Aftermarket April 2022

NEWS 6 AFTERMARKET APRIL 2022 www.aftermarketonline.net IGA wins COVID-19 Member Support Award The IGA has won the Crisis Management – Covid Member Support award at the Trade Association Forum Best Practice Awards 2022, for their work to help the UK independent garage sector during the COVID-19 pandemic. Now in its 19th year, the Trade Association Forum (TAF) Best Practice Awards are supported by the Department of Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Commenting on the win, IGA CEO Stuart James said: “When the pandemic struck, we did everything in our power to arm independent garages with the knowledge they needed to operate safely, comply with daily changes to regulations and restrictions, access government support, and keep their businesses afloat.” “We are extremely proud of our achievements, which include helping a great many garages claim Retail Business Rate Relief, offering COVID-compliance audits to reassure the public that garages are safe, and ensuring that all garages had access to an online library of easy-to- understand resources. We also successfully lobbied to end the dangerous MOT extension and introduce a flexible furlough scheme, which protected countless road users and small businesses throughout the country.” Stuart added: “As the UK’s largest and oldest trade body for independent garages, we will always be here to support and lobby for the sector in times of need.” Schaeffler workshop tour Registration has opened for the inaugural UK Garage and Bodyshop Event, taking place at Birmingham’s NEC from 8-9 June. The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event, presented by Automechanika Birmingham, is the first large- scale event since 2019, and is set to welcome over 100 suppliers showcasing the latest products and working methods across servicing, collision repair, diagnostics, paint and refinishing. Training partners include Autogem, Automotive Alliance Group (Group Auto), Bilstein Group (Blue print and febi Bilstein) Bosch Automotive Aftermarket UK, Bosch Car Service, Castrol with their ambassador partner, The Race Group, Dayco Europe, Liqui Moly UK, LKQ Euro Car Parts Snap-on Diagnostics, Thatcham Research, The Tool Connection, ZF [pro]Tech and more. Commenting on the value of the event for attendees, Kristan Johnstone, Project Director at Messe Frankfurt UK, organisers of the exhibition, observed: “The UK vehicle aftermarket is entering the biggest shift in living memory with the transition to hybrid and electric vehicles, compounded by ADAS-enabled technology and increasing digitalisation and connectivity in the sector. This exhibition presents a brilliant opportunity for garages and bodyshops to take home tangible knowledge and new processes that will help them create efficiencies and reduce overheads, as operating costs of running workshops soars amid the crisis of energy prices.” He added: “The tools we want to equip our visitors with go beyond the technician’s toolbox, and includes the knowledge, technology and equipment in the back-office function that help bodyshops and garages to run their businesses more efficiently and profitably. The COVID-19 pandemic has prevented the opportunity to explore industry developments for two years, while creating significant impacts for the sector, from MOT extensions and supply chain issues, to the disruption of traditional working practices. However, the opportunity has now returned and the event in June is set to be the most impactful gathering for the industry in 2022.” Free tickets are available here: https://uk- garage-and-bodyshop-2022.reg.buzz/press- release-230222 Schaeffler is undertaking a series of workshop visits across the UK during 2022. Schaeffler Sales and Marketing Director Matt Selby commented: “As well as listening to what concerns them most, the visits will also give us the chance to ask technicians and garage owners a series of questions such as; How do they see the future of the independent aftermarket? What kind of support do they need? Does fitting OE parts give them an advantage in their area? How does training need to evolve? He added: “In addition to these conversations, which we hope will provide a catalyst to improve our already impressive support programme, we’ll also be bringing members of the renowned REPXPERT team to provide some of the latest technical insight and best practice advice, along with a little hands-on training.” For more on training, turn to pages 62-63 . Garage and Bodyshop Event: FREE tickets now available Follow us on Facebook @aftermarketmagazine