Editor’s comment 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 Marketing Manager Hope Jepson hope.jepson@dfamedia.co.uk Production Design Anthony Wiffen production@aftermarket.co.uk +44 (0) 7851 612799 Finance Department accounts@dfamedia.co.uk +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Contributors David Banks Martin Brown Bill Fennell Grant O’Hara Iain Molloy 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 2023 to June 2024 21,945 It’s beginning to feel a lot like Christmas… Have you made any newyear resolutions yet? As I write this column, I’ve only got about three weeks left to think about what mine might be. When I reflect on those I have made in the past, most resolutions usually evaporated into the crisp winter air not long after the new-year chimes of Big Ben faded away. Perhaps that should be a resolution: make one and stick to it! I’ll let you know (maybe) how that goes. But before then, of course, we’ve got the run-up to the ‘big day’ itself. I hope all of you will be able to wrench yourselves away from the workplace for some quality time with family and loved ones over the Christmas period. However, this time of year can also be exceptionally difficult for those who find themselves in crisis or struggling with cost-of-living pressures. All credit to the automotive industry’s fantastic charity, Ben, which has again launched its ‘Christmas families project’. The project aims to support families who might otherwise have to make impossible choices about heating or eating and whether they can afford Christmas gifts. There is still time to help out, so visit www.ben.org.uk/ supportBen if you would like to show your support at this time. Meanwhile, remember this is a double issue of the magazine for December/January. So it’s packed with extra-special festive features — not least some top tips in our ‘winter checks’ section for garages to make the most of business opportunities, while providing their usual invaluable seasonal services for motorists. There is also a warning that technicians should stay vigilant when choosing products for workshops. Independent trade body VLS triggered the alert after the organisation reported a 34% increase in its compliance investigations for products in just one year. For the full story, see page 20 in our technical section. And we also hear from some of the industry’s leading lights about their predictions on the challenges and opportunities that the aftermarket is likely to face in the new year. I’ll be back with our February issue, but our online news and features coverage will continue as usual throughout the holiday period to ensure you stay better informed. And on that note, I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year on behalf of myself and the whole Aftermarket team. See you in 2025! John Shepherd Editor
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