No he replied.<br />
It’s all part of the fixed package.<br />
“OK, well thank you for the opportunity.” I told him. Nothing<br />
else to say really, I thought. He then offers to see if there is<br />
anything they can do and that he’ll call me the next day. When<br />
he calls me he’s in a chipper mood, problem solved he tells me.<br />
By Onkar Chahal<br />
I can use the company van whilst they sort me out a better car.<br />
Great, so now I’m a builder?<br />
In that moment I learnt two things.<br />
One - <strong>The</strong> recruitment company didn’t really care about the<br />
candidate; they just want the contract signed so they can get<br />
paid and move on.<br />
Two - <strong>The</strong> company offering the position were not flexible or<br />
keen to listen to the staff or their requirements. <strong>The</strong>y both also<br />
learnt something that day, I’m a car guy through and through.<br />
I like a balanced chassis, good brakes and a keen engine. I like<br />
an upgraded audio system and a panoramic roof. If it’s an auto<br />
it has to have paddles, if it’s a manual it has to be a precise gear<br />
change, from a manufacturer with a sporting heritage. It has<br />
to look good, so not black with black interior. No, something<br />
with colour to show it’s lines off, with a light interior with all the<br />
necessary toys. I don’t mean lane departure, collision avoidance<br />
or cruise control, I want heated seats, sat-nav and Bluetooth for<br />
my music.<br />
So yes, I turned down a very good job offer with a world class<br />
company because of the car they were offering.<br />
No point in having principles if you’re going to yield when the<br />
going gets tough.<br />
10 THE GARAGE<br />
10 Opinion Onkar.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:21
NEWS<br />
<strong>Garage</strong> Hive’s popular<br />
‘buy now, pay later’ option<br />
Community-driven garage management software <strong>Garage</strong><br />
Hive says a partnership integration with Humm Group<br />
Limited (Humm), enabling garages to offer their customers a<br />
simple ‘buy now and pay later’ option, is proving popular.<br />
Humm is a debt-factoring service that has been<br />
seamlessly integrated within <strong>Garage</strong> Hive to be used quickly<br />
and easily. Humm’s financing solution is proven to boost<br />
sales order values across many market sectors.<br />
<strong>Garage</strong>s wishing to use Humm simply complete a digital<br />
form to setup their account. <strong>The</strong>y can then select Humm as<br />
the payment method for any job-sheet from within <strong>Garage</strong><br />
Hive. This triggers a process where the customer receives<br />
email and SMS text notifications to securely confirm their<br />
identity, view their purchase and either log in or apply to<br />
open a Humm account.<br />
Account opening is simple for motorists. As a financial<br />
agreement, identification and credit checks are required,<br />
however, the slick online process gives an instant decision.<br />
Once approved, they add a credit or debit card as a<br />
‘funding source’ before selecting their preferred payment<br />
plan options.<br />
“Offering ‘buy now, pay later’ can help encourage drivers<br />
to get essential work done immediately rather than risk<br />
delaying it,” said Alex Lindley, Director at <strong>Garage</strong> Hive.<br />
“Household budgets are obviously squeezed so this option<br />
makes motoring costs more manageable for many.”<br />
Once the payment is authorised within Humm, a<br />
notification appears back in <strong>Garage</strong> Hive reminding staff to<br />
open the job and apply the payment, all in just a couple of<br />
clicks. <strong>Garage</strong> Hive’s integration then automatically creates<br />
the sales Invoice to Humm, with the reference to the job<br />
sheet and Humm’s fees deducted.<br />
<strong>Garage</strong> Hive says Humm can cover anything up a<br />
value of £3,000 and fees to garages start from 5%.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re’s a comprehensive ‘How To’ guide whilst a short<br />
video is also available too (https://www.youtube.com/<br />
watch?v=LfadAnNYMWQ).<br />
<strong>Garage</strong> Hive has been forward-thinking in developing<br />
frictionless payment platforms. Existing partnerships<br />
are in place with Pay360 for flexible payment processing<br />
and Paymentsense (now Dojo) for card terminal and<br />
e-commerce integrations.<br />
To discover how <strong>Garage</strong> Hive’s progressive features and<br />
workflows could help streamline your independent garage<br />
business, please visit www.garagehive.co.uk<br />
Bowmonk & Tapley have for decades been the most<br />
recognised and trusted names in portable brake testers.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Bowmonk BrakeCheck is the electronic version that carries<br />
on from that pedigree.<br />
BrakeCheck is DVSA approved for all classes of vehicle<br />
and it records braking efficiency and percentage of braking<br />
imbalance.<br />
• Portable & easy to use<br />
• No connections to vehicle required<br />
• GEA MTS Connected Approved (Upgrade Available)<br />
• DVSA approved for all classes of vehicle<br />
• Print results to optional portable wireless printer<br />
• Approved for 6-weekly checks<br />
• Download results to PC (optional software required)<br />
• Approved for quarterly brake test requirements<br />
• Records braking efficiency and percentage of braking imbalance<br />
Bowmonk Ltd, Diamond Road, Norwich, NR6 6AW T: +44 (0)1603 485 153 E: info@bowmonk.com www.bowmonk.com<br />
11, News Humm.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:22
NTDAUPDATE<br />
Another successful<br />
NTDA Tyre Industry<br />
Golf Day<br />
On Tuesday 4th July, the NTDA held its<br />
annual Tyre industry Golf Day and Charity<br />
Fundraiser Dinner at Belton Woods<br />
Hotel, Spa & Golf Resort in Grantham. 74<br />
enthusiastic golfers took to the Woodside<br />
Course and had a fantastic day of highly<br />
competitive golfing in sunny, but blustery<br />
conditions. Thanks to the generosity of<br />
several tyre manufacturers, wholesalers and<br />
other member companies who donated<br />
raffle and auction prizes, the NTDA raised<br />
£1,885 for the Wheelwrights’ Charity at the<br />
fantastic dinner held afterwards.<br />
Thank you to all golfers, additional<br />
dinner guests and to the companies who<br />
donated prizes for their fantastic support,<br />
we hope to see you all again next year!<br />
NTDA says goodbye<br />
to Past President<br />
John E. Holland<br />
<strong>The</strong> NTDA team was saddened to hear of<br />
the passing of John E. Holland who was<br />
President of the Association in 1992.<br />
John was Managing Director of<br />
Associated Tyre Specialists Ltd (ATS) and<br />
was a very active and influential member<br />
of the NTDA where he also served on the<br />
Executive Council for many years.<br />
In tribute to John, the guests at the<br />
NTDA Tyre Industry Golf Day charity<br />
fundraiser dinner held on 4th July gave a<br />
1- minute standing ovation to celebrate his<br />
life and contribution to the UK tyre trade.<br />
John’s son David told the NTDA: “Dad<br />
was very proud of his many achievements<br />
in his career and to be remembered by<br />
many of your current members would be<br />
satisfying to him. He would also have very<br />
much appreciated the minute applause by<br />
his peers in the tyre industry”.<br />
John died on 29th June aged 86 and<br />
is survived by his wife, son and daughter.<br />
Our thoughts and best wishes are with his<br />
entire family at this difficult time.<br />
G&S Tyre<br />
Services Ltd<br />
joins NTDA<br />
Leading family run tyre re-treader G&S<br />
Tyre Services Ltd in Barking, which<br />
recently became a Marangoni Ringtread<br />
Network member, has now joined the<br />
NTDA as its first independent tyre retreading<br />
specialist member.<br />
In addition to the outstanding<br />
retreading factory, the site at Barking<br />
has a dedicated undercover service<br />
area for truck tyres and a separate<br />
retail outlet for on-site service for<br />
cars and vans with a comfortable and<br />
well-maintained waiting area. G&S also<br />
operates an extensive fleet of 16 mobile<br />
tyre fitting vans and 2 artic trucks and all<br />
tyre technicians are NTDA REACT licence<br />
holders.<br />
During a joint visit to the G&S<br />
factory on 10th July with Phil Robinson<br />
Marangoni’s Senior Country Manager for<br />
UK, Ireland and Middle East, NTDA CEO<br />
Stefan Hay said: “We are delighted to<br />
have a company of G&S’ calibre join us<br />
as our first independent tyre re-treader.<br />
<strong>The</strong> NTDA fully supports and is promoting<br />
UK retreading. It is imperative, that we<br />
commit to the reuse of such valuable<br />
resources and encourage fleet operators,<br />
and their tyre suppliers to recognise the<br />
benefit of professionally manufactured UK<br />
re-treads. This form of recycling supports<br />
UK employment, the environment and the<br />
Green agenda and is a shining example of<br />
the circular economy at its best”.<br />
Tyre Industry Conference<br />
almost fully booked!<br />
<strong>The</strong> FREE to NTDA members Tyre Industry Conference sponsored by GB Tyres (UK)<br />
Ltd, which will be held on Thursday 19th October at the DoubleTree by Hilton Milton<br />
Keynes is almost fully booked. With close to 200 delegates already confirmed,<br />
a fantastic line-up of speakers and a trade networking area featured 20 exhibitors,<br />
it is the one event tyre and associated aftermarket professionals should not miss.<br />
To secure your place contact the NTDA via T: 01296 482128 or E: info@ntda.co.uk<br />
We look forward to seeing you in October!<br />
12 THE GARAGE<br />
12,News NTDA.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:23
IAAF announces first speaker<br />
for 2023 conference<br />
NEWS<br />
<strong>The</strong> Independent Automotive<br />
Aftermarket Federation’s (IAAF)<br />
inaugural conference and awards<br />
dinner will be back in 2023, taking place on<br />
Thursday 7 December, and the federation<br />
has revealed its first conference speaker as<br />
Nick Leeson.<br />
Taking place at the DoubleTree by Hilton,<br />
Milton Keynes, the IAAF will once again<br />
be bringing inspirational and informative<br />
talks, insights and trends from industry<br />
experts, plus networking opportunities,<br />
announcement of the IAAF award winners,<br />
fantastic food and exciting entertainment to<br />
the industry.<br />
This year’s theme focuses on “the<br />
brilliance of resilience” and will discuss how<br />
the aftermarket continues to evolve in the<br />
ever-changing world.<br />
<strong>The</strong> IAAF has confirmed Nick Leeson<br />
as its first speaker signed up to address<br />
delegates at the exciting event. <strong>The</strong> original<br />
“rogue trader” whose unchecked risk-taking<br />
caused the collapse of Barings Bank, and<br />
whose story was turned into a Hollywood<br />
movie starring Ewan McGregor.<br />
Former derivatives trader, Leeson, is<br />
known for bankrupting Barings Bank, the<br />
UK’s oldest merchant bank, in 1995. After<br />
opening a Future and Options office in<br />
Singapore, Leeson became a rogue trader,<br />
eventually losing over $1 billion of Baring’s<br />
capital as its head of operations on the<br />
Singapore Exchange (SGX).<br />
