Tag: Unipart Automotive
European aftermarket still growing despite a small drop in 2014
The total car after sales market in Europe across all purchased components – what is otherwise known as the aftermarket - generated sales of about 119 billion euros in 2013 (based on retail prices excluding VAT and refer to materials only and not salary). wolk after sales expert’s findings are published in the latest edition of its European aftermarket structure analysis for 34 European countries. It is the third time Wolk has produced this. Previous editions came out in 2009 and 2012. The surveyed components included were wear parts, body parts, engines, transmissions, electrical parts, automotive glass, chemicals, oil, tyres and paint.
Andrew Page rebrands as Autoparts People
Parts and workshop equipment distributor Andrew Page has rebranded its entire national network, including many former Unipart Automotive centres. Covering the original Andrew Page and Camberley Auto Factors branches, as well as the 21 Unipart Automotive centres purchased in July, branches have now received new signage and team uniforms to reposition the group as Andrew Page, the Autoparts People.
UAN adds to its sales management structure
Due to the recent announcement of United Aftermarket Network's five-year partnership deal with Unipart Autoparts (which allows the buying group the opportunity to supply Unipart Car Care Centres), and together with the continuing growth of the company's membership base, UAN has decided to strengthen its sales team.
Andrew Page experienced ‘double digit growth’ in 2014
Leading autoparts and workshop equipment distributor, Andrew Page, is reporting a strong close to 2014 with high hopes continuing into 2015. “In the past six months we have seen double digit growth in group sales which is remarkable,” said Simon Mullin, sales & marketing director of Andrew Page, adding: “We achieved record sales for Garage […]
Euro Car Parts opens 14 former Unipart Automotive sites
Euro Car Parts has announced that 14 of the 27 branches it acquired from KPMG, the administrators for Unipart Automotive, are already open for business. Two further branches, Braintree and Penzance, will also open by end of October and mid-November respectively.
Andrew Page adds ex-Unipart Automotive staff to sales team, relaunches Mega Wisebuys
Workshop equipment and automotive parts distributor Andrew Page is releasing an all-new Mega Wisebuys brochure. The company says it has teamed up with leading garage equipment manufacturers to develop the brochure, which features exclusive sales promotions and special offers. Containing information on everything from hand tools through to capital equipment, Mega Wisebuys aims to help garages find the best products and deals available.
Unipart Group enhances Unipart Car Care Centre proposition
In the wake of Unipart Automotive’s demise, Unipart Group sought to differentiate itself from the business that had been sold to H2 Equity Partners in 2011. The Unipart Group has now confirmed its commitment to another automotive business carrying the Unipart name. Unipart will develop the Unipart Car Care Centre proposition in order to make it more robust and compelling for both garages and motorists.
Second ex-Unipart Automotive director appointed regional Parts Alliance MD
A second former Unipart Automotive director has been recruited by The Parts Alliance. Joining south west regional director Paul Dineen, James Geldart will be responsible for the Eastern Alliance’s 21 branches, serving independent garages in London and the South East of England. Geldart was previously a divisional director with Unipart Automotive (UA), and was appointed with effect from Monday, 1 September.
Parts Alliance acquires 3 more Unipart Automotive sites, appoints ex-Car Care head
The Parts Alliance has acquired three more former Unipart Automotive (UA) branches. Located in the south west of England, the Chard, Frome and Plymouth sites are expected to re-open around the end of September, according to The Parts Alliance. They bring the number of former Unipart Automotive branches acquired by the HgCapital-owned business group to 15 including the 12 acquired in July after UA went into administration. 24 more jobs have been saved as a result, while Paul Dineen, formerly regional director with UA and head of the Unipart Car Care Centres (UCCC) programme, has been recruited to oversee the eight ex-UA sites in Barnstaple, Penryn, Taunton, Tiverton and Exeter.
Euro Car Parts adds three Unipart Automotive recruits to its National Accounts department
Euro Car Parts, a leading UK distributor of quality parts for all makes of car and LCV, has strengthened its National Accounts department by recruiting three former Unipart Automotive employees. Ian Stevenson and David Dawson have joined as national account managers while Matthew Jones has joined the national accounts commercial team.
Euro Car Parts buys 27 Unipart Automotive branches
Euro Car Parts acquired 27 former Unipart Automotive branches yesterday (7 August). Following negotiations with Unipart Automotives’s administrators, Mark Orton, Will Wright and Jonny Marston from KPMG, Euro Car Parts has secures the sites across England, Scotland and Wales, taking the ECP network to 194 branches. At the same time Parts Alliance reported it had taken on over 500 ex-Unipart Automotive works.
500+ former Unipart Automotive employees now with Andrew Page, Parts Alliance
When Unipart Automotive went into administration, Andrew Page and The Parts Alliance struck a deal to take over 33 branches, saving around 320 jobs. Since then Euro Car Parts has hired 65 more ex-Unipart staff, while promising another 1,500 jobs to be created in the comig 18 months. According to the latest reports from The Parts Alliance, this number has risen to around 500 ex-employees of Unipart Automotive. And the parts buying and distribution group says that extra jobs are planned for more of the reported 1,244 staff members made redundant by Unipart Automotive’s demise.
The succession plan squeeze
During the July the staggering and subsequent collapse of Unipart Automotive have made uncomfortable reading, especially if you were one of the 1800 staff connected to the company. Of course we now know that a rescue plan couldn’t be enacted, that part of it has been sold off to competitors Andrew Page and The Parts Alliance and that the rest is in administration. At the same time Euro Car Parts, having once been a front runner in the rescue/chasing pack, has announced it is creating 1500 jobs in parallel – presumably to pick up the floating workers shipwrecked when the great ship Unipart Automotive hit it very own iceberg (click here for complete coverage of this news and its implications on the sector).
Euro Car Parts hires 65 ex-Unipart Automotive employees
Following on Euro Car Part’s 25 July announcement that the company is planning to create 1500 jobs in the wake of the collapse of Unipart Automotive, the company reports that it has taken on “over 65” ex Unipart employees. According to a Euro Car Parts spokesperson these personnel “have been offered and accepted jobs at Euro Car Parts at a variety of branches across the UK”.
What 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?