November 2018

www.aftermarketonline.net NOVEMBER 2018 AFTERMARKET 3 CONTENTS BUSINESS 08 Big issue: When the Levy breaks 12 Neil Pattemore: Changing aftermarket 14 Hannah Gordon: Unfinished monkey business 15 Barry Babister: Annual exams are compulsory 16 John Batten: Health of your business TECHNICAL 18 Frank Massey: Ethanol – Friend or biohazard? 20 Technical update IN FOCUS 22 NTN-SNR celebrates centenary 24 Accelerated in Eden – Castrol Service Network 26 Top Garage 2019 – Get in! 28 Streamlining the supply chain 30 Euro Car Parts: T2 – Judgement Day 33 Steering and suspension 38 Clutch and transmission 42 Filters 45 Remanufactured components PLUS... 47 Boston: “Winter Madness” sale 48 BM Catalysts: EU emissions rules 50 Top Technician flashback: Issues of rotation 52 Competition – LIQUI MOLY 55 On the road: NTDA Conference 58 Garage visit: Robertson Gemini 60 Training 63 Recruitment – New appointments 66 Teabreak TIME OF THE SEASON 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 | Hannah Gordon | 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 2017 to June 2018 21,503 I s it really November already? We had just about got used to the issues of 2018, and we will now need a whole new frame of reference. After all, the skills shortage, changing technology and Brexit will all be sorted out by Christmas won’t they? Well, maybe not, which is why we look at the issue of apprenticeships on pages 8-10, and the impact of changing technology practically everywhere else. Brexit, believe it or not barely gets a mention in this edition, but that’s because we are saving it for the December-January double issue. Back to this month though. With Top Technician 2019 already underway, we now turn our attention to Top Garage, which begins on 1 November. Have you entered yet? Turn to page 26-27 to find out what’s involved. We are also looking ahead to the Top Technician/Top Garage Awards Dinner 2019, taking place on 22 June. For all the details turn to page 5. With celebrity guest presenter Helen Fospero now on board we know you will want to be there. June is a little way off yet though, so in the meantime we have been busy seeing what’s new in the sector. We had our minds blown at Euro Car Parts’ new T2 national distribution centre recently. See what’s what on pages 30-32. We also got our heads turned at the NTDA Conference, which provided some interesting aftermarket insights. You will find out report on pages 55-56. Also out and about was Neil Pattemore. He was at Automechanika Frankfurt last month, and his look at the changing face of the aftermarket is on pages 12-13. All this activity keeps us busy, but we have our health so we will be okay. How is the health of your business though? John Batten is asking some searching questions on this topic on pages 16-17. Speaking of health and wellbeing, Frank Massey is seeing if more ethanol in the tank is good for us on pages 18-19. Hannah Gordon is more concerned about the mental health of a sector where pay is often too low. She is on page 14. Barry Babister’s focus is on making sure you are staying within the rules as an MOT testing station. He is on page 15. On the product side, we have features on steering and suspension, clutch and transmission, filters and remanufactured components. We hope you like the issue! 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.