Marinelli Motorsport PR & Media Pty Ltd

October 9, 2017 - LATE RACE DISAPPOINTMENT FOR DAYCO RACER DAVE RUSSELL AT BATHURST

Dayco Ambassador David Russell has competed in his fifth consecutive Bathurst 1000 with the Nissan Motorsport Supercar team, forming the only male and female driving team at Australia’s great race joining Swiss racer Simona de Silvestro.

Sadly the race ended in major disappointment for the Dayco racer, when co-driver de Silvestro spun and crashed heavily on entry to the Bathurst pit straight with just nine laps to go. Russell and de Silvestro were on target to become the first male and female driver combination in the history of the great race to finish inside the top ten.

As has been the case with many of Russell’s Bathurst Supercar co-driving efforts, his pace throughout the weekend was amongst the fastest in the co-driver field, the accident ending a potential top six finish at this gruelling event.

“Firstly I am glad that Simona emerged from the crash uninjured – it was a very big hit. We worked brilliantly together throughout our Bathurst campaign and we were on track for a history making result, so naturally I’m very disappointed. We had a good car and the team worked hard all weekend, but we missed out this year. Onto the Gold Coast 600, a street circuit where I have enjoyed race wins and podium results in the past in two weeks time,” Russell said.

Starting from 23rd on the grid in wet conditions, de Silvestro and Russell immediately progressed through the field with de Silvestro handing the car to the Dayco racer on lap 24 in 8th position. Russell then double stinted, continuing the Nissan Motorsport team’s progress through the field to return the car to de Silvestro in 7th position on lap 75 of 161.

Russell completed another double stint in highly challenging track conditions, setting consistently fast laps and overtaking several competitors to be placed as the top Nissan driver in the field by lap 111. He then handed the Nissan Altima Supercar back to his co-driver within the top ten for the run to the finish line.

Disaster struck on lap 152 when de Silvestro clipped the kerbing on the exit of Murray’s corner, setting her Nissan into a spin and suffering a very heavy impact with the pit straight concrete wall. Fortunately the ex IndyCar, International Formula 3 and Formula E driver escaped injury.

"It was good to show what we're capable of. But I messed up and that's pretty hard to get over. The guys worked hard all weekend and put me in that position. So it's frustraing to end the weekend with a silly mistake,” Simona de Silvestro said.

“The team made some pretty good calls as well as some pretty hairy calls when it was wet. There haven't been many races in the wet this year, but around this place it becomes even more of a handful. Things change so quickly out there and driving on slicks was a whole new challenge. I learned a lot and really enjoyed driving with David," de Silvestro added.

/ends.

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October 9, 2017 - PENRITE CONQUERS MOUNT PANORAMA WITH BATHURST 1000 WIN

The Penrite Erebus Motorsport Holden VF Commodore of David Reynolds and Luke Youlden has claimed a sensational victory in the 2017 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 at Mount Panorama.

Reynolds and Youlden kept out of trouble at a wet and wild 2017 edition of the great race for their and the Erebus team’s maiden win in the Bathurst 1000, with a special “Australian Made and Owned” themed Penrite livery for the occasion.

The race was hit by a heavy downpour from the start with the famed 6.2 kilometre Mount Panorama Circuit only drying during the latter stages. However, a late rain shower threw a curveball into the mix, as several of the leading contenders fell by the wayside.

Reynolds, though, held his nerve through late-race safety cars and challengers from behind for a memorable victory.

“I have got nothing left to give, I am absolutely spent,” said Reynolds. “My crew was faultless, it was just a perfect day, so good. I was struggling to hold in the tears during the last couple of laps but I thought I had it under control.”

It was also Youlden’s first win from a career high of 18 Bathurst 1000 starts, despite the fact the driver-trainer doesn’t race in any other categories throughout the rest of the year.

“For a bloke who races once a year he’s not bad!” Reynolds said of Youlden.

“We have had this same core team for a while now, I love this sport and I love my job in working with them. It just makes it so enjoyable.

“I have been wanting to pay them back but we haven’t had a lot of luck, so this is now the icing on the cake.”

This resounding victory also co-incides with Penrite being the official lubricant of the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 for the first time.

The Penrite Erebus Commodore is back on track at the Vodafone Gold Coast 600 on the streets of Surfers Paradise in Queensland from October 20 to 22.

/ends.

Print quality image links from Bathurst

Image 1 - David Reynolds (left) and Luke Youlden with The Peter Brock Trophy

Visit Penrite online

October 2, 2017 - BURSON AUTO PARTS EXPANDS HIGH QUALITY BURSON COOLANT RANGE

Burson Auto Parts has expanded the Australian company’s own brand of premium quality engine coolants.

The Burson coolant range has offered repairers high quality coolant formulations for decades. In order to meet the specific requirements of several vehicle manufacturers, and in continuing to set the industry standard for outstanding technical performance, Burson Auto Parts has expanded its coolant offering with products that have been specifically formulated to meet the chemistry and performance requirements of Japanese and Korean vehicles.

There are a number of key objectives that well formulated engine coolants need to achieve. They must be highly effective at transferring heat, while also protecting against corrosion and freezing (where required). Properly formulated, high quality engine coolants reduce required system maintenance and extend the lifetime of automotive engines.

The introduction of the new Burson Long Life Blue and Pink Coolants ensures that repairers have access to coolant formulations that have been specifically developed for Japanese and Korean vehicles, with a unique chemistry that makes them compatible with the service and factory fill long life coolants manufactured by Japanese and Korean OEMs.

These new Burson coolants are the first Australian made products in the Australian aftermarket to be specifically designed and recommended for Japanese and Korean vehicles. Based on a state of the art phosphated Organic Additive Technology (P-OAT) inhibitor package, the new Burson blue and pink coolants not only meet the hybrid chemistry requirements of Japanese and Korean OEMs, they also exceed both ASTM D3306 and JIS K 2234-2006 Class II industry standards for corrosion protection.

The new blue and pink Burson coolant products also provide up to 5 years or 250,000km of service protection and are silicate, borate, nitrite and amine free. These coolants will provide exceptional protection for all cooling system metals, including aluminium and ferrous alloys. The new products are available in both blue and pink formulations to promote colour compatibility with the relevant OEM factory fill coolant.

The new Burson Long Life Blue Coolant and Long Life Pink Coolant add to the industry leading Burson engine coolant range, which also includes the Burson Long Life Organic Coolant (red-coloured), Burson Long Life Coolant (green-coloured), Burson Pre-Mixed Coolant (green-coloured), and Burson Radiator Corrosion Inhibitor (a Type “B” glycol-free corrosion inhibitor).

Burson Long Life Organic Coolant is a red-coloured, universal engine coolant concentrate that is suitable for passenger cars, 4WD’s, light commercials, trucks, buses and heavy duty diesel and gas engines. This coolant is based on cutting edge Organic Additive Technology (OAT) inhibitors that will provide up to 8 years or 1,000,000km of service protection for heavy duty engines.

This premium quality Australian made coolant product meets or exceeds a wide range of industry and OEM performance specifications, including AS 2108-2004 Type “A”, ASTM D3306, ASTM D6210, Cummins CES 14439, Ford WSSM97B44-D, GM 6277M, Komatsu 07.892 and MB 325.3.

Burson Long Life Organic Coolant has been tested against and exceeds the ASTM industry coolant standard for heavy duty engines, ASTM D6210, making it perfect for heavy duty engine applications. This coolant is free of nitrites, nitrates, amines, phosphates, silicates and borates.

The Burson range also includes fully formulated, low-silicate hybrid technology coolants, comprising the green-coloured Burson Long Life Coolant Concentrate and Burson Pre-Mixed Coolant. These products are cost-effective, multi-purpose coolants suitable for early and most late model petrol, diesel and gas passenger cars, 4WD’s, light commercials and trucks. These AS 2108-2004 Type “A” coolants offer up to 5 years or 650,000km of service protection for trucks and buses. They will provide excellent corrosion protection for all system metals, including aluminium, and are also free of nitrates, amines and phosphates.

The Burson Radiator Corrosion Inhibitor is suitable for petrol engine passenger cars and light commercial vehicles where freeze protection is not required. This coolant is ideal for early model vehicles (manufactured before 2001) and offers up to 3 years or 60,000km of service protection. The product meets Australian Standard AS 2108-2004 Type “B” and Ford Australia Specification ESR-FM7C35-C, and only 500ml is required to treat a 10 litre system.

According to Burson Auto Parts Product Manager, Gareth Walker, “There is so much more to coolant than just the colour of the fluid, the formulations are critical to ensure maximum protection for modern engines. Burson now has a full engine coolant offering to ensure that our customers use the right premium quality coolant for the vehicles they are servicing.”

/ends.

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Suggested Image Caption: Burson Auto Parts has expanded the Australian company’s own brand of premium quality engine coolants that have been specifically formulated to meet the chemistry and performance requirements of Japanese and Korean vehicles along with heavy duty applications.

September 28, 2017 - INDUSTRY SHOWS WIDESPREAD CONCERN AT ROAD VEHICLE STANDARDS ACT DEBACLE

The Federal government’s proposed Road Vehicle Standards Act (RVSA) remains in chaos with widespread industry concern about new inclusions into the Act. The Australian Government recently performed a complete back-flip on private vehicle imports as part of the review of the previous Motor Vehicle Standards Act Legislation. This left a huge hole in the Act and it appears that the government is looking for any vehicle related issues to fill the hole and reduce the embarrassment of a review that has now taken three years without any clear result.

The proposed amendments to the RVSA affect modest changes to a vehicle height when done as part of a suspension upgrade under the Low Volume Concessional Scheme.

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) recently made the bold move to produce a detailed video that highlights the Australian Government’s changes and reveals the full consequences of this action on vehicle safety. The video shows with clear evidence that suspension upgrades of up to 50mm make the vehicle safer for both the occupants and other road users. The suspension upgrade improved handling while maintaining the integrity of the vehicle’s Electronic Stability Control (ESC) system.

The video has gone viral. In less than a week since this purpose designed video message was distributed to Australian suspension manufacturers, along with it being placed on the AAAA Facebook Page, YouTube Channel and Twitter feeds, this informational video has achieved extraordinary levels of Australian industry and consumer penetration.

The sheer numbers of people who have viewed, reacted, commented and shared the AAAA video is testament to the vast industry and consumer concern that exists relating to the proposed changes to the Road Vehicle Standards Act. This AAAA video has achieved more than 78,000 views reaching 255,000 people, generating 3,000 reactions, comments and shares within one week of being posted online, with these numbers increasing on an hourly basis.

According to Stuart Charity, AAAA Executive Director, this massive reaction to the AAAA’s video addressing the current situation is a demonstration of the level of alarm at the Government’s proposal.

“There is no doubt that there is significant concern from the people driving these workplace vehicles through to the innovative Australian companies who are ensuring that these vehicles are the safest possible for their intended end use. These upgraded suspension requirements are specific to Australian conditions and it is imperative that scope for these independently tested modifications is included within the structure of the Road Vehicle Standards Act,” Mr Charity said.

“This has the direct effect of ensuring that people are driving the safest possible vehicles, as opposed to them being exposed to the limitations of standard-equipped vehicles which demonstrate vastly inferior handling when operating in a fully loaded configuration - which is clearly highlighted in our video. How a Federal Minister and his Department could even consider not allowing the scope for such safety improvements to be made within this Legislation is beyond any form of reasonable understanding,” Mr Charity added.

Stuart Charity stated, “We made this four minute video to make it abundantly clear to the industry and the motorists directly affected by it, that world class independent testing ensures that Australian vehicle fleets, specifically 4WD fleets, can gain locally engineered suspension modifications to make them among the safest workplace vehicles in the world.”

The video also highlights the lack of industry consultation from the Federal Minister for Urban Infrastructure, Paul Fletcher and his Department, in relation their decision to not allow these safety modifications to be made within the structure of the Road Vehicle Standards Act.

Mr Charity said “The suggested changes will have the practical effect of shutting down the market for Gross Vehicle Mass (GVM) suspension upgrades on many vehicle platforms due to the new requirement to have every vehicle individually inspected by an independent engineer at a cost of at least $1,000 per vehicle. Under the current scheme, it had been agreed that suspension upgrades with a vehicle lift of up to 50mm would be permitted without the requirement of ESC testing under the Low Volume Concessional Scheme subject to specific volume limitations”.

You can view this AAAA video and read the many reactionary comments from members of the public and the industry via the following online channels

AAAA Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/AusAutoAftermaketAssoc/videos/1622014341195007/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:6316819122399305728

Twitter - https://twitter.com/AAAATweets/status/911051115763949568

AAAA YouTube Channel - https://www.youtube.com/user/AAAAVideoChannel

/ends.

Image Link - Stuart Charity, AAAA Executive Director

About the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA):

The AAAA is the national industry association representing manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, importers and retailers of automotive parts and accessories, tools and equipment, and providers of mechanical repair and modification services in Australia. The Association represents 2,250 member companies in all categories of the Australian automotive aftermarket and includes major national and multi-national corporations as well as a large number of independent small and medium size businesses. Member companies are located in metropolitan, regional and rural Australia. The parts and maintenance sector of the $108 billion Australian automotive industry represents about $11 billion. AAAA member companies employ more than 40,000 people and export over $1 billion worth of product a year. Visit www.aaaa.com.au

For interviews or additional comments please contact:

Mr Stuart Charity

Executive Director

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association

T: 0418 563 959

Ms Lesley Yates

Senior Manager, Government Relations & Advocacy

Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association

T: 0402 005 476

Paul Marinelli - Marinelli PR - 0417 558 655

September 25, 2017 - PENRITE CELEBRATES ITS PROUD AUSTRALIAN HERITAGE AT THE SANDOWN 500

The traditional start of the Supercars Championship endurance racing season is the Sandown 500. The Melbourne motor racing event held every September has a rich history as the curtain raiser to the nation’s biggest motorsport event, the Bathurst 1000. This event unveils the form of each team’s two-driver enduro combinations for the first time each season.

The Sandown 500 is also widely popular as it is the Supercars’ Retro Round, where the teams present their cars and team personnel in livery designs that reflect the style of the sport from decades past. Penrite ensured that the Erebus Motorsport Supercar team with season racer David Reynolds and highly experienced endurance race co-driver Luke Youlden, were in keeping with the retro event theme through two major activations.

Reynolds and Youlden’s Penrite Erebus Commodore Supercar was liveried in a retro white, red and blue livery as were the drivers. To ensure that Penrite gained the highest possible coverage from this event, the Australian company also sponsored the massive Sandown International Circuit Dandenong Road section bridge.

The Bridge was liveried on one side with the current black, red and gold Penrite logo and the other side featured the red, blue and white retro logo. Both sides of the bridge gained outstanding national television coverage throughout the Sandown 500 race weekend.

Of great importance to the 100% family owned company was to use this historic Australian retro-themed motorsport event to highlight the 91 year history of this very proudly Australian oil company.

From humble beginnings in 1926, Les Mecoles, at the age of just 16, founded the Penrite Oil Company from his parents’ home in the Melbourne suburb of St.Kilda. His oil blends were manufactured from the highest quality lubricants available at the time from Pennsylvania (PEN) base stocks. Only the right oils (RITE) would ever be sold to his local customers, hence came the name PENRITE, with its unique name gaining wide trust and respect for its quality.

The Dymond family took over Penrite’s operations in 1979. Since then, they have proudly continued the company tradition of manufacturing premium quality lubricant products specifically for Australian motoring conditions.

The Penrite Racing range of lubricant products can also be found aboard the Erebus Racing #9 Supercar of David Reynolds - the EXACT same lubricants that motorists and repairers can purchase themselves. There is no difference whatsoever, despite the extremely punishing engine and drive train demands of Supercar racing.

These engine demands are particularly heavy at endurance events like the Sandown 500, the Bathurst 1000 and the Gold Coast 600. Penrite 10 Tenths Racing 5 is used for David’s engine , 10 Tenths non-glycol racing coolant for optimum thermal engine management and the Penrite Pro Gear range is protecting the gearbox and rear end of his Supercar. David’s brakes make use of Penrite Racing brake fluid, which is rated at over 600F.

Everything the Penrite Supercar runs on is available on the shelf at your nearest Penrite stockist, making this the only team in the Supercars pit lane that doesn’t use special blends. This major national Penrite consumer exposure continues at Mount Panorama from October 6 to 8 as Penrite is also the official lubricant partner for the nation’s greatest motor race, the Bathurst 1000.

/ends.

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Suggested Image Caption: Penrite celebrated its proud Australian heritage at the Sandown 500 by sponsoring the iconic Dandenong Road bridge which was liveried on one side with the current Penrite logo and featuring the company’s retro logo on the other side. David Reynolds and Luke Youlden’s Penrite Erebus Commodore Supercar was also livered in the retro Penrite logo for this opening event of the 2017 Supercars Season of Endurance.

September 11, 2017 - CAPRICORN LAUNCHES CAPTV MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS

Australasia’s largest automotive parts cooperative, Capricorn, has launched a new and highly informative communications channel to its 17,000 plus Australian and New Zealand based Members.

It’s called CapTV and it enables Capricorn to connect with its Members via the engaging medium of video.

Designed to engage, inspire and educate, CapTV showcases the many advantages that Capricorn Members are entitled to, profiling business services that can provide significant benefits to them.

Freely available online, CapTV combines a professionally presented “Welcome to Capricorn” video with a “Take 2” series of informational videos that have been presented by actual Capricorn Members in a natural and unscripted format.

The CapTV “Take 2” series asks Capricorn Members to spend two minutes of their time to learn more about their Capricorn membership from other Members just like them.

The initial Take 2 series of CapTV video topics include:

· Making the most of your membership

· Capricorn Risk Services

· Capricorn Trade Account and Reward Program

· Capricorn Preferred Suppliers and the Purple Pages Guide

· Capricorn Travel and Events

According to Capricorn Group CEO, Greg Wall, CapTV adds yet another dimension to its commitment to ensure that Members are up to date on everything relating to their Capricorn Membership

“The importance of regular and informative communication can never be understated for any organisation, but it is particularly important for a cooperative like Capricorn that exists purely for the benefit of its Members,” Mr Wall stated.

“The introduction of CapTV complements our CapChat email newsletter and our monthly Ignition Member magazine, representing a new step in ensuring that Capricorn Members have access to all of the information that they need about their membership and how to gain the most benefits from it,” Mr Wall added.

CapTV can also be viewed by non-Members to learn more about how Capricorn makes it so much easier for thousands of automotive aftermarket businesses across Australia and New Zealand. Visit capricorn.coop/captv to view the informative episodes or to join Capricorn, email join@capricorn.coop or visit Capricorn online at http://www.capricorn.coop.

/ends.

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Suggested image caption: Australasia’s largest automotive parts cooperative, Capricorn, has launched CAPTV, an online based video comminications service to enable Members to make the most out of their Capricorn membership, while also informing non members of the many benefits that Capricorn membership can bring to their business.

September 6, 2017 - TRICOR JOINS THE PRECISION AUTOMOTIVE EQUIPMENT OFFERING

Precision Automotive Equipment now offers its customers a total one stop, turn-key solution for the complete fit-out of automotive workshops following the acquisition of the renowned Tricor lubrication equipment business.

The outstanding quality Tricor lubrication equipment range includes bulk oil tanks, waste oil equipment accompanied by oil, grease and compressed air lines and workshop benches.

All of these products can be designed to suit a vast range of workshop layouts, from the largest dealer workshops to the smallest independent repair and service centres.

Precision Automotive Equipment also provides highly experienced Tricor engineers for specialised equipment design and installation services in-house, to ensure the most professional, efficient and accessible results for any automotive workshop.

Tricor Engineering’s expertise is the result of almost two decades of designing highly productive workshop layouts for optimum lubrication and compressed air management to best suit specialist repairer and service centre requirements.

