The Garage 353

NEWS
Copart to increase
storage capabilities by
50% in Cambridgeshire
Global leader in online vehicle remarketing and recycling, Copart
UK, has secured final planning permission to expand their site
in Wisbech, adding 50% to their vehicle storage capabilities in
Cambridgeshire.
Originally announced last year, expansion works can now commence
at Copart’s Operation Centre in Wisbech, which will support the
company’s continued growth in the East of England.
Once completed, the expansion will make Wisbech a 20-acre site,
increasing vehicle storage capacity by 50%.
This expansion is part of Copart’s extensive reinvestment strategy
to meet continued demand from their customers, including most of
the UK’s major insurance companies and thousands of nationwide
automotive customers.
This includes a programme of land acquisition alongside
continuous improvement at existing sites and reinvestment in
transport, services, and technology.
Today’s news follows a series of similar growth and investment
announcements from Copart over the past year, including continued
expansion at their Super Centre in Bristol, a new 31-acre site in East
Kilbride, and a nationwide sustainability refurbishment programme at
existing Operation Centres.
Copart anticipates the full 20-acre site at Wisbech to be
operational by spring 2023.
Phil Briggs, Copart UK’s Director of Operation Centres, Transport &
Engineering, said:
“We’re fully committed to continuously growing and improving
services to our customers, so we’re pleased to be extending our
Wisbech Operation Centre, more than doubling its storage capacity
in the East of England.
“Not only will this further strengthen our unrivalled operational
capabilities in this part of the country in line with the continued
growth of the UK car parc, but with extreme weather events
becoming more prevalent the provision of latent storage capacity for
our customers is more important than ever.”
Tyre management boost, as
handheld scanner comes to the UK
AES UK (Automotive Equipment Solutions) has introduced
a hand-held tyre scanner which allows commercial vehicle
operators, workshops and tyre retailers to quickly and accurately
measure tyre tread depth.
TreadReader HD (Heavy Duty) is a compact,
easy-to-use device which provides full-width
tread depth analysis and creates a detailed
scan of each tyre to within 0.2mm.
Used in combination with the cloud-based
management platform app, TreadManager,
the scanner calculates tyre tread depths
with 3D colour-coded graphics showing tyre
conditions, tread warnings and safety alerts,
such as under-inflation or wheel alignment
recommendation. TreadManager can also
be integrated seamlessly with workshop
management systems via API access.
“This unique tool is set to revolutionise
tyre management for all HGV, PSV and LCV
operators,” says AES UK Director, Tom Coad.
“Using the dedicated commercial vehicle IOS
or Android App, each tyre can be measured
in around 20 seconds with all tyre scan data
saved to the cloud for printing out and used
for potential DVSA checks and maintenance
reports.”
Tom Coad explains that TreadReader HD
speeds up routine vehicle maintenance and
helps to guard against tyre failure. Moreover,
the accuracy and simplicity of the system
helps with wheel alignment inspections
and provides workshops with an affordable
solution to help sell alignment as a service.
“Uneven tyre wear is often connected with
a wheel alignment problem,” says Tom. “So,
not only will the device immediately point to
safety issues and potential tyre replacement,
but it also provides early warning regarding
mis-aligned wheels and axles. Workshops can
therefore take immediate corrective action
and then refer to the captured tyre data for
ongoing wheel alignment checks.”
According to AES UK, the TreadReader
HD handheld scanner provides accurate
readings even for wet or dirty tyre treads and
is ideal for all tyre inspection applications
in workshops, service centres, MOT lanes,
depots, and mobile inspections.
“TreadReader HD far surpasses the
accuracy and reliability of basic dip gauges
and non-contact ‘laser pointers,’ adds
Tom Coad. “Unlike traditional stand-alone
devices it works with the non-subscription
(free to use) app, to get the job done faster
and with greater accuracy, while allowing
service managers to view multiple vehicle
reports and technician activity.”
Established in 2005, AES UK (Automotive
Equipment Solutions) is the first UK
distributor of TreadReader HD. The company
is also sole distributor for Josam, providing
commercial vehicle alignment and CV
workshop equipment, along with on-site
training, servicing and equipment calibration
to operators throughout the UK.
More about AES UK at: a-e-s-uk.co.uk
and TreadReader at: a-e-s-uk.co.uk/
treadreader/
22 THE GARAGE
22,News Copart, AES.indd 1 27/07/2023 12:31