MARCH 2012
On March 27th, 2012 at the Commonwealth Club in central London, we announced our latest initiative to the press and members of the leading vehicle businesses, motor insurance companies and motor claims suppliers - the launch of the Platinum Plus range of Collision Parts.
With this unique programme we will change the UK accident repair market for the better. In addition to over 100,000 mechanical parts, we now offer a wide range of accredited body panels, lighting units, air con and radiator products.
Our exciting new Platinum Plus range is the first programme in the UK to cover body panels and bumpers under one brand. All these parts come with a lifetime warranty, a ‘no quibble’ returns policy and a ‘Certificate of Matching Quality’ to meet PAS125 standards.
To find out more & to receive a full information brochure on this programme please contact collision@eurocarparts.com
FEBRUARY 2012
We have now created more than 300 jobs up and down the country with the openings of our branches. This month Blackpool, Luton/Dunstable and Kings Norton open the doors to service the independent garges and DIY enthusiasts alike. We are actively recruiting for our Q2 branch expansion with branches opening in Perth, Kilmarncok and Aberdeen as well as addtional branches in Glasgow & Edinburgh. We now have 100 branches throughout the UK.
For our garage customers during January and February our specialist internal trainers have been providing technicians with the necessary knowledge to understand the fundamentals of engine management systems.
JANUARY 2012
We have kicked off 2012 to a great start with the opening today, January 3rd, of our Sutton branch. Throughout January we are opening one branch per week. January 9th saw the opening of Wokingham. January 16th, we opened our 3rd branch of this year- Brixton based in South West London, shortly followed by Wapping and Littlehampton.
Watch this space for February branch openings and much much more on what is new and exciting for 2012 from Euro Car Parts.
DECEMBER 2011
BRANCH EXPANSION ANNOUNCED
We are very pleased to confirm our branch expansion for the first quarter of 2012 is well under way and we arecurrently in final stages of refurbishing or building state-of-the-art new outlets to serve Blackpool, Borehamwood, Brixton, Chesterfield, Huddersfield, Kings Lynn, Lincoln, Littlehampton, Luton/Dunstable, Sutton, Tyseley, Wapping and Wokingham. These will all be open by the end of Q1 2012, creating more than 600 new jobs for local people. Indeed, the recruitment drive is already at an advanced stage.
Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia commented: “Euro Car Parts has built its reputation on friendly service, great availability, choice and competitive prices. The Euro Car Parts management team to continue rapid expansion in the UK and to explore additional opportunities throughout Europe.Local garages will benefit from easy access to the UK’s largest range of car parts, and the new stores will also mean job creation in locals areas at a time when unemployment is at an all time high. We are proud to be actively searching for new sites and new recruits during this challenging economic period. While many organisations are looking to rationalise, Euro Car Parts continues to thrive.”
NOVEMBER 2011
Its the perfect time for garages to get on board with AutoCrew and future proof their business.
AutoCrew – the new garage concept launched by Bosch and Euro Car Parts– held its first Members’ Meeting at Bosch HQ, Denham, on 26 October 2011.
The turnout was excellent with 35 of the 68 member garages represented. Above all, the event provided a great opportunity for members to give feedback and to share examples of best practice.
Helen Watkins, AutoCrew concept manager at Bosch, commented: “Together with Euro Car Parts we provide a lot of added benefits. We are building a network of quality independent garages and our target is to have 250 members by the end of 2012.”
Euro Car Parts Marketing Director, Bill Stimson added: “This is the perfect time for garages to get on board with AutoCrew because business is moving away from the franchised dealer network to independent garages faster than ever.”
Mark Johnson, of commercial operations at the RAC, agreed: “It is encouraging to see so many people here today because that shows the AutoCrew network is moving towards a nationwide network.
OCTOBER 2011
Euro Car Parts support PRO-MOTE - www.pro-mote.org.uk
Launched today, Euro Car Parts are one of the leading supporters of this initiative to stop the government changing the MOT test frequency
We are taking every opportunity to highlight the vital role that independent garages play in maintaining affordable mobility for British Citizens and businesses.
It is the worst idea to come from the government since Scrappage. Without the discipline of an annual MOT, many millions of cash-strapped or careless motorists will abandon preventative maintenance and drive for up to 2 years with dangerous tyres, brakes, lights etc, the cost to the nation in death, injury, car accidents, breakdowns and increased emissions will be truly massive - all for a measly £15 or £20 annual "saving" per car.
We are very pleased to annouce branch No 90 opens it's doors today (October 13th), in Taunton.
AutoCrew – the fast-growing garage concept launched by Bosch & Euro Car Parts – has today rolled out a national advertising campaign:“Rely on AutoCrew”.
