June 2020

40 AFTERMARKET JUNE 2020 BUSINESS www.aftermarketonline.net C oronavirus has caused companies right across the sector to rethink how they do business on a day-to- day basis. The situation has changed daily, with government announcements meaning workshops need to alter course, close and re-open as events have unfolded. 20 April: Furlough funds go live The government’s Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme went live on Monday 20 April. This meant garages could access support to put staff on furlough. Through the programme, businesses are able to access funds to cover 80% of an employee’s salary up to a maximum of £2,500 a month. The scheme, announced in March, is currently set to run until the end of October. In a statement, Chancellor of the Exchequer Rishi Sunak said: It’s vital that our economy gets up and running again as soon as it’s safe – and this scheme will allow that to happen.” 22 April: Nightingale hospitals running on GS Yuasa batteries GS Yuasa contributed to the fight against Coronavirus by supplying power to the NHS Nightingale hospitals and other key medical projects. Since the beginning of the outbreak, GS Yuasa have supplied Yuasa-branded uninterruptible power supply (UPS) system batteries to the new NHS Nightingale hospitals, including London, Birmingham Manchester, Bristol, Glasgow and Newcastle, which will treat COVID-19 patients. Yuasa valve regulated lead acid (VRLA) batteries are used as standby backup power in UPS systems which ensure the power remains on in the event of a mains electricity failure. James Hylton, Managing Director of GS Yuasa Battery Sales UK, said: “We are proud that our batteries have CORONAVIRUS ROUND-UP The impact of COVID-19 continued to be felt over the last four weeks as the sector adapted to new circumstances been chosen to back up these key NHS Nightingale hospitals and humbled that because of the quality of our batteries we are able to make a small contribution to the national effort.” 23 April: TPS donates thousands of protective covers to NHS staff TPS delivered thousands of car safety covers through its 82 UK centres to NHS front line workers during April, including community workers and ambulance crew, to protect them from COVID-19. One such drop from the Yorkshire centres saw car seat covers delivered to Yorkshire Ambulance service. Alongside the car seat covers donation, TPS has also been doing its by prioritising customers such as Blue Light, AA Patrols, government agency and their key worker support vehicles. TPS has also implemented new measures to protect its staff and customers which include closing the front counters at its centres and introducing contact free deliveries. 27 April: Toyota First parts moves back to normal Garages looking to source Toyota parts saw the process back on a more usual footing, as distribution moved a step closer to normal service. Robert Toovey, Toyota GB Operations Manager Trade Parts, commented: “This will mean the movement of parts and accessories will be able to flow more freely from Europe to Toyota Parts Lutterworth and onwards.” 28 April: Brakes start to come off for Brembo Brembo resumed some activities in its Curno, Mapello and Sellero plants. Operations were temporarily suspended on 16 March, due to the COVID-19 emergency. The decision to restart was taken in line with the lockdown easing provisions made by the Italian Government. While its plants were closed, Brembo focused on implementing and reinforcing safety measures, following instructions from authorities. This included disinfecting all working environments. Meanwhile, staff would