News

Tough trading conditions in Europe are taking a heavy toll on vehicle manufacturers and parts suppliers. Ford announced that it will close it’s Genk production facility in Belgium by 2014. Ford also confirmed that its Southampton Transit facility will close alongside a diesel plant in Dagenham.

Hot off the heels of Motex joining the UKPA last month comes news of another new member. Lancashire based BBC Superfactors has joined the Parts Alliance bringing six new sites to the group. Parts Alliance Chairman Steve Fulford says he is delighted with the decision.

CAT Magazine has passed a Twitter milestone by reaching 500 followers.

We're always at the heart of the UK independent automotive aftermarket and we've been impressed by how many companies are exploring the opportunities social media can bring.

So if you're a Twitter-talking business and want to join our growing list of followers, you can find us @CAT_Mag.

We haven't stopped at Twitter, either. We also recently launched our own Facebook page which is quickly becoming equally popular. You can find that by clicking this link.

A1 Motor Stores CEO Derrick Lawton will retire at the end of October. The move was announced amid a successful convention for A1 members in Lincolnshire last week. Lawton has headed A1 for the past 25 years and has grown the chain significantly.

[caption id="attachment_9055" align="alignleft" width="150" caption="Alignment is a good earner for some"][/caption]

[caption id="attachment_9044" align="alignright" width="150" caption="From Pets At Home to Halfords"][/caption]

Matt Davies has been announced as the new Chief Executive for the Halfords Group.

Starting today, the former Chief Executive of Pets At Home will take charge of the car and bike parts chain.

Allparts Automotive will benefit from a significant investment from HgCapital. The venture capitalist group has also invested in fellow Parts Alliance member CES, confirming Hg as the “mystery investor” alluded to in previous months.

This year there are more awards than ever before and more ways to get involved in the nominations process. Do you know a factor that goes above and beyond your expectations every time? Is one of your customers a garage that's beating the franchises at their own game? Nominations are now open.

[caption id="attachment_3916" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Klarius HQ"][/caption]

Klarius has sold QH Holland to Dutch holding company Sator.

Sator paid an undisclosed sum for the operation’s warehouse, vans and staff.

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]