Editorial 3 www.aftermarketonline.net JUNE 2024 Editor John Shepherd john@aftermarket.co.uk +44 (0) 1732 370 345 Head of Sales Angela Lyus angela@aftermarket.co.uk +44 (0) 7823 736 629 Managing Director Ryan Fuller ryan.fuller@dfamedia.co.uk Operations Manager Emma Godden-Wood emma.godden-wood@dfamedia.co.uk Marketing Manager Hope Jepson hope.jepson@dfamedia.co.uk Production Design Anthony Wiffen Finance Department accounts@dfamedia.co.uk +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Chief Executive Ian Atkinson ian.atkinson@dfamedia.co.uk Contributors Yousif Al Ani | David Banks Kayleigh Bradley | James Lett Martin Pinnell-Brown | Marc Russell Published by DFA Media Group 192 High Street Tonbridge Kent TN9 1BE +44 (0)1732 370340 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 Aftermarket Media Ltd 2024. Average net circulation July 2022 to June 2023 17,274 The drive into a busy season for garages starts here… Barely a few weeks have gone by since we were heralding the onset of summer and it’s already slipping by and preparing to give way to autumn. I hope everyone found time to get away from desks and workshops and that you’re ready for what promises to be a busy season ahead. Let me start this issue by highlighting a special Spotlight report on an upcoming campaign to crack down on the scourge of fake car parts and accessories. Aftermarket has the exclusive inside track on what is being planned to help stamp out this illegal trade which, if not dealt with, can ruin businesses, reputations and consumer trust. Find out more on page 6. On a lighter note, we’re now just a few weeks away from the inaugural Aftermarket Event at Farnborough International, so if you’ve not already registered to attend in this unique event dedicated to the independent garage and bodyshop sector, get a move on! You’ll find all the details you need starting on page 18 – followed by our special ‘sneak peak’ preview of what promises to be THE event on the aftermarket calendar. We are also edging ever closer to finding out who will emerge victorious from this year’s Top Technician and Top Garage competitions. The awards evening will be held in Coventry on October 26. For details and to check last-minute availability for a table at this prestige event turn to the back page. In addition to the latest news about our industry, read all about my visit to a garage in the Midlands that has a great story to tell about its family-run roots from the past to the present day — and how it is supporting the next generation of mechanics. Also, check out our selection of some of the latest innovations on the market that could give your business the edge in our packed products focus pages. In an exclusive article for this magazine Marc Russell, CCO of FixMyCar, gives his take on how sustainability can drive business in the aftermarket as well as offering suggestions for garages to benefit. On the long road ahead to autonomous driving becoming common-place, Martin PinnellBrown asks where this leaves the aftermarket? And in our regular look at the skills and training scene, an aftermarket recruitment specialist advises garages to recognise the importance of maximising transferable skills from other professions. Elsewhere in our feature pages read all about a new EU vehicle safety regulation that will impact the UK despite Brexit and find out why the auto market should stay alert. Enjoy the issue and do let me know if you have a story to tell about your business to be featured in a future edition! John Shepherd Editor
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