So along with providing all workshop equipment requirements, Precision Automotive Equipment now offers car dealers, service stations, truck stops, motorcycle repairers, heavy duty vehicle repairers and independent repairers with the total package when it comes to complete turn-key solutions for workshop fit outs.

As is always the case with Precision Automotive Equipment, the premium quality Tricor lubrication equipment range is supported by dedicated national after sales service and support. This ensures that the quality experience continues well after the investment in a new or existing automotive workshop has been made.

According to Precision Automotive Equipment General Manager Rod Wilkinson, the Tricor lubricant equipment range is renowned for its quality along with the option to custom manufacture products to individual customer requirements in Victoria.

“The quality of the Tricor equipment range really places it up there with the best available. This combined with the complete workshop equipment product ranges that we supply really makes Precison Automotive Equipment Australia’s one stop shop for complete turn-key workshop fit out solutions,” Mr Wilkinson stated.

To find out more about Precision Automotive Equipment and the company’s premier Tricor lubricant equipment range, call 1300 366 252.

/ends.

Print quality Tricor Lubrication and Worskshop Equipment images:

Suggested image caption: The premier quality Tricor equipment range complements the vast workshop equipment range offered to the automotive repair industry by Precision Automotive Equipment, while also enabling the company to provide complete turn-key workshop fit out solutions.

Visit Precision Automotive Equipment online

August 29, 2017 - AUTOBARN RELOCATES TO A NEW FLAGSHIP LOGAN CITY STORE

Australia’s stand-out automotive accessories, parts and tools retailer, Autobarn, has enjoyed long term goodwill amongst the motorists of Bribane’s Logan City as the area’s one stop shop for absolutely everything automotive. Proudly Australian owned and operated, Autobarn is committed to providing its customers with the best possible automotive shopping experience.

In line with this commitment, the Australian company has relocated its Logan City store to an outstanding new retail address - 20 Moss Street, Slack’s Creek.

A few doors down from Autobarn’s original Logan City location, the newest and 122^nd addition to the national

Autobarn store network boasts more than 960 square metres of retail floor space. No less than 200 square metres of showroom space is devoted solely to Four Wheel Drive and Touring vehicle category accessories and parts, catering to the strong popularity of these vehicles with local motorists.

Along with the vast showroom space provided by this new, high visibility location, Autobarn’s new Logan City store is manned by a team of highly experienced and locally familiar professionals. As is the case with every Autobarn store nationwide, all members of staff are pleased to assist in the fitting of products to their customers’ cars onsite.

Whether customers know exactly what they need, or if customers need advice across the entire spectrum of automotive products, Autobarn Logan City’s team of motoring enthusiasts definitely know how to get you there.

A spacious and welcoming retail atmosphere has been incorporated to the internal design of the large format Autobarn Logan City store. Featuring 3.6 metre ceilings, large wall fixtures and bright LED lighting throughout, viewing the entire Autobarn product offering has never been easier.

Logan Citys’s newest automotive retail store will also be the first Autobarn store in Australia to feature four external facing full colour video screens, enhancing what is already a high visibility location along the busy Moss Street retail precinct.

Visit the new Autobarn Logan City store at 20 Moss Street, Slack’s Creek for an automotive retail experience that combines decades of experience with an outstanding quality product range.

/ends.

External and internal image links of Autobarn’s relocated Logan City store (Brisbane):

Suggested Caption: - Proudly Australian owned and operated, Autobarn is committed to providing its customers with the best possible automotive shopping experience. In line with this commitment, the Australian company has relocated its Logan City store to an outstanding new retail address - 20 Moss Street, Slack’s Creek.

Visit Autobarn online

August 21, 2017 - HAVE YOUR SAY ABOUT CAPRICORN AT THE WORKSHOP

Capricorn, Australasia’s largest automotive parts cooperative, has always placed a great deal of emphasis on the opinions and ideas of its Members. This philosophy has always made perfect sense, given that the whole reason why Capricorn exists is for the benefit of its Members, who also are the owners of this incredibly successful cooperative.

To regularly gain the opinions of its Members, Capricorn has launched a new online Member community platform called The Workshop, a place where Members can come together to share thoughts and ideas on anything and everything to do with Capricorn. As a Member, by spending just 5 minutes per month in The Workshop, they can help shape the future of the cooperative.

The Workshop enables Capricorn Members across Australia and New Zealand to have a say in how the other business they own, Capricorn, is run to make it even easier for them to do business.

According to Capricorn Group CEO, Greg Wall, The Workshop provides a real time, fast and easy method for Members to voice their valued opinions directly to Capricorn.

“Our Members are the whole reason why we exist and everything that we do at Capricorn is designed to make business easier for them. In order to further improve our services and to gain new ideas from our Members, we have established this easy to use Capricorn Member online community platform. The Workshop provides us with direct Member feedback to shape an even more exciting, efficient and rewarding future ahead.”

The Workshop will feature different Capricorn topics each month, topics in which Capricorn Members can vote, express opinions and submit their own ideas about.

“I am sure that our Members will be very surprised with the differences that can be made by spending five minutes a month to make their thoughts known at The Workshop. We look forward to our Members making the most of this important online information and feedback platform now and well into the future,” Wall added.

Members can access the Workshop via the Capricorn website, www.capricorn.coop or to join Capricorn, Australasia’s largest automotive and general products buying group, email join@capricorn.coop.

/ends.

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The Workshop

The Workshop 2

Five minutes online a month is all it takes to get your valued opinions to Capricorn

Suggested image caption: To regularly gain the opinions of its Members, Capricorn has launched a new online Member community platform called The Workshop, a place where Members can come together to share thoughts and ideas on anything and everything to do with Capricorn.

August 15, 2017 - BURSON EQUIPMENT BRINGS THE WORLD’S MOST TRUSTED HOIST TO AUSTRALIAN WORKSHOPS

Burson Auto Parts’ commitment to provide Australian automotive repairers with the highest quality and value packed workshop equipment continues with the introduction of the world’s most trusted hoist range to the Burson Equipment range.

Established in the USA back in 1925, the premium quality Rotary Hoist brand has been a forerunner in automotive workshop hoist design for decades. With sales of the famed Rotary two post hoist exceeding one million units to date, Rotary Hoists have become synonymous with successful automotive workshops all over the world.

The Rotary name came about as the first hoist to bear the premium quality American marque could be rotated a full 360 degrees, enabling vehicles to be driven in and out of repair bays in forward gear. More than 90 years on from this revolutionary automotive workshop hoist design, Rotary has become the world leader in vehicle hoist design and engineering.

Burson Equipment offers Australian automotive repairers a wide variety of Rotary Hoists in configurations to suit every vehicle, from motorcycles through to all manner of cars, SUV’s four wheel drives and heavy duty trucks. No other hoist brand offers such a vast range of products to cater for every possible automotive repairer requirement.

Innovations include Rotary’s two post hoist TRIO arms that allow quicker spotting, easier manoeuvrability and a larger pick up sweep.

Workshop safety is the utmost priority with all Rotary hoists from Burson Equipment. There are no compromises in the company’s strict quality control during the design, manufacture and testing of each Rotary hoist model. Rotary places each new hoist design through a minimum of 20,000 rigorous performance test cycles before being released, well above industry testing standards, to provide automotive repairers with hoist products that have no peer when it comes to safety, quality, efficiency and reliability.

Backing Rotary’s total quality is a dedicated national service network, providing prompt access to spare parts if required, backed by a three year warranty.

The national Burson Equipment team is at your service to ensure that your business receives detailed advice and support when selecting the right Rotary hoist investment for each workshop specialisation.

According to Burson Equipment Manager Jim Santef, this premium quality hoist range represents the absolute best in quality and safety.

“The ranges of hoist products offered by Rotary are a truly outstanding addition to the Burson Equipment offering. Whether our customers are working on cars, trucks, motorcycles, agricultural vehicles and equipment - whatever the application, Rotary has the world leading quality hoist to suit. We look forward to assisting our customers to access the highest standards in automotive workshop hoist technology and efficiency with the Rotary range,” Mr Santef stated.

A full Rotary Hoist catalogue is now available from Burson Equipment, bringing access to the next generation of automotive workshop hoists to your fingertips.

Contact Burson Equipment on 1300 BURSON (287 766) or visit Rotary hoists online at www.rotaryhoists.com.au to find out more.

/ends.

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Suggested Image Caption: Rotary Hoists are the world’s most trusted, providing general automotive workshops and panel repairers with a vast range of two post, four post, scissor-lift, drive-on and wireless column hoist variants complete with installation and dedicated national after sales service from the Burson Equipment team.

August 18, 2017 - RIGHT TO REPAIR GAINS MOMENTUM IN AUSTRALIA

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) welcomes the number of peak automotive industry organisations who are now expressing their support for a mandatory solution for the sharing of vehicle repair and service information for all automotive repairers.

Immediately following the release of the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Draft Report on the New Car Retailing Industry on August 10, the AAAA has been buoyed by the support that has been gained from both the Motor Trades Association of Australia (MTAA) and the Victorian Automotive Chamber of Commerce (VACC), two of the nation’s peak automotive dealer and independent repairer industry organisations, among others.

Since the release of the New Car Industry Draft Report findings and the ACCC’s detailed research into specific cases, more organisations have now concluded that a mandatory solution to the sharing of repair and service information with independent repairers by the car manufacturers is the right approach. The ACCC’s Draft Report into the New Car Retailing Industry has played a significant role in creating a shift compared to some of these organisations’ prior positioning on this and other major issues directly affecting their independent repairer members.

One of the major positives from the recent announcements made in response to the ACCC’s Draft Report into New Car Retailing is the fact that it has created a united front in relation to ensuring a much fairer go for Australian consumers and independent repairers.

“It is great to see the MTAA and the VACC making public statements of support for a mandatory solution. This is a very welcome development. To see the industry coming together and the organisations that represent both independent repairers and authorised dealers calling for a level playing field is outstanding,” Mr Stuart Charity, AAAA Executive Director stated.

“I think that it shows we are now able to sit around the table and talk to the ACCC about the best design for a mandatory solution that would benefit fair competition and foster good outcomes for consumers, independent repairers and car manufacturers, along with their dealer networks,” He added.

The level of detail outlined in the 145 page ACCC Draft Report has had a very significant impact on the shifting of opinions both from within and outside the industry, including the perspectives of consumers. This is not surprising given the widespread national newspaper, television, radio and online exposure that the ACCC Draft Report gained.

“There is little doubt that the impact of the very thorough industry examination carried out by the ACCC has been highly significant and effective. The investigation included forensic research by independent experts, the likes of which the independent automotive aftermarket industry has never had access to before. The investigation also sought car manufacturer responses to specific complaints and the ACCC findings have managed to change many opinions in the industry,” Mr Charity stated.

“We welcome the organisations representing consumers, automotive retailers, independent repairers, parts manufacturers, and new car dealerships supporting a mandated approach that the AAAA has championed and taken the lead role in trying to achieve since 2009.

The AAAA has always promoted a balanced and pragmatic approach to the sharing of automotive service and repair information to try to achieve a sustainable outcome for independent repairers, the car companies and their dealer networks. It was made abundantly clear by the ACCC in their Draft Report that the Voluntary Code signed almost three years ago had categorically failed in practice. It was flawed from the outset, lacking good oversight and dispute mechanisms. It was largely ignored by car companies and their dealers, at the direct expense of Australian consumers and independent repairers.

“We certainly don’t regret being involved in the Voluntary Code process but after nearly three years of operation it became painfully clear that it just didn’t work,” Mr Charity stated.

“We were pragmatic in our initial signing of this agreement, but the car manufacturers were not committed to making the agreement work and that has led us to where we are today. Despite all of our good intention and our co-operation, the voluntary approach did not have any meaningful impact on the availability of vehicle repair and service information and this has been verified by the independent experts who contributed to the ACCC investigation,” He added.

The AAAA on behalf of our 2,500 member companies, welcomes and appreciates the widespread support for a mandatory approach expressed by leading automotive industry associations over the past week and we look forward to this being adopted by Government into regulation in the very near future.

/ends.

Suggested Image Caption: Stuart Charity, Executive Director of the AAAA is encouraged by the united front that is being presented by a number of Australian automotive industry organisations in direct relation to the mandatory sharing of servicing and repair information by car manufacturers for independent repairers, as recommended in the ACCC Draft Report into New Car Retailing released on August 10.

About the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association Limited (AAAA):

For further information or interviews contact:

Stuart Charity, Executive Director, AAAA - 03 9545 3333 / 0418 563 959

Paul Marinelli, Marinelli PR - 0417 558 655

August 10, 2017 - ACCC DRAFT REPORT VINDICATES A DECADE OF AAAA CAMPAIGNING TO SUPPORT CONSUMERS’ RIGHT TO CHOOSE THEIR OWN REPAIRER

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) welcomes the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) Draft Report on the New Car Retailing Industry which was released today.

Among many important recommendations, the ACCC’s Draft Report recommends that a mandatory scheme be introduced to ensure car manufacturers share real time technical information with independent repairers, on commercially fair and reasonable terms. The mandatory scheme would provide independent repairers with access to the same technical information, software and codes which all car companies operating in Australia currently only make available to their authorised dealers and preferred repairer networks.

The ACCC investigation also found that there is a dealer gross profit margin of 64% on vehicle servicing. This margin is important to the dealers and it is protected by car manufacturers ensuring that critical servicing and repair information is continually withheld from independent repairers. The AAAA has advocated for US data sharing laws to be implemented in Australia on behalf of many thousands of independent repairers and Australia’s 17 million car owners.

AAAA Executive Director Stuart Charity stated, “This is an interim report and there is still a great deal of work to be done to ensure that the ACCC recommendations are implemented. It is however a great sign that after a 12 month investigation, our independent competition watchdog has now verified what we have been saying for over 10 years. Our opponents have argued that consumers have choice, that car manufacturers already share all repair and service information, that the voluntary agreement signed in 2014 is working - yet all of these positions are not supported by the findings of the ACCC Draft Report issued today.

The highly detailed 162 page ACCC Draft Report follows a thorough investigation that has involved many AAAA member independent repairers across Australia. It clearly outlines that while there is competition for the purchase of new cars, consumers have been severely restricted in their choices when it comes to vehicle repair and servicing.

The ACCC Draft Report also detailed the car industry practice of misleading consumers into believing that their new car warranties would become void if their cars were serviced outside the dealer network, along with consumers being forced to sign non-disclosure statements to access remedies relating to known vehicle faults.

The ACCC has also commenced enforcement action against a number of car companies following the discovery of a range of other Australian Consumer Law contraventions that were uncovered as result of this investigation.

“We look forward to working together with the ACCC and the Federal Government to ensure that consumers are fully protected by mandating fair competition for the servicing and repair of their vehicles. Together with more than 2,500 AAAA member companies, we are determined to ensure that these important ACCC recommendations are implemented in full,” Mr Charity added.

The complete ACCC Draft Report into New Car Retailing can be viewed at:

https://www.accc.gov.au/system/files/New%20car%20retailing%20industry%20draft%20report.pdf

/ends.

Print quality image link of Stuart Charity, AAAA Executive Director

About the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association Limited (AAAA):

The AAAA is the national industry association representing manufacturers, distributors, wholesalers, importers and retailers of automotive parts and accessories, tools and equipment, and providers of mechanical repair and modification services in Australia. The Association represents 2,500 member companies in all categories of the Australian automotive aftermarket and includes major national and multi-national corporations as well as a large number of independent small and medium size businesses. Member companies are located in metropolitan, regional and rural Australia. The parts and maintenance sector of the $108 billion Australian automotive industry represents about $11 billion. AAAA member companies employ more than 40,000 people and export over $1 billion worth of product a year. Visit www.aaaa.com.au

For further information or interviews contact:

Stuart Charity, Executive Director AAAA - 03 9545 3333 / 0418 563 959

Paul Marinelli, Marinelli PR - 0417 558 655.

August 1, 2017 - GET EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO RUN YOUR BUSINESS FROM YOUR CAPRICORN TRADE ACCOUNT

As nearly 20,000 Capricorn Members across Australia and New Zealand will attest, purchasing automotive parts is just easier with Capricorn.

Replacing multiple supplier accounts for a single all inclusive monthly account, gaining instant credit with all Capricorn Preferred Suppliers and earning Capricorn Reward Points for every dollar spent on eligible purchases – just for running your business.

Aside from automotive parts, Capricorn Members are also able to purchase almost everything that they need to run their repair workshop or sales businesses through their Capricorn account.

The many other necessities of running a business are also covered by Capricorn Preferred Suppliers across Australia. In fact, almost everything that Capricorn’s Members need can indeed be purchased on their reward point earning Capricorn account.

Computers and other electronic requirements, snacks for staff and for customer waiting areas, even pot plants and beauty supplies are provided by Capricorn Preferred Suppliers. A full range of office stationery, office equipment, smartphones, envelopes, pens, calculators and many more essential products can also be purchased and billed to your convenient Capricorn Trade Account monthly statement.

Outside of the office, Capricorn Members can enjoy everything from family holidays, travel products, audio entertainment equipment and computers, through to many more everyday purchase items.

The more Capricorn Members use their trade account, the more streamlined they become with fewer bills to pay, less paperwork to handle, and much more time to concentrate on running their businesses. Members can also earn valuable reward points on everyday items too when using their trade account.

Capricorn exists for its Members, who are also shareholders in the success of this four and a half decade strong Australian co-operative structured company. By making more everyday purchases using their Capricorn Trade Account, Members are also strengthening the cooperative.

Capricorn isn’t only for automotive parts purchases – it is for everything that you need to run your business successfully. To find out more about the non-automotive products, office essentials and other everyday items that earn Capricorn Reward Points, check the Capricorn Purple Pages directory.

To join Capricorn, Australasia’s largest automotive and general products buying group, email join@capricorn.coop or visit Capricorn online at www.capricorn.com.au.

/ends.

Suggested Image Caption: You can use your Capricorn Trade Account and earn Reward points for everything that you need in the office and more – along with the highest quality automotive parts from Capricorn’s Preferred Suppliers.

August 10, 2017 - AAAA ADVISES REPAIRERS TO TAKE NOTE OF HOLDEN ACCC UNDERTAKINGS

On August 1, 2017, GM Holden Ltd entered into an Enforceable Undertaking with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) that covered a broad range of warranty related issues in relation to its vehicles.

Holden’s Enforceable Undertaking to the ACCC includes elements that are highly relevant to independent repairers and their customers. According to the undertaking, Holden will ensure that dealers are aware that the practice of providing verbal advice to consumers that using an independent repairer to service their vehicle will automatically void the warranty must now cease.

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) congratulates the ACCC for the effort it has made in ensuring that Australian consumers’ rights are protected. The AAAA also welcomes the important undertakings that have been agreed to by Holden, avoiding potentially lengthy legal action and additional delays to consumers seeking remedies for manufacturing faults on their vehicles.

These include Holden’s reinforcement in the undertaking to the ACCC that the car owner has the right to choose their preferred repairer (referenced in clause 11.2a). When a consumer uses a repairer outside of the Holden dealer network, this will not void or limit any remedies that Holden is obliged to provide through their new car warranty or consumer guarantee obligations. This part of the undertaking links in directly with the advice provided in the AAAA’s “Truth About New Car Servicing” consumer education brochures which continue to be freely available to all consumers.

AAAA member repairers are also advised of Holden’s undertaking to advise all owners of model year 2007 and 2008 Holden CG Captiva vehicles fitted with the 2.0 Litre diesel engine of their consumer rights in relation to denial of remedies by Holden in the past. As many of these vehicles may have been on-sold, serviced outside of the Holden dealer network, or are outside of their new vehicle warranty periods and the owners may not be contactable by Holden, AAAA members should ensure that they advise their customers of the remedies that are now available to them, regardless of the warranty status of these vehicles.

