June 2018

www.aftermarketonline.net JUNE 2018 AFTERMARKET 3 CONTENTS BUSINESS 08 Big issue: What’s it worth to you? 12 Adam Bernstein: A fine pension mess 14 Neil Pattemore: Connecting to tomorrow TECHNICAL 18 John Batten: Tools to survive and thrive 21 Barry Babister: “It was like that last year...” 22 Peter Coombes: EVs and hybrid vehicle tech 24 Frank Massey: Expert training – Italian style IN FOCUS 26 Top Technician semi final 28 Pico Technology: Using the Math Channel 30 Automechanika Birmingham 2018 preview 46 Diagnostics 50 Wheel & body alignment PLUS... 53 ZF Aftermarket scores a century 54 General products 56 Competition: WhoCanFixMyCar.com 58 Day in the life: Ivor Searle 60 Garage visit: ADG Autotech 62 Training 64 Recruitment 66 Teabreak ALMOST TO THE TOP Editor | Alex Wells alex@aftermarket.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 345 Sales Manager | Claire Hodder claire@aftermarket.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 349 Contributors Barry Babister | John Batten | Adam Bernstein | Peter Coombes | Frank Massey | Neil Pattemore Commercial Director | Ryan Fuller ryan.fuller@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Operations Manager | Ewa Hodden ewa.hodden@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Operations Administrator | Emma Floyd emma.floyd@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Finance Manager | Clare Jackson clare.jackson@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Publishing Director | Ian Atkinson ian.atkinson@dfamedia.co.uk | +44 (0) 1732 370 340 Published by | DFA Media Ltd 192 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent, TN9 1BE Alex Wells, Editor Average net circulation July 2016 to June 2017 23,577 T op Technician reached the semi final last month, and the RMI Academy of Skills in Southam was the setting for the showdown between the final 10. The winners for both Top Technician (TT) and Top Garage (TG), will be announced at the Top Technician – Top Garage Gala Dinner, which takes place in the evening after the finals. The Gala Dinner is being held at the Brampton Heath Golf Centre in Northamptonshire. Tickets are going fast. Turn to pages 26-27 to find out more. Speaking of TT/TG, competition sponsors Pico Technology have provided a fascinating article on Math Channel use. Turn to page 28 to read up on this. Speaking of math, on page 12 Adam Bernstein concludes his look at auto enrolment pensions. Meanwhile, things are looking lean on pages 14-16 for Neil Pattemore as he looks at how vehicle connectivity can lead to more efficient workshop processes. We have a new regular contributor joining us from this month, as Barry Babister of MOT Juice comes aboard to keep us informed on the intricacies of the MOT. You will find that on page 21. Keeping our regular fellowship busy, on pages 18-20 we have John Batten looking for the one tool to rule them all. Also on a quest, but heading further afield, on pages 24-25 we hear about Frank Massey’s training exploits in Italy. While this is going on, Peter Coombes continues his examination of the ins and outs of EV and hybrid tech on pages 22-23. Coming back to Top Technician, our garage visit this month takes us to see former winner Andy Gravel at his business ADG Autotech. That’s on pages 60-61. We were busy this month, but we found time to spend a day at Ivor Searle to find out what goes on behind the scenes. That’s on pages 58-59. While we are at it, we also have the latest on diagnostics, as well as wheel & body alignment. Last, but not least, we have our at Automechanika Birmingham preview on pages 30-45. Floorplan, exhibitors, seminars; If you want it, we’ve done it for you. Everything you need to know and more about the show. More? We couldn’t fit more in even if we wanted to! Alex Wells Editor aftermarketmagazine @aftermarket01 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 MEDIA LTD 2018.