Whilst serving his sentence in a Singapore<br />
prison, Leeson was diagnosed with cancer.<br />
In 1999 he was released from prison and<br />
returned to the UK where he proved his<br />
resilience and re-built his life.<br />
<strong>The</strong> book he wrote in prison, based on<br />
his life, was then turned into a hit film and<br />
in 2001 he completed a Psychology degree.<br />
Leeson has held various positions over the<br />
years including General Manager of Galway<br />
United Football Club, rising to CEO of the<br />
club before his resignation in February 2011.<br />
Mark Field, chief executive at IAAF<br />
comments: “We’re delighted to have Nick<br />
join us on 7 December to discuss how he<br />
brought himself ‘back from the brink’,<br />
overcoming huge challenges, mentally and<br />
physically, and using his experiences to<br />
educate others.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> IAAF’s 2023 event is predicted to sell<br />
out fast, so the federation is encouraging<br />
the automotive aftermarket to book tickets<br />
now to avoid disappointment.<br />
Field adds: “We hope businesses in the<br />
aftermarket will join us in celebrating our<br />
brilliant sector once again and we’re looking<br />
forward to welcoming everyone back to the<br />
DoubleTree by Hilton in Milton Keynes in<br />
December.”<br />
For event bookings and hotel information<br />
for the IAAF’s Conference and Awards<br />
Dinner 2023. please email angela@<br />
impressionuk.co.uk<br />
■ Universal Oil Fired Heaters<br />
■ Oil and gas fired<br />
cabinet heaters<br />
■ Suspended oil and gas<br />
fired unit heaters<br />
■ Portable and mobile<br />
heaters<br />
■ Electric heaters<br />
THERMOBILE offers probably the most<br />
complete selection of space heaters<br />
available to the UK Motor Trade. <strong>The</strong><br />
full range of heaters from THERMOBILE<br />
now comprises over 300 models<br />
varying in heat output from 3Kw up to<br />
450Kw (10,000 to 1,500,000 BTU/HR).<br />
For more information call us TODAY!<br />
THERMOBILE UK LIMITED 12 Buckingham Close, Bermuda Industrial Estate, Nuneaton, Warwickshire CV10 7JT UK<br />
SALES CONTACTS: Andy Wallis 07850 988382 andy@thermobile.co.uk<br />
John Hall 07775 635527 john@thermobile.co.uk<br />
Main office: 02476 357960 Website: www.thermobile.co.uk<br />
THE GARAGE 13<br />
13,News Nick Leeson.indd 1 27/07/2023 15:10
NEWS<br />
Castrol launches new engine<br />
oil performance standard<br />
for hybrid cars<br />
Castrol’s HYSPEC standard is designed<br />
to ensure Castrol’s oils for hybrid cars<br />
provide exceptional performance<br />
when faced with challenges unique<br />
to hybrid powertrains<br />
Castrol has launched HYSPEC, its new<br />
technical quality standard for the company’s<br />
expanding range of engine oils for hybrid<br />
vehicles. HYSPEC is a technical benchmark<br />
to measure the performance of Castrol’s<br />
engine oils for hybrids to ensure they<br />
provide exceptional performance when<br />
faced with the unique challenges associated<br />
with the workings of modern hybrid<br />
powertrains.<br />
<strong>The</strong> launch of Castrol’s HYSPEC standard<br />
comes at a time when the demand for<br />
hybrid technology continues to grow – by<br />
2025, a quarter of cars sold globally are<br />
expected to have a hybrid powertrain1.<br />
Castrol’s HYSPEC standard is a first-of-itskind<br />
in the industry for hybrid vehicles and<br />
will support both car workshops and their<br />
customers in identifying the most suitable<br />
engine oil for their hybrid car.<br />
While Castrol’s portfolio already<br />
includes many hybrid-ready engine oils,<br />
those badged with the new HYSPEC logo<br />
have been specifically tested against the<br />
HYSPEC standard to offer strong resistance,<br />
protected switching, and fuel economy2.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se products also demonstrate at least<br />
25%3 benefit against the HYSPEC standard,<br />
across the critical areas of contaminants,<br />
engine intermittency and system efficiency.<br />
Hybrid tech creates challenging<br />
operating conditions<br />
<strong>The</strong> switch between an internal combustion<br />
engine (ICE) and electric motor challenges<br />
engine oil in three key areas: increased<br />
contamination due to cooler engine<br />
temperatures; reduced performance and<br />
protection due to engine intermittency;<br />
and a reduction in system efficiency due to<br />
cooler running and lower oil temperatures.<br />
Switching between an electric motor<br />
and ICE can cause hybrid engines to run<br />
at cooler temperatures, which can lead<br />
to water and fuel build-up in the oil. This<br />
can disrupt the effectiveness of some<br />
oils and cause engine deterioration. <strong>The</strong><br />
switching between two power sources also<br />
means hybrid engines can operate at lower<br />
speeds, and then ramp up to high engine<br />
speeds quickly. Some oils can’t keep up,<br />
resulting in reduced engine performance<br />
and protection. Cooler running and lower<br />
oil temperatures can also lead to reduced<br />
engine efficiency and in turn, poorer fuel<br />
efficiency and charging of the battery.<br />
Comprehensive research and<br />
development process<br />
Castrol has spent over 25 years researching,<br />
testing, and reporting on the characteristics<br />
of hybrids, as well as utilising this expertise<br />
to ensure its engine oils for hybrids deliver<br />
against the highest technical parameters<br />
and meet its HYSPEC standard. Castrol<br />
conducted a year-long road trial using mild,<br />
full, and plug-in hybrids to capture over two<br />
billion pieces of data. Combined, the cars<br />
travelled over 300,000 kms, for more than<br />
7,000 hours – the equivalent of driving 24/7<br />
for more than 42 weeks!<br />
Castrol has also worked closely with<br />
some vehicle manufacturers to develop<br />
hybrid testing techniques to enable them<br />
to constantly refine their vehicles and<br />
improve performance. In addition, Castrol<br />
has worked closely with motorsport teams<br />
including the BWT Alpine F1® Team and<br />
Ford M-Sport WRC to test its engine oils<br />
under the toughest conditions.<br />
To validate its findings, Castrol<br />
commissioned a third-party consultancy<br />
and external experts to conduct research<br />
with service centres, fleet operators and<br />
car owners to deliver a wider perspective<br />
on global markets.<br />
To learn more about HYSPEC and<br />
Castrol’s range of engine oils for hybrids,<br />
please visit: HYSPEC – CASTROL’S HYBRID<br />
PERFORMANCE STANDARD | HOME<br />
14 THE GARAGE<br />
14,News Castrol Hyspec.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:25
Reduce ‘Key to Key’ Time by Choosing Adhesives to<br />
REPAIR, REPLACE, REBUILD<br />
ADVERTISEMENTFEATURE<br />
Body shops face significant obstacles to maximising efficiency, shrinking<br />
key-to-key times, and keeping costs down in an economic climate that continues<br />
squeezing margins. Julian Pateman, Key Account Manager for TEROSON®, discusses<br />
how adhesives can help transform the vehicle maintenance and repair industry.<br />
In today’s rapidly evolving vehicle<br />
maintenance and repair landscape,<br />
finding a versatile solution to reduce<br />
labour times and free up the workforce<br />
is more critical than ever. A simple<br />
adhesive can lower key-to-key times<br />
while maintaining original equipment<br />
manufacturer (OEM) quality, to ensure body<br />
shops keep their outstanding reputations.<br />
Repair<br />
For example, the traditional method of<br />
dealing with bumper damage has been to<br />
replace the bumper. However, if the body<br />
shop can repair the damaged part with<br />
an adhesive rather than replacing it, it<br />
could save considerable time for both the<br />
customer and the shop.<br />
Did you know – due to global supply<br />
chain issues – it could take anything up to<br />
six months for a new bumper to arrive at a<br />
body shop?<br />
Those difficult wait times when acquiring<br />
parts can significantly impact body shops<br />
and customers. While vehicles are in the<br />
shop, customers can spend considerable<br />
time driving courtesy cars as part of their<br />
insurance policy. However, the insurers<br />
pass the supply costs onto the body shop,<br />
squeezing the body shops’ margins.<br />
Getting the customer back in their car<br />
promptly using a robust and fast-curing<br />
adhesive to mend a minor bump benefits<br />
the body shop and their margins. It also<br />
ensures customers can quickly be back<br />
on the roads in the familiarity of their own<br />
vehicle.<br />
Henkel are already ahead of the game<br />
in reference to sealants and surface<br />
protection when it comes to health and<br />
sustainability. For example, our latest<br />
addition of Plastic Repair materials are<br />
ME (micro emission) also many of the<br />
TEROSON products address this, like the<br />
water-based stone chip and underbody<br />
protect and adhesives and sealants which<br />
have no health & safety label warnings.<br />
Thus, body shops can confidently protect<br />
their workforce and help to hit their own<br />
sustainability and VOC targets.<br />
Replace<br />
Of course, depending on the damage,<br />
there may be more appropriate answers<br />
than repairing the part. A body shop<br />
may need to replace some of a vehicle’s<br />
frame in the event of excessive damage<br />
to a vehicle. However, the body shop<br />
cannot take the decision lightly and must<br />
consider various safety measures when<br />
undertaking structural changes. Central to<br />
those standards is the frame being impact<br />
resistant after the replacement.<br />
By using a suitable adhesive with a high<br />
crash-safety solution, body shops can<br />
ensure that a vehicle’s structure is held<br />
together to safeguard any passengers in<br />
the event of a collision. Not only that, but<br />
the adhesive must maintain its robustness<br />
when adhering to a wide range of materials.<br />
Henkel structural adhesives 5055 and 5065<br />
will bond to aluminium, steel and sheet<br />
moulding compounds without primer.<br />
At Henkel, we extensively test<br />
TEROSON adhesives, including at extreme<br />
temperatures ranging from -40°C to +80°C,<br />
to ensure no vehicle is compromised when<br />
replacement parts are installed with our<br />
adhesives.<br />
Bonding is highly effective when it comes<br />
to joining different materials including boron<br />
steel maintaining safety standards and<br />
increasing vehicle stability. Bonded joints<br />
are protected against the kind of corrosion<br />
caused by environmental factors. Corrosion<br />
may weaken the car body structure and<br />
adversely affect driver safety.<br />
Rebuild<br />
When it comes to rebuilding, getting vehicle<br />
standards as close to an OEM finish is the<br />
key. Using adhesives, humans can now<br />
replicate seams to the same standard as a<br />
robot, for example car manufacturers are<br />
now using liquid applied sound dampening<br />
adhesives rather than bitumen pads. Which<br />
can be replicated in the aftermarket using<br />
9320 SF in conjunction with a wide stream<br />
nozzle and a flat stream nozzle.<br />
However, the finish does not mean<br />
compromising on time. Based on an average<br />