AAAA Executive Director Stuart Charity said, “We congratulate the ACCC on their detailed investigation and we are pleased to see that Holden has entered into this enforceable undertaking. Our members have a key role to play in advising their customers of their rights under Australian Consumer Law. Holden may not have contact with the second or third owners of these vehicles, but we do. ”

“This undertaking confirms that all car owners can be comfortable using the repairer of their choice, regardless of the age of their vehicle, which is in line with the advice we provide through our “Truth About New Car Servicing” campaign. As our industry group represents several thousand independent automotive repairers across the country, it is incumbent of our members to assist any Holden owners by ensuring that they are aware of the undertakings that Holden has made to the ACCC, particularly in relation to the issues surrounding the 2007/8 CG Captiva models,” Mr Charity added.

AAAA members and their customers can download the entire GM Holden Ltd Enforceable Undertaking to the ACCC here.

/ends.

About the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association Limited (AAAA):

For further information or interviews contact:

Stuart Charity, Executive Director, AAAA - 03 9545 3333

Paul Marinelli, Marinelli PR - 0417 558 655.

July 21, 2017 - DAYCO APPOINTS SOUTH EAST ASIA BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER

Dayco Australia Managing Director and Vice President of Aftermarket Asia Pacific, Arnold Mouw, announces a strategic new regional appointment for the global automotive engine component manufacturer.

Highly experienced Singaporean automotive aftermarket industry executive, Yong Kee Ng joins the global Dayco automotive aftermarket team in the newly created role of South East Asia Business Development Manager.

Mr Ng, 53, joins Dayco after a 22 year career with ContiTech AG, managing the German company’s automotive aftermarket business across South East Asia.

The new Dayco South East Asia Business Development Manager brings outstanding qualifications and experience to this exciting new position, having gained his Bachelor Degree of Applied Science in Engineering from The University of Toronto, along with separate UK and Singaporean based Graduate Marketing Diplomas, an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration and an Executive Diploma in Asia Pacific Marketing.

“I am delighted to welcome Yong Kee Ng to this new role within the global Dayco aftermarket sales and marketing team. His intimate experience of the region and the automotive aftermarket across South East Asia ensures that this new division of our aftermarket business is in very good hands,” Arnold Mouw stated.

“Proximity to our current and new customers across the region is very important, ensuring that we deliver excellent customer service and have the ability to respond quickly to specific aftermarket requirements for these growing markets,” He added.

According to Yong Kee Ng, this is an exciting time to be joining Dayco as the company expands its premium quality aftermarket product presence throughout South East Asia.

“I look forward to increasing Dayco’s presence significantly throughout South East Asia, where unprecedented automotive market growth is taking place. Dayco is extremely well equipped to meet the current and future aftermarket product demands of the region, by maximising the utilisation of its China based manufacturing operations,” He said.

“As an Original Equipment supplier of choice to vehicle manufacturers all over the world, there is no doubt that Dayco is best positioned to service the car parc growth and diversity of vehicle applications across all of South East Asia,“ Mr Ng added.

Yong Kee Ng will be based in the new Dayco South East Asian Sales and Business Development office located in Singapore and can be contacted by email at yongkee.ng@dayco.com or by telephone - +65 978 643 05.

/ends.

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Suggested Image Caption: Dayco welcomes highly experienced automotive aftermarket industry executive Yong Kee Ng to the newly created role of South East Asia Business Development Manager.

Visit Dayco online

July 14, 2017 - INDUSTRY RESPONDS STRONGLY TO AUTOCARE 2018

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket industry has responded strongly to the recent launch of Autocare 2018, the national two day, Sydney based convention designed specifically for automotive aftermarket parts, service and repair professionals to be held on May 4 and 5, 2018.

Autocare 2018 will take place at the new International Convention Centre at Sydney’s Darling Harbour. This major national industry convention is hosted by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) and has been structured primarily as an education led event, addressing the latest developments and trends across the constantly evolving automotive parts, service and repair sectors of the industry.

The industry has committed to a broad and highly beneficial range of sponsorships for Autocare 2018 following the recent release of the event prospectus. From Australia’s largest parts, tools and equipment supplier Repco, the collision repair industry’s pre-eminent provider of technical training programs - ICAR, as well as some of the country’s largest automotive aftermarket brands, support for Autocare 2018 has got off to a flying start.

Autocare 2018 will feature plenary sessions and seminars across three key streams that are integral to the continued success and growth of the $14 billion Australian automotive parts, service and repair industry. These important events target the aftermarket parts and accessories supply chain as well as mechanical and collision repair workshop owners addressing the theme disruption, innovation, rejuvenation.

A number of additional inclusions are being organised to attract thousands of automotive aftermarket professionals to Autocare 2018. These include a special feature car display, along with appearances from key motorsport identities and international VIP guest speakers.

The trade display opportunities represent excellent value for this inaugural national automotive aftermarket convention. As Autocare 2018 is an education led event, trade display areas present highly visible opportunities to launch and showcase products and to conduct personalised customer training throughout the event.

Limited affordable opportunities remain to secure a well-recognised presence at Autocare 2018. To ensure that your company is a part of this major two day national convention contact Autocare 2018 Exhibition Manager, Nina Roberts by calling 03 9596 9205 or by email - nina@iecgroup.com.au or download a copy of the event prospectus HERE.

/ends.

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Suggested Image(s) Caption: - The Sydney International Convention Centre - Darling Harbour, venue for Autocare 2018, a national education led two day convention designed specifically for automotive aftermarket parts, service and repair professionals to be held on May 4 and 5, 2018.

Visit the AAAA online

July 7, 2017 - MAKE AAD YOUR FIRST CHOICE FOR WHOLESALE CAR AND TRUCK PARTS

AAD is your complete destination for wholesale car and truck parts. AAD specialises in the import, manufacture, re-manufacture and wholesale of premium quality brake, clutch, steering, suspension, cooling, engine and servicing products.

Established for more than three decades, the AAD group matches its vast experience and unparalleled automotive aftermarket wholesale resources with total quality throughout and are renowned for premium quality parts that cover passenger car, 4WD, SUV, light commercial, truck, bus, agricultural and mining vehicle service.

The AAD range of parts is the most current and comprehensive available and it is the company’s goal to ensure that their product range leadership status is maintained through dedicated product development, innovation and global sourcing. AAD’s own quality brands Protex, Pro-Torque, IBS and Top Gun are joined in AAD’s offering by most of the world’s leading automotive and commercial product brands.

It is a major challenge to surpass the one stop value proposition presented to Australia’s parts re-sellers and automotive repairers by AAD. The company’s access to competitively priced, premium quality products, range management, detailed cataloguing and the integration of all AAD product segments into one ordering system are just some of the advantages.

AAD also provides reliable and timely product distribution via a national footprint of 11 distribution centres located in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Townsville, Adelaide and Perth. These distribution resources ensure that parts re-sellers can take advantage of AAD’s refined replenishment processes as a result of the company’s optimised inventory distribution systems.

Along with the company’s own extensive manufacturing resources, AAD brings the highest quality and most trusted brands from Australian and international automotive aftermarket parts manufacturers together in one total specialist wholesale operation that is driven to provide unmatched service and value to its customers.

AAD is also a proud Australian ISO–9001:2015 Certified automotive aftermarket manufacturer producing world class truck, trailer and passenger vehicle components. The company is also renowned for its brake re-manufacturing centre, which is one of the largest of its kind in Australia.

There is no substitute for strong levels of customer service and support for your wholesale specialist parts requirements. AAD’s highly trained national customer service team forms a part of the company’s 200 plus employees nationwide. This team provides personal customer assistance while AAD’s online ordering service provides customer support 24/7. AAD invests significantly in constantly increasing the company’s online capabilities to further enhance the company’s customer communications, service and sales support.

AAD’s General Manager, Gordon Bennett, leads a team of highly experienced automotive industry professionals with a passion for being the first choice for specialist automotive wholesale solutions. The team includes many highly respected industry figures including AAAA Hall Of Fame inductee Peter Armstrong.

AAD’s dedicated leaders have spent most of their careers in the automotive aftermarket industry, combining their efforts to ensure that AAD maintains its leadership position as Australia’s first choice for specialist automotive wholesale solutions.

Find out more about how AAD can be your one stop passenger car, 4WD, SUV, light commercial, heavy duty truck & bus wholesale parts destination by calling AAD’s customer service team on 03 8369 1400 or by visiting AAD online at www.aad.com.au.

AAD’s automotive aftermarket product brand websites can be visited at:

www.protexparts.com.au

www.protorqueautomotive.com.au

www.ibsauto.com.au

www.topgunignition.com.au

/ends.

Print quality image links:

AAD General Manager, Gordon Bennett

AAD head office and warehouse in Melbourne

2015 AAAA Hall of Fame Inductee – Peter Armstrong - AAD State Manager, NSW Operations

Suggested Image Caption: AAD combines decades of experience, a vast range of premium quality products along with dedicated customer service to make it the first choice for wholesale car and truck parts.

Visit AAD on line

June 30, 2017 - AUTOPRO CONTINUES PORT AUGUSTA SUCCESS IN RELOCATED STORE

One of Australia’s most renowned automotive parts, tools and accessories suppliers, Autopro, continues a three decade long commitment to the regional South Australian city of Port Augusta with the relocation of the brand to 41 Tassie Street, Port Augusta.

Servicing Port Augusta along with the northern and western regions of the state, Autopro has fitted out a brand new store to serve Port Augusta and its surrounding regional centre automotive repairers and motoring enthusiasts.

Autopro’s commitment to Port Augusta provides continued local employment opportunities for the city, while also growing Autopro’s long term support to local community clubs and charities.

The Port Augusta store is one of 88 Autopro stores located across mainland Australia, retailing automotive parts, tools and accessories for repairers and motoring enthusiasts since 1982. This makes Autopro Australia’s oldest and largest independent automotive parts and accessories retailer.

Autopro stores are focussed on ensuring that they become integral suppliers to their local communities. Autopro stores also feature localised product ranges designed to best meet the automotive parts, tools and accessories requirements for each region’s requirements.

Autopro store owners have enjoyed significant success as a result of the group’s redesigned franchise program. This new program has been extremely well received and has already resulted in significant Autopro store business growth.

The Autopro program includes exclusive rebate, stock cleanse, central purchasing, marketing and house brand programs, ensuring that each store owner and operator remains competitive, with access to head office support to help their businesses become as successful as possible.

Over the past six months, Autopro stores in Port Pirie (SA), Noosa (QLD) and Gloucester (NSW) have relocated or are in the process of relocating to larger premises within each of their regions due to their unprecedented business growth. Autopro also continues to grow nationally with several new store openings scheduled in 2017.

According to David Barnden, General Manager of Independents with the Automotive Brands Group, this is a very exciting period of growth for Autopro.

“Autopro’s long standing commitment to Port Augusta with a brand new relocated store is one example of this Australian company’s commitment to the city and its surrounding regions. Autopro enjoys a long history with the Port Augusta community and this will continue well into the future,” Mr Barnden said.

“It is an exciting time for Autopro as we continue to grow our store network, working closely with our enthusiastic store owners to ensure the efficiency and profitability of their businesses. Whether you have an existing business you wish to grow through conversion or if you are looking for a simple way to enter the market, we have the structure and support services to make it happen successfully,” He added.

To find out more about becoming a part of Autopro’s national store network, contact David Barnden - david.barnden@automotivebrands.com.au

/ends.

Print quality image links:

Autopro Port Augusta store image 1

Autopro Port Augusta store image 2

Autopro Port Augusta store image 3

The Autopro Port Augusta team (from left) Douglas Poole, Store Manager Ben Tilley, Sharna Clarke and Troy Reid.

Suggested Caption: Autopro continues its long term commitment to the regional South Australian city of Port Augusta, relocating to a brand new store at 41 Tassie Street, Port Augusta. Autopro has been retailing automotive parts, tools and accessories for repairers and motoring enthusiasts since 1982.

Visit Autopro online

June 28, 2017 - STRONG AUTOBARN NATIONAL GROWTH NEEDS MORE HIGH PROFILE SITES

Autobarn is an Australian auto accessories and parts icon. Motorists and do it yourself automotive enthusiasts have trusted this national automotive accessories, tools and parts retailer for experience, knowledge, quality and value for more than 30 years.

With 121 stores located across Australia - and with a growth target of 200 stores to be reached within five years, Autobarn is experiencing impressive growth across all of the company’s automotive aftermarket product sectors.

In order to continue Autobarn’s exciting national growth, the Australian company is constantly on the look-out for new, high profile roadside locations across a wide variety of property developments, existing retail locations and greenfield sites.

Autobarn seeks highly visible sites on major roads and thoroughfares that enable motorists to easily identify and access this renowned national automotive retailer. A significant Autobarn point of difference to its competitors is that motorists can also have selected parts and accessories fitted quickly and easily at each location, without the need for a full automotive workshop.

Autobarn stores meet and often exceed the property presentation standards that many major commercial retail property owners and administrators are seeking. The company’s recently opened new stores in both Canberra and Sydney are testament to the highest levels of retail presentation, site visibility and easy motorist access for “clean” parts and accessory fitments.

The store size flexibility for Autobarn stores is also a key point that property owners and retail site developers should also keep in mind. With stores ranging from 500 square metres to 1500 square metres, there is a great deal of scope in relation to the sites that can become a beacon for local motorists’ parts, tools and accessories requirements.

Specific terms can be negotiated for each lease with every Autobarn franchise or company owned store. All Autobarn stores are supported by network development professionals with decades of experience to ensure model tenancy practices and enduring site tenures.

With Autobarn included in any commercial, retail or greenfield site development, property owners and managers will be dealing with a strong, well established, professionally operated and locally owned national chain, for whom the growth and profitable sustainability of every Autobarn store is the prime objective.

To find out more about bringing the Australian success story that is Autobarn to your property or development, contact Automotive Brands General Manager of Network Development, Shane Logan by calling 03 8878 1111. You can also visit Autobarn online at www.autobarn.com.au.

/ends.

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External image of Autobarn Nunawading (VIC)

Internal Autobarn store image

External Autobarn store plan example

Suggested Image Caption: Iconic Australian car accessories, parts and tools retailer Autobarn is growing strongly across Australia, seeking to extend the company’s store network from 121 stores to 200 stores across the country within the next five years.

Visit Autobarn online

June 27, 2017 - TAKE THE EXCITING NEXT STEP WITH MIDAS

Midas has been well known in the Australian automotive repair and maintenance landscape for more than 40 years. Commencing operations as a brake and muffler specialist, Midas stores across Australia today are full auto service experts, providing car servicing, brakes, suspension, exhaust and all general repair requirements.

Midas is a national automotive servicing and repair group that is positioning itself as the technical leaders in modern vehicle servicing and maintenance, for the constantly growing and ever more diverse Australian automotive car parc.

Independent repairers seeking to take that important next step to stay at the forefront of vehicle servicing and repair, along with enthusiastic automotive technicians who want to establish their own businesses, should take a closer look at joining the Midas group.

There are currently 88 Midas Auto Service Centres operating across Australia, with a number of franchisees operating multiple sites due to their success within specific urban and regional areas.

Midas operates as a community of customers, employees, franchisees, suppliers and consultants working together in an open environment based on common goals and mutual trust. This group of Australian auto service experts has managed to enhance and grow Midas’ high levels of consumer trust over the years, largely due to the major emphasis that the organisation places on integrity and technical proficiency.

“It is our goal to be the most technically proficient automotive service group in Australia,” stated General Manager, Service for Midas, Mark Geraghty.

“We are investing significantly in training, support and ensuring that each Midas store is equipped with the latest diagnostic workshop equipment. This is imperative to our success as automotive technology continues to evolve across the next 10 to 20 years.

“We also offer conversion opportunities to existing independent automotive repairers who want their businesses to be supported in taking the next step, or for enthusiastic automotive technicians who want to establish their own future in the industry by creating their own businesses,” Mr Geraghty added.

In joining Midas, your business becomes indelibly linked to a highly recognised national brand. Your business gains the benefits of store set-up consultancy, national marketing support along with detailed business support. This comes from a strong national organisation that is owned by Bapcor, one of the largest and most successful automotive aftermarket companies in Australia.

Midas conducts several national consumer targeted promotions each year, generating strong motorist attention to the nationwide automotive servicing and maintenance group. In one of the most high profile activities of this kind, Midas has established a highly successful marketing partnership with Virgin Australia’s Velocity Frequent Flyer program. This outstanding marketing platform promotes all national Midas Auto Service Centres to more than five and a half million Velocity Frequent Flyer members and car owners through specific Midas marketing activities at various points during each year.

Instead of viewing the future for independent automotive service and repair businesses as a challenge, by joining Midas you will be assisted and supported to see the future as an exciting opportunity for growth and long term success. All that is needed from you is your continued commitment to provide excellent customer service through high quality automotive service and repairs.

According to these Midas franchisees, making the decision to join this full automotive service group was one of the best they have ever made;

One of the most successful Midas stores in the country, Midas Werribee Plaza (Victoria), was born out of the desire to make a positive change to how automotive service and repair businesses operate. Franchisee Carmel Alabakis had endured a bad experience with a mechanic and wanted to stop this from happening to others. Carmel has managed to achieve this highly successfully without any mechanical knowledge or background thanks to the support she has received from becoming a Midas Franchisee.

“I saw an opportunity to make a change in how automotive servicing and repair work is carried out in my area when I saw a Midas business for sale at Werribee Plaza back in 2005. The support that I received from Midas from day one was outstanding and continues to this day. From the provision of technical training for our staff through to the efficiency of our operating systems, being with Midas has enabled me to enact positive change in how auto repairers provide total quality services to their customers, which is very important to me. I also love being my own boss while being a part of a large and well known national group,” Ms Alabakis stated.

Justin Wade, Franchisee from the Tingalpa and Capalaba Midas Auto Service Centres in Queensland has joined the ranks of successful Franchisees who own multiple Midas workshops.

“I love the strength of the collective group and the cohesion in the Midas model. I have a background in the auto service industry and I liked the Midas concept, so I became a Franchisee 15 years ago,” Mr Wade said.

To find out more about converting your automotive business to a Midas Auto Service Centre or to establish a new Midas Auto Service Centre call (03) 8878 1111.

/ends.

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Ms Carmel Alabakis, Franchisee of the multiple award winning Midas Werribee Plaza workshop in Melbourne

Midas Werribee Plaza (VIC) workshop image 1

Midas Werribee Plaza (VIC) worskhop image 2

Suggested image caption - Independent repairers seeking to take that important next step to stay at the forefront of vehicle servicing and repair, along with enthusiastic automotive technicians who want to establish their own businesses, should take a closer look at joining the Midas group.

Visit Midas online

June 26, 2017 - FULL SACHS SHOCK ABSORBER RANGE AVAILABLE FROM BURSON AUTO PARTS

Australia’s most trusted trade supplier of automotive parts, tools and equipment presents the latest in premium quality aftermarket shock absorbers to Australian automotive repairers with the SACHS shock absorber range.

SACHS shock absorbers are well known throughout the global automotive aftermarket for their quality and wide range which covers the most popular makes and models in the Australian car parc.

SACHS is also the Original Equipment brand of choice for many of the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers. With the SACHS aftermarket shock absorber range, Burson Auto Parts ensures that Australian automotive repairers and suspension specialists can replace these integral components with perfect-fit, designed for purpose replacements.

The SACHS shock absorber range from Burson Auto Parts includes standard height and lowered vehicle applications, incorporating shortened body shock absorber variants for maximum comfort, handling and vehicle looks.

According to Burson Auto Parts General Manager of Merchandise, Peter Cheney, the introduction of SACHS as the company’s premium suspension product range is an important and timely addition to the Burson Auto Parts product portfolio.

