Aftermarket September 2022

NEWS 6 AFTERMARKET SEPTEMBER 2022 www.aftermarketonline.net GSF Car Parts: Synchronise your branches! GSF Car Parts has completed its rebrand, with new signage, vehicle liveries and uniform branding in place across the network. With the introduction of standardised opening hours, all branches are now open from 8.00 to 17.30 Monday to Friday, and 8.00 to 14.00 on Saturdays. There have also been new branch openings in Avonmouth, Camborne, Saltash, Solihull, Wakefield, Welwyn Garden City, Wigan, the Wirral and Yeovil. GSF Car Parts President and COO Mark Eburne commented: “It’s been an exciting period of growth and transformation, and we’re incredibly proud of the teams across the business who have brought all these changes to fruition.” UK Garage and Bodyshop Event/Ben partnership raises funds The UK Garage and Bodyshop Event has presented a cheque to Ben for £1,063, resulting from a partnership between show organisers Messe Frankfurt and the charity at the event in June. The money was raised through a combination of corporate donation and individual donations that Ben received from attendees at the show who took part in a video game racing challenge. Receiving the funds on behalf of Ben, Head of Outreach, Health and Wellbeing for Ben Ellen Plumer said: “This generous donation will enable us to offer life-saving help to more of those in our automotive community who really need our support.” Managing Director of Messe Frankfurt UK Simon Albert, added: “BEN does incredible work within the automotive aftermarket sector, supporting the industry’s people to make positive changes and navigate the curveballs life can throw at us.” For more information, visit: www.ben.org.uk Motul and Castle Combe Circuit are continuing the partnership, with the oil brand back for another year as Official Lubricant Brand of both the race track and the Castle Combe Racing Club. The ongoing deal also renews Motul’s title sponsorship of the Castle Combe Hot Hatch Challenge. Andy Wait, Motul’s UK and Ireland Sale and Marketing Manager commented: “We are delighted to be able to announce that we are continuing with Castle Combe Circuit and Racing Club, as their official lubricant partners.” For more information, visit: www.motul.com Motul and Castle Combe partnership races into 2022 The hardest positions to fill 90% of automotive business owners and managers said that since the pandemic, workshop and technical roles are the hardest positions to fill, with more than 80% saying recruitment overall has become increasingly difficult according to a survey from Autotech Recruit. On EVs, just 4% of respondents had technicians trained to Level 2 electric/hybrid vehicle standard, with almost a third having no EV-trained technicians. On how they are looking to retain staff, 52% said they offer a performance related bonus, with a third offering flexible working hours along with a range of other benefits. Over 75% framed training and professional development as a benefit. Commenting on the survey, Simon King, MD of Autotech Group, observed: “While permanent recruitment is still at the forefront, in line with other industry sectors there is a growing reliance on temporary technical staff amongst automotive employers.” For more information, visit: https://autotechrecruit.co.uk/a-guide-to- overcoming-automotive-talent-shortages RNH Solutions, which was bought by Kerridge Commercial Systems in November 2021, is being rebranded as MAM Software, bringing the company’s automotive operations in the UK and Ireland under a single banner. The rebrand will be accompanied by the launch of a new website. Commenting on the mo ve, James Mitchell, Managing Dir ector UK & Ir eland s aid: “This is an exciting time f or our busine ss in Ireland. Unifying under a c ommon br and reaffirms how integral the aut omotive team and pr oduct portf olio are to the future of a business we are proud to be part of." RNH Solutions rebrands