time of 120 minutes per repair, Henkel<br />
estimates that using an adhesive can save<br />
25% on the rebuild time.<br />
SUMMARY<br />
Repair, Replace, Rebuild<br />
By understanding the specific pain points<br />
faced in the vehicle maintenance and repair<br />
industry, Henkel has leveraged its expertise<br />
to provide a wealth of versatile, quality<br />
solutions through our TEROSON brand.<br />
Product simplicity in both set-up and<br />
usage vastly reduces key-to-key times. In<br />
most applications, is simply a matter of<br />
choosing the right adhesive, nozzle and<br />
applicating gun. From beginning to end,<br />
the process makes for a better, more<br />
efficient service with improved margin and<br />
quality finishing to an original equipment<br />
manufacturer standard.<br />
Yet selecting the correct product can<br />
be a challenge. At Henkel, we actively<br />
collaborate with our customers, suppliers<br />
and partners to find the best solution for<br />
each customer. By sharing knowledge, we<br />
hope to empower all clients in navigating<br />
the challenge of making the right choice<br />
with adhesives first time, every time.<br />
THE GARAGE 15<br />
15,News Teroson.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:26
BRIDGESTONE’S AUTONOMOUS<br />
JOURNEY GAINS TRACTION<br />
AT GOODWOOD<br />
Bridgestone has helped bring a vision of autonomous<br />
driving to life for thousands of onlookers to<br />
appreciate, in a unique glimpse into the future of<br />
mobility at the Goodwood Festival of Speed.<br />
<strong>The</strong> tyre manufacturer partnered with <strong>The</strong> Indy Autonomous<br />
Challenge (IAC) at the first UK showing of its latest<br />
autonomous driving technology. At the same time, members<br />
from three IAC university teams are on the ground conducting<br />
scans and digitally mapping the Goodwood Hillclimb to support<br />
IAC’s 2024 return for a historic autonomous hillclimb challenge.<br />
Bridgestone formed a partnership with the Indy Autonomous<br />
Challenge (IAC) in 2020 to supply tyres and technical expertise<br />
for the world’s first autonomous high-speed racing competition<br />
and its bespoke Potenza products are now helping to drive<br />
autonomous motoring to the next level.<br />
Bridgestone’s North Region Vice President Andrea Manenti<br />
said: “Our work with the Indy Autonomous Challenge, its partners<br />
and its participating teams is part of a shared passion to push<br />
the boundaries of self-driving car technology and increase public<br />
awareness of the positive impact that automation can have on<br />
society.<br />
“<strong>The</strong>se efforts closely align our vision at Bridgestone to create<br />
new value as a sustainable solutions company. This vision extends<br />
beyond tyres to advance sustainable technologies and digital<br />
platforms that support a world of future mobility that includes<br />
electric, autonomous and connected vehicles.<br />
“Through the IAC, we’re able to help university engineering<br />
teams understand the role tyres play on vehicle performance<br />
and how they can be incorporated as part of the design and<br />
development process for autonomous technologies.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> IAC is exhibiting as part of the festival’s Future Lab area,<br />
which gives an insight into the future of mobility with concepts<br />
that may become a reality in our lifetime.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Indy Autonomous Challenge is based in Indiana, U.S. and<br />
organises a series of competitions among full-scale autonomous<br />
racecars. Last month, the IAC announcedthat team PoliMOVE<br />
won the first-ever autonomous driving road course time trial<br />
competition, held at the Monza “Temple of Speed.” <strong>The</strong> historic<br />
feat took place as part of the Milan Monza Motor Show (MIMO) at<br />
the Autodromo Nazionale Monza.<br />
Bridgestone’s involvement in the Indy Autonomous Challenge<br />
also aligns with its Bridgestone E8 Commitment that serves as<br />
the axis to drive management while earning the trust of future<br />
generations.<br />
<strong>The</strong> E8 Commitment consists of eight Bridgestone-like values<br />
starting with the letter ‘E’ (Energy, Ecology, Efficiency, Extension,<br />
Economy, Emotion, Ease, and Empowerment) that Bridgestone<br />
will commit to creating together with employees, society,<br />
partners and customers to realize a sustainable society.<br />
<strong>The</strong> sponsorship aligns with: ‘Energy’: Committed to the<br />
realisation of a carbon neutral mobility society’, ‘Ecology’:<br />
Committed to advancing sustainable tyre technologies and<br />
solutions that preserve the environment for future generations”<br />
and ‘Efficiency’: Committed to maximizing productivity through<br />
the advancement of mobility”.<br />
16 THE GARAGE<br />
16,News Bridgestone.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:27
NEWS<br />
HELLA presents first<br />
rectangular Bi-LED<br />
headlamp<br />
● Bi-LED headlamp with advanced lighting technology and electronics for a wide<br />
range of applications and maximum demands<br />
● Extraordinarily slim design and technological freedom thanks to modular system<br />
HELLA, the automotive supplier<br />
operating under the umbrella brand<br />
FORVIA, is launching the SlimLine<br />
Bi-LED headlamp, the first rectangular<br />
light module in the HELLA portfolio, and<br />
thus following a major trend in terms of<br />
design. <strong>The</strong> headlamp offers excellent light<br />
output and is ideal for a wide range of<br />
highly demanding applications. Thanks to<br />
its solid housing and robust construction,<br />
it can be used in harsh environments and<br />
for heavy-duty applications. For example,<br />
its high vibration resistance makes it ideal<br />
for use with construction machinery, while<br />
the IP 6K9K protection rating makes it<br />
particularly dust-proof and resistant to<br />
high-pressure cleaning.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Bi-LED headlamp is equipped<br />
with reverse polarity protection ensuring<br />
the headlamp is protected even if the<br />
connection is accidentally reversed.<br />
<strong>The</strong> headlamp’s thermal management<br />
maximises service life and ensures full<br />
functionality at temperatures down to -40<br />
°C and up to +60 °C. With a high colour<br />
temperature of 5,500 Kelvin, it has an<br />
illumination similar to daylight, ensuring an<br />
even safer and more comfortable driving<br />
experience for all types of vehicles.<br />
<strong>The</strong> SlimLine Bi-LED headlamp, which<br />
offers low and high beam in a single<br />
headlamp module, is suitable for use on<br />
agricultural and construction machinery,<br />
trucks, buses, motorhomes, in the<br />
powersports sector, but also on passenger<br />
cars and sports cars. <strong>The</strong> headlamp bezel<br />
can be customised in terms of colour or<br />
can be provided with an individual logo<br />
to emphasise the unique appearance<br />
of the vehicle. Together with the LED<br />
combination lamp LEDayFlex III, the new<br />
rectangular headlamp offers attractive<br />
design options and perfect combinability.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Bi-LED headlamp is the first<br />
product from the brand-new SlimLine<br />
range and will soon be available to<br />
the market. Two modules, a fog light<br />
with cornering light and a module that<br />
combines daytime running light, position<br />
light and direction indicator, are currently<br />
under development and will perfectly<br />
complement the SlimLine family in future.<br />
THE GARAGE 17<br />
17 News Hella Slimline Light.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:28
SmartRepair DPS.indd 1 27/07/2023 11:43
SmartRepair DPS.indd 2 27/07/2023 11:43
NEWS<br />
Introducing the GYS<br />
Super Pro EV Charger<br />
A Flexible and Affordable EV Charging Solution for <strong>Garage</strong>s<br />
As the demand for electric vehicles<br />
(EVs) continues to rise, the need for a<br />
convenient and efficient charging solution<br />
becomes paramount. <strong>The</strong> conventional<br />
solution may be to install fixed charging<br />
points. Although this can be helpful, it<br />
does come at a price, and any EV that<br />
needs to be charged needs to be moved<br />
to that location. GYS has developed a new<br />
product that will charge EV’s and Plug-in<br />
Hybrids (PHEV) from existing power points,<br />
without requiring a costly installation.<br />
GYS are pleased to announce the<br />
launch of the NEW Super Pro EV Charger.<br />
Requiring no fixed installation, this<br />
portable EV charger operates on both<br />
single and three-phase power, and can<br />
charge at an impressive rate of up to 22kw<br />
(equivalent to approximately 70 miles of<br />
charge per hour).<br />
“By moving the charger to the car<br />
rather than the other way around, the<br />
GYS EV Charger streamlines the charging<br />
process and eliminates unnecessary<br />
inconveniences. Its compatibility with a<br />
wide range of power outlets and ability to<br />
maximise charging rates make it an ideal<br />
choice for businesses seeking a reliable EV<br />
charging solution.” Kayley Parslow, GYS<br />
<strong>The</strong> GYS Super Pro EV Charger is the<br />
perfect solution for any garage looking to<br />
offer efficient and hassle-free charging<br />
options for electric and plug-in hybrid<br />
vehicles. Its flexibility and affordability<br />
make it an invaluable asset for businesses,<br />
particularly those with access to threephase<br />
or high-current single-phase power<br />
supplies.<br />
With a price of only £899, the GYS Super<br />
Pro EV Charger offers an unbeatable<br />
value for businesses seeking a reliable EV<br />
charging solution.<br />
Key Features of the GYS Super Pro EV Charger:<br />
● Suitable for Plug-in Hybrids (PHEV)<br />
and full EVs<br />
● Supplied with 3 cables: single-phase<br />
13A, single-phase 16A and threephase<br />
power cables<br />
● Long reach cables for enhanced<br />
flexibility and ease of use<br />
● Time delay function to take<br />
advantage of off-peak electricity<br />
rates<br />
● Eliminates the need for costly fixed<br />
installations<br />
● Made in France<br />
20 THE GARAGE<br />
20,News GYS Charger.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:29
SERMI scheme<br />
off to strong<br />
start, says IGA<br />
NEWS<br />
BM Catalysts<br />
launches nine<br />
new parts in latest<br />
range expansion<br />
UK independent garages have responded<br />
enthusiastically to last week’s announcement that<br />
they will be able to access Security-related Repair<br />
and Maintenance Information (SERMI) using the<br />
same framework as their EU counterparts, thanks<br />
to agreements reached by the Independent <strong>Garage</strong><br />
Association (IGA).<br />
<strong>The</strong> IGA reports that garages are getting in touch in large<br />
numbers to register their interest in the scheme, which<br />
will transform the way garages and workshops access<br />
manufacturer technical information on security systems<br />
such as keys and ECU coding, by creating one central audit<br />
and certification process.<br />
IGA Chief Executive Stuart James said: “Independent<br />
garages have a real hunger to keep up with the ever-more<br />
advanced technologies in modern vehicles, and so we have<br />