“We are providing the trade with one of the highest quality shock absorber product ranges in the world with SACHS. We are ensuring that Australian automotive repairers have access to suspension products that are designed specifically for many makes and models being driven on our roads, particularly the rapid growth in European vehicles,” Mr Cheney said.

Whether you require a shock absorber, strut or insert, all SACHS suspension products are built to exacting standards without compromise. The world class SACHS shock absorber range is now available from Burson Auto Parts stores nationwide.

/ends.

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Visit Burson Auto Parts online

Suggested Image Caption: Burson Auto Parts ensures that Australian automotive repairers and suspension specialists can replace these integral suspension components with perfect-fit, designed for purpose replacements with the full SACHS shock absorber range.

June 14, 2017 - A DECADE OF DAYCO SUPPORT FOR RONALD McDONALD HOUSE

This year marks a very special anniversary for all at Dayco Australia, as 2017 represents the 10^th year that Dayco has sponsored a room at Ronald McDonald House in Melbourne.

Located in close proximity to the Royal Children’s Hospital in the Melbourne inner city suburb of Parkville, Ronald McDonald House enables families with children who are undergoing hospitalisation for critical illnesses to have a comfortable home away from home during these difficult periods.

Ronald McDonald House and each of its family rooms are designed to provide a welcoming and comfortable environment which is operated as close to a normal home routine as possible, thereby helping families to cope.

According to Dayco Australia Managing Director Arnold Mouw, the company’s support of Ronald McDonald House is a long term involvement that he and the entire Dayco Australia team are extremely proud to be involved in.

“There is no doubt that life on a day to day basis changes dramatically for any family once they are told that a child is diagnosed with a critical illness.

“The team at Ronald McDonald House do an outstanding job to provide support and services to more than 2,000 families who walk through their doors under the most difficult of circumstances every year.

“We are delighted to continue our long term support of Ronald McDonald House and we hope that the Dayco Room provides comfort for families well into the future,” Mr Mouw stated.

Dayco Australia also donates several VIP Medallion Club tickets to Ronald McDonald House each year so families can take their mind off things for a while with a great day at the footy.

/ends.

Image Link - The entry to the Dayco Room at Ronald McDonald House in Melbourne

Visit Dayco online

June 14, 2017 - CAPRICORN TRAVEL – CREATING UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCES FOR OVER 30 YEARS

While the Australian automotive aftermarket industry is well aware of Capricorn as Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative, what some in the industry may not be aware of is Capricorn’s three decades of experience in the business of travel.

Capricorn Travel was born from necessity in the early 1980’s, to service the fast growing automotive aftermarket co-operative’s own extensive convention based and business based Member travel requirements.

The travel arm of this highly successful automotive cooperative has grown to become a multiple award winning domestic and international agency that is ranked among the nation’s top 20 by the Travellers Choice Group.

Capricorn Travel has created unforgettable lifetime experiences in line with the many outstanding Capricorn Conventions that thousands of Capricorn Members have attended over the decades in exotic locations all over the world.

Capricorn Travel is a full service travel agency available to Capricorn Members, Capricorn Preferred Suppliers, their families and friends as well as the general public. You don’t have to be a Capricorn Member to take advantage of this premier quality travel agency service.

Their professional and dedicated travel consultants have extensive experience, having visited many locations around the globe to provide you with fantastic holiday, conference, trade fair or business travel advice.

The accolades bestowed upon Capricorn Travel include eight Travellers Choice Silver and two Bronze Awards, two consecutive Qantas Holidays Global Achiever Awards in both 2015 and 2016 and the 2017 Qantas Holidays Global Star Award.

Capricorn Travel became a Qantas Holidays Premium Agency in 2015 and gained the 2016 Suppliers Choice Award by Driveaway Holidays, extending the agency’s remarkable credentials.

Capricorn Travel Manager Lisa Carter comments “We have a great team here at Capricorn that really understand our membership, particularly how hard it can be in small business to get time out of the workshop. With this level of understanding we are able to work with our Members to create dream holidays, international river cruises or book domestic flights to visit family. We really are full service.”

Capricorn Members are also able to book and pay for travel conveniently using their Capricorn Trade Account, while of course earning or redeeming Capricorn Reward Points for their business or recreational travel requirements. This is rewarding for visits to international automotive trade events such the global Automechanika trade fairs or the USA based SEMA and AAPEX Expos among many others.

Non-members are more than welcome to use the Capricorn Travel team’s services for business or holiday travel, providing expert advice based on first-hand experience.

Many Capricorn Members and non-members are also seeking advice for individual, couples and family holiday locations along with value added deals. Capricorn Travel’s vast experience in recreational travel ensures the most enjoyable vacations.

Capricorn Travel is a member of the Australian Federation of Travel Agents (AFTA) and holds a ticketing accreditation under the International Air Transport Association (IATA). Capricorn Travel is also an accredited ATAS (AFTA Travel Accreditation Scheme) participant.

Capricorn Travel is a one stop solution for all your travel needs, offering great service, expert know how and value for money when it comes to travel.

So instead of thinking that you have to do it all yourself, give Capricorn Travel a call on 08 6250 9585 or send an email with your enquiry to travel@capricorn.com.au. You can also visit Capricorn Travel online at www.capricorn-travel.com.au.

/ends.

Suggested Caption: The highly experienced Capricorn Travel team; At top centre - Travel Consultant Kat Green, at top left - Travel Manager Lisa Carter, at top right - Travel Consultant Jess Black, at bottom right - Travel Consultant Natalie Lauderdale. Capricrorn Travel understands your business and is ready to create unforgettable experiences for everyone.

Visit Capricorn online

June 6, 2017 - Fake Parts or Fake News?

An opinion piece by Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association Executive Director Stuart Charity.

The recent media release by the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries (the lobby group for the car industry in Australia) under the heading ‘New Seizure Shows Counterfeit is Out of Control’ reports yet another seizure of counterfeit car parts, this time in the UAE, purportedly on their way to Australia and links this seizure to the tragic Easter road toll in Australia.

https://fcai.pressroom.com.au/press_release_detail.asp?clientID=6&prID=11076&navSectionID=2

This follows on from similar recent reports of seizures of counterfeit parts destined for Australia in Guangzhou and Abu Dhabi. In fact these seizures of counterfeit automotive parts allegedly “on their way to Australia” are being reported every couple of months via press release through the FCAI’s Genuine is Best campaign which is managed by PR agency The Project Group. It is interesting to note that this apparent ‘flood’ of counterfeit parts onto the Australian market started in 2015, not long after the launch of the Genuine is Best initiative.

In addition, the Genuine is Best campaign recently held a media briefing at Holden to warn of the dangers relating to counterfeit bonnets to suit VF Holden Commodore that are made of incorrect material and of inferior construction with potentially dangerous outcomes should they fail. The article goes on to highlight the assertions of the FCAI suggesting such issues are systemic of and exclusive to the aftermarket. “FCAI chief executive Tony Weber said Holden's testing had revealed ‘another critical safety failing of a non-genuine part’.

As is always the case when car manufacturers and their nominated representatives make sweeping statements about the benefits of so called ‘genuine’ parts over parts sold by companies outside of their network, their position must be met with some scepticism. After all, there are some very compelling safety concerns raised in the latest press releases, however there are equally compelling commercial reasons for the FCAI to convince consumers that ‘genuine is best’. So let’s unpack the facts.

Firstly, the bonnets called into question are referred to as ‘fake’ or counterfeit. By definition this means they were being falsely represented as genuine, or more correctly as car company-branded. As defined in the FCAI’s ‘Genuine is Best’ website, counterfeit parts are “illegal imitations sold as genuine parts. They may be stamped with serial numbers and the logo of the car or motorcycle manufacturer in order to deceive consumers into thinking they are genuine parts.”

The articles then go on to refer to the bonnets as non-genuine or aftermarket. Aftermarket is not the same as counterfeit, also clarified on the ‘Genuine is Best’ website which states that aftermarket parts “are not produced by the car or motorcycle maker and have been produced by another company as an addition to existing equipment or an alternative to a genuine part.”

So in the interest of open and transparent discussion of an apparent consumer safety issue, Holden and the FCAI should be very clear in their statements as to whether consumers are being misled by the supplier, or whether they are reporting a fault in a product which is legitimately being sold as an alternative to a car company-branded part.

The two are not the same and for Holden and the FCAI to use the terms interchangeably is, in itself, misleading.

To suggest that component failures are purely the domain of the aftermarket is clearly ridiculous. Less than 10% of product recalls of vehicle and auto parts over the last 12 months have been for aftermarket components. The remaining 90% relate to original equipment components.

Comparisons aside, the Australian system for recalls and rectifications under the Product Safety division of the ACCC is an effective means of maintaining product standards in the market in order to protect consumers. So if the part in question is an aftermarket part which has been manufactured to a sub-standard level, there are processes to deal with the issue.

The issue with articles such as these recent stories is one of truth and transparency. When the FCAI and car companies speak about ‘genuine’ parts, there is a clear and undisputable vested interest in convincing consumers that only a ‘genuine’ part purchased through the franchised dealership network can be trusted.

In a recent release by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association, the appropriateness of the term ‘genuine’ to describe car-company branded parts was called into question. As highlighted in the brochure entitled, ‘The Truth About Genuine Parts’, car companies outsource production of most vehicle components to third party manufacturers. These same companies often supply parts not only to the car companies, but also directly to the automotive industry supply chains as aftermarket parts. In many cases, the same part with the same part numbers and identifiers can be purchased in either a car-company branded box or the component manufacturer-branded box.

The problem of counterfeit or ‘fake’ parts should indeed be taken seriously, however to suggest that counterfeit parts are the same thing as aftermarket parts (or to use the terms interchangeably) is misleading and potentially defamatory.

Aftermarket parts are parts made by manufacturers other than the original equipment manufacturer.

High quality aftermarket parts will meet or exceed OEM specifications, providing consumers with greater choice in terms of affordability without compromising on performance. Many aftermarket manufacturers offer parts with superior characteristics than the original component, as is the case for many high performance and 4WD/commercial vehicle parts.

It is interesting that Ford US has just announced the release of the ‘Omnicraft’ brand – an aftermarket product range including oil filters, brake pads, brake discs, starter motors, alternators and suspension parts. According to Ford, “Omnicraft is part of the Ford family of parts brands: Ford, Motorcraft and Omnicraft. Omnicraft is the exclusive non-Ford/Lincoln parts brand of premium aftermarket parts.”

So what exactly is the message here from FCAI and the car companies they represent? Aftermarket parts are potentially unsafe and unreliable and “fake”, unless being sold by their agents in which case they represent “quality parts at a competitive price”. The usual line we are fed about only ‘genuine’ parts being “rigorously tested by that maker as an integral component of the vehicle to meet high quality, safety and performance standards” is completely undermined by the fact that Ford now offer an aftermarket range to owners of non-Ford vehicles. Or are we supposed to believe that they were given access to other manufacturers’ specifications, testing facilities and vehicles to develop this range? I don’t think so!

It is easy to cherry pick a part of questionable construction and then make sweeping statements about parts of similar origin. However, this is a fallacious strategy. And to use such a fallacy to ‘inform’ consumers of the virtues of their members’ products and the risks associated with stepping outside of their network under the guise of consumer safety is deliberately misleading and unconscionable. Not only does it deliver a false message to Australian consumers, it is damaging to Australian businesses.

Despite the impending exit of the car companies from the Australian manufacturing landscape, automotive manufacturing remains a thriving industry in Australia through our world-leading aftermarket manufacturers who are not only providing high quality components to Australians, they are exporting across the globe. In fact, Australian aftermarket components are universally regarded as some of the highest quality in the world, and our local businesses leverage this reputation to develop their export business into some of the most competitive markets, including low cost manufacturing regions such as China.

The truth is that all product types, in all categories sold in Australia are subject to protections under the Australian Consumer Law. From time to time products will fail to meet Australian Standards for one reason or another. In the automotive sector, this reality is not exclusive to aftermarket parts nor is it exclusive to car-company branded parts. This is why we have consumer protections and a system of recall and remedy.

There is absolutely no denying that parts quality will vary from brand to brand, as will price. There is also no denying that there are parts available that are of questionable quality, a fact which consumers should be aware of (particularly when buying through unknown, online sources). With any product purchase, there are risks associated with buying based on lowest price, and best practice would suggest that consumers should insist on quality brands purchased through reputable suppliers.

The choice as to whether this equates to car company-branded parts or aftermarket parts rests with the consumer and they should be free to make this choice without duress. Consumers have a wide variety of legitimate choices when it comes to what parts are fitted to their vehicle. If you choose to buy car company-branded parts supplied through the dealership network that is a legitimate choice, backed by Australian Consumer Law (ACL) protections. If you choose to buy aftermarket parts through a reputable supplier, that is a legitimate choice, also backed by the ACL consumer protections.

This is the real consumer message here. Anything else is FAKE NEWS !

/ends.

Print quality image link of Stuart Charity, AAAA Executive Director

This opinion piece has also been published in the June edition of Australian Automotive Aftermarket magazine.

For interviews or further comments:

Stuart Charity - Executive Director, Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association - 03 9545 3333 / 0418 563 959

Visit the AAAA online

May 31, 2017 - MONROE MAGNUM TRUCK & TRAILER SHOCK ABSORBERS GET THE JOB DONE FOR MANSELL BULK HAULAGE

Monroe Australia’s premium quality Magnum range of heavy duty truck and trailer shock absorbers has received a major vote of approval from a successful Queensland based independent transport company.

Sunshine Coast based Mansell Bulk Haulage, along with Neil Mansell Concrete, are renowned for specialising in bulk haulage and mobile concrete batch plant operations across the country, supplying reliable and value for money services to the construction sector.

The company selected Monroe Magnum heavy duty shock absorbers to be fitted to a number of trucks and trailers in the Mansell Bulk Haulage fleet for a performance trial that commenced in February 2016.

According to Mansell Bulk Haulage Maintenance Manager John Beutel, the Monroe Magnum truck and trailer shock absorbers have definitely performed beyond his expectations.

“The Monroe Magnum shock absorbers have performed very well on both our trucks and trailers. We covered an enormous amount of extreme heavy load mileage across the past year and we have not had an issue with our new Monroe Magnum shock absorbers throughout this trial.

“Since we replaced our truck and trailer shocks with Monroe Magnum product, we haven’t had a single worn mounting bush - in fact they still look like new after more than 12 months of rigorous daily heavy duty concrete haulage,” Mr Beutel stated.

Aside from the lack of suspension mount bush wear, Mansell Bulk Haulage drivers as well as the company’s maintenance team have reported no issues whatsoever with the fitment, driving performance and trailer stability with the use of Monroe Magnum heavy duty replacement shock absorbers. In fact, the drivers have noticed a significant improvement.

“No one understands better than our drivers when replacements of important components such as suspension products do the job or not. Our feedback from them has been 100% positive during our trial of the Monroe Magnum heavy duty shock absorbers,” Mr Beutel said.

“Improvements in braking and steering response, heavy load handling - specifically with the trailer shock absorbers, along with driver comfort and subsequent reduced fatigue have all been cited as areas of significant improvement, when compared to the former ride performance components on these vehicles and trailers in our fleet,” Mr Beutel added.

Mansell Bulk Haulage fitted the Monroe Magnum part number F5004 (BPW Short) shock absorbers on their York Suspension System trailers , along with assorted Monroe Magnum part numbers for their Neway HAS 400 Drivers.

As experienced by Mansell Bulk Haulage, Monroe’s world leading innovations in shock absorber technologies have resulted in major engineering advantages for heavy duty applications. Monroe brings these design advantages to the heavy duty commercial vehicle aftermarket in Australia with the Monroe Magnum heavy duty replacement shock absorber and ride performance product range.

The Monroe Magnum heavy duty range covers the key sectors of truck suspension requirements including cabin dampers, seat dampers, axle shock systems and trailer shock absorbers. The Monroe Magnum range provides world class leading quality through durable suspension performance, followed up by Australian sales support that is second to none in the market.

Monroe Magnum ride performance product advantages include ease of fitment with single bonded bushings that ensure very high bushing durability, along with a high temperature resistant sealing system including the use of high temperature resistant hydraulic fluid. The Monroe Magnum specially formulated semi-synthetic fluid improves damping behaviour through more consistent damping over a wide temperature range.

Find out more about how Australia’s market leader in replacement shock absorbers can bring their world leading product design and manufacturing expertise to your heavy duty commercial vehicle fleet by contacting Monroe Australia customer service on 1800 088 205.

/ends.

Print quality image links :

Mansell Bulk Haulage 1

Mansell Bulk Haulage 2

Monroe Magnum Shock Absorber

Suggested Image Caption: Monroe Magnum heavy duty shock absorbers have proven their total quality during a trial with Sunshine Coast Based Mansell Bulk Haulage and Neil Mansell Concrete’s truck and trailer fleet.

Visit Monroe online – www.monroe.com.au

Visit the Monroe Drive Safe website – www.monroedrivesafe.com.au

May 30, 2017 - RIGHT TO REPAIR PROTECTS USA CONSUMERS

The Automotive Repair Council of Australia (ARCA) national committee recently convened to deliberate on the ongoing complaints regarding lack of access to service and repair information for independent repairers. All were astounded to hear of the difference between the day to day experiences of independent repairers in the USA compared to those of their Australian counterparts.

The remarkable level of co-operation and goodwill between the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers and America’s 140,000 independent repairers was witnessed first-hand by the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) during a recent visit to the USA by Lesley Yates, Senior Manager Government Relations & Advocacy.

Ms Yates reported to ARCA on her impressions of repair and service information disclosure in the USA, after listening to detailed presentations from major vehicle manufacturers, General Motors, Toyota, Honda, Porsche, Volkswagen Group and Subaru. Each of these major car companies provided updates on repair and service information data sharing and the implementation of “pass-thru technology” using universal scan tools (JS2534).

It was very clear from discussions with the US Auto Care Association and the scan tool industry, that vehicle manufacturers in the United States have made significant and measurable progress in providing independent automotive repairers with diagnostic, servicing and repair data.

The USA system works for consumers because it is founded on the Massachusetts Law[1] and states that all repair information that is provided to the dealers will also be provided to independent repairers. Fast forward just three years and in what can accurately be described as the exact opposite to the situation in Australia, most of the world’s vehicle manufacturers are not only complying, but many are in fact well ahead of the agreed timelines for the sharing of data with America’s independent automotive repairers.

“The impressive level of progress made in providing servicing, repair and general vehicle data access since the Massachusetts Right to Repair law was enacted has been extraordinary,” Ms Yates stated.

“These are the exact same car companies that operate in Australia, yet the attitude here towards the fair sharing of vehicle data with independent repairers is totally the opposite. What is even more impressive is that the USA vehicle manufacturers appeared to be very proud of their commitment to provide independent repairers with the most efficient online platforms and help desk services,” Ms Yates added.

According to Mike Smith, Convenor of the Automotive Repairers Council of Australia (ARCA), there seems to be a major disconnect between the very same car companies on this side of the world when it comes to data sharing with independent repairers.

“We are delighted to see the outstanding progress that has been made in the United States with vehicle manufacturers sharing full dealer level data in such a short timeframe. To see these companies actually competing with each other to provide the best platforms, training and support to independent repairers is astounding. This ensures that their customers, the vehicle owners, are always taken care of no matter where they take their car for servicing and repairs,” Mr Smith stated.

“Unfortunately this is not the case in Australia. What these very same car companies say on this side of the world is “it can’t be done” or “it shouldn’t be done”- even refusing to supply vehicle data when independent repairers are willing to pay for it. For some reason, the car companies here are vehemently against what their American colleagues are actually championing. This just doesn’t make any sense,” Mr Smith added.

