www.aftermarketonline.net JULY/AUGUST 2023 AFTERMARKET 3 CONTENTS BUSINESS 8 Big issue: Cybersecurity 12 Digital supply chain 14 Hybrid working; Car ownership 16 Distrigo: Expanded portfolio 18 The DPF Doctor is in TOP TECHNICIAN/TOP GARAGE 22 TOPDON: Supporting technicians TECHNICAL 20 AS-PL: Bring the noise 22 Aftermarket of the future 24 Frank Massey: A month in the life 26 Automotive switches 28 Repairify: More haste, less speed IN FOCUS 30 TPS: Quantum oils 32 Oils and lubricants 36 Cooling 38 Brakes 40 Garage equipment 44 MOT AUTOMECHANIKA BIRMINGHAM 48 Automechanika Birmingham 2023 review PLUS... 51 Competition/General products 52 Editor’s Log: Ring/OSRAM open day 54 On the road: eBay Certified Parts 56 Garage visit: A&J Fleetcare 58 EVs and hybrids 60 Training update 64 Recruitment 66 Teabreak YOU’VE GOT TO BE IN IT TO WIN IT Editor | Alex Wells alex@aftermarket.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 345 Managing Director | Ryan Fuller ryan.fuller@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Contributors Sharmistha Bose | Neil Kennett | Scott Luckett | Frank Massey | Martin Pinnell-Brown Operations Manager | Emma Floyd emma.floyd@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Marketing Executive | Hope Jepson hope.jepson@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 371081 Finance Department accounts@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Chief Executive | Ian Atkinson ian.atkinson@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Published by | DFA Aftermarket Media Ltd 192 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1BE Alex Wells, Editor Average net circulation July 2021 to June 2022 19,073 @aftermarketmagazine @aftermarket01 @aftermarketmagazine ISSN 2516-9149 Aftermarket is published 10 times a year and is sent free of charge to applicants meeting the publisher’s criteria. All others may subscribe at £60 per anum, £120 Europe and £150 rest of the world. While every care is taken to provide accurate information, the publisher cannot accept responsibility for any errors or ommisions, no matter how caused. All rights reserved. No part of the publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means without prior consent of the publisher. The views of contributors do not necessarily represent the views of the publisher. Copyright: DFA Media Group 2023. Competition has been on my mind lately, in all its forms. It is probably on yours too. After all, the independent aftermarket exists to be competitive. Each business works to be the best in its area, with friendly rivalry helping each garage to identify how it can provide a better offering to its customers. This sector also competes collectively with the franchised dealer network, with their professional presentation providing a model from which smart businesses can take ideas that will work in their own setting. The ability to compete on a level playing field with the dealers has also enabled the sector to grow and prosper over the last few decades, certainly since the first Block Exemption Regulation (BER) under the EU really opened things up from 2003. That being said, and very wise it sounded too, the concept of competition has also led me to think about the profound impact it can have on our lives. In mid-June, the cinema release of the DC superhero film The Flash, which features veteran Batman actor Michael Keaton returning to the role after a 31-year absence, meant that I needed to dig out the Batman t-shirt and cap that I won in 1989 age 13, via a local newspaper giveaway coinciding with the release of the original Batman film. Every time there’s a film featuring Batman, out comes the ’89 t-shirt. I had not won a competition before, or since then. That hot August Thursday lunchtime, I was so excited seeing my name in the paper announced as the winner that I ran straight out the door, not even stopping to put shoes on, shouting “I’ve won! I’VE WON!” I continued in this manner up the road, only stopping when I bumped into a very confused friend. In case you were wondering, the t-shirt still fits, although the cap always looked a bit strange, particularly when you wear them together. Luckily my children are still too young to be embarrassed by me, for now... As for my joyful dash down the lane, I sometimes wonder if the winners of the competition in each issue of Aftermarket react in a similar way. I would like to think they do. Get your bare feet ready everyone, as in this issue, we have a great prize from ALLDATA UK, so turn to page 51 to enter. ALLDATA is also a Full Event Partner for Top Technician and Top Garage 2023, along with Snap-on, TOPDON, TechMan, Delphi Technologies, BookMyGarage, and TPS. There’s more though. If you turn to page 5, you can read about Motul’s return to the pantheon of TT/TG supporters for 2023. Staying with news, and coming back to the very timely issue of Block Exemption, if you turn to page 4, you can find out more about the industry’s response to the guidelines for the new Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Order (MVBEO) that were issued at the beginning of June. For once, it seems to be good news, but there is still more to be done. As always, the price of victory is eternal vigilance. Luckily, the industry has Aftermarket as its watchful guardian, making sure that when issues are heading your way, we have already spoken to those in the know, so we can give you fair warning. For now, it’s summer and the September issue of the mag will be hitting doorsteps and in-boxes in time for the August Bank Holiday. We will continue to bring you all the news via www.aftermarketonline.net Enjoy!
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