Factor & supplier news

Groupauto says that garages need to change their focus away from price and look at providing exemplary service, which in turn will build trust with the customer. It says that workshops should follow members of its Approved Garage Scheme, which champions quality and trust as important factors when vehicles arrive at their garages

One week into the seven-week course Haynes Mechanix course and Group Chairman of Haynes Publishing, J Haynes explains why it is important to give the next generation the right tools for the future

Kicking off a week ago, Haynes Publishing Group will be taking a group of 15 year olds and older on an educational crash course of car mechanics over the next seven weeks. The Haynes Mechanix scheme will see members of the Prospex Youth Club, which supports young people in the North London borough of Islington, take a one week intensive course followed by five weeks of evening classes

The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation has heralded its first network meeting a success. The new series, available to IAAF members, was described as excellent, very informative and thought-provoking by the 30 attendees

TecDoc has added braking specialist Apec to its growing list of suppliers using its cataloguing and parts identification system. The braking supplier with more than 30 years experience of working with motor factors and garages will become an official data supplier for TecDoc’s CATALOG system

Officials from the European Commission have swooped on several exhaust manufacturers in the EU over concerns of cartels, restrictive business practices and/or the abuse of dominant market positions

Randstad has announced 2014 will be the first year of the TerraClean Awards at its recent industry conference. It will consist of 15 categories, including Best TerraClean Technician of the Year, Best Mystery Shop and Best Magazine Article, as well as the headline award of Overall Service Centre of the Year, where the winner will receive a holiday for two to Canada, the home of TerraClean

CatLoc has selected Kwik Fit and Halfords Autocentres as their new fitting partners as it looks make its protection devices more accessible to motorists. The deal will see the two nationwide chains, with more than 900 fast fit branches between them, sell and fit the catalytic converter and diesel particulate filter protection solutions

The aftermarket needs to be in a position to take advantage of the expected growth of the cabin air filter market, says Sogefi. The aftermarket giant says it is the only sector in the European filtration market that has continued to grow and has seen increases in excess of 10 percent

Groupauto and its approved garage scheme have increased their exposure by sponsoring the Power Maxed Racing team in the British Touring Car Championship (BTCC)