In Australia, the Federal Government commissioned the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to examine the issue of the disclosure of automotive repair and service information in the Australian market. Their interim report is due by mid-year, with a final report to be presented at the end of 2017.

The AAAA has supported the ACCC with the supply of detailed industry information and case studies for their report, to highlight the importance of vehicle data sharing to best serve the motorists of Australia.

Remarkably, this is a point that resonates with the opinion of global car company management identities, several of whom stated that they agreed data sharing is “the best way to look after our customers and promote the reputation of our brands.” According to the AAAA, this attitude reversal would not have occurred in the USA without the Massachusetts Law.

In the USA car companies now share exactly the same data their dealers receive with independent repairers. This information is available on a fee-for-subscription basis. Many of these car companies have even established contact systems dedicated to dealing with enquiries from independent repairers.

The success of the US Right to Repair campaign and the complete change in attitude of the American car industry, encourages the AAAA to continue its efforts to ensure that the same vehicle data sharing outcome is achieved here in Australia. This will provide true value and benefits to vehicle owners, while enabling independent automotive repairers to compete on a far more level playing field.

/ends.

[1] In 2013, the Massachusetts Right to Repair law was enacted, obligating vehicle manufacturers to provide the same information, tools and software that they provide to their own dealers to the independent sector. Following this legislation, in 2014 a nationwide Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the American aftermarket industry and all vehicle manufacturers who agreed to adhere to the Massachusetts Right to Repair law across the remaining 50 states of the country.

Print quality image link

Suggested Image Caption: AAAA Senior Manager Government Relations & Advocacy, Ms Lesley Yates has reported on the remarkable level of co-operation and goodwill between the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers and America’s 140,000 independent automotive repairers during a recent study visit to the United States. It is the complete opposite to the exact same vehicle manufacturers’ stance in relation to the sharing of data with Australia’s independent automotive repairers.

Automotive Repair Council of Australia (ARCA) logo image link

About the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA):

For interview opportunities or further comment please contact:

Ms Lesley Yates

AAAA Senior Manager Government Relations & Advocacy

T: 03 9545 3333

May 25, 2017 - NEW MONROE MAX-LIFT CATALOGUE RELEASED

Monroe Australia’s premium quality Max-Lift range of replacement bonnet, canopy, boot and hatch supports is now wider than ever, covering a vast range of Australian and imported makes and models.

Monroe has released a new Max-Lift catalogue to ensure quick and easy access of the perfect fitting replacements for these components.

The new Monroe Max-Lift catalogue features 118 new part numbers covering 62 new vehicle applications. This increases Monroe’s Max-Lift product range to a comprehensive total of 461 part numbers.

The 44 page Monroe Max-Lift catalogue also includes sections that outline the Max-Lift features and benefits, while also including product fitment and installation guides. Alphabetical application listings and numerical listings ensure that locating the right Monroe Max-Lift replacement is quick and easy.

Monroe Max-Lift supports feature a superior quality rod finish that ensures smooth operating action and long term durability. These attributes ensure that you are providing your customers with strong and dependable canopy, boot and hatch support replacements that are synonymous with all quality Monroe aftermarket products.

It is always good practice to check your customers’ cars for weakening bonnet, canopy and hatch supports during service visits.

/ends.

Suggested image caption: With 118 new part numbers covering 62 new vehicle applications, the new Monroe Max-Lift catalogue is available now from your Monroe disributor.

Visit Monroe online

May 25, 2017 - STAY AHEAD OF THE GAME WITH CAPRICORN

Australasia’s largest cooperative in the automotive parts buying industry, Capricorn, is always encouraging its Members to stay ahead of the game when it comes to the running of their businesses.

With automotive repair and servicing technology constantly advancing, it is important for businesses to be sure that they are continually updating their plant, equipment and tools.

To assist Capricorn Members to make necessary investments in their businesses, Capricorn offers its Members finance options to assist in updating their servicing and repair capabilities throughout the year.

There is no better time than now to invest before the end of the financial year in your business, with the Federal Government’s $20,000 equipment and business asset investment tax offset incentive.

The importance of investing in your business’ future cannot be understated, particularly with the constantly evolving technology and expertise required to service the vast number of vehicle makes and models on Australia’s roads.

Investing in your business through replacement of worn or dated equipment also enhances workplace safety and productivity, two factors that form the fundamental pillars of small business success.

Whether a Capricorn Member’s workshop needs a new hoist, wheel balancer, state of the art diagnostic scan tools or other important equipment items, Capricorn is ready to support its Members with various business equipment finance options.

For further information about business equipment finance options or other benefits of being a Capricorn Member contact the Capricorn Customer Service team on 1800 327 437.

/ends.

Print quality image link:

Suggested image caption: Staying ahead of the game is imperative to ensure continued success for automotive repairers. Capricorn offers outstanding business equipment finance options to ensure that this is the case.

Visit Capricorn on line at www.capricorn.coop

May 10, 2017 - AAAA WELCOMES AUSTRALIAN MANUFACTURING DEVELOPMENT FUNDING ANNOUNCEMENTS IN FEDERAL BUDGET

The Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA), congratulates the Federal Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Senator Arthur Sinodinos, along with South Australian Senator Nick Xenophon, on their tireless efforts to secure the Government’s Federal Budget inclusion of the new Advanced Manufacturing Fund of $100 million to support the Australian manufacturing industry, as announced by Treasurer Scott Morrison during his Federal Budget presentation to Parliament on Tuesday May 9.

As a part of the Federal Government’s National Budget, Mr Morrison announced that the new Advanced Manufacturing Fund will include funds to help businesses upgrade their processes and equipment along with providing valuable support for research projects in advanced manufacturing. This will include the establishment of Innovation Labs to help businesses develop new products for global markets.

According to AAAA Executive Director Stuart Charity, these new Federal Government funding initiatives have the potential to considerably increase Australia’s manufacturing range to meet the demands of the ever growing and technologically advanced global automotive aftermarket industry.

“We are very excited that the Federal Government is interested in our concept of establishing Innovation Labs in Australia,” Mr Charity stated.

“The AAAA first proposed the initiative of creating an Automotive Innovation Lab to both the Federal and State Governments back in 2014, following our study visit to the highly successful SEMA Garage the United States. On our return to Australia, we gained the support of 25 automotive component manufacturers to fund a feasibility study, the results of which will outline the strongest possible case for some of this new funding to be directed to the establishment of the Australian Automotive Innovation Lab,” Mr Charity added.

It is important to note that this sector of Australian auto component manufacturing is actually growing year on year, with 260 AAAA member companies manufacturing world class products locally with 160 of these companies exporting their premium quality products to markets all over the world. Australia’s innovative and globally competitive automotive component manufacturers and exporters will remain long after the car manufacturing industry departs our shores.

Mr Charity is confident that with the support of an Innovation Lab for Australian automotive industry manufacturers, enormous growth potential will exist for AAAA member companies. This of course is highly dependent on the Innovation Lab being established and overseen by people who thoroughly understand the local and global automotive aftermarket industry.

“It is important to note that the Innovation Lab concept is a real world, highly practical industry led solution that is backed by detailed studies, the counsel of our own successful AAAA manufacturer member businesses and global automotive aftermarket component demand research. It is a concept that can significantly reduce product design timelines and bring enormous benefits to local automotive component manufacturers who are currently sending people overseas to use such facilities. There is no doubt that the introduction of an Innovation Lab for the Australian automotive aftermarket industry will almost immediately deliver results if it is overseen by automotive aftermarket industry manufacturing experts,” Mr Charity said.

“For our industry, the AAAA is best positioned to oversee the establishment, operation and success of the Automotive Innovation Lab, which is why we have been discussing this concept with Governments over the past 24 months. It is great that the Government is listening to our industry and understanding the importance of supporting Australian manufacturers with this important Federal Budget announcement,” Mr Charity added.

The AAAA is the nation’s peak automotive servicing, repair, parts, tool, equipment and component supply and manufacturing industry group, representing more than 2,250 member companies. Automotive aftermarket manufacturing represents 36% of all automotive manufacturing in Australia, equating to a $5.2 billion injection to the Australian economy per annum. It is also important to note that the automotive aftermarket manufacturing sector alone employs 21,000 people directly and exports $800 million per year of locally manufactured product from 160 Australian manufacturers.

After the completion of the feasibility study in June, the AAAA will formally submit a tender to the Federal Government for the Australian Automotive Innovation Lab to become a recipient of one of the new Advanced Manufacturing Fund’s Innovation Lab grants.

/ends.

Print quality image links:

Suggested image caption: (from left) Federal Minister for Industry, Innovation and Science, Senator Arthur Sinodinos with Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) Executive Director Stuart Charity. The AAAA strongly supports the Australian Manufacturing Development Funding announcements made in this year’s Federal Budget. The peak Automotive servicing, repair, parts, tool, equipment and component supply and manufacturing industry group is to submit a tender to the Federal Government to establish an Australian Automotive Innovation Lab to provide product development support to more than 260 Australian automotive component manufacturers.

Visit the AAAA on line

May 3, 2017 - BURSON AUTO PARTS JOINS FORCES WITH THE TOURING CAR MASTERS

Australia’s preferred supplier of parts, tools and equipment to the automotive trade, Burson Auto Parts, has joined forces with one of this country’s most popular motor racing series, the Touring Car Masters (TCM).

Burson Auto Parts has become a presentation sponsor of this loud, spectacular and always exciting motor racing series. The TCM championship brings back the muscle cars of yesteryear at major motorsport events around the country.

Founded in 2007, TCM is more a ‘retro’ series than pure historic racing, combining old-school cars with lots of horsepower and minimal grip with modern components. This ensures high levels of safety, reliability and close competition on show at every round.

Incredible cars like the Holden Torana A9X, AMC Javelin, Ford Mustang Coupe, Chevrolet Camaro and Ford Falcon GTHO appeal both to older fans who grew up with the machinery - and a new generation of fans who can experience the way the sport once was.

Meanwhile, racing legends like Jim Richards and John Bowe go head to head against a big field of talented drivers who create thrilling racing at every turn.

The Burson Auto Parts logo will be visible on the front and rear number plate positions, along with placements on the front guards and on top of the rear spoilers of all TCM cars competing in the 2017 championship.

According to Burson Auto Parts General Manager of Sales and Marketing, Damien Hill, aligning this major Australian automotive aftermarket company with such a well-known and respected motor racing series represents an excellent opportunity.

“The Touring Car Masters is renowned for the quality of the cars, the skill of its drivers and the exciting racing that finds many of these priceless machines being raced as hard as they will go at events all over the country. The appeal that this retro racing series has within the automotive trade and with car enthusiasts is remarkable. We couldn’t be happier to add TCM to our marketing program for 2017,” Mr Hill stated.

Burson Auto Parts’ involvement is also a great fit for the TCM Series according to Category Manager, Tony Hunter.

“We are pleased to welcome Burson Auto Parts to the Touring Car Masters Series,” he said.

“Touring car Masters appeals to a huge range of motor racing fans, both old and new. Our exciting style of racing, accessible drivers and incredible cars ensure that we put on a great show all around Australia.

“We are looking forward to working closely with the team at Burson Auto Parts to showcase our racing to their customers across the country,” Tony added.

The 2017 Touring Car Masters Series will continue alongside the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship at Winton Motor Raceway this May 19-21, followed by trips to Darwin (June 16-18), Queensland Raceway (July 28-30), the Sandown 500 in Melbourne (September 15-17), the Bathurst 1000 (October 5-8) and at the inaugural Newcastle 500 (November 24-26) for the season finale.

The TCM Series is the newest addition to a multi-tiered Burson Auto Parts motorsport based marketing program for 2017 that includes several exciting motor racing platforms. These include the major sponsorship of champion driver Paul Dumbrell’s Supercar in the 2017 Super2 Series, along with the Australian company’s sponsorship of grass roots level motorsport through the CAMS Future Star Awards and the Australian Formula 4 Championship.

For more information about the TCM series visit www.touringcarmasters.com.au.

/ends.

Print quality image link:

Suggested Image Caption: Australia’s preferred supplier of automotive parts, tools and equipment to the trade, Burson Auto Parts, has joined forces with the exciting Touring Car Masters Series for 2017, adding another high exposure motor racing series to the Australian company’s marketing program.

Visit Burson Auto Parts online

May 1, 2017 - PENRITE OIL PARTNERS WITH SUPERCARS FOR THE SUPERCHEAP AUTO BATHURST 1000

Iconic Australian family owned and manufactured company, Penrite Oil, will be the official Oil and Lubricant Partner of the Supercars 2017 Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000.

Today Penrite Oil announced it would partner with the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship as the official Oil and Lubricants partner of the biggest motor race in the country.

Supercars Australia Managing Director Matt Braid said the commitment from Penrite Oil continues the success of the sport in bringing on new Championship and event partners.

“Penrite Oil has a strong pedigree in motorsport and has provided unwavering support of Australian-based teams, drivers and organisations from a raft motorsport disciplines over the past 90 years,” Braid said.

“As a company entrenched in Supercars it is a logical step to add the biggest race in Australia’s biggest category to its brand portfolio.”

Penrite Oil General Manager Toby Dymond said the event is a perfect fit for the homegrown Australian company.

“The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 is the biggest motor racing event in Australia and to be partnering with Supercars to be the official Oil and Lubricant Partner is something we are very proud of,” Dymond said.

“Penrite Oil is a premium quality Australian made, family owned and operated business producing the best locally manufactured products, while also investing heavily in Australian jobs.

“This partnership allows us to showcase our industry-leading Enviro Box™ for packaging and dispensing lubricant to an audience of over three million Australians who tune in to watch the biggest event on the Supercars calendar.”

Penrite Director of Motorsport Jarrod Harding added “The Bathurst 1000 remains the pinnacle of sporting endurance racing in Australia. It’s a place where motoring heroes and villains are born. What better place to showcase the strength and performance of our Racing range.”

“Penrite Oil has enjoyed a rich history in Australian motor racing and continuing this in an official capacity with one of the greatest touring car events in the world is an exciting time for our organisation, Supercars and the fans.”

The Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 takes place from October 5-8, 2017. Tickets are now available through Ticketek.

/ends.

Image Link

Suggested Image Caption: Penrite sponsored Supercar racer David Reynolds is among the country’s fastest drivers seeking Bathurst 1000 glory in October, with Penrite Oil as Official Oil and Lubricant Partner.

Visit Penrite online at www.penriteoil.com.au

Watch the mechanic.com.au produced video outlining the benefits of the Penrite Enviro-Box oil packaging and dispensing system

April 12, 2017 - PENRITE ENVIRO BOX™ GAINS FIRST MAJOR ACCOLADE

On the same day that Penrite Oil Company revealed Enviro Box™, the Australian family owned company’s solution to safer and more environmentally responsible lubricant dispensing, the company is delighted to announce the product’s first prestigious industry accolade.

The Penrite Enviro Box™ was selected by a judging panel of highly experienced automotive aftermarket industry identities to be the winner of the Australian Auto Aftermarket Association’s 2017 Most Innovative New Packaging Award.

Presented at the 2017 Australian Auto Aftermarket Innovation Awards Breakfast, this event heralded the start of the 2017 Australian Automotive Aftermarket (AAA) Expo, which was held in Melbourne from April 6 to 8.

This prestigious award supports the belief that Penrite Oil Company has in this environmentally friendly concept, being the first Australian owned and manufactured lubricant company to introduce this highly efficient and workshop safety enhancing packaging.

Each Penrite Enviro Box™ used replaces a 20 Litre plastic drum with a 100% recyclable cardboard box fitted with a plastic bladder that contains the lubricant. Dispensed by gravity fed taps, hand pump or pneumatic pump, this innovative system saves workshop space and enables several grades of Penrite lubricants to be readily available for more efficient servicing. To further support workshop customers with the responsible disposal and recycling of Penrite Enviro Box™ packaging and lubricant bladders, Penrite Oil Company has also partnered with Cleanaway to provide excellent value waste collection options.

According to Penrite Oil Company General Manager Toby Dymond, the company is delighted to receive this award, which gained the most votes from a panel of highly experienced automotive aftermarket industry peers.

“Penrite is thrilled to be the recipient of the 2017 Most Innovative New Packaging Award“, Mr. Dymond said.

“We believe the Enviro Box™ packaging concept is the future of automotive lubricant packaging in Australia, so to have such an industry renowned judging panel demonstrate that they agree by voting for Penrite Enviro Box™ to win the award supports our confidence that we are definitely introducing today’s solution for a better tomorrow”, he added.

To find out more about Penrite Oil Company and the Penrite Enviro Box™, contact Jessica Grant, Penrite Oil Company on 1300 PENRITE (736 748) or email jgrant@penriteoil.com.

/ends.

Watch the mechanic.com.au produced video outlining the benefits of the Penrite Enviro-Box oil packaging and dispensing system

Print quality image links:

Suggested Image Caption - Penrite Oil Australia General Manager Toby Dymond is joined by Sales and Marketing Analyst Jessica Grant with the company’s 2017 Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) Most Innovative New Packaging Award and the Penrite Enviro-Box (or Penrite Enviro-Box Mascot depending on the image selected) .

Visit Penrite online at www.penriteoil.com.au

Link to Mark Larkham's Penrite Enviro-Box Info Video

Watch the mechanic.com.au produced video outlining the benefits of the Penrite Enviro-Box oil packaging and dispensing system

April 12, 2017 - CAPRICORN ANNOUNCES SEVERAL KEY APPOINTMENTS

Australasia’s largest cooperative in the automotive parts buying industry, Capricorn, announces a number of new key appointments. These appointments enhance the company’s commitment to provide the highest levels of service to more than 17,000 automotive trade businesses across Australia and New Zealand.

Capricorn is delighted to be able to offer employee development and grow the careers of four existing team members, along with welcoming one new external appointment.

Queensland based Chris Nicol has been promoted to the role of National Key Accounts Manager. This position enables Chris to lead a strategic, operational and tactical approach in positioning Capricorn as a highly regarded business partner within franchise, national chain and key account groups.

Moving into the Business Development Manager role in Queensland will be Matt Gledhill, ensuring the Preferred Supplier network continues to receive the high quality of service the Queensland Preferred Suppliers expect.

Charles Baullo takes on the role of Commercial Area Manager for Victoria, where he will build on the commercial strategy for Capricorn’s automotive business, further developing Capricorn’s capability and growth with new opportunities to increase Capricorn’s membership in this state.

Terry Brooks is Capricorn’s new Business Development Manager for South Australia. This position supports Capricorn’s business development team with additional capability in the state and builds on Capricorn’s dedication to deliver excellence to its many Preferred Suppliers.

Capricorn also welcomes Craig Dawson to its team as the New South Wales Commercial Area Manager.

According to David Fraser, Capricorn’s Chief Executive Officer - Automotive, these appointments boost an already strong Australian and New Zealand team of dedicated staff

“‘The growth and success of Capricorn is a result of over 40 years of commitment to supporting the automotive aftermarket. The relationships we have with our Members are one of the cornerstones of the membership and our field team plays a critical role in this relationship building,” David stated.

“Meeting with Members and Preferred Suppliers across the country on a daily basis means we can understand the needs and demands of automotive workshops to ensure we can deliver a service that really does make a difference to their businesses. As our Member and Preferred Supplier numbers grow, it is important that that our field team grows with them to ensure we can sustain these strong relationships,” He added.

/ends.

Image Link - David Fraser

Suggested Image Caption – David Fraser, Capricorn Automotive CEO is pleased to increase Capricorn’s Member service capabilities through the announcement of five new key appointments.

April 6, 2017 - PENRITE ENVIRO BOX™ TODAY’S SOLUTION FOR A BETTER TOMORROW

Innovation, premier quality and a focus on local manufacturing are three key attributes behind the 90 year plus Australian success story that is the Penrite Oil Company.