The AutoCrew adverts will appear in some of the UK’s most popular newspapers, including the Daily Star, Star Sunday, Daily Mirror and The People.These four publications alone boast a combined circulation of 3.5m people and a readership of 7.5m.
The eye-catching AutoCrew advert asks: “Who can you rely on for servicing, repairs and MOTs?” The answer: “AutoCrew garages offer quality servicing for your vehicle and value for money. To find your nearest AutoCrew garage, visit www.autocrew.co.uk or call freephone 0800 028 9573.”
SEPTEMBER 2011
The Euro Car Parts network now exceeds 100 branches with an additional 20 planned to open over the next 12 months. Our Basinstoke branch opended at the end of September and Taunton is planned to open October 12th.
Our growth has been underpinned by strenghtened logistics, which includes 8 regional hubs. This fully integrated system means that our 24,000 garage customers can access 97% of our product range on a "same-day" basis.
We are confident in claiming that Euro Car Parts are now twice as big as our nearest competitior. Our half year figures show we have increased turnover by 30%.
We are creating more jobs, investing in industry-leading electronic cataloguing systems, to ensure 100% accuracy of parts look-up, along with other initiatives to ensure our customers, the independent motor trader, is provided with all the technical information and know-how to help them future proof their business.
AUGUST 2011
From the "Dreamy Spires" of Oxford to the Medway towns around Rochester in Kent, Euro Car Parts brings 21st Century service to the local independent garage trader.
With so many garage owners crying out for a 21st century parts supplier to open in their area, We are pleased to annouce Oxford and Medway banches are now open for business.
Customers in the Oxford area in particular have waited a long time for us to find the right premises - so we are delighted that those customers are now benefiting from the local service being offered by this latest addition to the Euro Car Parts network.
Euro Car Parts Rochester, Kent is also trading and able to service the Gillingham, Strood, Chatham, Sittingbourne and Sheerness areas, having opened their doors on August 10th
More than 60 jobs have been created in the local area. Kent now has five Euro Car Parts sites,Tunbridge Wells, Croydon, Ashford, Croydon and now Medway - so we have it covered!
Having successfully opened our Doncaster Superstore & hub plus York branch in July, the network expansion will continue in August with the opening of Medway and Oxford branches. All offering the usual fanstatic range and availability of parts, tools and accessories to both the professional garage mechanic and DIYer.
We are very proud to have been nominated this month for two awards, the first being the Private Business Awards which aims to celebrate the best in the private sector and highlight the achievements of individuals and companies. Euro Car Parts have been nominated as a finalist.
The second award is the National Tyre Distributors Association Award for Tyre & Aftermarket Supplier 2011.
JULY 2011
AutoCrew turns 50
MVS Automotive in Birmingham is AutoCrew Partner no. 50, successfully joining the Bosch garage concept programme.
This unique workshop concept for independent vehicle garages is one of the fastest moving and successful concepts to have been launched in Europe in recent years.
Owning an independent workshop in today's business climate poses significantly more challenges than in the past.
Find out how becoming an AutoCrew Partner can benefit you by contact any branch of Euro Car Parts.
Royal Stamp of Approval for IMI Awards Outstanding Achievers
IMI Awards celebrated the achievements of individuals and training providers at the automotive awarding body’s annual outstanding achievers event which was held at Fanshaws in Hertfordshire on Thursday 23 June 2011. The prestigious event, held in the presence of HRH Prince Michael of Kent and sponsored by Euro Car Parts, celebrates the achievements of automotive students and staff from IMI Awards approved centres.
Finalists were congratulated by HRH Prince Michael of Kent, who said in his opening address;
“I am delighted to present these awards as they provide an opportunity to showcasethe hard work, dedication and true passion that exists within the automotive sector today. I would also like to offer my personal congratulations to individuals and training providers; you should all feel extremely proud of your outstanding achievements.”
Euro Car Parts Marketing Director, Bill Stimson, commented ;
"Euro Car Parts is always proud to support IMI Awards’ Outstanding Achievers. Our congratulations go to all the participants and especially the winners. Good quality training is important in every industry, but in the fast-moving world of vehicle servicing and repair it is absolutely essential. New technologies are being introduced all the time, and each one requires a repair solution. We are famous for providing any part for any car and these talented men and women are the people who fit them. Their skill and enthusiasm is both inspirational and reassuring. This year it was particularly encouraging to see so many top-notch female vehicle technicians getting the recognition they deserve.”
