Are you ADAS ready? 38 www.aftermarketonline.net APRIL 2025 Investment deal in fast lane for growth A1 ADAS Group’s acquisition of Autocalibration highlights growth of rapidly-evolving industry sector A1 ADAS Group has announced a major move forward in its growth strategy, with the acquisition of West Midlands-based Autocalibration. Autocalibration will retain its brand name and become a subsidiary of the Norfolk-headquartered A1 ADAS Group — along with existing subsidiaries A1 ADAS Solutions and A1 Remote Diagnostics. Autocalibration’s staff, including founder Gavin Jenks, will stay in the business, with Jenks becoming regional director for the West Midlands. A1’s board said on March 3 that the latest deal marked a significant step in strengthening the firm’s position in the sector. The group said the move will boost its services nationally as it remains the only company in the UK automotive aftermarket to provide ADAS and diagnostic services alongside tool and equipment distribution. Director Iain Molloy said: “Autocalibration is a successful mobile ADAS calibration and programming services company with an excellent reputation in and around the West Midlands. “As well as the business being a natural geographical fit for us, Gavin and his team’s values are completely aligned with ours. This was our No.1 prerequisite.” Fellow director Helen Molloy said: “Being a business which operates to the British Standard 10125 Kitemark, we work to a very high bar. “Our ethos of ‘doing it right’ runs through every single aspect of the group’s operations, and it was clear the team at Autocalibration strive for that level of service too.” Meanwhile, fellow director Adam Molloy said the acquisition was “just the start” — urging companies aligned with the group’s ethos to get in touch. Jenks said: “My vision for Autocalibration to become a significant player in this fast-evolving area of the sector required significant investment. That’s a tough hill to climb on your own, so it was a no-brainer to join forces with A1 ADAS Group. “Staff will benefit from working with a familyorientated, forward-thinking, and innovative business, and customers will benefit from a whole new range of products, services, and technical support.” The acquisition announcement came just weeks after Aftermarket reported A1’s plans for national expansion. The group said last December that plans were underway to add more vehicles to its mobile ADAS fleet as demand grows from garages, bodyshops, and fleet companies for qualified ADAS technicians. Iain Molloy said then: “As the latest figures from the IMI show, only 2% of technicians in the UK are IMI TechSafe registered and qualified to work on complex and potentially lifesaving ADAS systems. “But it’s not just about sending techs to get qualified. A lot of garages don’t want the responsibility of ADAS work. They much prefer to get us in to do it for them and pass that liability on. “And that’s a good decision. I’ve long been an advocate of ‘do ADAS right or don’t do it at all’. ADAS calibration has become an essential part of everyday vehicle repairs and we’re seeing some really frightening practices on what are essentially safety systems.” Molloy said he was on a mission to help workshops navigate how they can best manage ADAS work and has shaped the company’s business strategy to provide garages with solutions that are best suited to their individual needs. Within that is an online strategy to ensure both garages and retail customers can find A1 online and seek impartial advice. Molloy said: “We live and breathe ADAS, but it’s no good having all this expertise if no one knows you exist! “Early in the business, I knew we needed a website that really worked and would show up for people looking for ADAS services. It’s your ‘shop window’ and an absolute must for getting the right customers through the door. “Garage Services Online (GSO) were the obvious choice and the website has since made a huge difference to our business. We’ve grown a lot in the last four years and the website has grown with us.” Pictured, from left, A1 ADAS Group directors Ian, Adam and Helen Molloy
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