seen an extremely positive response from the sector to our<br />
news with expressions of interest flooding in.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> scheme is available to all UK garages on an equal<br />
footing and is being delivered on a not-for-profit basis<br />
in the UK by RMI Standards and Certification. Fees have<br />
been set at a level that should be affordable for all garage<br />
businesses.<br />
<strong>The</strong> first step for any garage wanting to register for the<br />
scheme is to obtain Basic DBS certificates for the business<br />
owner and the employee or employees who will be<br />
registered to the system.<br />
Stuart is encouraging any garage with an interest in the<br />
scheme to get in touch now, get the ball rolling on their<br />
DBS checks, and be at the front of the queue for formal<br />
enrolment, expected to begin in late July.<br />
He added “<strong>The</strong> hard work is now starting with the rollout<br />
and the statutory side of getting this scheme up and<br />
running.”<br />
“We are delighted to be able to offer something so<br />
positive for independent businesses. <strong>The</strong>y will finally have a<br />
robust system for accessing security-related information.<br />
SERMI is the key to the future.”<br />
Europe’s leading manufacturer of aftermarket hot end<br />
emissions products, BM Catalysts, has expanded its range<br />
with nine new references, including seven new catalytic<br />
converters and two pipes.<br />
<strong>The</strong> range expansion comes as part of BM Catalysts’<br />
commitment to be at the forefront of the aftermarket<br />
product offering. <strong>The</strong> nine new references provide coverage<br />
to an extra 327,150 vehicles in the European car parc, with<br />
six of the nine new parts Euro 6 compliant, meeting the<br />
most stringent Euro emissions standards.<br />
BM Catalysts offers a complete solution to motor factors<br />
and technicians with an extensive range of fitting kits<br />
available.<br />
Complementing its regular range expansions to increase<br />
European vehicle parc coverage, BM Catalysts also has an<br />
uncompromising approach to research and development,<br />
working to identify additional fitments to offer even greater<br />
choice to motor factors and garages.<br />
To view the full BM Catalysts parts range visit:<br />
www.bmcatalysts.com.<br />
THE GARAGE 21<br />
21,News BM Cats, IGA.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:30
NEWS<br />
Copart to increase<br />
storage capabilities by<br />
50% in Cambridgeshire<br />
Global leader in online vehicle remarketing and recycling, Copart<br />
UK, has secured final planning permission to expand their site<br />
in Wisbech, adding 50% to their vehicle storage capabilities in<br />
Cambridgeshire.<br />
Originally announced last year, expansion works can now commence<br />
at Copart’s Operation Centre in Wisbech, which will support the<br />
company’s continued growth in the East of England.<br />
Once completed, the expansion will make Wisbech a 20-acre site,<br />
increasing vehicle storage capacity by 50%.<br />
This expansion is part of Copart’s extensive reinvestment strategy<br />
to meet continued demand from their customers, including most of<br />
the UK’s major insurance companies and thousands of nationwide<br />
automotive customers.<br />
This includes a programme of land acquisition alongside<br />
continuous improvement at existing sites and reinvestment in<br />
transport, services, and technology.<br />
Today’s news follows a series of similar growth and investment<br />
announcements from Copart over the past year, including continued<br />
expansion at their Super Centre in Bristol, a new 31-acre site in East<br />
Kilbride, and a nationwide sustainability refurbishment programme at<br />
existing Operation Centres.<br />
Copart anticipates the full 20-acre site at Wisbech to be<br />
operational by spring 2023.<br />
Phil Briggs, Copart UK’s Director of Operation Centres, Transport &<br />
Engineering, said:<br />
“We’re fully committed to continuously growing and improving<br />
services to our customers, so we’re pleased to be extending our<br />
Wisbech Operation Centre, more than doubling its storage capacity<br />
in the East of England.<br />
“Not only will this further strengthen our unrivalled operational<br />
capabilities in this part of the country in line with the continued<br />
growth of the UK car parc, but with extreme weather events<br />
becoming more prevalent the provision of latent storage capacity for<br />
our customers is more important than ever.”<br />
Tyre management boost, as<br />
handheld scanner comes to the UK<br />
AES UK (Automotive Equipment Solutions) has introduced<br />
a hand-held tyre scanner which allows commercial vehicle<br />
operators, workshops and tyre retailers to quickly and accurately<br />
measure tyre tread depth.<br />
TreadReader HD (Heavy Duty) is a compact,<br />
easy-to-use device which provides full-width<br />
tread depth analysis and creates a detailed<br />
scan of each tyre to within 0.2mm.<br />
Used in combination with the cloud-based<br />
management platform app, TreadManager,<br />
the scanner calculates tyre tread depths<br />
with 3D colour-coded graphics showing tyre<br />
conditions, tread warnings and safety alerts,<br />
such as under-inflation or wheel alignment<br />
recommendation. TreadManager can also<br />
be integrated seamlessly with workshop<br />
management systems via API access.<br />
“This unique tool is set to revolutionise<br />
tyre management for all HGV, PSV and LCV<br />
operators,” says AES UK Director, Tom Coad.<br />
“Using the dedicated commercial vehicle IOS<br />
or Android App, each tyre can be measured<br />
in around 20 seconds with all tyre scan data<br />
saved to the cloud for printing out and used<br />
for potential DVSA checks and maintenance<br />
reports.”<br />
Tom Coad explains that TreadReader HD<br />
speeds up routine vehicle maintenance and<br />
helps to guard against tyre failure. Moreover,<br />
the accuracy and simplicity of the system<br />
helps with wheel alignment inspections<br />
and provides workshops with an affordable<br />
solution to help sell alignment as a service.<br />
“Uneven tyre wear is often connected with<br />
a wheel alignment problem,” says Tom. “So,<br />
not only will the device immediately point to<br />
safety issues and potential tyre replacement,<br />
but it also provides early warning regarding<br />
mis-aligned wheels and axles. Workshops can<br />
therefore take immediate corrective action<br />
and then refer to the captured tyre data for<br />
ongoing wheel alignment checks.”<br />
According to AES UK, the TreadReader<br />
HD handheld scanner provides accurate<br />
readings even for wet or dirty tyre treads and<br />
is ideal for all tyre inspection applications<br />
in workshops, service centres, MOT lanes,<br />
depots, and mobile inspections.<br />
“TreadReader HD far surpasses the<br />
accuracy and reliability of basic dip gauges<br />
and non-contact ‘laser pointers,’ adds<br />
Tom Coad. “Unlike traditional stand-alone<br />
devices it works with the non-subscription<br />
(free to use) app, to get the job done faster<br />
and with greater accuracy, while allowing<br />
service managers to view multiple vehicle<br />
reports and technician activity.”<br />
Established in 2005, AES UK (Automotive<br />
Equipment Solutions) is the first UK<br />
distributor of TreadReader HD. <strong>The</strong> company<br />
is also sole distributor for Josam, providing<br />
commercial vehicle alignment and CV<br />
workshop equipment, along with on-site<br />
training, servicing and equipment calibration<br />
to operators throughout the UK.<br />
More about AES UK at: a-e-s-uk.co.uk<br />
and TreadReader at: a-e-s-uk.co.uk/<br />
treadreader/<br />
22 THE GARAGE<br />
22,News Copart, AES.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:31
NEWS<br />
MAHLE Aftermarket issues<br />
fitment advice on EV and<br />
hybrid A/C compressors<br />
Textar<br />
launches<br />
new premium<br />
brake pad and<br />
disc references<br />
MAHLE Aftermarket UK has issued best-practice advice when<br />
servicing and replacing electric air conditioning compressors<br />
for hybrid and electric vehicles (EVs).<br />
MAHLE recognises that the thermal management system<br />
on these alternatively fueled vehicles can be complex, as the<br />
temperature control of the battery and power electronics<br />
play just as an important role in the heating and cooling of the<br />
vehicle cabin, in turn, meaning servicing and maintenance will<br />
also play an important role.<br />
Air conditioning compressors for electric and hybrid vehicles<br />
differ from belt-driven models in many ways and it’s therefore<br />
important to follow best-practice tips to ensure maintenance<br />
is carried out efficiently, says Alan Povey Quality, Warranty &<br />
Technical Representative at MAHLE Aftermarket.<br />
Selecting the correct oil<br />
As electrically driven compressors are hermetically sealed,<br />
the absence of a drive shaft for the belt drive means that<br />
refrigerant cannot escape via the shaft seals.<br />
<strong>The</strong> electric motor for the drive is located within the<br />
compressor housing. Since the motor encounters refrigerant<br />
and refrigerant oil, only oil with insulating properties may be<br />
used. <strong>The</strong>re is a risk of short circuit if moisture enters the<br />
refrigerant circuit. PAO multigrade oils are therefore preferred<br />
due to their non-hygroscopic properties.<br />
However, technicians should always follow the vehicle<br />
manufacturer’s specifications when selecting the refrigerant<br />
and compressor oil. Choosing the correct refrigerant oil, as<br />
well as regular air conditioning services, are crucial to the safe<br />
operation of electric air conditioning compressors.<br />
Electric compressors generally do not have an oil drain plug,<br />
so it is not possible to adjust the system oil quantity via the<br />
compressor. <strong>The</strong> air conditioning system must therefore be<br />
flushed before installing a new compressor. This is the only way<br />
to ensure that the system is free of oil residues and to avoid<br />
overfilling.<br />
All nonflushable components must be replaced, as must the<br />
drier.<br />
Many vehicle manufacturers use special programmes when<br />
commissioning a new air conditioning compressor. By means of<br />
a diagnostic tester, these programmes ensure a slow start-up<br />
and therefore prevent a sudden intake of compressor oil from<br />
causing consequential damage such as a hydraulic shock.<br />
Braking specialist TMD Friction UK has introduced three<br />
new brake discs and one new brake pad to its premium<br />
Textar brand range.<br />
TMD Friction UK constantly monitors the aftermarket<br />
to develop high quality braking products and extend its<br />
product offering to cover a wider selection of vehicles<br />
than ever before.<br />
Within the Textar premium brake pad product line, a<br />
new reference with part number 2628701 is now available,<br />
fitting Audi Q2, Q3 and Sportback, TT Roadster, Skoda<br />
Superb and Volkswagen Tiguan 2016- models, plus brandnew<br />
Seat Tarraco and Volkswagen Atlas cars.<br />
New premium Textar brake discs are now available for<br />
Range Rover (L405) and Range Rover Sport (L320 and L494<br />
models) with part number 92235605, plus Ford Tourneo<br />