Full details on the winners and finalists are available on the IMI Awards website
JUNE 2011
Euro Car Parts wins prestigious Best Management Team award sponsored by PwC,at the Profit Track 100 national awards dinner on 14 June.
Fewer than 2,000 private companies in the UK generate profits of more than £3m, so the 100 with the fastest-growing profits are very much the elite.
The twelfth annual Sunday Times PwC Profit Track 100 awards dinner was held at The Savoy Hotel in London. Key speakers included Nick Jenkins, founder and chairman of Moonpig.com, and Larry Billett, chairman of Pret A Manger.
Presenting the “special award for excellencein management” to Euro Car Parts’ founder and chief executiveSukhpal Singh, PwCassurance partner John Minards said: “He and his team have transformed the business from a niche supplier to a major UK car parts distributor.”
Sukhpal Singh commented: “Winning theBest Management Teamaward is just fantastic, a real honour. There are so many great British companiesin theProfit Track 100, for Euro Car Partsto be recognised in this way makes me extremely proud.
“By putting customers first and maintaining our ‘edge’ – our unrivalled levels of commitment, drive and passion – I see no reason why we cannot turn over £1bn a year and employ 10,000 people in the UK and beyond.
We are very proud to announce an exciting new and exclusive partnership at Euro Car Parts - Remaned Diesel - specialising in remanufactured common rail diesel pumps & injectors.
This brand new state of the art 16,000 sq ft plant in Hastings will provide UK customers with an unrivalled service for the UK aftermarket in terms of price and turnaround
This new division has the resource, investment and skilled diesel personnel to deliver a service to our customers not available anywhere else in the UK, and will also contribute to our ambitious carbon reduction programme.
Bromsgrove branch opened its doors on 16th May and our Bedford branch on 31st May - creating more than 60 jobs in the local area, along with offering the independent garage owners and mechanics unrivalled choice and availability of parts.
Doncaster, York, Huddersfield and Isleworth are on schedule to open in the coming weeks - watch this space for more information on opening dates.
Our expansion programme has gathered speed in the last week with Oxford and Medway locations being secured.
A busy week continues with the delivery of more than 150 additional livered delivery vans nationwide.
MAY 2011
Launched in early 2011 the AutoCrew Garage Concept has now appointed more than 30 garages across the UK to join the network, The response from garages has been extremely encouraging and we are confident that 200 garages will be part of the AutoCrew Garage Concept by the end of 2011.
Euro Car Parts will be exhibiting at Mechanex Show in Harrogate which is being held at the Yorkshire Event Centre on May 18thand 19thfrom 10am – 4pm. Any customers interested in attending should contact their local branch of Euro Car Parts for their FREE ticket to this event. Euro Car Parts continues to support the industry by attending this established trade show.
APRIL 2011
Completion of building work on our Bromsgrove, Bedford and Doncaster Branches will be completed this month ready for the grand opening in May of all three sites.
Sites in Huddersfield and Isleworth have also been located and dates for the opening of both sites will be announced shortly
We will also be attending the Workshop Show at the NEC in April for the presentation to the Top Technician 2011. We all have a duty to ensure the on-going success and future prosperity of the independent aftermarket and as one of the principal sponsors of this event we are proud to be able to offer repairers and technicians help and advice on training or equipment purchases, and generall helping them to future proof their businesses.
MARCH 2011
The AutoCrew Garage concept was officially launched at a successful press conference held on Friday February 25th at Bosch, Denham. Senior staff & Directors from Bosch, Euro Car Parts and the RAC presented this unique concept to the UK's trade press.
AutoCrew is an exceptional opportunity for independent garages to protect their future by connecting with a brand that will quickly become a major force in the UK repair industry. The official website for AutoCrew will also launch in March.
Our Chelmsford Branch is on schedule to open mid March and we are continuing our recruitment drive with more Recruitment Open Days scheduled. See our careers section for more information.
FEBRUARY 2011
January proved yet again to be a magnificent month and we are very pleased to annouce we are ahead of schedule with regards to the opening of our Chelmsford Branch. Bolton & Romford Branches will also open this month.
Our recruitment drive is going from strength to strength with two successful recruitment open days in January and two further dates planned for February. See our careers section on this site for more information on these events.
In January we annouced that 2010 was an amazing year in terms of growth, having achieved sales in excess of £270m. We can now confidently annouce sales for 2011 will be in the region of £340m.
Exciting news for performance enthusiasts, we has been appointed the sole UK distributor for H&R suspension products. We see great opportunities to develop H&R sales through fast road retailers and specialist tuners throughout the UK. The range includes lowering springs, coilover suspension kits and wheel spacers.
