July/August 2019

JULY/AUGUST 2019 AFTERMARKET 49 Left: Nicolas Hamilton www.aftermarketonline.net together. "On the wheel alignment side, we have the three computerised wheel alignment systems we distribute. The Ecoline 88 is aimed at people who have been doing laser alignment and want the next step up without going to 3D alignment. Next is the Pulse 8. This is an eight-camera-based system which also has number plate recognition, so you don't have to look up the individual vehicles. This model is also ADAS-ready, as it can be used in conjunction with an ADAS system. Finally, we have the Megaline Ssense 600 3D HD wheel aligner, which is the 3D alignment system." Sigmavision Also on the stand at Hoffman- Megaplan was Sigmavision. Apart from demonstrating the benefits of their existing TreadReader products, including the Hand Held scanner and TreadReader Drive Over ramp, the company was keen to show off TreadManager. This cloud-based tyre sales management service integrates with all TreadReader tyre measurement products, with the intention being to use the combined information to improve productivity and increase tyre sales. Sigmavision Sales Director Chris Coyle said: "Before this was on the market, our TreadReader products were great tools. Working in combination with TreadManager though, they come together to provide a great service." TechMan Over on the TechMan stand, visitors automatically became entrants in a competition with a great prize. TechMan's National Sales Manager Leo Freebairn explained: "We have got a 12-month pro-subscription to TechMan, with all the credits required, training, implementation of data up for grabs. We also have three courses from Andy Savva, The Garage Inspector, we have a 12-month license of Autodata. The total prize value is £5,500. We will be selecting the people that have come onto the stand from a random number generator on Thursday, when the lucky winner will be announced." Well done to the lucky winner. We bet you were glad you came to the show. TecAlliance TecAlliance was at the show, promoting the 3.0 version of TecDoc. “Parts suppliers need to get information concerning their product range and vehicle coverage to the wholesale sector as effectively as they can,” explained Shaun Greasley, TecAlliance’s General Manager UK and Ireland. “That’s precisely the solution that TecAlliance provides through its various offerings. Although the TecDoc Catalogue – which after its recent 3.0 update offers users an even more integrated parts identification solution – is the most recognised and used resource, the company has introduced numerous products for its many suppliers, to ease the process from turning their raw data into direct connection to the correct replacement part." ECOBAT Providing convenience and helping customers keep up with technology was the show mission for ECOBAT Battery Technologies (EBT), formerly Manbat. The company was on its stand making techs aware of ONE BOX, its all-in-one Stop/Start battery analysis and replacement solution. Everything needed for analysis and replacement of a Stop/Start battery is in the handy kit-box, and with good reason. “Our research revealed that typically only 57% of independent garages fit Stop/Start batteries,” said EBT Senior Marketing Assistant Laura Jones. This number of workshops fitting AGM and EFB batteries indicates one of two things. Either the garage is not aware, or they assume that fitting Stop/Start batteries is too complicated and costly. By providing a combination of products, which together allow workshops currently turning work away that would typically be charged at more than £185 to do it, ONE BOX opens the way to access new business and increased profits through a straightforward and practical solution." Laura added: "We are launching this with next winter's battery season in mind. We believe this will help workshops capture and keep additional business." MEYLE MEYLE was back again for 2019, and being at the show gave the company the opportunity to present highlights from the MEYLE ORIGINAL, MEYLE-HD and MEYLE-PD product lines and also focus on workshop solutions intended to help businesses save time and money. Items on show included repair solutions for the suspension, steering and damping parts rounded off by brake components, water pumps and automatic transmission service kits. "Automechanika Birmingham was a great success for us,” said Andrew Tress, Sales Director of MEYLE UK. “This year, we registered a very high interest and demand in our oil change kits for automatic transmission. Along with presenting our solution, we were able to get a direct feedback from customers and partners and their requirements.” Morris Lubricants There were 150 reasons to visit Morris Lubricants at Automechanika Birmingham this year. For one thing, the company was celebrating a certain anniversary – that's right, 150 years since the company first started. Getting the chance to talk to the