GSF is hoping the development of its bodyshop business will be boosted thanks to a new national distribution agreement with Autel. The diagnostic equipment manufacturer has signed an agreement with GSF which will see the distributor offering Autel diagnostic and analyst systems to its UK bodyshop customers. As part of the agreement GSF will be offering free on-site assessments and Autel product demonstrations at customer premises. The assessments will be conducted by a support team of five technicians based at GSF’s Head Office in Birmingham.
News
CAT garage lives: Frogs Island 4X4
Frogs Island is a workshop with a difference. While the garage still gets its daily bread from servicing and repair work, many of its jobs are on a much larger scale than the average workshop. The 4x4 specialist started out as a one-man band in the early 1990s. Manager Gary Arnold says that the biggest change in the company came in 2008 when it was bought by 4x4 components supplier AllMakes
TTC is heading down under
Truck and Trailer Components is opening new business in Australia. Current Head of Marketing Darren Miller will be moving to the warmer climate to head up the new operation, which will be based in Sydney. The move is set to take place in September, with TTC confirming it will look to partner with key brands and suppliers already in the country.
FACOM OPENS NEW ROUTE TO MARKET
Facom has found a new route to market after partnering with tool loan site, Rent2Repair. The tool supplier has signed up to the service, which allows garages and technicians to hire tools for a specific job at 24 hours notice.
Aftermarket hits back over BMW thefts
A number of aftermarket personalities have hit back at claims that a recent rise in BMW thefts is down to independent garages. Brian Spratt of the IAAF and Stuart Carr of fast fit chain HiQ have both expressed concern over a series of articles claiming that block exemption legislation is behind the rise.
HALFORDS BOSS RESIGNS FOLLOWING POOR SALES
Halfords Group boss “has agreed to leave the Board of Halfords and will cease to be employed with immediate effect." Halfords Chairman Dennis Millard will head the company during the search for a new CEO and said: “It is felt that now is the right time for a change of leadership in the Group."
CAT lives: BEN
What is BEN? It’s your industry charity. What does BEN do? It offers care, support and welfare to the motor trade. Who is BEN for? You, your family, and your dependants. No less than 15,000 people are helped by BEN every year, but that figure is quickly dwarfed when Head of Marketing Ray Diggins explains the scope of BEN’s remit.
Parts Alliance comment on Camberley sale
Parts Alliance Chairman Steve Fulford has expressed his 'disappointment' over the sale of Camberley Auto Factors to Andrew Page. Fulford founded PA in 1999, when he was also Managing Director of Allparts Automotive.
ANDREW PAGE SWOOPS ON CAF
Andrew Page has bought key Parts Alliance member Camberley Auto Factors (CAF) for an undisclosed sum. The biggest member of The Parts Alliance, CAF’s 30 branches means Andrew Page now has a network of more than 90 sites.
ANDREW PAGE SWOOPS ON CAF
Andrew Page has bought key Parts Alliance member Camberley Auto Factors (CAF) for an undisclosed sum. The biggest member of The Parts Alliance, CAF’s 30 branches means Andrew Page now has a network of more than 90 sites.