Connect, Transit Connect MPVs and vans (2013-), with new<br />
reference 92326103.<br />
<strong>The</strong> final brake disc reference launched in the latest<br />
premium range expansion, part 92342803, fits Hyundai<br />
Santa Fe car and van models (2015-), plus KIA Sorento<br />
cars.<br />
Customers can be assured of high-end braking quality<br />
with Textar products, with each new part going through<br />
extensive testing and quality assurance over a three-year<br />
development cycle before being released. Knowledge<br />
gained from its original equipment development is<br />
cascaded to its aftermarket product lines, so customers<br />
know they’re getting the very best.<br />
Technicians and workshops can find out more about<br />
the latest TMD Friction UK products online via the Textar<br />
Brakebook online catalogue. Customers can also use the<br />
Textar Brakebook app to view Textar’s product range onthe-go.<br />
THE GARAGE 23<br />
23,News Textar AND MAHAL 2.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:31
<strong>The</strong> Road<br />
to Inclusive<br />
Workshops<br />
Castrol study identifies five key<br />
steps to help create a more<br />
inclusive workshop experience.<br />
Recent research from Castrol finds that there is significant<br />
opportunity to make automotive workshops more<br />
inclusive, from first impressions through to post-service<br />
engagement.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Castrol study titled, “<strong>The</strong> Road to Inclusive<br />
Workshops”1,focuses on different people’s perceptions and<br />
experience of independent workshops and is the first in a<br />
series of studies exploring how workshops might enhance their<br />
approach to inclusivity.<br />
This first study which was conducted across seven markets:<br />
China, Germany, India, Malaysia, Poland, Thailand, and the<br />
United States, focused specifically on women’s experiences<br />
at workshops and identified five steps that workshop owners<br />
can consider taking to create more inclusive workshops, and<br />
hopefully attract a wider customer base.<br />
1. Arriving at the workshop: Ensure customers feel more<br />
comfortable right from the start: with parking, clear signage<br />
and clear communication.<br />
2. Entering the workshop: Provide a designated reception area,<br />
that is inviting, clean and well lit.<br />
3. Vehicle repairs: Build trust with respectful communication and<br />
transparent pricing.<br />
4. Waiting for the vehicle: Create a comfortable environment<br />
away from the shop floor with amenities.<br />
5. Post-service and after-sales: Continue communication during<br />
and after the transaction, with additional services provided to<br />
help secure future business.<br />
Overall, the message from the research was clear; across<br />
cultures and geographies customers (particularly women in this<br />
case) are looking for high quality, professional, and trustworthy<br />
customer service.<br />
Nicola Buck, Chief Marketing Officer, at Castrol says: “Our<br />
‘Road to Inclusive Workshops’ study series is another concrete<br />
step in this direction. <strong>The</strong> first study in our series explores the<br />
experiences and expectations of what female customers want.<br />
Based on these findings we’ve identified how workshops can<br />
adapt their current offers and create more inclusive workshops.<br />
While there is still much more to do, both across our Castrol<br />
branded network and the industry generally, we hope this<br />
research will help improve the experience for all our customers<br />
and opportunities for workshops as well.”<br />
Helping workshops navigate the road to inclusivity<br />
To help workshops put these key learnings into practice,<br />
Castrol has developed a five-part micro-learning experience.<br />
This program will be supported with printed and digital materials<br />
to reinforce the training, as well as consumer communications<br />
that hope to demonstrate workshop commitment to providing a<br />
better quality of customer service.<br />
To find out more, please visit: https://go.bp.com/YBZqJ<br />
24 THE GARAGE<br />
24,Feature Castrol.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:32
WORKSHOP<br />
Totalkare Launch<br />
Expanded Range<br />
of Tyre Changers<br />
Workshop equipment experts<br />
Totalkare are delighted to bring<br />
to market their expanded reach<br />
of tyre changers for both Heavy Duty and<br />
Light Commercial Vehicles. This helps the<br />
established business to maintain their<br />
industry leading position and continue<br />
to provide everything that a commercial<br />
vehicle workshop might need for changing,<br />
repairing and inspecting tyres across the<br />
full breadth of commercial vehicles on the<br />
road.<br />
With a varied range of products<br />
across both the heavy duty and light<br />
commercial range, Totalkare showcase<br />
the specifications and limitations of each<br />
changer. <strong>The</strong>y also offer expert advice<br />
and service to ensure that each workshop<br />
purchases the most appropriate equipment<br />
for their service offering.<br />
Bringing tyre changing in house can<br />
benefit workshops of all sizes, allowing<br />
both financial and time savings without the<br />
reliance of outsourcing. With specifications<br />
available to cover all types of tyre and wheel<br />
servicing facility, from entry level machines<br />
through to fully automatic setups, Totalkare<br />
pride themselves on offering the full range<br />
of products to allow support for all sizes of<br />
garages no matter what sort of commercial<br />
vehicles they might service.<br />
As workshops see the costs of<br />
maintenance and repair for dated<br />
machinery continue to rise, investment in<br />
the latest and safest equipment ensures<br />
they are able to provide continuous service.<br />
This increased business efficiency is key to<br />
ensure preparation for any job that might<br />
roll through the workshop doors, and<br />
Totalkare are continuing to monitor the<br />
marketplace and expand their offering to<br />
best support the hard workers in this core<br />
industry.<br />
Offering a selection of market leading<br />
tyre changers, Totalkare’s range includes<br />
uniquely designed 4 roller systems capable<br />
of dismounting and mounting a tyre in only<br />
30 seconds, as well as super duty truck tyre<br />
changers where the operating dimensions<br />
of the clamping unit and head-tool carriage<br />
allows operation on a wide range of wheels.<br />
Whether the work requires lever type<br />
hydraulic distributors or pneumatically<br />
tilting columns for peak rigidity to prevent<br />
rim damage, they have the right product for<br />
the job.<br />
<strong>The</strong> product range comprises:<br />
NAV101 - This commercial tyre changer is<br />
capable of dismounting and mounting a<br />
tyre in only 30 seconds thanks to its unique<br />
design featuring adjustable arm positioning,<br />
a 4-roller system and bead breakers<br />
supported by two separately controlled<br />
arms.<br />
Karacter - This automatic leverless<br />
tyre changer is ideal for cars and light<br />
commercial tyres. It works for wheel<br />
diameters up to 46” and rim diameters<br />
from 10” - 24”, with max width 15”.<br />
NAV26HW - For workshop or roadside use,<br />
this mobile tyre changer uses hydraulic<br />
clamping and up/down movement with a<br />
standard roller for tube tyres.<br />
HP643<br />
HP641 - This is a light commercial<br />
automatic tyre changer with double-acting<br />
bead breaker cylinder, designed to work on<br />
even low-profile and large-sized steel or<br />
alloy rims.<br />
HP643 - With an extra-wide, heavy-duty<br />
frame this light commercial tyre changer is<br />
designed for high output garages, working<br />
on any wheel up to a maximum width of<br />
15”.<br />
NAV11 - This heavy duty truck tyre changer<br />
provides the ability to service a wide range<br />
of wheels, including super-single, thanks to<br />
the operating dimensions of the clamping<br />
unit and head-tool carriage.<br />
Totalkare will be demonstrating its NAV11<br />
tyre changer at the Recovery Tow Show<br />
at Telford International Centre on 20-21<br />
September 2023 alongside its marketleading<br />
mobile column lifts, vehicle pit,<br />
mobile and in-ground brake testers and<br />
more workshop equipment.<br />
HP641 NAV26HW NAV11 NAV101 Karacter<br />
25,Feature TotalKare.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:33
WORKSHOP<br />
Creating tomorrow’s garages<br />
via today’s refurbishments<br />
As governments worldwide prioritise environmental protection and<br />
sustainable mobility, the automotive industry is witnessing a remarkable<br />
shift towards sustainable technologies, with Electric Vehicles (EVs)<br />
including Hybrid vehicles (PHEVs) and Battery Electric Vehicles (BEVs)<br />
at the forefront of this evolution. With the increasing adoption of EVs,<br />
it’s important for garages to adapt to this transformative trend and equip<br />
themselves for servicing these vehicles.<br />
It’s easy to understand why some garages<br />
may feel the upgrades required are a<br />
minefield, with some repair garages being<br />
designed and built in the 1970s and 1980s<br />
and therefore ideal for cars manufactured<br />
during that period. <strong>The</strong>se days, the electric<br />
vehicles requirements for servicing has<br />
added another dimension to the facilities<br />
that garages need to consider, most notably<br />
the impact of these heavier vehicles.<br />
However, this evolution should not be<br />
a daunting one, as it comes with as many<br />
opportunities for garages, as it does<br />
changes. Here are some considerations for<br />
workshop owners looking to welcome EVs<br />
into their service bays.<br />
Out with the old, in with the new<br />
One of the most important changes that<br />
garages should embrace is the specialised<br />
equipment required to service electric<br />
vehicles. <strong>The</strong>se include; suitable vehicle lifts,<br />
battery removal equipment, insulated tools,<br />
tyre and wheel equipment, charging stations<br />
to name a few.<br />
<strong>The</strong> replacement of unsuitable lifting<br />
equipment, in favour of vehicle lifts which<br />
can accommodate heavier vehicles and<br />
enabling safe access to the batteries<br />
themselves are important. <strong>The</strong>re are<br />
dedicated EV vehicle lifts, which are<br />
designed with no base plates, with the<br />
appropriate tonne capacity and have<br />
special jointed lift pads, allowing improved<br />
clearance without lifting arms getting in the<br />
way of the battery removal. <strong>Garage</strong>s should<br />
invest in equipment that can safely lift and<br />
support the weight of electric vehicles<br />
without causing any damage to their unbody<br />
components.<br />
Specialist equipment will be needed to<br />
remove and replace batteries which can<br />
often weigh more than 400kg. It’s worth<br />
noting that batteries that offer the greatest<br />
distance for the motorist will usually weigh<br />
more than others, due to their increased<br />
storage capacity.<br />
Electric vehicles have different<br />
components, such as electric motors,<br />
and power electronics, that necessitate<br />
specialised tools for repair and<br />
maintenance. A range of insulated tools,<br />
