The Garage 360

NEWS
For example, sales excellence will be achieved through management
and adviser training underpinned by new customer service
technology; we can nurture growth areas like the HGV market
with Digraph, and geographic markets including Ireland; and we’ll
be working hard to get the crucial electric vehicle (EV) parts that
garages need to retain and win new customers. If we can help our
customers to thrive, then we can thrive with them.
“Our recent success reveals what can happen when we get out
and see customers. They like the way we’ve changed over the years.
We’re not just here to supply parts. We’re here to solve customers’
problems armed with a whole scope of services, really being a
supportive partner of choice.”
The Supplier Zone at the conference featured activations and
demonstrations from leading brands like Shell, Varta, Pagid, Brembo,
Valeo, Mann, Bosch and Schaeffler – many of which work closely
with LKQ on the 1TEC Auto Hub garage concept network launched
last year, and which share LKQ’s commitment to innovation and
customer support.
In a talk to delegates, Anthony McAteer, group procurement
director at LKQ Euro Car Parts, also committed to being the first
to market on key products launching in the next few years to help
customers keep pace with evolving vehicle technologies. Meanwhile,
Andy Southby, new Chief Commercial Officer for UK & Ireland,
spoke about the importance of building trust with customers,
embracing change and how the business can and will continue to
add value to the aftermarket.
Guests also heard from David Coulthard and Bernie Collins
about their experiences in F1, how that can be transferred to
colleagues, and on the importance of attracting young talent into
the automotive sector.
The show’s LKQ Zone was home to a series of stands detailing
the group’s commitment to its colleagues and to driving progress
on the issues that matter. As well as highlighting key sustainability
achievements and initiatives like its Community Branch Fund that
supports local grassroots causes, there was a significant focus on
diversity, equity and inclusion, including the group’s industry-leading
commitment to reaching a 25% female workforce by 2025.
Speaking about the conference, Kevan added: “In a competitive,
challenging environment, the Branch Managers Conference brought
our colleagues, suppliers and customers together to reflect on
everything we’ve done to reinforce our position as customers’
partner of choice – and how strong and sustainable we increasingly
are as a result. Building these relationships is centric to the
aftermarket’s success, as an ecosystem that relies on each other.
“But we know we can never rest on our laurels in a dynamic
market like the aftermarket. At the heart of the show was the
principle of how we can continue to deliver excellence for
customers by investing in our people and products, and by fighting
industry issues on their behalf to secure our mutual success.”
A SAFE SOLUTION FOR ALL GARAGES
An Anti-Slip GRP Solution
for Garage Inspection Pits
To achieve total safety around vehicle inspection pits,
anti-slip GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) grating can be
installed with side ramps or in the majority of cases the
grating covers simply slot into a rebated ledge/bearer.
GRP garage covers are lightweight to lift out and
strong enough to take heavy weight. We recommend
our Open Mesh GRP Grating thickness at 38mm or
50mm.
We can cover Bus & Coach Pits, Truck, Trailer & HGV Pits,
Wide Bodied Vehicle Pits, Railway & Locomotive Pits,
DVSA ATF Testing Pits.
BENEFITS OF GRIPCLAD’S
GRP FLOOR GRATING
● Lightweight and easy to lift
and shift
● Safe anti-slip walking surface
● Cut to manageable size and
easily slotted and laid
● If no angle, use our ramp
edging
● Anti-slip surface
● Virtually zero maintenance
● Neat and tidy look
For further details on all our products contact: 023 8040 6796
Email: enquiries@gripclad.co.uk Web: www.gripclad.co.uk/applications/garage-inspection-pit/
THE GARAGE 13
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