Long standing UK aftermarket supplier JRP Distribution is aiming to maintain its current course of exponential growth – and its ongoing relationships both UK and international partners will remain a crucial component of its success.
“We doubled our turnover in the five years up to 2020,” explained financial director Kelly Page, “and in the five years since then we more than doubled it again.” The company intends to stay on this trajectory too.
Demonstrating its resolve, the company recently threw open the doors at its 60,000 square foot office and warehouse near Chichester, West Sussex, and allowed the UK media a peek behind the curtain.
JRP, now led by the children of its founders, offers 4,000 products across the automotive and homecare markets. It began as a regional car parts distributor in 1981, before expanding intotools, electronics, homeware and lifestyle. Most recently it added cycling products. Following a look at the company’s history, it was time to look at the brands and products provided via JRP.
Full solution
First up was Sam Robinson, formerly of TRICO, but for the last two years Business Development Manager at Simply Brands. With his help, the company created, manufactured and launched its own wiper blade range in 2024, which includes both multi-fit flat blades that cater for 98% of the car parc, alongside conventional blades
New developments coming up include the inclusion of APC wiper connections with all flat multi-fit flat blades, new 10-inch rear wipers and a new wiper connection, with all-new packaging too. “We have every confidence in the product,” said Robinson. “We know it is consistent and reliable.” Robinson continued: “We’ve got everything catalogued in TecDoc, MAM etc. We have that data and can supply that to customers for them to use. Combined with the marketing and fitment support, we supply a full solution. We make it very easy for retailers and distributors to stock and sell.”
Highest rated
Next to put its case was American consumables brand Stoner Car Care, and its Invisible Glass cleaning products, demonstrated by David Pykett. “Invisible Glass is the number one-selling brand of glass cleaner in the USA,” said Pykett. “This includes aerosols, trigger sprays, wipes and repellent products.” As well as being a top seller across the Atlantic, the brand is making inroads in the UK, with its regular appearances on shopping channel QVC boosting its popularity beyond automotive, where it has gained a new audience. “It is now the highest rated household cleaning product on QVC,” Pykett revealed. As well as the cleaners, the company also offers tools to help get the job done, including the Reach & Clean Tool, which helps to fully clean the interior and exterior of vehicles. “There’s so many places you can use the Reach & Clean tool,” explained Pykett. Attendees were then able to try for themselves on their own cars outside.
Exceed
Sticking to the schedule, next came Jan Sorensen from JB Weld, the US-based company that has been at the forefront in epoxy resins, adhesives and other specialist products for the last 55 years. Key products include the J-B Weld Original Twin Tubes, two-part epoxy system, as well as the the SteelStik non-rusting epoxy putty and the Plastic Bonder Syringe, which is suitable for thermoset, carbon fibre composites, thermoplastics, coated metals and more. Focused products include ExhaustWeld Total Exhaust Repair Wrap, while ExtremeHeat is designed for high temperature environment iron, steel and metal repairs. Meanwhile, HighHeat is a hand mixable epoxy putty stick formulated to repair materials exposed to high temperatures.
This is not a price-driven market according to Sorensen. “What counts is if it can do what it is supposed to do, and if it can meet or exceed the expectation of the user.” He continued: “You may pay a little more for the product, but once you repair an area with JB Weld Epoxy, you never need to repair it again.” The product has provenance too. “This is the same formula that was created 55 years ago.” On how users view it, Sorensen noted. “There are over 60,000 videos on YouTube about JB Weld, and they are all positive. How many have we made? Zero.”
Taking a break from presentations, we were given a tour of JRP’s 60,000 square foot facility.
Unique
A change was in the wind subsequently as focus shifted towards consumer items in the shape of air fresheners from FRSH Scents. Its range includes hanging cards, liquid membranes, gel pots, scented polymer and vent sticks.A hit in Halfords, with the company’s Ultra Scents tins being the top selling air freshener across the chain, FRSH’s output is also highly sought-after in the middle aisle at Aldi. Meanwhile, the company maintains its motor sector cred through sponsorship of the Gumball 3000 endurance rally. “This is a unique marketing partnership,” said James Rankin from FRSH Scents,”and we have worked with them for the last four years.It helps us get in with different audiences.”
Next it was time to do it yourself withrepair kit specialists QUIXX and its range of DIY products, which include SMART alloy wheel repair kits, paint and interior repair kits. Examples include the QUIXX Paint Scratch Remover, Acrylic Scratch Remover, Glass Scratch Remover and the QUIXX Windshield Repair Kit. Then there is the Paint Repair Pen, the Stone Chip Repair Kit, Dent Repair Kit, and the Headlight Restoration Kit, as well as the Wheel Rim Repair Kit. “We are not in car care,” said Peter Van Mol,” clarifying their focus, “we are in car repair.” Confidence and following the instructions is vital. “We always tell our customers before they these products; ‘read the manual’,” added Van Mol.
New products
Having seen Simply Brands’ wipers range earlier, it was then the turn of Simply Brands CEO Ollie Page, who was covering the company’s ever-widening overall offering, which takes in the Simply Auto range of car accessories, Simply Tools, encompassing hand tools, pumps and tool sets and bike kit via Simply Cycling. Then there is charging products via Simply Power, and more. “One of our biggest ranges is car cleaning products,” Page explained. “Not the liquids, but the other materials. We started with 10 products, and we are now up to 70. Every year we introduce 15 or 20 new products.”
Notable items across ranges include a premium digital air compressor, adjustable EV charging cable, dash-cams and a vehicle dehumidifier that Ollie pointed out was winning over many EV owners. Beyond consumer products, the company also offers an OBD II Reader that operates in 10 languages.
Partnership
The final presentation of the day came from Akhil Valjee, founder of Eco Motive, the company behind products such as fuel efficiency product CleanDrive, head gasket sealant Gask-it and puncture-sealing solution TyreFix. This was demonstrated outside via a pre-filled tyre, and a sharp screwdriver applied with remarkable force. “With our formula, it’s not just a get-you-home product, thanks to our formula this will last for the life of the tyre.”
Kelly Page concluded: “We're the UK distributor in the auto accessories space. We're pretty sure we're also the fastest growing, and we plan to keep growing. As part of that journey, we're working in partnership with all these brands and more. They are a hugely important part of our future.”
Go to comments