At the back end of 2010 we annouced the signing between Bosch and Euro Car Parts of the Bosch AutoCrew Garage concept. We are delighted that Bicester Garage in Bicester, is the the first Bosch AutoCrew Garage in the UK. The programme is gathering great interest from the independent garages and once again, Euro Car Parts are doing all we can to ensure the future prosperity of the independent garage owner & repairer.
JANUARY 2011
We’re setting our stall out early for 2011 with more new branches opening this month in Redditch/Bromsgrove, Cannock, Bolton, Oxford and Romford. We’re also expanding our Cambridge and Slough branches to increase service levels.
We’re also delighted to have been shortlisted as a Sunday Times Top Track 250 company – a fantastic achievement for a company that started out as a small shop in 1978! Companies are selected based on sales and growth and typically comprises the biggest and best privately owned companies in the UK.
Our new fleet of trucks has now been fully operational for several months and we’re still adding to it (see picture). In addition to this fleet we’ve just ordered another 100 delivery vans for the network – these will be deployed later this month.
Finally, here’s a quick update on the numbers for 2010 and from an initial target of £235m for the year we are pleased to announced that the year’s sales will be in excess of £270m, up from £187m in 2009 – another amazing year of record growth!
To put this in perspective here are some facts and figures from 2010:
1 x National Distribution Centre (400,000 sq/ft)
8 x Regional Distribution Centre’s (150,000 sq/ft)
23 x new / expanded branches
1,000 new employees
200 new vans
7 million customer deliveries - that's 1 delivery EVERY 1.3 seconds of every working day!
DECEMBER 2010
Over 100 current and new branch managers, along with around 100 head office personnel attended a conference this month designed to help them prepare for the coming year and highlight the fantastic plans the company has regarding (amongst other things) people, benefits, products, marketing and network expansion. The audience were also treated to an intoxicating speech from Sir Tom Farmer (founder and former CEO of Kwik Fit) who inspired the audience with thought provoking anecdotes as well as effectual advice.
With the first big freeze of the winter hitting many parts of the UK, we were extremely proud to keep the aftermarket wheels turning and keep every single branch open throughout the inclement weather – a huge testament to the dedication and commitment of the whole ECP team!
The NDC has now taken over ALL functions that were previously controlled from Wembley including the all important import and national distribution functions.
We were also delighted to be awarded the prestigious KWIK FIT contract for Shocks, Springs and Suspension components and we are extremely proud to support the KWIK FIT network with quality products from the likes of Sachs and Lemfoerder.
In addition to the 23 new and expanded branches already opened this year we have also set our sights on opening new stores in Cannock / Redditch and Bromsgrove – and then of course there will be another 15 -20 new sites in 2011!
Two more new branches open their doors for business this month and complete our network expansion programme for 2010. A second site in Newcastle goes live and Derby is the last new branch to begin trading... at least for this year!
Also, after many months of hard work and preparation, ECP are now ready to start rolling out a state-of-the-art catalogue system built on a unique code linking the Vehicle Registration Number (VRN) to the relevant parts. The most significant benefit of this will be the improvement of parts identification for garage customers by linking the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN).
NOVEMBER 2010
The expansion continues with Peterborough opening its’ doors and the doubling in size of our Croydon branch. It now stocks an additional 10,000 parts, dramatically increasing the range and availability to local garages.
We are also delighted to announce not one but TWO new web sites this month!
The first is an all new e-commerce web site aimed at the end user / car owner audience.
The new web site offers far greater functionality and delivers customers a great online shopping experience along with access to the largest range of parts and accessories in the UK. It also includes a brand new PERFORMANCE AND STYLING section, with thousands of new products now available.Visit http://www.eurocarparts.comfor more details.
The second is this brand new corporate web site and media centre aimed primarily at the media, suppliers and potential employees.
The new site has all the latest information on ECP as well as the latest news and event information.
OCTOBER 2010
The 400,000 sq ft National Distribution Centre in Tamworth is nearing full operational capacity, supplying overnight stock orders to ECP's 80+ strong branch network, 6 nights per week, from a stock range of over 110,000 different parts.
On top of this, a further 3 branches open their doors to customers and we are delighted to welcome Liverpool and our Bristol branch into the family. The new Bristol branch will also become a regional hub, providing support to ECP branches in South West England and South Wales from its stock of 40,000 different parts, four times a day. We have great news as well for our customers in central Birmingham, as we double the size of the Aston branch and put another 10,000 parts on the shelves (along with 4 more vans on the road) to increase the availability to customers.
SEPTEMBER 2010
September saw the launch of yet more new branches with Aldershot and Northampton swelling the ranks and providing more support and increased availability to all our customers in those areas.
