Editor’s comment 3 ǁǁǁ͘ ĂŌ ĞƌŵĂƌŬĞƚŽŶůŝŶĞ͘ ŶĞƚ EŽǀĞŵďĞƌ ϮϬϮϲ Editor Chris Callander chris@aftermarket.co.uk +44 (0) 1732 671123 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 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 2026. Average net circulation July 2024 to June 2025 22,797 Join us for the Top Awards finals Since our last edition, I’ve had a busy month travelling on Aftermarket Magazine’s behalf. This has included a fascinating visit to VARTA’s Hannover HQ to see what goes into the production of today’s automotive batteries. I won’t go into too much detail ahead of an article that will appear in our pages shortly, but seeing the whole process from start to finish was a real eye-opener. And I also have to thank the VARTA team for their exceptional hospitality. I also had the opportunity to attend the Blend conference and awards. This event is an excellent example of a company building a community among its customer base and beyond. The content programme was excellent, and I learned a lot, while the evening’s celebrations provided a great opportunity to see how this industry likes to let its hair down… with style. Perhaps the highlight of my month, though, was attending the Top Awards’ semi-finals at Delphi’s excellent training facility in Warwick. The ten technicians who reached the semi-finals had already passed several stages, so getting this far was a significant achievement in itself. What lay in front of them was five very different exercises, all against the ticking clock. The challenges were fiendish and really put the contenders to the test. But they all got stuck in, and through their nerves, each one of them did themselves proud. And, in what the judges told me was a very closely run thing, they were whittled down to five finalists. Now attention turns to the Top Awards finals, which return to the Delphi Academy on 14 November. There, the five remaining Top Technician contenders will join the Top Garage and Top Apprentice finalists for the last round of challenges and assessments before this year’s winners are crowned. After seeing what the technicians went through at the semi-finals, I’m looking forward to what the judges have in store for them next. And, for the first time this year, you can come along and see it all for yourself. Alongside the competitions, there will be plenty to see and do, with sponsors demonstrating their latest products, technology experts on hand to answer questions, and lots of opportunities to catch up with others in the industry. And starting on Page 14, we have a full preview outlining what’s in store. Whether you’re thinking about entering the Top Awards in the future, want to pick up a few ideas for your own workshop, or simply fancy a day out among like-minded people, I’d encourage you to come along. If the semi-finals were anything to go by, it should be well worth the trip. Chris Callander Editor
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