Tag: franchise
First Stop names Mark Widdows as retail manager
First Stop has recruited Mark Widdows to the senior position of UK retail network manager after working with Goodyear Dunlop for 20 years, where he latterly served as national franchise manager for the HiQ network. The recruitment is seen as a statement of intent, as First Stop aims to grow its network and position itself as a major player in the fast-fit sector.
Point S signs Philippines master franchise in global push
Point S has expanded into the Philippines market. Connecting with the 7,641 islands that make up the Philippines is seen as a strategic move, following the operations expansion into India and Malaysia. According to the company, it will significantly increase Point S’s footprint in the Asian and global tyre landscape.
First Stop welcomes Harlow-based Uncle Tom’s Motorist Centre to network
The extension of First Stop’s fast fit network has continued to accelerate with the addition of Uncle Tom’s Motorist Centre. The Harlow based garage’s owner Laurence Nicholls has 45 years of experience, making Uncle Tom’s a mainstay in the community. He said the decision to become a First Stop partner would enable his business to continue improving and adding more strings to its bow.
Bridgestone 10th best Aussie franchise
Tyre maker Bridgestone has ranked 10th in the 10th annual list of Australia’s 10 best franchises, as voted by franchisees across the country.
Kwik Fit opens 10th branch in Hungary
Kwik Fit has begun automotive repairs and servicing at its 10th location in Hungary, with the addition of a new centre in Kecskemét. The opening ceremony for the centre was performed by Olympic medal winning wrestler Norbert Növényi and István Bogasov, Kecskemét city councillor, who joined centre owner Gyorgy Meszaros to mark the start of operations. Gyorgy Meszaros is running the Kecskemét centre under a franchise agreement with Kwik Fit Hungary. Meszaros has operated a car dealership on the site since 2003 and saw a Kwik Fit franchise as a way to offer customers a full range of automotive maintenance and repair services under an internationally respected brand.
Hankook Tire acquires Australia’s JAX Tyres
Australia’s JAX Tyres is now entirely owned by Hankook Tire. On 23 January, the South Korean firm acquired a 100 per cent stake in the franchise network of tyre retailers from its principal shareholder, company chairman Fred Hurrell, and others. The deal covers 83 outlets in the eastern states of Australia. While Hankook Tire hasn’t disclosed the sum it paid for JAX Tyres, Pulse shares that market observers estimate a KRW 100 billion (£68.8 million) price tag for the transaction.
Manchester tyre store PPM Autocare rebrands as HiQ West Gorton
HiQ has added Manchester tyre store PPM Autocare to its franchise network. The store, which has a good local reputation according to HiQ, will reopen as HiQ West Gorton. Commenting on the decision to move to the HiQ Network, workshop manager Phil Statham, said: “Having previously worked for HiQ I knew how PPM would fit well into the network. The level of support and communication we received prior to joining the HiQ network was excellent. It made the move to a HiQ branded store seamless. We are excited to see where the future takes us with HiQ.”
Michelin develops its retail position and Certified Centre Network
Michelin already has one of the most recognised brands in the market. Now the company is taking steps to ensure the distribution part of the business operates at the same level. At the end of February Tyres & Accessories met with Oliver Gros, head of ‘go to market’ distribution development within UK and Eire, who – you may remember from previous interviews in these pages – was previously head of two-wheel at Michelin Tyres Plc. At the same time we spoke with Mark Coleman, partnership and certification programme (part of what Michelin calls its distribution team, itself an extension of the sales and marketing team), with a brief contribution from sales director Malcolm Scovell who was en route to another meeting. The focus of conversation was on the development of Michelin’s position in the retail distribution of its various product lines and specifically on the effort Michelin is putting into its certified centre valued added scheme in order to re-develop its links with small and medium sized tyre retail businesses.