It should therefore come as no surprise that Penrite, proudly Australian and family owned since 1926, is the first Australian lubricant manufacturer to introduce a new dispensing system that is kind to our environment, decreases packaging wastage, increases bulk lubricant storage capacity, increases workplace safety and saves money.

The Penrite Enviro Box™ oil packaging and dispensing system was unveiled at the Australian Automotive Aftermarket (AAA) Expo in Melbourne from April 6 to 8.

Penrite Enviro Box™ is a ‘bag-in-a-box’ concept; the lubricant is packaged in a bladder bag that is housed inside a recyclable cardboard box, as opposed to the traditional plastic drum. Lubricant can be extracted from an Enviro Box™ in the following ways:

· - Gravity fed through a tap into a 6 litre jug and then dispensed into the vehicle,

· - Pneumatically pumped directly into the vehicle

· - Hand-pumped directly into the vehicle

Penrite Enviro Box™ packages are stored on an Enviro Box™ dispensing stand or trolley, depending on the method of extraction.

The Penrite Enviro Box™ cardboard boxes are 100% recyclable. Considering the many thousands of 20 litre plastic drums disposed of each year, the Enviro Box™ will result in an 85% reduction in landfill waste per unit produced. Toby Dymond, General Manager Penrite Oil, is enthusiastic about the prospective impact that this program will have on the environment.

“Penrite is proud to be the first Australian oil company to introduce the Enviro Box™, which we believe will reduce the use of plastic drums significantly, representing a major step forward in our industry being more environmentally responsible”, Mr Dymond said.

For workshop customers, Penrite has partnered with Cleanaway, Australia’s leading waste management company, to provide a simple option for disposing of the empty Enviro Box™ bladder bags. Interested customers contact Cleanaway on 13 13 39 to set up an account. They will be provided with a Cleanaway collection bin. The empty bags are deposited into the bin and once the bags are ready for collection customers simply call Cleanaway on 13 13 39. Collection will start in Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Adelaide and Perth before a later roll out to regional areas.

“We’re excited to partner with Cleanaway to make sure that the bladder bags are responsibly collected and recycled, so the environmental impact of the use of plastic drums in the automotive industry can be mitigated”, Mr Dymond said.

“It is a great initiative for Penrite to take a proactive step in making package recycling widely accessible for the automotive industry” said Mark Smith, National Sales & Value Chain Manager for Cleanaway. “This is an exciting partnership for us as we can utilise our national network to help Penrite deliver this environmentally sustainable product.

“As an Australian-owned company with over 50 years of experience supporting Australian businesses, we’re proud to offer this collection service to Penrite customers, helping workshops to reduce their waste and work towards making a sustainable future possible,” Mr Smith stated.

With workshops currently spending up to $100 per fortnight ($2,600 per year) on the disposal of empty plastic 20 litre drums, this service presents significant cost savings for workshops. It also eliminates both the hassle and the risk of physical harm that is associated with trying to find cost effective ways of crushing, cutting and disposing of empty 20 litre plastic drums.

The total practicality of the Penrite Enviro Box™ system cannot be understated. Workshops can order their own selection of Penrite lubricants to suit their most frequent servicing requirements, thereby ensuring they have the right lubricant for the right application on hand at all times. Each Enviro Box™ also features a ‘Litres Used’ recorder to easily track when it is time to reorder and when the packaging is empty.

Having fast and easy access to a broad range of lubricant products is increasingly important as the Australian car parc becomes increasingly complex and the applications specified by vehicle manufacturers increases. The Penrite Enviro Box™ stand saves precious workshop space, while also making access to specific lubricant products much easier and faster when compared to using oil bottles.

The round shape and single carry handle of 20 litre plastic drums means they can be awkward to lift and carry. The shape of the Penrite Enviro Box™ is easier for manual handling. Enviro Box™ packages feature two carry handles on opposite sides, so they are less awkward to handle. This design enhancement also enables two people to carry an Enviro Box™ at a time if required. The top shelf of the Enviro Box™ stand is at the average shoulder height, meaning that no over-head lifting is required.

The Penrite Enviro Box™ is set to change how Australian automotive workshops access their most frequently used Penrite lubricant products according to Penrite Oil General Manager, Toby Dymond.

“The Penrite Enviro Box™ saves space and is far more efficient compared with traditional methods of accessing or dispensing multiple lubricants,” Mr Dymond said.

“We look forward to our trade customers taking advantage of the many benefits that the Penrite Enviro Box™ system will bring to their business bottom line and productivity,“ he added.

Penrite’s initial release of products in the Penrite Enviro Box™ packaging includes seven lubricants from the Penrite Enviro+ range as well as HPR5, a product that is always in high workshop demand. The Enviro Box™ lubricant range will expand as the company gradually phases out the use of 20 litre plastic containers.

To find out more about Penrite Oil Company and the Penrite Enviro Box™, contact Jessica Grant, Penrite Oil Company on 1300 PENRITE (736 748) or email jgrant@penriteoil.com .

To express your interest in taking up the Penrite Enviro Box™ Cleanaway disposal service for your workshop, call Cleanaway Australia on 13 13 39.

/ends.

Print quality image links:

Penrite Enviro-Box Image 1

Penrite Enviro-Box Image 2

Penrite Enviro-Box - Pneumatic Pump Stand

Penrite Enviro-Box - Pour and Store Stand

Penrite Enviro-Box - Pour Stand

Suggested Caption: Penrite, proudly Australian and family owned since 1926, is the first Australian lubricant manufacturer to introduce a new dispensing system that is kind to our environment, decreases packaging wastage, increases bulk lubricant storage capacity, increases workplace safety and saves money. The Penrite Enviro-Box is set to revolutionise how the automotive repair and servicing industry accesses lubricant product, while significantly decreasing landfill waste by replacing plastic drums.

Link to Mark Larkham's Penrite Enviro-Box Info Video

Watch the mechanic.com.au produced video outlining the benefits of the Penrite Enviro-Box oil packaging and dispensing system

April 5, 2017 - Dayco Wins 2017 Automotive News PACE™ Award for ACTIVAC™ Vacuum Generation System

Global supplier continues making its mark as innovator of solutions impacting automakers and consumers

Increased fuel efficiency, lighter weight, fewer parts and lower costs. These are the factors that led Dayco to win a 2017 Automotive News PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers’ Contribution to Excellence) Award for its ACTIVAC™ vacuum generation system on the 2017 Ford F-150. The award was presented April 3 at the Max M. and Marjorie S. Fisher Music Center in Detroit, USA.

With a focus on increasing fuel economy and reducing vehicle weight, Dayco’s innovative ACTIVAC braking technology replaces costly, heavy, fuel-consuming mechanical and electrical vacuum pumps found on many of today’s engines. Automakers benefit from reduced weight and decreased system cost and consumers enjoy increased fuel economy.

“Today’s high efficiency and high performance engines generate less vacuum, requiring heavy and expensive mechanical or electrical vacuum pumps to supply vacuum for power brakes,” said Jim Miller, director, Valve & Actuator Technologies, Dayco. “Our engineers have created an elegant, less expensive vacuum generation system requiring no added pumps and consuming no added power, using basic principles of physics and optimised with modern technical tools.”

The Dayco ACTIVAC system includes an array of stand-alone components, such as aspirators, ejectors, flow control valves, check valves and noise attenuators, all built to amplify or create a vacuum, while reducing vehicle weight and /or parasitic engine loss.

When compared to a mechanical vacuum pump, the Dayco ACTIVAC system reduces weight between 500 grams and 2.8 kilograms depending on whether the pump is cam-driven or belt-driven. The system also improves fuel economy by an estimated 0.3 percent over the mechanical vacuum pump. When compared to an electrical vacuum pump, Dayco’s ACTIVAC reduces weight by approximately 2.3 kilograms and results in a significant cost saving per vehicle depending on the type and size of vacuum pump currently being used.

“The Dayco ACTIVAC is a no-compromise system solution for vacuum generation,” said Paul DiLisio, senior vice president, Automotive and Industrial OE Sales, Dayco. “It gives automakers the performance they need and expect, while improving fuel economy at a very competitive system cost, providing a value solution that is extremely compelling. We thank the Automotive News PACE Award judges for recognising our innovation and congratulate the other finalists and winners.”

For 23 years, the Automotive News PACE Awards have honored superior innovation, technological advancement and business performance among automotive suppliers. This prestigious award – considered as the “Oscars” of the automotive components industry – is recognised around the world as the industry benchmark for innovation. A panel of independent judges selected the PACE Award winners.

About Dayco

Dayco is a global leader in the research, design, manufacturing and distribution of essential engine products, drive systems and services for automobiles, trucks, construction, agriculture and industry.

Dayco’s contributions are integral to how people get from place to place, goods are transported, food is harvested, and infrastructure is built. The company operates according to long-held values — keeping promises, delivering on time all the time, and an intense commitment to service no matter what the obstacles. For more than a century, Dayco has overcome challenges, emerging stronger and smarter at every turn.

Dayco improves how the world moves by creating products, systems and relationships that endure. Move Forward. Always.™

Dayco, headquartered in Troy, Mich. (USA), has more than 50 locations in 20 countries and over 4,500 associates. For more information about Dayco, visit the company’s website at www.dayco.com.au .

Suggested Caption: Dayco’s award-winning ACTIVAC™ vacuum generation system replaces costly, heavy, fuel-consuming mechanical and electrical vacuum pumps found on many of today’s engines. The automotive innovation was named a 2017 Automotive News PACE Award winner on April 3, 2017.

Follow Dayco on Twitter @Dayco_Products

‘Like’ Dayco on Facebook at facebook.com/DaycoProducts

April 3, 2017 - BECOMING A MONROE SAFETY SPECIALIST IN 2017 GIVES YOU MORE

Monroe Australia’s unique and highly successful Safety Specialist trade program returns for 2017, offering even more advantages to suspension specialists and automotive repairers who are seeking more marketing support, more business and more suspension replacement work profits.

This Monroe Australia designed and developed trade customer program includes your business in the company’s vast national marketing and promotional activities, along with sophisticated online inclusions that are unrivalled in the industry.

The 2017 update to this highly successful, long term automotive repairer alignment program with Australia’s top selling brand of replacement shock absorbers is without a doubt Monroe’s best yet.

Every 2017 Monroe Safety Specialist program member is an integral part of how this qualified customer generating program works. There is a whole raft of inclusions that existing and brand new Monroe Safety Specialists can expect to take advantage of this year, for the low annual fee of $75.

A new, value added advantage of becoming a Monroe Safety Specialist in 2017 is your business’ inclusion within Australia’s new online mechanic community at www.mechanic.com.au . This customer generating listing is worth $195 per year, but is yours at no cost as a part of becoming a Monroe Safety Specialist.

Members will receive a Monroe merchandise pack including a in store display banner that will attract your customer’s attention given its size and design. Members also receive a brochure holder with Monroe brochures, counter mat, an official Monroe Safety Specialist certificate and quarterly Monroe Drive product based newsletters. Additional useful business items include Monroe notepads, pens and a coffee mug.

Monroe promotes the use of its Safety Specialists nationwide through a dedicated Freecall 1800 number that directs consumer enquiries to their closest Monroe Safety Specialist. All Monroe Safety Specialists’ locations and contact information is also included on the Monroe Australia website locator. This directs online customers who are actively seeking to replace worn shock absorbers and suspension components to their local Monroe Safety Specialist.

All Monroe Safety Specialists also benefit from specific Monroe marketing campaigns that have been designed to deliver business to members directly.

Monroe’s national marketing campaigns are also bolstered with the regular promotional work being carried out by long term Monroe Safety Ambassador and one of Australia’s most admired and successful Supercar drivers, Mark “Frosty” Winterbottom.

It wouldn’t be an all-encompassing automotive repairer program without its inclusion of dealer rewards. Monroe has devised a number of Monroe Safety Specialist exclusive competitions and promotions to be conducted during the year that will find members in the running to receive some great prizes – just for being a part of the program.

Monroe Safety Specialist exclusive promotional prizes include Monroe bar stools, Mark Winterbottom mini replica helmets, popular items from the Monroe merchandise range, Monroe beach cricket sets, Monroe Bluetooth speakers and Monroe Money Cards.

According to Monroe Australia’s Marketing Manager Brydon Tweddell, there has never been a better time to become a Monroe Safety Specialist.

“The new Monroe Safety Specialist program for 2017 makes every member an intrinsic part of our marketing and promotional activity over the year. The program enables the smallest or largest of businesses to benefit from our national marketing campaigns which are designed to deliver customers directly to them, online, in person or by phone. We look forward to another strong year with our growing network of Monroe Safety Specialists in 2017,” He stated.

To become a Monroe Safety Specialist, contact your local Monroe Territory Manager or call Monroe Australia Customer Service on 1800 088 205.

/ends.

Suggested Caption: Becoming a Monroe Safety Specialist includes your automotive business in Monroe Australia's national marketing, delivering customers through a Freecall 1800 number an online locator, point of sale material and much more.

Visit Monroe online

March 31, 2017 - DAYCO AUSTRALIA GETS BACK ON THE TRACK IN 2017

Dayco is proud to announce another major season of motorsport for the world renowned engine belt, thermal and engine components manufacturer and marketer in 2017.

Focussing on three of the most exciting motor racing categories in Australia, the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship, the Australian GT Championship and the Victorian Tarmac Rally Championship, Dayco Australia’s motorsport program ensures year round Dayco exposure across Australia, New Zealand and beyond.

Leading the Dayco Australia motorsport program is accomplished international GT racer and highly experienced Supercar enduro driver, David Russell, who takes his ambassadorship role with Dayco to a fifth consecutive year in 2017.

“Dayco Dave” will be competing in selected GT events held in Australia, New Zealand and in Europe during the year, while once again joining the Nissan Motorsport Supercar team, also for a fifth consecutive year as one of the team’s endurance race co-drivers.

Dayco continues its successful long term marketing alliance with the Nissan Motorsport Supercar team, but with a distinct difference for 2017. The global company becomes a part of Australian motorsport history as it joins the first ever full time female Supercar driver, Simona de Silvestro. The Swiss racer enters Supercars with superb international racing credentials that include major open wheeler success both in Europe and in the United States.

The former IndyCar racer, who is one of only three women to have ever stepped on to an IndyCar podium, has already impressed many with her debut solo supercar performances this season.

Dayco Ambassador David Russell will be co-driving with Simona de Silvestro at the Sandown 500, the Bathurst 1000 and the Gold Coast 600 Supercar Season of Endurance races from September to late October 2017 with the Nissan Motorsport team, one of only two factory supported racing teams in the category. Russell will also be taking part in team test days and race event practice sessions during the season.

Off the racing circuits and onto the Tarmac Rally events of Victoria and Dayco will also be seen adorning the Mitsubishi Evo6 of successful Victorian racer Alan Roe and co-driver Michael Lloyd at selected tarmac rally events during 2017. Roe and Lloyd have displayed top three outright pace at many major events in the past and the duo are no strangers to gaining stage and outright victories with their speed, precision and attention to detail. This is the third season of Dayco’s proud association with the Shepparton (VIC) based tarmac racing specialist team.

According to Dayco Australia Marketing Director, David McClurg, Dayco has once again established a strong and broad reaching motorsport marketing program for 2017.

“It is fantastic to continue our involvement with Nissan Motorsport in 2017. We have been with the team since it entered Supercars and we couldn’t be more pleased to be a part of Australian motorsport history by joining Simona de Silvestro in her debut full time season. Knowing how fast our ambassador David Russell is, we are looking forward to seeing what this unique combination can achieve at Sandown, Bathurst and the Gold Coast,” He stated.

“Our GT involvement with David always delivers outstanding results both locally and internationally and the Alan Roe Tarmac Rally team always punch well above their weight in every event they take part in,” He added.

Dayco has already enjoyed success in 2017 with David Russell and Roger Lago racing their Lamborghini R-EX to 6^th place overall in the opening Intercontinental GT Championship round, the Bathurst 12 Hour held in February. The talented duo also raced to second place at the Australian Grand Prix GT Championship round held in March.

/ends.

Print quality image links:

Nissan Motorsport Supercar driver Simona de Silvestro

Nissan Motorsport Supercar driver Simona de Silvestro 2

Simona de Silvestro’s Supercar in action at the 2017 Australian Grand Prix

JBS Australia Lamborghini R-EX at the 2017 Australian Grand Prix – David Russell and Roger Lago

Dayco Australia Ambassador David Russell behind the wheel of the JBS Australia Lamborghini R-EX at the 2017 Australian Grand Prix

Dayco Australia Ambassador David Russell

Alan Roe and Michael Lloyd in the Dayco Mitsubishi Evo6 Tarmac Rally car

Visit Dayco Australia online

March 31, 2017 - EVEN MORE RISK PROTECTION FROM CAPRICORN

As a part of Capricorn’s efforts to constantly improve its services to its Members, its business insurance arm, Capricorn Risk Services, announces a new addition, the Capricorn Weather Alert.

The Capricorn Weather Alert is a new, complimentary benefit for all Capricorn Members that uses email and SMS to notify Members about emergency weather communications. This service alerts Capricorn Members to forecasted severe weather events before they take place in and around their specific geographic location.

These types of alerts have saved businesses millions of dollars in potential losses and damage. Severe storms are the most common natural hazard in Australia and on average, cause more damage and destruction than cyclones, earthquakes, floods and bushfires.

Each year, storms including tornados, thunder, lightning, hail, flash flooding and gale force winds, impact many areas across Australia, causing major destruction. As storms are often unpredictable, felt locally and happen in smaller areas, their devastating impact is often underestimated.

Australia’s most costly natural disaster (in dollar terms) was the major storm that ravaged Sydney’s eastern suburbs on April 14, 1999. This storm produced massive hailstones of up to 9 centimetres in diameter and resulting in insurance losses of around $1.5 billion in less than one hour.

Storms not only cause damage to homes, property and businesses, they also pose a threat to people, animals and the environment. The financial and community cost can be lessened with better planning and by preparing your home, business and family to stay safe and reduce the damage.

To find out more, contact Capricorn Risk Services today by calling 1800 007 022.

/ends.

Suggested image caption: The Capricorn Weather Alert is a new, complimentary benefit for all Capricorn Members that uses email and SMS to notify Members about emergency weather communications.

Visit Capricorn online

March 28, 2017 - PETER CHENEY ACHIEVES A MAJOR CAREER GOAL WITH BURSON AUTO PARTS

Highly experienced automotive industry executive, Peter Cheney, has realised a major career goal with his appointment to the role of General Manager, Procurement and Merchandise with Burson Auto Parts.

This role has been overseen for the best part of four decades by the extremely well known and respected Burson Auto Parts General Manager of Merchandise, Andrew Schram.

Peter Cheney, 49, brings three decades of automotive industry experience to this major Burson Auto Parts role. Although with Peter, there is an ingrained knowledge of the automotive trade gained throughout his life that extended long before his professional career.

The Cheney family has spent three generations in the automotive industry, when Peter’s Great Grandfather, S.A. Cheney established his automotive sales and service business in 1898. Fast forward to the next century and a further two generations and the business had become the Patterson-Cheney Group. Being brought up in an environment of thriving automotive repair workshops, car and parts sales during the 1970’s and 80’s gave Peter a far more detailed and intimate knowledge of the business from a young age.

At 18, Peter decided to forge his own automotive aftermarket career, joining a Nissan Dealership in their spare parts shop. His interest in the trade side of the business saw Peter join Repco in 1988 as an Assistant Manager of a Checkpoint Brake & Clutch workshop and parts sales outlet in Melbourne. It wasn’t long before Peter became the company’s youngest store manager and after six years in the role, Peter followed his ambitions and progressed from the workshop floor to become a member of the company’s management team.

