Children’s ‘Despicable’ movie choice – Micheldever/Protyre
A Micheldever/Protyre survey has confirmed children’s despicable taste in movies. Asked for their favourite film of the summer, Despicable Me 2 beat Frozen and How to Train your Dragon to first place. The survey draws attention to the need to keep children happy in the back of cars on family holidays, with portable video players an increasingly popular method of doing so.
Continue ReadingUnipart Automotive is no more
After two weeks of intensive rescue talks, on Thursday 25th July, Unipart Automotive announced that it and its private equity owners (H2 Equity Partners) had failed to find a buyer for the loss-making company and had therefore called in administrators KPMG. Before that news made it to press, the administrators sold a comparatively small part of the business to a newly formed joint venture made up of car parts/workshop equipment distributors Andrew Page and The Parts Alliance. The deal sees Andrew Page acquire 21 branches and The Parts Alliance a total of 12. A total of 361 staff employed across these sites have transferred to Andrew Page and The Parts Alliance with immediate effect. Andrew Page announced it had rejoined The Parts Alliance on 8 July, the same day the news broke that Unipart Automotive had put the administrators on alert and was seeking out a rescue plan.
Continue ReadingWhat next for Unipart Automotive workers?
When the news broke that Unipart had entered administration, it will have been something of a blow for the 1800-odd “loyal” employees of the company. Indeed the only good thing for employees was the end of the speculation roller coaster than began with managers suggesting a rescue could come in 36 hours, followed by reports that Euro Car Parts was a front runner, and finally the announcement two weeks later that nothing could be done for the company. But what about staff?
Continue ReadingEuro Car Parts to create 1500 jobs over the next 18 months
Following the collapse of Unipart Automotive last week, competitor and former front-runner in potential rescue talks, Euro Car Parts, has announced that it plans to create 1500 jobs over the next 18 months. The fact that this figure is roughly equivalent to the entire size of the former Unipart Automotive workforce should not be overlooked. Neither should the obvious question – how? With this and the Unipart collapse in mind, what looks clear is that, compare with the first half of this year, the automotive aftermarket will be a significantly different place.
Continue ReadingDriverless cars? Survey says ‘no thanks’
A new study from Churchill Car Insurance of over 2,000 UK adults reveals that the majority (56 per cent) say they would not purchase a driverless car and a quarter (25 per cent) believes that autonomous vehicles will not be safe.
Continue ReadingJohnson is new RMI deputy chairman
The Retail Motor Industry Federation (RMI) has appointed Peter Johnson as the new deputy chairman with immediate effect.
Continue ReadingBEN offers ex-Unipart Automotive employees support
Following confirmation that Unipart Automotive has entered administration with job losses totalling 1,250 BEN (the automotive industry benevolence charity) is offering to support to those affected. The charity has contacted KPMG, the appointed administrators, and hopes that through them, and its own communications, it can ensure that those who have been displaced know BEN is on hand during this potentially difficult period.
Continue ReadingDexel goes live with CAM UniSerV system integration
The Dexel Tyre Group’s integration of CAM’s UniSerV application suite has gone live. The system is designed to help the commercial tyre supplier to increase job sheet processing efficiency. The system also provides a smoother transactional solution with tablet technology utilised for commercial jobs and breakdowns.
Continue ReadingConflicting views on higher speed limits for trucks
The Government has announced plans to raise the speed limit for lorries on single carriageway roads to 50 mph and the move has generated diametrically opposed views. On the pro side, Transport minister Claire Perry says that the move is part of a package of measures to cut congestion, reduce dangerous overtaking and help get the country moving. Brake, the road safety charity, has expressed serious concerns about the proposed limit increase and the announcement comes as a survey by Brake and Digby Brown solicitors reveals the extent of risky driving on country roads.
Continue ReadingWatling Tyres signs up for CAM’s UniSerV
Home counties independent tyre dealer, Watling Tyres has signed up to CAM’s UniSerV application suite. The platform will assist the retailer, which is primarily focused on commercial business, in streamlining job sheet processing, saving considerable admin time and cost, and professionalising its operation further.
Continue ReadingUnipart Automotive administrator to support staff redundancy procedures
Administrator KPMG will support 1,244 Unipart Automotive staff through the redundancy process. The firm said its team of employment specialists will also put staff in touch with job seeker services. Further information on Unipart Automotive for all interested parties will also be posted on KPMG’s Insolvency Portal.
Continue ReadingNew Boco Tyres JV aiming to increase Tyre Giant penetration
Tyre wholesaler Bond International has increased its direct involvement with the online tyre retail website Tyre Giant (tyregiant.com). Launched in September 2011, Tyre Giant was supplied by Bond from its inception, while the running of the operation was subcontracted to another retailer. Now, Bond has entered into a joint venture with digital marketing company Colewood Internet named Boco Tyres, which has taken over Tyre Giant operations, as well as those of Asda Tyres, the online tyre retail portal of the Big Four supermarket operated using Tyre Giant’s retail system. Boco Tyres has signalled its intentions to grow the online retailer’s penetration with a new price-match guarantee and a plan to grow the network of dealers within the Tyre Giant network. Tyrepress asked current director of Tyre Giant Philip Hankinson about the current plans to increase the online retailer’s business.
Continue ReadingAutopart Tyres helps tyre dealer to improve profits and customer service
MAM Software reports that tyre dealer Paul Jarrold Tyres Ltd has experienced significant growth since using MAM Autopart Tyres, MAM Software’s flagship business management solution for the tyre industry. Paul Jarrold has now extended its operations by purchasing the premises next door as a result of opening new revenue streams and enhancing the customer experience.
Continue ReadingUnipart Automotive branches’ fate – full list
33 Unipart Automotive sites were transferred to Andrew Page and The Parts Alliance in a deal that saved 361 jobs. The full list of sites taken on by Andrew Page and the Parts Alliance is published below, while the remaining 147 sites that are currently inactive follow.
Continue ReadingUnipart Group ‘saddened’, restates distance from Unipart Automotive
The Unipart Group has released a statement on Unipart Automotive’s descent into administration and the partial rescue by a joint deal between Andrew Page and The Parts Alliance. While expressing sympathy for the company’s plight, the Unipart Group sought to delineate the boundary between the Unipart business units of which it remains in control and the stricken parts distributor.
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