ECP are proud to be appointed as sole supplier of batteries, car parts and consumables stock to RAC's 1,800 Patrol Vans. In addition to this, a unique roadside delivery service will help RAC to provide an even higher first-time fix rate (already the UK's best) to RAC members.
ECP launches its new corporate brochure in time for the upcoming Automechanika exhibition in Frankfurt, Germany.
Automechanika is the largest exhibition of its type in the world and ECP will have stand so make sure you visit us on Stand number: D82 in Hall: 6.3. The exhibition runs from 14th – 19th September.
To download our new corporate brochure click here.
AUGUST 2010
August see's two of the most momentous events in ECP's history
... so far!
Firstly, ECP signs an agreement with Mr. Robert Hanser (Worldwide Head of Robert Bosch's Aftermarket Division) to be the exclusive UK distributor of the Bosch AutoCrew garage concept designed for UK independent garages. Look out for more news of this unique programme which will deliver major business opportunities to the IMT in Britain.
The 400,000 sq ft National Distribution Centre in Tamworth is nearing completion and the phased roll-out is due to start in September by supplying overnight stock orders to some of ECP's 80+ strong branch network, 6 nights per week, from a stock range of over 110,000 different parts. This is another example of ECP investing heavily in the long term future of the business.
JULY 2010
June's record was matched in July with 5 new branches in Gloucester, Plymouth, Tunbridge Wells, Tamworth and an expanded branch in Newcastle. Newcastle also became a Regional Hub, providing 4 times a day support to ECP branches in North East England from the widest stock range in Britain.
JUNE 2010
ECP opens a record 5 new branches in a single month, taking the network to over 80 sites. We are now ready to serve garages and bodyshops from brand new sites in Crayford (Kent), Carlisle, Warrington, Wolverhampton and Leeds. Work continues to gather pace at the NDC in Tamworth with all the preparations for stock nearing completion. ECP's investment in the future of the company is starting to take shape. Here comes the stock....
MAY 2010
Euro Car Parts sales race ahead... Now with sales projected at over £260 million for 2010, ECP are by far the largest car and van parts distributor in the UK. We thank our customers, suppliers and staff for making this possible.
Sukhpal Singh (CEO, Euro Car Parts) and Robert Hanser (Worldwide Head of Robert Bosch's Aftermarket Division) were both delighted to have signed the letter of intent for ECP to roll out the BOSCH AutoCrew garage programme in the UK. Over 2,000 garages will be appointed by ECP as part of this concept which is already incredibly successful in Europe. History will show this to be a major development in the UK aftermarket as well as a landmark in the partnership between ECP and BOSCH.
Our Wembley HQ team was also delighted to welcome a visit from Sir Tom Farmer CBE, the founder of Kwik-Fit and one of the greatest innovators in the world automotive aftermarket. Sir Tom was impressed by the scale and energy of the operation and was delighted to say some great words of encouragement to ECP's national sales teams who were training in Wembley.
ECP were also delighted to have won the prestigious Bosch Sales Excellence Award, presented to us at the awards ceremony in Turkey, earlier this month.
Finally, on May 24th, 300 Customers visited ECP HQ for one of the truly great ECP events in ECP history. The customers visited the head office as our guests, before heading over to Wembley Stadium to watch England beat Mexico 3-1! As well as getting a ticket to England's last home game before the World Cup, customers were also hosted in great style with food, drinks and music. A marquee was erected in the car park where customer and staff mingled after being shown round the head office facilities, warehouse and logistics.
APRIL 2010
Our latest branch and regional hub opens in Crawley, providing support to ECP branches throughout Surrey, S London, Kent, Sussex and Hampshire. Local garage customers are delighted with the fast delivery service and availability of 40,000 different parts in stock.
Crawley is the first of a network of 9 Regional Hubs which will provide a minimum of 4 times a day service on specialist parts to ECP's fast-expanding branch network.
MARCH 2010
ECP announce the launch of our 400,000 sq ft National Distribution Centre in Tamworth. This brand new purpose built facility, close to the Midlands motorways and a rail freight container depot, will support our growing network of branches and regional hubs. When fully operational in late July, it will provide overnight stock orders to every ECP branch, 6 nights per week, from a stock range of over 110,000 different parts.
FEBRUARY 2010
The Euro Car Parts Board sign off an ambitious 3 year development plan. Resources are in place to double ECP's market share and greatly strengthen its branch network, product ranges and marketing programmes.
JANUARY 2010
Jan 4th, 2010 and the doors open for business at Edmonton, North London. All of the 10 newly opened branches are doing well despite the bad weather.
Company sales now running at £230million annualised.