specifically designed for dealing with high<br />
voltage vehicles, ideally stored in adequate<br />
storage / work benching solutions, which<br />
have waste and dispensing cabinets, easily<br />
accessible to the bay the technician is<br />
working on.<br />
Another important consideration is the<br />
need for garages to be able to offer highquality<br />
wheel alignment services. Correct<br />
alignment will increase the efficiency of<br />
an EV’s battery while at the same time<br />
helping to reduce unnecessary wear on the<br />
tyres. This also represents an opportunity<br />
to garage owners to upsell the service to<br />
customers. Some wheel alignment systems<br />
don’t anchor the wheel alignment service<br />
to one bay, giving more flexibility so garages<br />
can maximise the opportunities in the<br />
workshop.<br />
All the solutions, and all under one roof<br />
<strong>The</strong> solution lies in a comprehensive<br />
refurbishment that adapts the garage to<br />
all current needs and, importantly, helps<br />
to make it future-proof at the same time.<br />
Depending on the current site, this can<br />
mean a redesign in regard to footprint, as<br />
well as to the equipment that’s being used.<br />
Needless to say, the basic replacement<br />
of existing equipment is only part of the<br />
story. Other factors will come into play here,<br />
including those relating to health and safety.<br />
Working on electric vehicles poses unique<br />
safety challenges compared to conventional<br />
cars. <strong>The</strong>re could be issues with the amount<br />
of space that technicians will have in order<br />
to operate safely, for example, and of<br />
course handling high-voltage batteries in<br />
the correct way is vital. In addition, other<br />
considerations (such as investing in charging<br />
stations) can be a great way to attract more<br />
EV customers to the facilities.<br />
With so many important factors needing<br />
to be considered, the sensible option is to<br />
bring in specialists that can handle every<br />
aspect of the refurbishment. This can<br />
include the design of the overall workspace,<br />
for example, the supply and installation<br />
of vehicle lifts and other equipment, the<br />
provision for safe working at all times, the<br />
allocation of adequate space for working<br />
and for having ready access to tools and<br />
so much more. While some companies will<br />
be able to help with some of these factors,<br />
very few will be able to provide everything<br />
in-house.<br />
As EVs become more prevalent on our<br />
roads, workshops that adapt and invest in<br />
their electrification journey will undoubtedly<br />
be better positions to thrive in this exciting<br />
new era of mobility.<br />
26 THE GARAGE<br />
26,Feature EV Article.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:33
WORKSHOP<br />
MAHLE updates<br />
air conditioning<br />
maintenance range<br />
MAHLE Aftermarket UK has unveiled<br />
its latest range revamp in its popular<br />
air conditioning maintenance product<br />
portfolio, as it continues to meet<br />
increased demand.<br />
MAHLE’s latest ArcticPRO ACX Line<br />
has been updated to offer garages and<br />
technicians cutting edge technology for<br />
the best in AC maintenance, as customer<br />
demand rises.<br />
“As systems change, and with the<br />
advancement of electric vehicles (EV),<br />
maintenance of the AC system will become<br />
a basic part of vehicle servicing in the<br />
future,” says Alan Povey, quality manager<br />
at MAHLE.<br />
<strong>The</strong> expanded product range is<br />
ecological, economical and efficient,<br />
allowing technicians to provide a<br />
successful service regardless of the vehicle<br />
and ambient temperature.<br />
Additional features include a USB<br />
interface, WiFi, Bluetooth for remote<br />
diagnostic and software updates, a Hybrid<br />
and EV ready unit, a remote system<br />
allowing immediate technical assistance,<br />
plus it can be used with MAHLE’s AC<br />
Remote Viewer app.<br />
Povey adds: “It’s important technicians<br />
stay ahead of the curve and continue<br />
to invest in the new technology to<br />
take advantage of the market now and<br />
customers’ requirements going forward.<br />
As EVs and hybrid vehicles have less items<br />
requiring maintenance, workshops need to<br />
have more services available to offer.<br />
“On current vehicles there is a potential<br />
loss of pressure, especially on low mileage<br />
vehicles and where the AC system is<br />
not used as much such as in the winter.<br />
Regular use throughout the year ensures<br />
the components are lubricated and there<br />
is less chance of condensation gathering<br />
in the system, but they still need servicing<br />
regularly to remain efficient.”<br />
Povey concludes: “<strong>Garage</strong>s should be<br />
pushing to re-gas systems every two<br />
to three years. This is a great upselling<br />
opportunity and helps motorists’ vehicles<br />
remain efficient. Plus, with new more<br />
environmentally friendly gas already in use<br />
and more innovations on the way, garages<br />
need to be aware and invest in training<br />
and the latest technology.”<br />
AS-235SB<br />
3.5T TWO POST LIFT<br />
£1,350 +VAT<br />
AS-6140TA<br />
4T TWO POST LIFT<br />
AS-6150A<br />
5T TWO POST LIFT<br />
AS-7530D<br />
MOBILE SCISSOR LIFT<br />
AS-7430H LOW ENTRY<br />
FULL RISE SCISSOR<br />
£1,699 +VAT £2,450 +VAT £1,699 +VAT £2,799 +VAT<br />
AS-6745P<br />
4.2T FOUR POST LIFT<br />
AS-8240TP<br />
4T SCISSOR LIFT<br />
AS-7251<br />
SINGLE POST LIFT<br />
AS-24SA<br />
TYRE MACHINE<br />
AS-B24<br />
WHEEL BALANCER<br />
£3,450 +VAT £5,300 +VAT £2,350 +VAT £740 +VAT £645 +VAT<br />
This is a sample of our huge range of garage equipment,<br />
always in stock and ready for immediate despatch.<br />
Visit the website<br />
for our full range<br />
www.automotechservices.co.uk Tel: 01889 579945<br />
EST 1972<br />
THE GARAGE 27<br />
27 Adverts.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:34
WORKSHOP<br />
MAHA UK repeats vital safety messages<br />
in response to two-post lift maintenance<br />
and user bad habits<br />
Maintaining lift pads and arm locks, as well as the proper use of adaptors “rather than lumps of wood”,<br />
are all key safety messages that MAHA UK is keen to emphasise. Here, the workshop equipment<br />
supplier advises technicians on how to maximise the longevity and performance of their two-post lifts,<br />
as well as keep themselves and the vehicles they’re working on safe.<br />
Lifting equipment needs to be<br />
assessed by a professional every<br />
12 months, in accordance with<br />
Lifting Operations and Lifting Equipment<br />
Regulations 1998 legislation. That same<br />
equipment also needs to be maintained<br />
regularly, the frequency of which is set out<br />
by the manufacturers’ recommendations<br />
in keeping with Provision and Use of Work<br />
Equipment Regulations 1998.<br />
Not doing so can lead to investigation<br />
by the Health and Safety Executive, then,<br />
if culpable, fines and even imprisonment,<br />
depending on the severity of the<br />
respective issue.<br />
Irresponsible users are not only putting<br />
the vehicles they’re working on in danger,<br />
but also their employer’s reputation<br />
and, more importantly, they’re putting<br />
themselves and their colleagues in a<br />
perilous position too.<br />
MAHA UK’s team of experts are still<br />
observing scenarios where correct<br />
maintenance procedures for lift pads<br />
and arm locks, as well as the use of<br />
appropriate adaptors, are not taking<br />
place.<br />
MAHA UK Sales Manager, Nick Austin,<br />
said: “Despite the risks, we are still<br />
observing deteriorated rubber pads<br />
on the ends of lifts where steel is then<br />
exposed. <strong>The</strong> point of the pads is to<br />
provide suitable contact with the vehicle<br />
to avoid it slipping off.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> solution to that is checking the pads<br />
regularly and replacing when necessary.<br />
MAHA UK offers replacement rubber pads<br />
and are not expensive to replace, so why<br />
take the risk?<br />
Don’t forget arm locks!<br />
Over time arm locks can deteriorate, due<br />
to wear and tear and considerable use,<br />
but misuse is also a common problem.<br />
<strong>The</strong> arm lock mechanism on any two-post<br />
lift is one of the most important safety<br />
features and should be checked for<br />
correct function before and during every<br />
use. Correct positioning and locking of the<br />
arms are very important.<br />
Blocks of wood replacing adaptors!<br />
Nick also reported witnessing technicians<br />
use a two-post lift without the correct<br />
adaptors; instead, they used blocks of<br />
wood!<br />
Nick said: “Rather than have a 200mm<br />
sleeve to reach the chassis or use a<br />
U-shaped adaptor that goes each side of<br />
the chassis, like an anti-slip sleeve – the<br />
rubber pad comes off and the anti-slip<br />
goes on – I continue to see an ordinary<br />
two-post lift with a great big oily block<br />
28 THE GARAGE<br />
28,29 Feature MAHA.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:35
of wood between the vehicle and the lift<br />
pad, which is completely unsafe!”<br />
Once again, this issue can be easily<br />
avoided, but Nick is concerned that<br />
because there are so many adaptors<br />
available and workshop managers are<br />
under pressure to get a vehicle up in the<br />
air, a block of wood is viewed as a solution<br />
– this is very wrong!<br />
He added: “It’s important that<br />
technicians are provided with the right<br />
adaptors, as it is vital to ensure the safe<br />
and effective use of a two-post lift. Once<br />
again, it’s a safety issue and could lead<br />
to serious consequences if an incident<br />
occurs. Like the rubber pads, they’re not<br />
expensive and certainly not as expensive<br />
as a new two-post lift!<br />
“We offer many types of adaptors, for<br />
many different vehicles including various<br />
EVs. Essentially, they lock onto the chassis<br />
via a locating hole or dedicated position<br />
along the sill. This type offers increased<br />
stability to prevent slip – why buy a lift but<br />
not the adaptors?<br />
MAHA UK MA STAR offers ‘triple<br />
safety’<br />
MAHA UK’s MA STAR range of two-post lifts<br />
guarantees outstanding safety, thanks to<br />
its spindle nut package, patented ‘giraffe’<br />
nut breakage detection, motor brake,<br />
sturdy and solid design, safe usability,<br />
simple maintenance and service, easy<br />
installation and intuitive operation.<br />
<strong>The</strong>se two-post lifts lift to 1,995mm<br />
and feature stable and torsion-resistant<br />
columns made from rolled H-section<br />
steel. <strong>The</strong>y’re capable of lifting vehicles<br />
up between three-and-a-half, five-and-ahalf<br />
or six-and-a-half tonnes, depending<br />
on which option is most appropriate for<br />
the workshop in question. <strong>The</strong>re is also an<br />
optional height measurement light barrier<br />
WORKSHOP<br />
that detects any obstacles on raising and<br />
lowering.<br />
Thanks to all of the safety features,<br />
along with their straightforward plug and<br />
play and intuitive, LED-based interfaces,<br />
the MA STAR range of lifts are a simple but<br />
effective range in practice.<br />
