The aftermarket rumour mill can be damn accurate when it wants to be. Murmurs of ECP’s sale to LKQ surfaced long before the news was made public, and details coming through the grapevine were almost bang on the money.
[caption id="attachment_8978" align="alignright" width="150" caption="What would QH think?"][/caption]
Vehicle manufacturing numbers fell in August but are still up overall in 2012 according to new figures from the SMMT. Car output fell by almost nine percent in August, but remains over 12 percent up over the year to date.
Ian Wagstaff dons his overalls for a day at this factor.
[caption id="attachment_8972" align="alignright" width="150" caption="The phones are already ringing at 7am"][/caption]
[caption id="attachment_8963" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Make sure you're not turning customers away"][/caption]
This is the time of year to quell any unrest and make sure your customers are staying loyal, says John Genge.
[caption id="attachment_8959" align="alignright" width="150" caption="The show attracted thousands of visitors"][/caption]
So that was our first Automechanika.
Apart from our Publisher David Harris the CAT team had never visited the aftermarket show before, and truth be told we didn't know what to expect.
The IAAF is taking over management of the Right 2 Choose campaign, having previously only provided administrative support to the group. The move is the result of campaign supporters asking the IAAF to take over. A statement from the group says the move addresses several concerns raised by members which together have led to a dilution of activities.
Andrew Page has announced a £3 million investment in its latest acquisition, Camberley Auto Factors. Since taking over the factor chain in July, Andrew Page has announced a number of changes geared at improving customer service and stock availability.
The Motex group of factors will leave the IFA at the end of September, joining the Parts Alliance on October 1st. The move was confirmed by Director Ian James this morning. No doubt the Parts Alliance will find Motex a welcome addition to the group.
Exhibitors love aftermarket trade shows like Automechanika because it allows them to do six months worth of meetings in just a few days.
Journalists love it too because it allows us to catch up with so many companies with the same purpose in mind, good business.
Walking through one of the many Frankfurt halls today I've already seen deals being struck and new customers being made. It is great to see the aftermarket selling itself so well.
At the same time I'm still astounded at the sheer size of the show. It's just taken me half an hour to get from a stand in Hall 6 to the press centre to post this.
There are some nice big, and small, facts and figures to consider when you think about Corteco and look into the history of its parent company, Freudenberg.
