UK News
Absolute Alignment introduces first 20 Approved Motorsport Centres
Wheel alignment equipment supplier Absolute Alignment has announced its first Absolute Alignment Approved Motorsport Centres in the UK. More than 20 workshops are in the company’s new network, which it says is “dedicated to providing the best in race car servicing and set-up.”
Kwik Fit and BTCC to support Children with Cancer UK
Following the news that Kwik Fit has chosen Children with Cancer UK as its charity of the year, the leading fast-fit firm has announced that it is utilising its BTCC sponsorship over the 2019 season to raise funds for the charity. The announcement is being made at the Kwik Fit British Touring Car Championship (BTCC) stand at Autosport International, the first public event for the BTCC under the new title sponsorship for 2019.
Pirelli unveiled as BAC Mono OE tyre partner
The Briggs Automotive Company (BAC) and Pirelli have announced a new original equipment agreement at Autosport International. Pirelli’s head of car racing, Mario Isola, Pirelli UK motorsport manager Jonathan Wells, and BAC co-founders Neill and Ian Briggs jointly introduced the arrangement, which means the British manufacturer’s Mono will run on the P Zero Trofeo R.
ECP founder resigns as LKQ announces executive leadership changes
LKQ Corporation has detailed the full changes in leadership at its business in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland, following the departure of CEO Martin Gray and subsequent appointment of Andy Hamilton as chief executive officer of the Euro Car Parts Group (ECP). Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia, ECP’s founder forty years ago, resigned from his positions as a director of LKQ Corporation and as executive chairman of its ECP subsidiary. He had previously, in September 2017, agreed a contract for three further years as executive chairman of LKQ's operations in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.
TerraClean Giveaway Day – ‘a great success’
Randstad, UK distributors of TerraClean, recently hosted a unique one-off event to help develop the brand, giving away over £10,000 worth of services. In a competition on social media which attracted hundreds of applicants, 100 lucky winners were drawn. On a wet and windy day, TerraClean felt fortunate that 90 motorists turned up and in […]
Bridgestone Europe’s FleetBridge system integrates e-jobsheet in UK
The integration of CAM’s e-jobsheet into Bridgestone Europe’s FleetBridge system has gone live this week. The systems provider states that the integration will enable the open-access, digital tablet-based service work exchange platform for truck, bus, van, and now also car, to deliver greater shared accuracy between e-jobsheet dealer subscribers and Bridgestone Europe.
Bridgestone strengthens motocross grip with Crescent Yamaha
Crescent Yamaha has opted to fit Bridgestone’s Battlecross tyres as it strives for success in the ACU British Championship and MX Nationals series. The official Yamaha UK-supported team will compete for podiums with the latest GYTR-equipped 2019 YZF bikes. Northern Ireland’s Martin Barr will compete in MX2 on the all-new 2019 Yamaha YZ250F in MX2, while Bournemouth’s Jake Shipton will continue in the premier MX1 class with the 2019 Yamaha YZ450F.
ATG showcases high performance flotation, high flexion tyres at LAMMA 2019
Alliance Tire Group (ATG) is showcasing the brand’s agricultural expertise at LAMMA, the UK’s largest agricultural and machinery show (8-9 January 2019, Birmingham NEC). It is displaying its row crop Agriflex 363 IF and the Agriflex 372 VF for tractors, the Alliance 389VF, Alliance 885 and Alliance 882 Agri-Transport radial flotation tyres for implements, and the versatile Multiuse 550. The Alliance agricultural tyre range is exclusively distributed in the UK and Ireland by Kirkby Tyres.
Universal Components latest CV supplier to join IAAF
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) has welcomed aftermarket wholesaler Universal Components UK Ltd (TVS ASL) to its swelling membership roster, as the latest commercial vehicle supplier to sign up and seize advantage of the raft of opportunities available to them as a member.
Extra seven million vehicles covered by existing SMPE parts
Standard Motor Products Europe (SMPE), one of the UK's largest independently owned automotive parts manufacturers and suppliers, has announced that a combined seven million additional vehicles are now covered by two of its existing ranges, for its Air Mass Meters and Oxygen (O2) sensors.
Garage equipment apprentices win first prize in apprenticeship challenge
Autoparts Garage Equipment apprentices Louis Kane and Darren McCaig have won the Glasgow Apprenticeship Challenge, fighting off stiff competition from companies across the city.
Landsail Tyres extends partnership with driving charity Speed of Sight: video
Disabled driving charity Speed of Sight and Landsail Tyres have announced a major extension of their title sponsorship deal for 2019. In 2018 the Manchester-based charity used the partnership to extend its reach across the UK, offering more car enthusiasts with disabilities the chance to enjoy the thrill of driving on a track day than ever before.
Michelin TPMS light fleet system offers peace of mind for towing solutions
Cheshire-based Towing Solutions has praised the Michelin Tyre Pressure Management System Light Fleet a year after it was fitted as offering “ultimate peace of mind” during its trailer towing training courses. The system, developed by Wheely-Safe, is currently fitted to two different specification trailers towed by the firm’s Hyundai Tucson, with the aim to introduce the system across the remaining two trailers and two caravans in the fleet.
Practical emergence of RFID unlocks data opportunities
The industrialisation of big data has been progressing quickly in recent years within the automotive segment. TPMS sensor technology and the networks they feed data into have enabled increasingly sophisticated software systems to be created to use the massive amount of data we are now able to collect more effectively. Such systems are also able to increase the business applications of another technology, radio-frequency identification, or RFID, helping commercial tyre distribution chains to increase cost, time, and safety efficiency as well as accuracy in their collection of data. Steve Daly, commercial director of CAM, the provider of e-jobsheet, TiDaeX, and the Online Tyre Catalogue, told Tyres & Accessories about the opportunities RFID is now unlocking, and how future, more affordable reading technology could increase the reach of these gains.