Autogem was made the Aftermarket Equipment Supplier of the Year in the National Tyre Distributors Association’s Tyre Industry Awards for the second successive year. The supplier of automotive chemicals, fasteners, hand tools, workshop consumables and TPMS solutions was pleased to retain its title, having made what it termed “giant strides in the aftermarket” over the past 12 months.
The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event at the Birmingham NEC hosted the finale of Autogem’s inaugural TPMS Expert competition on Wednesday, 8 June. 12 regional finalists assembled on Autogem’s stand to demonstrate their problem-solving skills in front of hundreds of onlookers, including a judging panel of industry experts. Merityre’s Liam Gaynor was crowned TPMS Expert (large retailer) with Hometyre’s Craig Schwartz taking the small retailer award, while all 12 finalists were commended for detecting various TPMS faults quickly and efficiently, communicating them clearly to the panel. Meanwhile Autogem, which has developed the TPMS Expert award over the past few years to help raise standards and awareness about tyre pressure monitoring systems, has been praised by automotive retail bosses and industry experts for its first nationwide competition.
Aftermarket supplier Autogem is bringing its product range to life in front of hundreds of garage businesses at Mechanex 2021, energised by its maiden victory in the NTDA’s Aftermarket Supplier of the Year Tyre Industry Awards category. The company said that it will showcase its solutions to a host of key decision makers and centre owners at the 9-10 November event. While making its name as a one-stop shop for all sorts of garage consumables, Autogem is also a specialist in TPMS, built around its investment in the I-sensor Pro handheld tool. The tool offers instant, personalised tyre pressure reporting with a completely integrated tread-depth measuring device to give technicians a full picture of the condition of each tyre they are tending to on an easy-to-read colour screen.
Autogem has been praised as “an indispensable partner in the aftermarket to a great number of businesses” following its victory in the Tyre Industry Awards 2021 Aftermarket Equipment Supplier of the Year category. The UK provider of automotive chemicals, fasteners, hand tools, workshop consumables, and TPMS solutions was recognised for its adaptation during the pandemic as well as its investment in products and training support.
Autogem has launched a new, advanced TPMS handheld solution, the I-sensor Pro, in an online event for customers. The device upgrades the original I-sensor, offering customers increased time-saving and potential revenue generation. The I-sensor Pro features Wi-Fi connectivity, wireless Bluetooth and an integrated auto-focus camera, allowing for instant, personalised tyre pressure reporting. It also features a completely integrated tread depth measuring device. The original i-sensor handheld TPMS servicing device was launched in 2013, and has since sold more than 3,500 units in the UK.
Autogem has unveiled its second generation Treadspec drive-over scanners, offering a more efficient and simplified way to perform simple tyre checks for wear, alignment issues and inflation. The Treadspec 2.0 supplements the company’s Groove Glove, which allows garage mechanics to scan all four tyres on any given vehicle and discover the tread depth and alignment of each within 50 seconds.
Autogem states that it is using online ordering and training platforms to assist customers in mitigating potential disruption amid the disruption caused by the Covid-19 virus. “We have never worked in such unprecedented times, with each day presenting potential new challenges and concerns,” said Autogem managing director Prashant Chopra.
Autogem has begun 2020 with an exclusive agreement to become sole trade distributor of Michelin Pro-Series Hybrid wiper blades. Autogem said the new addition to its portfolio fits its philosophy of assisting its installer partners with industry-leading products which save time, improve engagement and increase revenue streams. Examples of this can also be seen in Autogem’s Groove Glove and i-sensor TPMS tools, which the company states are amongst the fastest selling universal TPMS solutions anywhere.
Autogem has launched a new replacement tyre pressure monitoring system for commercial vehicles. Its universal TPMS sensor is designed to increase efficiencies for fleet operators with in-house fitters and tyre dealer networks, promising greater flexibility and convenience. Autogem said the system was developed to address a number of issues in the market, including regular breakages of internal valve mounted sensors at tyre dismount, the difficulty in identifying sensors from the outside of the wheel, and battery failure due to higher mileage and high usage. Autogem adds that it has found original equipment batteries are depleted by “up to 30 per cent” on the shelf before they are fitted.
Autogem will unveil its second generation Treadspec drive-over tread scanner at Automechanika Birmingham (4-6 June, NEC Birmingham). The ramp, which the company states has been “extremely well-received” in its domestic USA market, offers a “no labour” diagnostic tool for the aftermarket. It supplements the company’s Groove Glove, also developed by Treadspec manufacturer Tire Profiles Inc, which allows garage mechanics to scan all four tyres on any given vehicle and discover the tread depth and alignment of each within 50 seconds.
National Tyre Distributors Association chief executive Stefan Hay and national chairman Prashant Chopra have opened the 2018 Tyre Industry Conference, stating that the annual forum is “more important than ever” given the current business climate. Chopra added that the current period of uncertainty pre-Brexit has seen an increase in numbers for the association’s membership, with core tyre retail businesses such as Morecambe’s Westgate Tyres alongside more tangentially related firms like Banner Batteries having joined the association in the past 12 months.
With expansion, a new headquarters and business growth, 2017 was an exciting year for Autogem. In addition the company reports that increased word-of-mouth i-sensor recommendations and hundreds more TPMS installations are adding to the 1000s the firm already work with in the UK.
On Wednesday 7 June, at its AGM held during Automechanika Birmingham 2017, the NTDA installed Prashant Chopra, managing director of Autogem Invicta Ltd as its new national chairman.
Prashant takes over from Roger Griggs communications director of European Tyre Enterprises Ltd, who has served for an extended period of three years in order to support the implementation and execution of the three-year strategic plan introduced by the association’s chief executive Stefan Hay in 2014.
2016 was an eventful year for workshop consumables supplier Autogem. The company entered a new chapter back in September 2005 when it was taken over by managing partners and brothers Prashant and Adit Chopra. Operations were relocated to North London and the very disparate parts and consumables supplies line has improved considerably by focusing on its strengths. During the last decade or so, in addition to its wider automotive supply business, TPMS has emerged as something of a strength at Autogem. Indeed, it is this focus that has seen the company repeatedly nominated for Tyre Industry Awards. Tyres & Accessories met with managing director Prashant Chopra and discussed the company’s growth, new warehouse and headquarters, new products and more.
At its 87th Annual General Meeting (AGM) held on Wednesday 11 May 2016, the National Tyre Distributors Association (NTDA) executive council elected Autogem managing director Prashant Chopra as vice chairman of the association.
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