Peter joined the Repco head office team in 1994, working in their electronic cataloguing division across four years. He then progressed to the role of Product Analyst and later to Product Manager, significantly growing the heavily trade focussed Undercar division of the business for four years. After his career tenure with the company that spanned 13 years, Peter was selected to join the burgeoning Autobarn product management team in 2002.

Peter’s responsibilities covered spare parts, lubricants and car care. Under his management, these categories grew significantly across the next six years. In 2008, Peter was promoted to the role of General Manager of Merchandise and within two months of taking on this role, Automotive Brands had acquired the national Autopro group of trade parts re-sellers.

This brought Peter’s vast trade experience to the fore, supporting the trade customer requirements of this national parts supplier group, while also keeping Peter in close touch with trade suppliers and customers.

After almost nine years in his former role, Peter was selected to replace one of the Australian automotive aftermarket’s most experienced and successful merchandise heads of management, Burson Auto Parts’ Andrew Schram. Having devoted his professional life to this Australian company, Andrew made the decision to retire after an outstanding career spanning four decades. His career extended from the establishment of the company’s first store in 1977 through to the opening of the 156^th Burson Auto Parts store in 2016.

Peter Cheney is acutely aware of the shoes that he will be filling as General Manager, Procurement and Merchandise with Burson Auto Parts.

“Gaining this role represents a major career goal for me. I have observed the gradual growth of Burson Auto Parts through the years, guided by highly dedicated people such as Andrew Schram whose entire career has been devoted to the one company. Looking in from the outside, I have admired how the company has always remained resolutely true to its solid trade focus and has grown without ever losing sight of that focus through the years,” Peter stated.

“Burson Auto Parts has become extremely successful due to its dedication to the trade and I look forward to ensuring that this remains the case across the next exciting phase of this Australian company’s success story,” He added.

Andrew Schram will be on hand to support Peter Cheney in his new role, remaining with Burson Auto Parts as an executive consultant to ensure a smooth and effective transition.

/ends.

Suggested Image Caption: Highly experienced automotive industry executive Peter Cheney achieves a major career goal by joining Burson Auto Parts as the company’s General Manager, Procurement and Merchandise.

Visit Burson Auto Parts online

March 7, 2017 - GARETH WALKER RETURNS TO HIS TRADE ROOTS WITH BURSON AUTO PARTS

Burson Auto Parts welcomes highly credentialed automotive aftermarket product specialist Gareth Walker to the role of Trade Product Manager.

Gareth Walker, 43, joins the Burson Auto Parts management team following a successful four year tenure at Automotive Brands, where he was responsible for the management of several leading aftermarket product categories.

Having commenced his automotive industry career in 1989 as a motor mechanic with the Wiltshire’s Auto Service group in Melbourne, upon gaining his qualification, Gareth established his own automotive repair and mobile mechanic business.

Despite enjoying being a motor mechanic, Gareth was particularly interested in the parts side of the automotive aftermarket industry. He joined Autobarn in 1995 and spent a decade progressing with the group through various management roles.

In 2004, Gareth joined Ashdown as a sales representative, covering a vast range of general auto electrical parts along with industrial equipment parts and product ranges, further extending the length and breadth of his automotive trade business experience.

Late 2005 saw Gareth join Trico as a Victorian Sales Representative. Walker then embarked on a remarkable career trajectory with the company that saw him become the company’s National Sales Manager within five years.

The establishment and development of a series of highly successful automotive workshop based sales programs was a key focus of his tenure at Trico, working closely with major workshop groups along with many smaller automotive repair businesses.

Gareth joined Automotive Brands in 2013 as a Product Category Manager for batteries, electrical, performance products and tools. He spent the last four years developing the growth of these automotive aftermarket product lines across the national Autobarn and Autopro store networks. This role saw Walker heavily involved in the establishment of category specific marketing programs.

Gareth joined Burson Auto Parts as Trade Product Manager in early March, assisting the management team in trade product range development and sourcing, to ensure that Burson Auto Parts continues to best serve the automotive repairers of Australia.

This career step represents a return to Gareth’s firmly embedded trade roots that were established when he started out in the industry as an apprentice motor mechanic almost 30 years ago.

“It is great to be joining Burson Auto Parts at such an exciting time in its history. This role definitely enables me to re-connect with my trade roots, working with an Australian company whose focus on the trade is second to none in the industry. I am looking forward to continuing long held relationships and establishing new relationships with Burson Auto Parts’ suppliers,” Gareth stated.

/ends.

Print quality Image links:

Gareth Walker 1

Gareth Walker 2

Suggested image caption: Highly experienced aftermarket product specialist Gareth Walker has returned to his trade roots with Burson Auto Parts in the role of Trade Product Manager.

Visit Burson Auto Parts online

March 6, 2017 - BURSON AUTO PARTS BLASTS INTO SUPERCARS WITH AN OPENING ROUND VICTORY

Burson Auto Parts has celebrated the Australian company’s maiden marketing venture into Supercars with a dominating performance at the opening round of the 2017 Dunlop Super2 Series at the Clipsal 500 held from March 3 to 5 in Adelaide.

The Australian automotive trade’s preferred supplier of parts, tools and equipment for more than 45 years has teamed up with the company’s Chief Operating Officer - Specialist Wholesale and highly experienced Supercar driver Paul Dumbrell as primary sponsor of his Commodore in the second tier category of Australia’s premier motor racing series.

Thanks to Dumbrell’s outstanding efforts behind the wheel, Burson Auto Parts’ dream debut in Supercars delivered a pole position, two race wins and one second place finish - along with the opening 2017 Dunlop Super2 Series overall round victory.

“It was fantastic to have such a successful opening round with Burson Auto Parts on my car,” Paul said.

“The car was on the pace from the moment it rolled out of the truck and given how competitive the Dunlop Super2 Series is, I was surprised with how we almost completely clean swept the round. It is going to be a great season and I look forward to ensuring that Burson Auto Parts is leading the way, both on the track and in the boardroom.

“Monday morning executive team meetings are always better after a successful round on the track!” He added.

This is the first time that Burson Auto Parts has formed a marketing alliance with a Supercar team and driver.

Burson Auto Parts’ General Manager of Sales and Marketing, Damien Hill, is delighted with the new 270kph plus billboard for the highly successful automotive parts, tools and equipment supplier, that now includes 156 company owned stores nationwide.

“It is great that we have gained a premier Burson Auto Parts sports marketing platform provided to us by one of our team members, who also happens to be a top flight Supercar driver,” Damien stated.

“Paul was nothing short of superb in the Clipsal 500 opening round, there wouldn’t have been too many people at the event or watching on live national television that did not see the Burson Auto Parts Commodore gain pole position, two wins, a second place and the overall round victory – what a great start! We look forward to an exciting Dunlop Super2 season ahead and to maximising our trade leading brand’s involvement,” He added.

The 2017 Dunlop Super2 Series consists of eight events run in conjunction with the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship from March to November. It is renowned as a successful proving ground for up and coming Supercar drivers and, as is the case for Dumbrell, for main Series Supercar endurance race co-drivers to stay on the pace and sharp all season.

You can follow the progress of the Burson Auto Parts Commodore at the following events during the 2017 season with all Dunlop Super2 Series races broadcast live on Foxsports, with selected rounds also broadcast on Network Ten.

2017 DUNLOP SUPER2 SERIES CALENDAR

R1 Mar 3-5 Adelaide, Adelaide Parklands Street Circuit, SA

R2 April 7-9 Tasmania SuperSprint - Symmons Plains Raceway, TAS

R3 April 21-23 Phillip Island SuperSprint - Phillip Island GP Circuit, VIC

R4 July 7-9 Townsville 400 - Reid Park Street Circuit, QLD

R5 Aug 18-20 Sydney SuperSprint - Sydney Motorsport Park, NSW

R6 Sept 15-17 Sandown 500 - Sandown Raceway, VIC

Non-Championship - Oct 5-8 Bathurst 1000 - Mount Panorama, NSW

R7 Nov 24-26 Newcastle 500 - Newcastle Street Circuit, NSW

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Image 2 (Paul Dumbrell with the Burson Auto Parts Super2 Series Commodore)

Suggested Image Caption: Burson Auto Parts blasted into Supercars with an inaugural round victory of the opening 2017 Dunlop Super2 Series round at the Clipsal 500 thanks to a superb performance by Burson team member and top flight Supercar driver, Paul Dumbrell.

Visit Burson Auto Parts online

March 4, 2017 - BURSON EQUIPMENT HAS THE TYRE PRESSURE CHECKING SOLUTION FOR YOUR WORKSHOP

The national Burson Equipment team ensures that Australia’s automotive workshops have access to state of the art and value priced equipment to keep the smallest businesses in line with the technology that is currently being used by the largest.

Checking your customers’ tyre pressures quickly and accurately has never been easier than with the use of the Autel Maxi range of remote tyre pressure monitoring service (TPMS) products.

These fast, smart and powerful Autel units from Burson Equipment activate all magnetic frequency and tire deflation triggered sensors on all vehicles sold worldwide, so there are no vehicle compatibility issues to be concerned about.

Both the Autel Maxi TS401 and 501 models receive both 315 MHz and 433 MHz signals, while also reading data including sensor ID, tyre pressure, temperature, battery condition, OE part number and re-learn information.

Both hand-held Autel Maxi TPMS products graph the vehicle on screen to simplfy the disgnostic process, while the built in pre-selection process offers fast activation and diagnostic reporting. Both units can also check remote keyless entry (Key FOB) for transmissions, while also providing visual and audible responses to confirm that all sensors are working properly.

Step by step on screen instructions ensure that both Autel TPMS units are very easy to use with an automatic power-off function ensuring long battery life.

The Autel Maxi TS501 includes all of the features outlined, along with the additional functionality to program a vehicle’s ECU to learn sensor ID’s and positions, with the ability to read and clear TPMS codes and reset malfunction indicator lights.

Burson Equipment offers these universal tyre and electronics systems solutions to repairers backed by the support of a national team of equipment and automotive technology experts to assist you. To find out more contact Burson Equipment on 1300 BURSON (287 766).

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Suggested Image Caption: Burson Equipment offers state of the art diagnostic tools to keep your workshop at the forefront of automotive repair and maintenance technology with the Autel range of Tyre Pressure Monitoring Service (TPMS) products.

Visit Burson Auto Parts online

March 4, 2017 - ANOTHER MONROE GAS MAGNUM TDT 4x4 TRANSFORMATION

Ford Ranger owner, Simon Leonow, has taken the step of contacting Monroe Australia to outline his satisfaction with a replacement set of Monroe Gas Magnum TDT 4X4 shock absorbers.

Up until making the decision to replace his shock absorbers on this vehicle, Simon had never replaced the shock absorbers in any of his cars across some 29 years of motoring. He had always assumed that OEM shock absorbers were fine and never questioned that a vehicle manufacturer would not be able to provide the best ride from the factory.

Afflicted with chronic back pain, Simon started to feel every dip and bump on a standard bitumen road, making dirt or off road driving particularly unpleasant.

“I drove 60,000 kilometres in a new Ford Ranger Wildtrack with some occasional off road driving, but given my situation I was looking for a solution, varying from just updating my whole car to replacing all of the suspension and fitting a Recaro airbag seat. All of this was to try and achieve a more comfortable ride during my daily drive to and from work, but also when four wheel driving in the Flinders Ranges, Beach four wheel driving with the family and during the regular towing of a Jetski, XL Motorbike trailer, Box trailer or two tonne Ski Boat,” He said.

Before making all of the other possible changes, Simon took the advice of a trade professional and replaced his shock absorbers with a set of Monroe Gas Magnum TDT 4x4 shock absorbers as the first step to solve his problem.

“I was absolutely gob-smacked at the difference it made when I changed the shock absorbers to the Monroe Gas Magnum TDT 4x4’s. My first four wheel drive across some 50 kilometres of sandy beach woops was no longer a jarring and painful ride. The Monroe Gas Magnum TDT’s just soaked it up and smoothed out everything. I got out regularly and just stood up, no more hunching over and slowly straightening u\\p after a big, painful drive. My Ford Ranger performed equally impressively across some worn out dirt tracks and corrugated roads. It was totally different, the car had been transformed!, Simon stated.

Simon makes the point that, had he made all of the changes that had been recommended to him by friends, aside from replacing his shock absorbers with Monroe Gas Magnum TDT 4x4’s, he would have spent thousands of dollars unnecessarily.

“I got so many conflicting suggestions from people to solve my issue and after getting simple practical advice from one installer, I just thought I will start with upgrading the shock absorbers and go from there.

“I honestly can’t thank Monroe enough. I was a sceptic and thought that fitting these shock absorbers would just be stronger versions of factory shock absorbers with the same ride or maybe even worse. My experience has been totally the opposite,” Simon stated.

“It wasn’t a big investment and I am sure that anyone would clearly notice the improvement the first time they go off road, drive on a worn road or when towing something heavy. I just wish that I had done this a long time ago,” Simon added.

Monroe Gas Magnum TDT 4x4 replacement shock absorbers are proudly designed and manufactured in Australia for a constantly expanding range of standard and raised height, normal load and heavy duty load four wheel drives. To inspect the range available visit the Monroe Australia online catalogue at www.monroe.com.au.

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Simon Leonow with his son Oscar and their Ford Ranger, which has been transformed for the better by replacing his Original Equipment shock absorbers with Monroe Gas Magnum TDT 4x4 raised height shock absorbers.

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Visit Monroe Australia’s website - www.monroe.com.au

Visit the Monroe Drive Safe website - https://monroedrivesafe.com.au/

February 24, 2017 - ENHANCE YOUR WORKSHOP SAFETY WITH THE SUMMIT ST 4500M CLEAR FLOOR HOIST FROM BURSON EQUIPMENT

The Burson Equipment team alerts automotive repairers of the need to check and replace vehicle hoists to best enhance workplace safety.

Vehicle hoist component wear and construction deterioration is becoming more prevalent given the significant changes in average vehicle weight over recent years. The vast increase in the numbers of much heavier 4WD, SUV and commercial vehicles being driven on our roads is placing greater than ever demands on vehicle hoists. The hundreds of vehicle hoist operating cycles each week or month in any typical automotive workshop, make hoists particularly susceptible to wear and deterioration over time.

Peak workplace safety authority, Worksafe, recently conducted an automotive workshop inspection program that included 325 workplaces. Worksafe issued notices for the repair or replacement of 472 vehicle hoists as a result of this one inspection program. This has raised major concern for the condition of many older vehicle hoists currently in operation across the entire country.

If your workshop vehicle hoists are showing signs of wear or are not operating to their peak efficiency, the only way to ensure complete vehicle hoist safety is with new replacement. This coupled with the taxation advantages that come with replacing workshop equipment, makes affordable hoist replacement a key consideration with Burson Equipment.

The national Burson Equipment team can provide you with high quality hoist replacement options led by the Summit ST45000M clear floor, two post vehicle hoist. This wide body hoist has a generous 4,500 kilogram lift capacity while still being versatile enough to lift smaller passenger vehicles, all the way through to 4WD and light commercials.

Meeting stringent Australian safety standards, the Summit ST4500M vehicle hoist from Burson Equipment features low profile three stage load arms with solid automatic arm locks, electric up lift and manual lowering, asymetric design, two stage load pads, pick up extensions, dual hydraulic rams, twin balance cables and a quality powder coat finish.

Additional features of the Summit ST4500M vehicle hoist include a padded roof bar with an automatic limit switch to prevent damage to high vehicles, while the extra wide post design enables easy entering and exiting of the vehicle when it is in the correct lifting position.

At the value price of $3,995 ex GST, the Summit ST4500M is available exclusively from Burson Equipment and represents outstanding value for the enhancement of workshop safety, while also providing increased multi-sized vehicle servicing productivity.

To find out more about this and any workshop equipment requirements, contact the Burson Equipment team on 1300 287 766.

/ends.

Suggested image caption – Ensure your workshop safety by replacing old hoists with the value priced and quality engineered Summit ST4500M from Burson Equipment.

Visit Burson Auto Parts online

February 23, 2017 - DAYCO TO SHOWCASE WORLD LEADING TECHNOLOGY AND PRODUCT QUALITY AT THE 2017 AAA EXPO

Dayco Australia will be presenting world leading engine belt technology, engine componentry along with premium quality thermal management products at the 2017 Australian Automotive Aftermarket (AAA) Expo.

This biennial trade fair is the largest of its kind in the Southern Hemisphere, uniting Australian and international major automotive aftermarket component manufacturers, service providers and marketers with both local and international trade customers at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 6 to 8, 2017.

Dayco’s outstanding success and commitment to regional Australian manufacturing will be showcased with the world class Dayco Powerbond harmonic balancer range accompanied by the Nuline by Dayco engine pulley range.

New Dayco aftermarket products will also be on show at the expo, including the company’s range of high quality replacement air intake and cleaner hoses.

A visit to the Dayco stand (M28) is a must to inspect the company’s latest Information Technology development that has been nominated for the AAAA Most Innovative Trade Catalogue / E-Commerce Solution Award this year, the Dayco Catalogue Smartphone app.

Designed to improve service and provide Dayco’s trade customers with instantly available and constantly updated application information, the new Dayco Catalogue Smartphone app truly covers it all. The newly developed app contains technical information and details about Dayco replacement parts for passenger cars, light and heavy trucks, buses, snowmobiles, all terrain vehicles, motorcycles and agricultural equipment available in Australia and New Zealand. This comprehensive new Dayco app will be displayed throughout the AAA Expo and covers more than 30,000 SKU’s.

Dayco has always led by innovation and the company’s latest technological advancements will also be on show at the AAA Expo including the company’s Timing Belt In Oil (BIO) System for automotive applications. The Dayco Belt In Oil system, which includes Dayco's patented belt and tensioner, weighs less, features lower stretch, reduces friction and is quieter than traditional chain drive components. This translates directly to greater engine performance, lower emissions and improved fuel economy.

Dayco Australia will have a major presence at the 2017 AAA Expo on Stand M28, welcoming all trade customers during what is sure to be a busy three day event. The global engine belt, thermal management and ancillary engine products manufacturer and marketer is also a proud 2017 AAA Expo event sponsor. This continues a long and successful association with this highly important Australian automotive aftermarket industry event.

Visitors to the Dayco stand during the 2017 AAA Expo will also have the opportunity to take home a limited edition Nissan Motorsport Supercar poster. AAA Expo visitors will also have the chance to meet Dayco Ambassador, Nissan Motorsport V8 Supercar enduro driver and Lamborghini GT ace David Russell who will be visiting the Dayco stand on Friday April 7.

According to Dayco Australia Sales and Marketing Director David McClurg, “The 2017 AAA Expo is a great opportunity for us to meet our customers face to face and to showcase our premium quality products. We have generated a great deal of interest relating to our local manufacturing and export success, along with our world leading new aftermarket innovations. Dayco is all about delivering quality products and dedicated service, so we look forward to welcoming our customers to this major event in April.”

Members of the automotive trade can register to attend the 2017 AAA Expo online at www.aaaa.com.au .

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The AAAA award winning Dayco stand at the 2015 AAA Expo

Dayco Ambassador and Nissan Motorsport Supercar Team enduro driver David Russell with team owner Todd Kelly.

Visit Dayco online

February 22, 2017 - NUMBER ONE FOR CLUTCH ON THE NUMBER ONE CAR IN 2017

EXEDY, one of the world’s largest clutch manufacturers, is taking the company’s No 1 for Clutch message to the racing circuits of Australia in 2017 aligned with the number one Dunlop Super2 Series (formerly the Dunlop Supercar Series) car and driver, Garry Jacobson.

EXEDY first joined this exciting young Supercar driver at the title deciding final round of last season at Sydney Olympic Park. EXEDY now returns to the newly crowned number one Dunlop Super2 Series car and driver, Garry Jacobson for what is sure to be an exciting new season.