For more information, go to www.maha.<br />
co.uk/en/products /lifting-technology/<br />
two-post-lift~t2410<br />
Your trade<br />
Our tech<br />
#MyLamp<br />
Introducing new,<br />
brighter colours for<br />
our inspection lamps<br />
<strong>The</strong> RIL6100 MAGflex Rechargeable<br />
Mini LED Inspection Lamp has proved a<br />
popular lamp for technicians due to its<br />
bright 250 lumens, multi-angle functionality<br />
and magnetic base.<br />
We’ve now added two new colour options<br />
to choose from, blue and yellow, so they<br />
are distinctive and easily noticeable in a<br />
workshop environment.<br />
Find out more at:<br />
www.ringautomotive.com<br />
/ringautomotive<br />
RIL6100 RIL6100B RIL6100Y<br />
THE GARAGE 29<br />
28,29 Feature MAHA.indd 2 27/07/2023 15:09<br />
15185 05 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Garage</strong> 186 x 134mm Advert.indd 1 22/06/2023 13:21
WORKSHOP<br />
Delphi sees strong<br />
demand for BlueTech car kit<br />
Delphi says demand from independent garages for its BlueTech diagnostics package<br />
has been rising, as awareness of the platform’s advanced capabilities grows.<br />
First launched in 2021, the BlueTech<br />
vehicle communication interface<br />
(VCI) brings state-of-the-art OBD<br />
diagnostics to garages. Though they can<br />
choose to buy the DS180 BlueTech VCI<br />
only, most are now opting for the ‘Car Kit’<br />
package, upgraded in the first quarter of<br />
2023.<br />
<strong>The</strong> ‘Car Kit’ combines the DS180<br />
VCI hardware with a carry case - plus<br />
accessories including the USB hub needed<br />
to support J2534 ‘Pass-Thru’. <strong>The</strong> kit also<br />
includes a faster, larger and more powerful<br />
tablet to run the growing software<br />
resources quickly and reliably.<br />
With the upgraded tablet proving a<br />
popular attraction, Delphi urges garages<br />
looking at making investment in enhancing<br />
their diagnostics capabilities to do two<br />
things. <strong>The</strong> first is to take a long-term<br />
view and the second is to fully evaluate<br />
the resources and support behind the<br />
equipment.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> challenge is to not just think about<br />
today but the vehicles you will see in 3 to<br />
5 years time as you don’t want to discover<br />
you are restricted later,” said Marco<br />
Lagomarsini, EMEA Commercial Lead for<br />
Workshop Solutions at Delphi Aftermarket.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> problem for technicians is more and<br />
more jobs on newer vehicles will require a<br />
modern diagnostic tool and connectivity is<br />
becoming more tightly controlled.<br />
“Our BlueTech VCI offers a ‘future<br />
proof’ solution that works as seamlessly<br />
as possible with the latest vehicle<br />
manufacturer gateways with excellent<br />
coverage and capabilities too.”<br />
<strong>The</strong> DS180 BlueTech device is J2534<br />
Pass-Thru enabled to ‘flash’ update ECUs<br />
effectively. It also offers an ‘integrated<br />
solution’ for easy connection through<br />
the security gateways of many vehicle<br />
manufacturers, saving technicians the<br />
time of completing multiple manual<br />
registrations for different VM portals.<br />
Delphi’s simple licencing model includes<br />
their full support package. This brings<br />
free access to the diagnostic e-learning<br />
content on Delphi Academy. <strong>The</strong> fee also<br />
ensures access to a technical hotline and<br />
‘lifetime warranty’ on the VCI hardware<br />
where an uninterrupted licence is in place.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> licence includes ADAS capabilities,<br />
security gateways and VRM look-up so<br />
there’s no ‘extras’ to pay later,” said<br />
Marco. “<strong>The</strong> e-learning resources are<br />
comprehensive to help garages set up<br />
and use the package, run procedures and<br />
better understand Pass-Thru and security<br />
gateways.”<br />
Find out more at: www.delphiautoparts.<br />
com/en-gb/diagnostics-test-equipment<br />
30 THE GARAGE<br />
30,Feature Delphi.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:36
WORKSHOP<br />
Philips Xperion 6000 Workshop light range<br />
gathers several honours since its launch<br />
<strong>The</strong> Philips Xperion 6000 Workshop light range has gathered several honours<br />
since its launch. Now, the three Philips Xperion 6000 Flood series, lights<br />
launched late 2022, have also been honoured with two highly esteemed<br />
international design awards for 2023: <strong>The</strong> Red Dot and the IF Design Awards<br />
<strong>The</strong> Red Dot award recognizes products that demonstrate<br />
outstanding design, and the Red Dot jurors praised the<br />
Xperion 6000 Floods’ functionality and ability to create an<br />
optimised working environment.<br />
Concept, function, and adaptability are the areas in which the<br />
Philips Flood lights scored highest for the iF Design Award jurors.<br />
Both competitions attract thousands of entries annually and are<br />
judged by design experts worldwide.<br />
<strong>The</strong> Red Dot seal of international design quality<br />
<strong>The</strong> Red Dot Design Award, whose origins date back to the 1950s,<br />
is internationally recognised for highlighting the best in design<br />
and innovation. <strong>The</strong> Product Design category draws entries from<br />
sectors as diverse as fashion, robotics, and sports equipment.<br />
Submissions are evaluated on various criteria, including functional<br />
performance and aesthetics, with the jury awarding the prized<br />
Red Dot to products that set new standards in design.<br />
can remotely power the light on or off by simply waving a hand,<br />
and thanks to a smart motion-detection function, the light will<br />
respond. <strong>The</strong>ir “smart handle” can be used as a support to hold<br />
the light up by itself; as a hook to hang the light from; can be<br />
screwed onto a tripod or attached to any metal surface with its<br />
integrated magnets.<br />
Commenting on the design honours, Andy Fengchao Guo,<br />
Lumileds Global Product Manager for LED Work Lights, said:<br />
“Receiving both of these esteemed awards in the same year<br />
is a remarkable accomplishment, which highlights the careful<br />
consideration and innovative design behind our Philips Xperion<br />
6000 Flood light series. Based on customer feedback, those who<br />
utilise our Philips Xperion 6000 work lights appear to share the<br />
same sentiment as the judges”.<br />
To find out more, please visit: Philips.com/Xperion-6000<br />
<strong>The</strong> iF Design Award, a global symbol of excellent design<br />
Celebrating skilful design for nearly 70 years, the iF Design Awards<br />
provide an arena for quality and creativity of design in a range<br />
of disciplines. Working in groups of three, jurors rate each entry<br />
against five specific benchmarks. In 2023 from a pool of over<br />
10,000 products and projects, the Philips Xperion 6000 flood<br />
lights range was chosen as a clear winner in the tools category.<br />
Philips Xperion 6000 Flood lights: Advanced lighting<br />
performance designed for professionals<br />
Created with input from car mechanics, the three Philips Xperion<br />
6000 Flood light series bring a unique smart-zoom function and<br />
high-performance LED illumination to the workshop market.<br />
<strong>The</strong> professional Philips Flood, Flood Audio, and Flood Mini work<br />
lights help mechanics and other auto professionals see almost<br />
anywhere, and offer the durability, flexibility, and battery lifetime<br />
expected from professional-grade equipment.<br />
Every Philips Xperion 6000 Flood light offers a variable beam:<br />
a wide-angle homogeneous beam for illuminating large areas<br />
and a focused beam that concentrates illumination to small<br />
areas providing superior contrast and brightness that is ideal for<br />
detailed inspections.<br />
With the Philips Xperion Flood or Flood Audio, professionals<br />
THE GARAGE 31<br />
31,Feature Philips Xperion.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:37
NEWS<br />
Autogem’s<br />
Under Pressure 2023 praised<br />
for inflating TPMS standards<br />
Automotive retail bosses and industry<br />
experts have praised Autogem for<br />
raising standards and awareness<br />
about TPMS systems, after its nationwide<br />
competition to discover the UK’s most<br />
talented technicians concluded in style.<br />
More than 1,000 retail sites entered<br />
Under Pressure ’23, with 12 technicians<br />
beating hundreds to make the final, putting<br />
their problem-solving skills to the test at the<br />
Pirelli Performance Centre (PPC) in Burtonupon-Trent<br />
on Wednesday June 28.<br />
In its second year, Autogem raised the<br />
bar with an under-23 technician category<br />
for the first time, focusing on young,<br />
emerging talent to supplement its large<br />
retailer and small retailer entries.<br />
Pirelli’s state-of-the-art facility<br />
represented one of the most impressive<br />
workshops in the UK for the final, in an event<br />
designed to celebrate excellence whilst<br />
attracting and retaining talent within the<br />
industry at a critical time. Hosting Under<br />
Pressure ’23at the venue also allowed<br />
Autogem to include a new practical test to<br />
put finalists under even more pressure than<br />
last year.<br />
Under Pressure ’23 is the industry’s<br />
only dedicated campaign to celebrate<br />
excellence in TPMS customer engagement<br />
and technical resolution. It’s a further<br />
commitment from Autogem to position the<br />
technology as a stand-alone category on a<br />
par with brakes, batteries, tyres or any other<br />
aspect of motoring care.<br />
A judging panel observed and questioned<br />
each finalist after they tended to a specially<br />
prepared car with hidden TPMS issues<br />
and faults, with scores being given for all<br />
aspects of their performance.<br />
Protyre’s Liam Healy was crowned<br />
the TPMS Expert (large retailer) along<br />
with Hometyre’s Craig Schwartz (small<br />
retailer), with Lewis Marshall from Formula<br />
One Autocentres winning the under-23s<br />
category. All finalists were praised for<br />
their ability in detecting various TPMS<br />
faults in a quick and efficient manner and<br />
communicating them clearly thereafter.<br />
Autogem’s Managing Director Prashant<br />
Chopra said: “What an event! We couldn’t<br />
have wished for a better venue, with more<br />
talented finalists, all of whom displayed<br />
some incredible skills under real pressure.<br />
“<strong>The</strong> aim was to raise standards in TPMS<br />
diagnosis and resolution and to elevate the<br />
profile of the category as a whole. It’s safe<br />
to say that we delivered and we couldn’t be<br />
happier as a result.<br />
“We were so impressed with the finalists.<br />
<strong>The</strong>ir sense of professionalism, desire to win<br />
and pride was great to see, as was a sense<br />
of real camaraderie. It was competitive, but<br />
with a sense of togetherness throughout.<br />
Motoring journalist Rob Marshall added:<br />
“Autogem have raised the bar once again,<br />
and we can’t praise them enough for<br />
their initiative in what was an event we’ll<br />
remember for a long time. TPMS is safety<br />
critical and part of the MOT test. It is<br />
