Having been at the heart of the automotive aftermarket for 30 years, First Line understands the requirements of the independent sector, the kind of products and level of service that factors and their garage customers need to be able to compete in the marketplace.

As a result, alongside its mainstream products, it has carved out a specialism for being able to source quality solutions for some of the sectors’ more niche applications. Examples of this specialism are where customers have seen for themselves such products as a gear linkage for the GM Corsa and the recently launched heater control valve used in numerous Ford applications.

Again, in addition to niche products, those products that the independent has traditionally been forced to look to the dealer to supply also came on to First Line’s radar. This is why its individual wishbone and top strut bushes for the Peugeot 407 and rear trailing arm bushes for the Ford Mondeo/Galaxy and various Volvo S60/V70 applications are proving so popular. Not only do these parts negate the need for independents to take their business to the dealer, they also save money for garages, and their customers, as they no longer need to purchase complete sub-assemblies, which are notoriously expensive.

Although new-to-range (NTR) additions of more day-to-day products may not be so interesting, they are however the lifeblood of the market and to demonstrate to just what extent this is the case, First Line has brought almost 1,600 NTR additions into its combined product range over the last 12 months!

As would be expected from the UK’s largest steering & suspension supplier, 531 of these NTRs come under this product group, but as an indication of the popularity of the Borg & Beck braking programme, there have been almost 440 additions into this range, predominately for hydraulic components, which it introduced in early summer.

Having quality products is one thing, but being able to back them up with stock availability and customer service is quite another. However, here too First Line has proved its worth as its recent supplier award with UAN amply testifies.

The ability to bring all these elements together marks the company out and its rapid export growth, which has also yielded recognition from its position as the highest placed automotive parts distributor in the Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 league table of the UK’s top 200 fastest growing exporters, is a clear indication of its commitment to the aftermarket for the next 30 years.

For more information about the quality products in both the First Line and Borg & Beck range, please call the sales team on: 01869 248484 or visit: www.firstline.co.uk