The UAN CV group has held its first distributor meeting of the year and there was an air of optimism among those that attended. Hosted by ZF Trading UK in Northampton, CV distributors were given an open forum to discuss new ideas and issues relating to the marketplace, suppliers and the progress of the group. Distributors also went away with a copy of the new UAN distributor guide, which provides details of every supplier agreement and information on the group. Read More..

The European Commission has published its long-awaited and much-leaked opinion document on the future of the Block Exemption Regulation (EC1400,2002) (aka BER). In the document the Commission confirms its view that market changes make an automotive sector-specific Exemption unnecessary and, instead, that the Vertical Restraints Block Exemption Regulation (EC2790,1999), which presently covers distribution agreements outside the motor vehicle sector, would represent an equivalent, but more flexible regime, combined with the general competition rules of Art.81 and Art. Read More..

Industry trade body ADF is alerting the trade to the increased activities by officials from the Performing Right Society (PRS), the body which licenses music use by businesses and distributes royalties to the writers and publishers of the music. With the increase in music downloads from the Internet, music publishers and record companies face declining sales which, in turn, means that the royalties due to artistes and composers are more difficult to collect. The PRS has therefore become far more active in seeking out illegal use of music in workplaces. Read More..

FPS Distribution has integrated MAM Software's Autocat+ electronic parts catalogue throughout its branch network. The move coincides with the appointment of dedicated cataloguing staff at FPS. Gabriel Donnelly, FPS' new Cataloguing Manager, says: 'Electronic cataloguing is as important for us as it is for our customers. Read More..

From 1 October 2008, the adult national minimum wage rate will increase to £5.73 per hour and the rate payable to 18 to 21 year olds will increase to £4.77. Read More..

The ADF is encouraging members to adopt business improvement programmes, leading to accreditation to a standard developed by the Federation. This follows significant progress in the development of an ATA parts personnel assessment programme for members' staff and builds on the revision of the ADF's Code of Practice, which was unanimously adopted at the Federation's AGM in 2006. Quentin Cornforth, ADF President, explained that market dynamics were forcing the pace of change. Read More..

Danny Dowler has joined FAI as area sales manager for Wales, midlands and south west of England.



Dowler has 18 years experience in the aftermarket, having worked for Tetrosyl, Autogem and more recently Sherbrook.



He said: 'The market is competitive and cheap products are entering the sector, but FAI is associated with quality and we will continue to build on our growth by pushing our ranges of quality products to motor factor customers. Read More..

Peninsula Business Services, UAN's approved supplier of employment law and health and safety services has produced a web landing page for UAN distributors and suppliers. The web address www.peninsula-uk. Read More..

TMD Friction has launched a new Mintex braking range for light commercial vehicles (LCVs). The company claims that today's vans can operate at fast speeds, often at maximum payload and so the need for quality brake parts is greater than ever. With 23 VMs covered, the range comprises 575 references covering pads, discs, shoes, drums, accessories and fluids. Read More..

UAN made a welcome appearance in issue 7 of TMD Friction's newsletter Driven, which celebrated the company's recent successes in being awarded UAN car supplier of the year single product and highly commended CV supplier of the year. Commenting on the award, Richard Gleghorn TMD's Car UK Sales Manager said: "We're delighted to receive this award, an acknowledgement by the members committed to us that we have played our part in helping their businesses to go forward. We sincerely hope that this will at least indicate to those members who are considering us that we are a solid supplier intent on proving that our products and support will be good for their business in the future. Read More..