important to raise awareness, which is what<br />
Autogem have done so well here.”<br />
Prashant concluded: ““It gave such pride<br />
to see so many talented working so hard to<br />
win. We feel we’ve created something really<br />
special with Under Pressure ’23.<br />
“To see so many customers embrace this<br />
initiative meant a lot, and reminds us that<br />
TPMS is a vital area of the aftermarket that<br />
really matters to retailers. I’m happy to warn<br />
our wonderful TPMS gladiators to get ready<br />
for even more pressure in ‘24”<br />
For more information about Autogem and<br />
TPMS, visit www.autogem.co.uk<br />
32 THE GARAGE<br />
32,News AutoGem.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:39
Products and Services<br />
Contact Paul Leith on 01952 415334<br />
GARAGE EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION AND SERVICES<br />
MEMBERSHIP BODIES<br />
www.hilliers-ltd.com 0330 123 3240<br />
◦ PLAN<br />
◦ DESIGN<br />
◦ INSTALL<br />
◦ SERVICE<br />
◦ CALIBRATE<br />
◦ MAINTAIN<br />
LOOKING TO PURCHASE<br />
GARAGE EQUIPMENT ?<br />
For peace of mind always purchase<br />
<strong>Garage</strong> Equipment and Services from a GEA Member.<br />
Member companies will always follow the<br />
<strong>Garage</strong> Equipment Association’s<br />
Code of Conduct.<br />
Upholding Industry standards since 1945<br />
GARAGE EQUIPMENT INSTALLATION AND SERVICES<br />
MOT WALLETS<br />
Hillier 3x1.indd 1 01/12/2022 15:08<br />
MOT Wallets from<br />
£178/1000<br />
www.motwallets.co.uk 0800 097 5254<br />
sales@kpsprinters.co.uk<br />
MECHANICAL & ELECTRONIC KEY AND ASSET MANAGEMENT<br />
TRADE SHOWS AND EVENTS<br />
Professional<br />
TOW SHOW<br />
2023<br />
TELFORD INTERNATIONAL CENTRE<br />
THE LARGEST TRADE SHOW<br />
IN THE UK, DEDICATED TO<br />
THE VEHICLE RECOVERY AND<br />
ROADSIDE ASSISTANCE INDUSTRY<br />
WEDNESDAY 20 th<br />
AND THURSDAY 21 st<br />
SEPTEMBER 2023<br />
For latest information about the show contact<br />
Nick Phipps. 01952 415334 | nick.phipps@ppmedia.co.uk<br />
www.recoverytowshow.co.uk<br />
Products and Services<br />
To advertise in...<br />
Products<br />
and Services<br />
costs just only...<br />
£65<br />
+ VAT PER MONTH<br />
(Advert size = 91mm x 31mm)<br />
Commit to 12 issues and get<br />
12 adverts for the price of 10.<br />
ELECTRIC VEHICLES<br />
For more details or to book your next advert contact<br />
Paul Leith<br />
paul.leith@ppmedia.co.uk 01952 415334<br />
www.garageandmot.com<br />
BRAKES<br />
TOOLS<br />
THE GARAGE<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
For all your<br />
workshop needs<br />
Tel: 01952 415334<br />
WWW.GARAGEANDMOT.COM<br />
TRAINING<br />
OILS<br />
WORKSHOP FURNITURE<br />
THE GARAGE<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
THE GARAGE<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
For all your<br />
workshop needs<br />
Tel: 01952 415334<br />
WWW.GARAGEANDMOT.COM<br />
THE GARAGE<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
For all your<br />
workshop needs<br />
Contact Ben Coates on 01952 415334<br />
THE GARAGE<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
For all your<br />
workshop needs<br />
Tel: 01952 415334<br />
WWW.GARAGEANDMOT.COM<br />
For all your<br />
workshop needs<br />
Tel: 01952 415334<br />
WWW.GARAGEANDMOT.COM<br />
THE GARAGE<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
Tel: 01952 415334<br />
WWW.GARAGEANDMOT.COM<br />
For all your<br />
workshop needs<br />
Tel: 01952 415334<br />
WWW.GARAGEANDMOT.COM<br />
WORKSHOP EQUIPMENT<br />
THE GARAGE<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
For all your<br />
workshop needs<br />
Tel: 01952 415334<br />
WWW.GARAGEANDMOT.COM<br />
Advertising in<br />
Products and Services<br />
costs just £65.00 + VAT<br />
a month.<br />
Commit to twelve<br />
issues and get 12 adverts<br />
for the price of 10.<br />
TRAINING<br />
Advert size = 91mm x 31mm<br />
THE GARAGE<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
For all your<br />
workshop needs<br />
Tel: 01952 415334<br />
WWW.GARAGEANDMOT.COM<br />
WORKSHOP FURNITURE<br />
THE GARAGE<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
For all your<br />
workshop needs<br />
Tel: 01952 415334<br />
WWW.GARAGEANDMOT.COM<br />
AIR CONDITIONING<br />
TYRES<br />
TRAINING<br />
THE GARAGE<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
For all your<br />
workshop needs<br />
Tel: 01952 415334<br />
WWW.GARAGEANDMOT.COM<br />
THE GARAGE<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
For all your<br />
workshop needs<br />
Tel: 01952 415334<br />
WWW.GARAGEANDMOT.COM<br />
THE GARAGE<br />
MAGAZINE<br />
For all your<br />
workshop needs<br />
Tel: 01952 415334<br />
WWW.GARAGEANDMOT.COM<br />
Classified Example.indd 1 27/01/2021 13:53:17<br />
THE GARAGE 33<br />
33 Product and Services.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:40
PEOPLE<br />
People stories and movements from around your industry<br />
Marketing Manager<br />
joins First Line Ltd<br />
Aftermarket specialist First Line Ltd. has appointed Alex<br />
Jarvis-Cleaver as its new marketing manager to spearhead<br />
the company’s communications strategy and drive brand<br />
awareness.<br />
Jarvis-Cleaver has a wealth of<br />
experience in marketing, having<br />
led marketing operations at a<br />
manufacturer of torque tools<br />
for six years, prior to a brief<br />
career break that saw him take<br />
on a trip across the United<br />
States.<br />
In his new role, alongside<br />
developing and executing First<br />
Line Ltd.’s marketing strategy,<br />
Jarvis-Cleaver will handle all<br />
communications, producing<br />
the company’s regular email<br />
newsletters, social media<br />
content, and designing its<br />
popular branded goods, as well<br />
as attending trade exhibitions<br />
to ensure the company can<br />
continue to embrace the<br />
latest industry updates and<br />
innovations.<br />
On his new role, Jarvis-<br />
Cleaver said: “I’m excited to<br />
have joined First Line – a very<br />
successful organisation with a<br />
fantastic reputation that’s only<br />
growing.<br />
“It’s a renowned aftermarket<br />
brand set apart by its quality of<br />
products, and extensive range<br />
of over 40,000 references<br />
across 60 product lines. <strong>The</strong>re’s<br />
so much potential within<br />
the company and I’m looking<br />
forward to driving further<br />
awareness of what First Line<br />
can offer the aftermarket.”<br />
Ramón<br />
Hoekman<br />
expands role<br />
within WAI<br />
WAI’s Vice-President of Sales Europe, Ramón Hoekman, has<br />
expanded his role to ensure a greater involvement in the overall<br />
sales and commercial aspects of the business, as the<br />
organisation aligns under the new umbrella, WAI Europe.<br />
<strong>The</strong> announcement comes following a number of<br />
leadership changes made by the global auto electrical<br />
specialist, which saw current UK managing director Richard<br />
Welland now appointed as President of Europe, overseeing all<br />
European operations.<br />
Hoekman joined the company in 2007 as a Business<br />
Development Manager, working his way up to VP Sales EMEA.<br />
In his new role Ramón will work closely with Richard to enhance<br />
commercial operations and strengthen WAI’s presence in the<br />
European market.<br />
Commenting on his expanded role, Hoekman said: “I’m<br />
excited to be undertaking this new role within WAI, at a time<br />
when the WAI brand is increasing its profile among customers in<br />
the European aftermarket. Through our continued investment,<br />
we are meeting the needs of an evolving sector and ensuring<br />
customers benefit from a high quality, reliable partner.”<br />
Richard Welland added: “Ramón has consistently<br />
demonstrated remarkable dedication and passion for driving<br />
growth within our organisation.<br />
Mark Armitage joins Autotech<br />
Group as Commercial Director<br />
Autotech Group has announced the appointment of Mark Armitage, FIMI,<br />
as Commercial Director - a newly created position for the progressive company.<br />
With over 30 years of industry<br />
experience, most recently<br />
at <strong>The</strong> Institute of the Motor<br />
Industry (IMI), Mark brings a<br />
wealth of knowledge to the<br />
position and is set to drive the<br />
growth of Autotech Group’s<br />
four divisions – Recruit, Training,<br />
Academy and Connect.<br />
Joining the automotive<br />
sector straight from school<br />
as an apprentice, Mark has<br />
worked across dealer groups,<br />
the Department of Education,<br />
and the RAC in a range of roles<br />
covering training and business<br />
development. Alongside<br />
senior management positions<br />
within the IMI, he was also<br />
instrumental in setting them<br />
up as an Apprentice End Point<br />
Assessment Organisation.<br />
While bringing a depth of<br />
industry knowledge to Autotech<br />
Group, Mark’s breadth of<br />
experience covers each of the<br />
company’s divisions which have<br />
all been created to drive talent<br />
into the automotive aftermarket<br />
and reduce the skills shortage.<br />
“I am delighted to join<br />
Autotech Group,” Mark<br />
comments. “<strong>The</strong> IMI does a<br />
tremendous job in supporting<br />
the sector and, after 8 years<br />
with them, I have cultivated a<br />
strong team who will succeed<br />
me and continue to drive<br />
forward the IMI with their own<br />
fresh ideas.<br />
<strong>The</strong>re is no getting away from<br />
the fact that the skills shortage<br />
is leaving a lasting legacy on the<br />
automotive industry and there<br />
are currently 26,000 vacancies<br />
within the sector. Over the<br />
years, I have got to know Gavin<br />
and the team at Autotech<br />
Group, and I have always been<br />
impressed with the company’s<br />
tenacity and ability to tackle the<br />
issues facing the sector head on.<br />
<strong>The</strong> recent addition of<br />
Autotech Connect to the<br />
company’s portfolio cemented<br />
my desire to work with them<br />
as I have always been a strong<br />
advocate for introducing digital<br />
and technological solutions into<br />
a business.”<br />
We are looking forward to<br />
seeing how Mark will drive our<br />
company divisions forward<br />
and take our expertise to new,<br />
untapped sub sectors of the<br />
industry.”<br />
34 THE GARAGE<br />
34 people.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:42
TO RECEIVE<br />
YOUR WEEKLY COPY<br />
OF GARAGE PULSE,<br />
MAKE SURE YOU<br />
SUBSCRIBE<br />
TODAY!<br />
We have a range of online advertising packages available.<br />
For more details please contact Paul Leith.<br />
Call: 01952 415334<br />
email: paul.leith@ppmedia.co.uk or visit: www.garageandmot.com<br />
<strong>Garage</strong> Pulse Fillers.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:42
Professional<br />
TOW SHOW<br />
2023<br />
THE LARGEST<br />
TRADE SHOW<br />
IN THE UK<br />
DEDICATED TO THE<br />
VEHICLE RECOVERY<br />
AND ROADSIDE<br />
ASSISTANCE<br />
INDUSTRY<br />
TELFORD INTERNATIONAL CENTRE<br />
Wednesday 20 and Thursday 21 September 2023<br />
•All Industry Display Outside Demos<br />
•Vintage Recovery Vehicle Display<br />
•FREE Entry and FREE Parking<br />
•Business Seminar Programme<br />
For latest information about the show contact Nick Phipps:<br />
01952 415334 | Nick.Phipps@kelsey.co.uk<br />
recoverytowshow.co.uk<br />
Tow Show 23 adverts.indd 4 27/07/2023 12:17