[caption id="attachment_5573" align="alignright" width="150" caption="Wilkes leaves Halfords after 5 1/2 years of being Autocentre CEO"][/caption]
When Halfords snapped up the UK’s biggest independent garage chain last February, it was an event that made the trade sit up and take notice. CAT was with one of the industry’s top supplier bosses when he got the call, made his excuses and dashed off to deal with whatever the fallout of the sale might be.
The nominations for the CAT awards 2012 are now open! It's time to recognise the heroes of the aftermarket. Past winners have seen business improve on all levels.
It's almost time to kick off nominations for the 2012 CAT Awards. Not only a chance for people in the aftermarket to shine individually, winning opens up new business doors.
GARAGE OF THE YEAR: sponsored by Euro Car Parts
SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR 2011 - sponsored by Corteco
Robert Bosch
CAT readers’ Supplier of the Year in 2008 and 2009, Bosch is keen to reclaim its title. The company supplies more than 2 million parts a year and its OFT-approved Bosch Car Service scheme was recently rated best out of all garage networks investigated by consumer watchdog Which?
GREEN INNOVATION OF THE YEAR 2011 - sponsored by TRW
PISTON RING, Federal-Mogul
Federal-Mogul’s two-piece LKZ piston ring is claimed to reduce oil consumption by as much as half and decrease friction by up to 15 percent. It improves fuel economy and reduces CO2 emissions, prolonging the life of the engine oil.
RETAILER OF THE YEAR 2011 - sponsored by Haynes
EURO CAR PARTS, Wembley
Euro Car Parts now has a retail outlet at almost all of its 75+ sites, so it’s no surprise to see the company nominated in the Retailer of the Year category. ECP promises motorists savings of up to 70 percent on parts, tools and accessories.
PERSON OF THE YEAR 2011
GARY BARAK, Chicane Marketing
Gary co-founded aftermarket PR company Chicane and is a well-known personality in the industry, which he has served for more than 24 years since working for CAT mag in the late ‘80s. His industry work includes setting up the AutoExCel trade show initiative and winning political backing for the BSI Kitemark.
Autonational have pleasure in announcing an increased range of dual mass fly wheel clutch kits to our range these are brand new and come with a 2 year or 20,000 miles warranty. This range is in addition to our already 200 plus clutch kits for a wide range of vehicles they are brand new replacements fully guaranteed, major manufacturers are used to supply this range for more details please visit our website to view all our catalogue range – www.autonationalltd.co.uk