News 10 www.aftermarketonline.net OCTOBER 2024 Unipart is strengthening its presence in the UK manufacturing sector with the acquisition of lightweight components producer Formaplex Technologies. Formaplex, established two decades ago as a specialist tooling partner in the F1 automotive sector, is a key UK supplier of polymer and composite solutions and one of the few premium polymer injection moulding specialists in the UK supply chain. Unipart did not disclose terms of the deal, but confirmed on August 6 it was integrating Formaplex operations into the group following the acquisition. Formaplex has been rebranded as Unipart Polymer and Composite Solutions. Darren Leigh, Unipart CEO, said: “Growing our manufacturing capabilities through this acquisition expands our offering and aligns perfectly with Unipart’s growth strategy to offer our existing and new customers a breadth of supply chain solutions and performance improvement technologies. “I am excited about the potential this acquisition unlocks for innovation and growth, enabling us to expand our portfolio and strengthen our position in the UK manufacturing sector.” Unipart Manufacturing Group MD Carol Rose Burke said the acquisition will further support supply chains involved in delivering powertrain products used for internal combustion engines and electrification, as well as enhancing Unipart’s products for uses in other sectors such as construction and rail. Recent UK figures showing a surge in the use of cars for daily domestic travel presents significant business opportunities for garages, the Independent Garage Association has said. Department of Transport data comparing current transport usage to pre-pandemic levels revealed a significant trend, according to the IGA. Car usage has not only returned to but has surpassed pre-pandemic levels, while methods of public transport including buses, National Rail, and the London Tube network, continue to fall behind. According to the DoT’s figures updated on August 14, motor traffic in Great Britain in that month reached 103% of its pre-Covid-19 levels, indicating a strong and sustained reliance on private vehicles. In contrast, public transport usage remained below pre-pandemic levels, with buses outside London at 70%, National Rail at 88%, and the London Tube at 75% of 2019 usage levels. IGA chief executive Stuart James said the data highlighted a critical shift in how the public is choosing to travel post-pandemic. “The sustained increase in car usage presents a significant opportunity for the independent garage sector. As more people rely on their personal vehicles, the demand for maintenance, repairs, and overall vehicle care will continue to grow. “Independent garages are uniquely positioned to meet this demand, providing essential services that ensure vehicle longevity and safety.” As the public continues to favour private vehicle usage over public transport, independent garages can expect to see a steady or even increased volume of customers requiring a wide range of services, from routine check-ups and diagnostics to more complex repairs, he said. The IGA also cited data released last year by the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (ACEA) in its ‘Vehicles In Use’ report. According to the ACEA, the average car in the UK is now 10 years old. This average age will likely increase in the coming years due to a notable decline in new car sales. ACEA’s findings showed that 21.5 million of the 36.7 million cars registered in the UK are less than 10 years old. Key advice from the IGA for garages includes: O Prepare for a sustained increase in service demand; O Focus on vehicle longevity — as car owners rely more heavily on their vehicles, there will be a heightened focus on maintaining performance and extending their lifespan; O Shifting service areas — as the data also suggests that as public transport usage remains lower, there may be a shift in service demand from urban centres to suburban and rural areas, where car dependency is higher. Garages in these regions could see increased business as a result. Car usage increase is ‘business boost for garages’ Unipart expands in UK with Formaplex acquisition
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