News 10 www.aftermarketonline.net September 2024 Premium seat manufacturer Recaro Automotive has entered administration, citing significant financial difficulties arising from “extreme price increases in recent crisis years” and the loss of an undisclosed major contract. The Stuttgart-headquartered company said it had filed for insolvency and a court in Germany approved preliminary selfadministration on July 29. However, the firm said it planned to maintain full production during the insolvency proceedings to continue fulfilling all existing orders and new customer inquiries. Shareholders have emphasised the importance of the organisation in the region for the group and have pledged their support for restructuring efforts, the company said. Recaro Automotive’s OEM partnerships include Mercedes-Benz and Aston Martin. The company said: “By working together as a team with our employees, suppliers, and customers through the possibility of an insolvency plan under German law, expect to stand on solid ground again in a timely manner.” The insolvency proceedings are limited to Recaro Automotive GmbH and do not affect any other group companies. Holger Blümle from law firm Schultze & Braun has been appointed as the preliminary custodian, while consulting firm Baker Tilly is providing legal advice. Recaro Automotive enters into administration Arnold Clark Autoparts boosts EV parts range Arnold Clark Autoparts has ramped up its EV parts range as it moves to strengthen its hold on the components market. The national motor factor said the significant expansion of its range positions the firm as a market leader offering the largest range of aftermarket EV parts, including popular Tesla components. The move came just seven months after data from the SMMT showed the millionth battery electric vehicle (BEV) had joined the roads in Britain. The SMMT also forecast that 414,000 new BEVs are expected to hit UK roads in 2024. Arnold Clark Autoparts’ EV range includes headlights, wipers, sensors, coil springs, brake discs and charging cables — across major names in the auto sector including Audi, BMW, BYD, Dacia, Ford, Hyundai, Nissan, Tesla, Volvo, Peugeot and Toyota. Steven McKenzie, assistant group buyer at Arnold Clark Autoparts, said: “We understand that electric mobility is gaining in popularity, and we are committed to supporting this transition by providing a robust range of parts that our customers can rely on.” Chessington, Stockport join GSF’s new branches GSF Car Parts is continuing its network expansion with the opening of an additional two branches — in Chessington and Stockport. Doors opened at the branch in Chessington and regional distribution centre in Stockport on July 29, taking the total number of new branches to five during the summer months. The Chessington branch spans 6,422 sq ft and supports the network with four new vans and three bikes. GSF said there are plans to expand this fleet as the customer base grows. Simon Gwyn-Griffiths, Chessington branch manager, said the launch will help give garages in the area faster access to essential parts and improve overall service quality. The 14,061 sq ft Stockport site, eight miles from Manchester, is equipped with 10 vans. GSF said the centre aims to improve delivery speeds throughout the city, serving local garages, national accounts, and click-and-collect customers. The latest openings follow the announcement of plans for a national distribution centre in Wolverhampton, which GSF told Aftermarket is expected to come on stream in the fourth quarter of this year.
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