The Commercial Vehicle Partnership, comprising the SMMT, RHA and SOE, and the CV Show Committee, made up of the partners and representatives from the commercial vehicle and component sector has agreed to cancel this year's CV Show scheduled for 28-30 April at Birmingham's NEC.

 

The partnership claims some 290 exhibitors had signed up for the Show requiring the partners to consult widely with them on support for a focussed engineering-based alternative. The results indicate that while some support was forthcoming, it was not enough to retain the credibility that the CV Show has created as a major international event of its type and which the partners and the show committee were keen to maintain. Read More..

With voting the closest for some years, distributors are being urged to vote for their UAN supplier of the year.



Nominations are in and now it's time for UAN distributors to vote for their supplier of the year.



If distributors have not received their voting form, please contact UAN. Read More..

UAN distributors have successfully achieved the group's target with spark plugs supplier NGK and will therefore receive an additional rebate.



UAN MD Andrew Dickinson said distributors should be very pleased with their efforts with NGK in 2008 and that the achievement highlighted how UAN "continues to buck the trend in the UK aftermarket.". Read More..

TMD Friction has been forced to file its German operating and holding companies for insolvency, due to, it said, "the sharp deterioration of conditions in the global automotive industry."



Derek Whitworth, CEO of TMD Friction, said: “I am deeply saddened that we have not been able to reach an agreement with our lenders and shareholders to avoid this action. Although the operative business of TMD Friction is healthy, the rapid slowdown in the automotive industry has led to a very high level of pressure on our cash flow. Read More..

Manbat has introduced a new stock pack initiative to help UAN members make the most of the lucrative, but elusive, non-automotive battery markets.



Each ‘stock pack’ contains a range of specialist products that Manbat, with its market knowledge, consider necessary to establish a foothold in one of the targeted sectors. In specialising in sectors beyond automotive, the company says members will go on to gain a reputation for battery expertise generally, and generate new non-automotive business as a result. Read More..

UAN understands that the Department of Transport has delayed implementing the R103 regulation, concerning the sale and installation of replacement catalytic converters, until at least April 2009. 

The proposed R103 legislation was expected to come into force in January 2009. Under the proposals, distributors and garages will only be allowed to sell or install replacement catalytic converters that are approved to EU emission standards for vehicles that were first used on or after 1 January 2001. Read More..

Quest is running a consumables promotion for UAN distributors, which runs from 1 November to 31 December 2008.



The company is offering special nett prices for a variety of products including gloves, lamps, multi-purpose sprays, booster cables, granules and seat covers.



Quest is also offering free items dependent on spend. Read More..

Bosal has launched two ORIS-MATIC retractable towbars for the Audi A4 and BMW 3 Series.



The ORIS-Matic, the UK’s first retractable towbar, is a highly innovative product designed to meet the needs of customers requiring a high quality towbar that can be quickly stored out of sight without the need to detach it from the vehicle.



Two seconds is all that it takes to move the ORIS-Matic between its extended and retracted positions. Read More..

UAN distributor Ashton Motor Factors, recently celebrated its 10th birthday.



Started in 1998 as a subsidiary of Clist & Rattle Ltd, (the long established West Country franchised motor retailer), the factor business has seen steady growth over the years resulting in a move from the original premises to a warehouse with dedicated trade counter in December 2007.

              

Commenting on the success of the business, Director John Collings said: “With Kevin Sparrow now firmly at the helm, AMF has established itself as a force to be reckoned with in the supply of parts & accessories to the aftermarket in Bristol & North Somerset. Read More..

Dinex has released two new catalogues, which are both available from the download section on its website . Read More..