The Garage 341

NEWS
Disrupting the
Automotive
Aftermarket is
what’s driving SMIC
Autoparts’ arrival
on the UK scene
Reinventing the parts supply process and introducing the
“Parivaar” way of working in the UK are just two of the aims of
SMIC Autoparts, the new automotive aftermarket start-up.
SMIC Autoparts’ vision is to become the world’s number one
auto parts brand.
And SMIC Autoparts aims to do this with a best-value approach
and a relentless focus on Integrity, Safety & Quality - its core
values to help its customers “Ride in Confidence”.
Born from established manufacturing and distribution giant,
Sona Mandhira Private Limited which has held a stronghold in
India and the SAARC region for more than a decade, through SMIC
Autoparts it can continue the global expansion from its London HQ
in Knightsbridge. SMIC Autoparts will also leverage an established
distribution network in the Middle East, Europe, North & South
America and the African continent via its sister offices in the UAE
and India (with the US to follow in 2022).
Announcing the start-up, the Founder of SMIC Autoparts and
CMD of Sona Mandhira, Ms Mandhira Kapur believes an innovationfirst
approach is crucial in an industry that needs shaking up and
future-proofing. She said: “I believe in daring to be different so I’ve
moved our global headquarters to London because I believe the
UK’s automotive aftermarket industry is an exciting place to be and
a natural gateway to our European and North American expansion.
We’ve also opened a sister office in Dubai to amplify our MENA
links. We’re bringing a start-up, entrepreneurial approach to
launching our new product line here and eventually helping resolve
the availability crisis deeply affecting the industry.”
The Sona Mandhira brand is renowned for reliable and durable
aftermarket products and SMIC Autoparts is backed by Sona
Mandhira’s strong team of R&D experts that have helped them in
creating world-class products for over 10 years.
Ms Kapur explained how in creating the brand SMIC Autoparts,
she retained the values of Sona Mandhira and wanted to bring the
idea of Sona Mandhira Parivaar (which means family in Hindi) over
Entrepreneur owner, Ms Mandhira Kapur, outlines
the start-up’s vision to become the world’s leading
auto-parts brand.
Born from Sona Mandhira Private Limited which has
held a stronghold in India and the SAARC region for
more than a decade, via SMIC Autoparts Ms Kapur
is taking a traditional manufacturing and distribution
family business and transforming it into a dynamic,
digital-first multinational company.
The start-up aims to reinvent the parts supply process
by delivering its brand’s promise to provide customers
with OE quality spare parts at an affordable price
as well as assisting the independent aftermarket in
digitalisation.
to the UK. She added: “In Indian culture, it’s all about relationships.
I genuinely care about our suppliers who are also our salespeople
and that permeates throughout the company. We believe in
working together to ensure all parties enjoy future growth. We
want to be successful and we want to help you to be successful.
We genuinely feel like a family, and in an often impersonal world,
we want to make it more personal and grow that community ethos
here.”
Ms Kapur revealed that their sales team was “ready to hit the
road” and urged anyone looking to shake up their supply chain to
get in contact directly. She added: “We can’t wait to be out talking
to the industry about our new product lines and expect to see our
distinctive Lion logo in garages up and down the country in the
very near future.”
10 THE GARAGE
10 News SMIC.indd 1 28/07/2022 14:53