EXEDY logos appear across the front and rear of Jacobson’s PRA Falcon FG-X Supercar promoting the company’s leading range of aftermarket clutch kits and components for Australian and New Zealand automotive repairers, along with high performance clutches for drifting and circuit racing enthusiasts. The premium EXEDY Racing Clutch range will also be promoted on the car during the season with EXEDY Racing Clutch logos also appearing on Jacobson’s racing overalls and on team merchandise during the 2017 season.

The eight event 2017 Dunlop Super2 Series gets underway at the spectacular Clipsal 500 season opener on the streets of Adelaide in March. The series then visits Tasmania, Victoria, Queensland and New South Wales through to late November, with all Dunlop Super2 Series events held in conjunction with 2017 Virgin Australia Supercar Series events.

According to EXEDY General Manager Kabel Davis, the company is excited about the season ahead given Jacobson’s outstanding performance behind the wheel last season. “Garry Jacobson returns to the Dunlop Super2 Series to defend his well-earned championship this season and all of us at EXEDY are proud to be supporting him as he aims to achieve back to back titles. Garry is ready to take on all challengers in the number one PRA Falcon, making this a perfect fit with EXEDY being the number one choice for OE Replacement, high performance, racing and heavy transport clutches,” Mr Davis stated.

Jacobson is thrilled to welcome EXEDY aboard for his 2017 Dunlop Super2 Series campaign. “It is great to have a multi-national market leading automotive company in EXEDY on board for 2017 after we enjoyed a fantastic first round together at last year’s Sydney 500, my Dunlop Super2 Series title winning event.

“I believe that it was my consistency that won the title last season, so that will be the goal this year, to be as fast and consistent as I can at every round. I feel that I have more speed in me this year and I will need it, as it sure to be highly competitive field. The team is pumped for success so we can’t wait to get back to the business of racing at the Clipsal 500 and over the entire season,” he said.

In a further development for the EXEDY sponsored driver in 2017, Jacobson has been announced as endurance race co-driver with double Bathurst 1000 champion driver Jason Bright in the Mega Fuels PRA Falcon. Jacobson will be making his main Supercars series endurance racing debut at this year’s Sandown 500 in September, along with the Bathurst 1000 and Gold Coast 600 in October.

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EXEDY Ambassador and 2016 Dunlop Supercar Series Champion Garry Jacobson with his PRA Falcon FG-X that he will be defending his title in this season

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Visit EXEDY online

Visit EXEDY’s Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/officialexedy/

February 16, 2017 - A NEW LOOK FOR CAPRICORN’S PURPLE PAGES TRADE DIRECTORY

Capricorn’s Purple Pages A – Z trade directory is one of the main supplier reference guides for more than 18,000 automotive repair and related businesses across Australia and New Zealand, providing them with instant access to leading local Capricorn Preferred Suppliers for their business needs.

This new trade directory has been produced by trading zones to make it easier for Capricorn Members to locate relevant Preferred Suppliers, the zones being QLD, NSW/ACT, VIC/TAS, SA/NT, WA and New Zealand. This indispensable guide has been re-designed to make it even easier for Capricorn Members to use.

The new look Capricorn Purple Pages directory offers fresh updates including the introduction of four sections, increased font sizes, added colour coding, heavy stock dividers and a new easy to read and reference layout. These changes are designed to make it even easier for Capricorn Members to quickly locate all of their supplies for their automotive business needs.

The introduction of four sections within the existing alphabetical trade directory creates four supplier guides in one, making it even easier to navigate under the section headings of Business Essentials, Commercial, General Automotive and Workshop Equipment.

This re-design significantly simplifies Capricorn Members’ ability to promptly locate their exact office supplies, commercial vehicle parts, passenger vehicle parts or workshop equipment requirements with greater ease than ever before.

Highlighting the non-automotive products and services available to purchase by Capricorn Members using their Capricorn Trade Account also increases the opportunity to earn even more Capricorn Reward Points for office purchases and business supplies, workshop equipment as well as across the normal automotive parts spectrum. These purchases earn one and a half Capricorn Reward Points per dollar spent on eligible purchases.

Earning points simply for purchasing essential business requirements is yet another benefit of Capricorn membership, in addition to simplifying paperwork with the single invoicing structure for all Preferred Supplier purchases.

Capricorn Members will receive the new look Capricorn Purple Pages over the next twelve months.

To find out more or to join Capricorn, email csl@capricorn.coop, call 1800 327 437 or visit www.capricorn.coop .

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Suggested Image Caption: The new Capricorn Purple Pages Trade Directory of Preferred Suppliers has been re-designed to make it even easier to use and access all Members’ business supplies.

February 16, 2017 - DAYCO INTRODUCES REPLACEMENT AIR INTAKE & CLEANER HOSES TO AFTERMARKET RANGE

Dayco Australia introduces a new, premium quality range of replacement air intake and cleaner hoses to suit most popular makes and models on Australia’s roads.

Well sealed clean, cool and dry air induction is vital to the performance of any engine, old or new. All combustion engines are big breathers, requiring massive amounts of smoothly flowing air to function at their optimum levels of performance and fuel economy.

As durable as these hoses can be, these important engine components are subjected to constantly changing temperatures and engine vibrations throughout their limited lifecycle. Damaged, worn or ill-fitting air intake hoses can dramatically affect both fuel economy and engine performance. All air intake and cleaner hoses should be checked for wear, cracks or ill-fitting engine connection points during regular service intervals.

Dayco Australia offers Australian automotive repairers an initial air intake and cleaner hose range of 33 part numbers covering more than 1.7 million vehicles on our roads. In line with all Dayco products, this quality air intake and cleaner hose range will gradually expand to provide even broader aftermarket coverage in the future.

Designed and manufactured to meet or exceed Original Equipment specifications, the new Dayco range of air intake and cleaner hoses provides Australian automotive repairers with value, quality and reliability with every engine air induction component replacement.

According to Dayco Australia Sales and Marketing Director, David McClurg, “We are always seeking to increase the Dayco aftermarket offering and our new air intake and cleaner hose range complements our unparalleled thermal management, engine component and engine belt ranges perfectly. The initial Dayco replacement air intake and cleaner hose range offers strong Australian car parc coverage, with the range set to expand significantly in the near future.”

To find out more about the new Dayco air intake and cleaner hose range contact Dayco Australia on 03 9794 4466 or visit www.dayco.com.au to check vehicle applications via the Dayco Australia online catalogue.

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Suggested Caption: Dayco Australia introduces a new range to its vast aftermarket product portfolio to now include quality replacement air intake and cleaner hoses.

February 6, 2017 - DAYCO DAVE RACES TO 6TH IN BATHURST 12 HOUR

The first major international event of the 2017 Australian motor racing season took place on the weekend of February 4 and 5, the Liqui-Moly Bathurst 12 Hour GT endurance race.

Held at the majestic Mount Panorama circuit, this was the opening round of the 2017 Intercontinental GT Series. This year’s event saw the largest ever field take part, with all of the usual drama that goes with trying to win this classic 12 hour, multi-driver event.

This race also marked the start of Dayco Australia’s 2017 motorsport program, with long term brand ambassador and one of the fastest GT drivers in the country, David Russell, joining forces once again with JBS Australia Lamborghini R-EX team owner and driver Roger Lago, along with experienced racer Steve Owen to take on the might of the world’s largest factory GT teams.

Piloting the same Lamborghini Gallardo R-EX that Russell muscled to pole position and raced to victory with Lago at the Highlands 101 GT endurance race in New Zealand last December, the Dayco racer and his team mates qualified 13^th and raced to 6^th overall in the Bathurst 12 Hour, earning them 2^nd place in the Pro-Am Class of the event.

The Lamborghini trio competed well within the top ten for the vast majority of the 12 hour race. The independent Australian team managing to consistently outpace and out-race several of the major international factory GT teams to earn their top six finish, despite having to serve a pit lane drive through penalty and being hit and spun off the circuit during the final hour, costing a potential top five finish.

The Dayco sponsored driver was very pleased with the team’s hard fought result at one of the world’s most iconic GT races.

“The team worked brilliantly all weekend and we developed a fantastic car for the race. All three drivers maintained a strong pace all day and we proved to be faster, more reliable and had a fantastic race strategy that saw us well ahead of many of the major international factory GT teams all day. It was a shame to be hit in the rear during the closing stage, as we were in the hunt to win the Pro-Am class and I reduced our deficit to ten seconds when Matt Campbell hit and spun me around in the final hour. Despite this, we still finished 6^th overall and second in our class, a very satisfying result for our small, but super high performing team,” David Russell stated.

Russell, competing in his fourth season as a Dayco ambassador, is one of the country’s fastest and most versatile motor racing drivers, competing in premier level GT racing both in Australia and abroad each year, along with being a regular Supercar endurance race driver of choice. Russell has competed in Supercars with the factory Nissan team over the past four seasons. Russell has also raced at the front of the field in Porsche Carrera Cup and the Dunlop Supercars Series during his career.

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February 1, 2017 - POUR FASTER, WASTE LESS, SAVE SPACE AND MONEY WITH PENRITE AT THE AAA EXPO

The 2017 Australian Automotive Aftermarket (AAA) Expo will reveal an innovation from Australia’s Penrite Oil that will deliver significant cost savings, workshop efficiencies and environmental impact changes in automotive servicing and repair businesses nationwide.

This Australian family owned company’s 90 year plus history of innovation continues into 2017 by providing premium quality blended lubricants to suit the ever expanding Australian car parc, while also supporting the trade to operate more efficient and profitable businesses.

Penrite will unveil this Australian aftermarket industry first at the AAA Expo, being held from April 6 to 8 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre. To witness first hand this new and important innovation that will transform how the trade and trade retailers access, utilise and handle Penrite lubricants, be sure to register to attend!

General Manager Toby Dymond is thrilled with the revolution. “Penrite’s first to market innovation is set to significantly change the way that automotive workshops approach their lubricant requirements, saving them considerable money and time, while also enhancing workplace safety and drastically reducing waste. It is the result of Penrite’s detailed customer research and feedback and we are looking forward to revealing this to our customers at the AAA Expo in April.”

For automotive workshop owners, managers, technicians and trade retailers, there is no doubt that any innovation that increases productivity, saves money and reduces waste is well worth learning more about.

Be sure to visit Penrite at Stand O42 at the 2017 AAA Expo to inspect this outstanding automotive workshop game changer for yourself. You can pre-register to attend online at www.aftermarketexpo.com.au.

Suggested Caption - All will be revealed by Penrite at the 2017 Australian Automotive Aftermarket Expo, at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibtion Centre from April 6 to 8.

Visit Penrite Oil Australia online at www.penrite.com.au

Visit Penrite Oil Australia’s Facebook Page - www.facebook.com/PenriteOil

Penrite Oil Australia can also be found on Twitter - https://twitter.com/penriteoil

February 1, 2017 - VISIT CAPRICORN AT THE AAA EXPO & THE AUSTRALIAN COLLISION REPAIR EXPO FROM APRIL 6-8

Australasia’s largest and most successful cooperative in the automotive parts buying industry, Capricorn, will have a major presence at Australia’s pinnacle automotive aftermarket and collision repair trade exhibitions. These are the 2017 Australian Automotive Aftermarket Expo (AAA Expo) and the 2017 Australian Collision Repair Expo.

These biennial exhibitions this year are being held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre from April 6 to 8, 2017.

These industry leading events are the largest of their kind in Australasia, boasting several hundred exhibitors and more than 10,000 Members of the automotive trade from mechanics to business owners attending. Both the AAA Expo and the Australian Collision Repair Expo this year represent excellent opportunities to learn more about the ever expanding services that are available to Capricorn Members.

These trade fairs also enable non-Members to find out more and directly experience how Capricorn can make running their businesses easier and far more rewarding. To this end, Capricorn will also be offering a free trial membership (subject to approved application) to visitors of both the AAA Expo and the Australian Collision Repair Expo. This will enable automotive businesses to directly experience the benefits of being a part of Australasia’s largest cooperative in the parts buying industry.

Visitors to the Capricorn stand (L28) at the AAA Expo will be able to view free demonstrations of the cooperative based buying group’s free to Members Power of Knowledge products. These include Capricorn Service Data and Capricorn Vehicle Videos, essential tools for any automotive repairer to be competitive in today’s ever changing, automotive servicing landscape. The demonstrations will clearly display how repairers can access the very latest technical servicing data, while also being able to show their customers exactly what needs to be repaired in easy to understand video formats, produced exclusively for Capricorn Members.

Capricorn Members are invited to submit their business cards at the AAA Expo Capricorn stand in order to be in the running to win 10,000 bonus Capricorn reward points, plus additional chances to win more reward points with Capricorn Risk Services.

Members of the automotive trade will find the Capricorn stand at Stand L28 of the AAA Expo, while Capricorn’s services and information will also be available for collision repairers on stand AE24 at the Australian Collision Repair Expo as well. To easily locate Capricorn, look for the big Capricorn purple circular ceiling banner placed high above each stand.

With over 17,000 Members across Australia and New Zealand, being a Capricorn Member not only simplifies how you do business, it also rewards you handsomely for operating your business as you do every day – as the slogan states, it’s just easier. You can find out more at the AAA Expo and the Australian Collision Repair Expo in Melbourne during April 6 to 8.

The team looks forward to showing you how much easier running your business can be with Capricorn at both the AAA Expo and at the Australian Collision Repair Expo. Members of the trade can register to attend online at www.aftermarketexpo.com.au

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Suggested Caption - It has never been easier to find out about the many ways that Capricorn membership can help your business than at the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Expo and at the concurrent Australian Collision Repair Expo being held from April 6 to 8 at the Melbourne Exhibition Centre.

January 26, 2017 - MARK WINTERBOTTOM AND MONROE STRONGER THAN EVER IN SEVENTH SEASON TOGETHER

Australia’s market leading replacement shock absorber and ride performance product manufacturer, Monroe, proudly enters its seventh consecutive year with Safety Ambassador and frontline Supercar driver Mark “Frosty” Winterbottom.

Without a doubt one of the most popular and successful drivers competing in Australia’s premier motor racing category, this long term partnership continues to effectively promote the Monroe brand and its synonymous link with the promotion of safer motoring.

Winterbottom, 35, won his maiden Supercars Championship in 2015 and finished sixth in last year’s highly competitive title fight. The Monroe Safety Ambassador has not finished outside of the Supercars top six across the past twelve seasons, making him one of the most successful and exciting Supercar drivers of his generation.

The Monroe logo will once again be emblazoned across the chin area and rear centre of Winterbottom’s race helmet – his most important item of safety equipment, while also appearing on his race gear.

Winterbottom will continue to play a major role in Monroe Australia’s marketing activities in 2017. The Prodrive Racing Australia Supercar driver has already assisted the company with the introduction of the Monroe Drive Safe initiative. He has produced a number of video messages that appear on his highly popular social media channels that reach hundreds of thousands of motorists.

According to Monroe Australia marketing manager, Brydon Tweddell, the long term alliance between Australia’s market leading ride performance product brand and one of Australia’s leading racing drivers continues to be highly effective in communicating Monroe’s Australian manufactured product quality and road safety awareness campaigns.

“We are very pleased to take our involvement with Mark Winterbottom to a seventh season in 2017. His efforts both on and off the circuit single him out as an ambassador of choice, while his genuine commitment to promoting road safety aligns perfectly with everything that the Monroe brand represents,” Brydon stated.

“Our association is stronger than ever and we wish Mark an outstanding season ahead - he continues to be one the most fiercely competitive drivers in the field,” He added.

This is also an association that the Prodrive Racing Australia racer clearly enjoys being an intrinsic part of.

“It is excellent to continue my long term ambassadorship with Monroe into our seventh season together. I enjoy doing all I can to assist the company in promoting their road safety messages, while also meeting many Monroe customers across the country each year,” Mark stated.

“While last season didn’t go to plan, I have no doubt that we have the team and the car to run at the front this season and I am super-motivated to win races and gain podiums this year, starting with Monroe’s home city race, the Clipsal 500 in Adelaide,” He added.

The 2017 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship Series comprises of 14 points earning rounds covering every state of Australia with one event in New Zealand. As in past seasons, there will be one non-Championship event at the Rolex Australian Formula One Grand Prix. A new addition to the 2017 Championship is the Newcastle 500, featuring a seaside street circuit. This event slots in as the series’ final round in late November.

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Suggested Caption: Champion Supercar driver Mark "Frosty" Winterbottom heads into his seventh consecutive season as Monroe Australia's Safety Ambassador.

January 9, 2017 - CAPRICORN TEAM IN FOR THE LONG RUN

The four decade plus success story that is Capricorn, Australasia’s largest and most successful co-operative in the automotive parts buying industry, is without any doubt the product of its highly dedicated people.

A clear measure of the success of any organisation can be found within the long term stability and satisfaction of its workforce. Capricorn is fortunate to have many long serving team members across Australia and New Zealand who show the same level of dedication, commitment and satisfaction to their chosen vocation as they did at the start of their careers.

Capricorn’s longest serving team member is the company’s South Australia and Northern Territory Sales Manager, Darren Arthur.

Darren, 56, has seen it all since he started with the company back in March 1989, establishing Capricorn’s South Australian and Northern Territory base in Adelaide almost three decades ago.

“The most outstanding highlights of my career with Capricorn have been the number of long term friendships, relationships and the camaraderie that I have enjoyed over the past 27 years. I personally took part in all of the initial interstate Capricorn launches over the years and when I established our South Australian office, we didn’t have a single Capricorn member there. To have played a part in our enormous local and nationwide growth to this day makes me incredibly proud,” Mr Arthur stated.

“You can’t stay with an organisation as long as I have if you don’t love what you do and the team of people that you work with every day. I love meeting people and watching them succeed in business with Capricorn – and there have been many of those over the years,” He added.

The second longest serving Capricorn team member is the evergreen Hilary Hiscoe, Capricorn’s Mail and Courier Co-ordinator. Hilary joined Capricorn in June 1993 after commencing her office administration career with Woodside Petroleum.

At 71 years of age, Hilary believes that working in a pleasant, family environment such as Capricorn makes it easy to enjoy a long and rewarding career.

“When I joined Capricorn it was quite a culture shock as I had become accustomed to the very corporate regime at Woodside. Capricorn was much more like a family business environment and I loved it. There were just two of us manually handling the company’s reconciliation and data entry, sharing one very early model computer! There were a total of ten people in our department and we all worked together extremely well.

“Even with all of the years that have gone by and the enormous growth and change that has taken place during my career, Capricorn is still like a family, albeit a very large one these days. I enjoy being a part of the team here at Capricorn and this is why I find myself still happily working here all these years later,” Ms Hiscoe said.

“Being the Mail and Courier Co-ordinator, I also manage to keep away from too many technological advances, I leave that to our younger staff members to handle. They come to me for life experience and I go to them for technological assistance!” Ms Hiscoe added.

Capricorn’s Queensland Area Manager, Bruce Luck, joined Capricorn in November 1995 as a Liaison Officer. Bruce, 64, joined Capricorn after a 15 year tenure with Capricorn Preferred Supplier, Century Batteries.

“My 21 year career with Capricorn has been extremely rewarding. I attribute it to the great relationships that I have with the Capricorn senior management team, who have always been there to provide support, both personally and professionally.

“This support really came to the fore when I lost my wife a couple of years into my career at Capricorn. The management and staff did so much to help me get through it, they went way and beyond what employers and staff members tend to do in such situations,” Bruce said.

Watching new Members achieve business success while also establishing many strong friendships with Capricorn Members and Preferred Suppliers over the years have been key highlights for Bruce.

“I remember signing up a mobile mechanic who had just the one van and a heap of enthusiasm several years ago. His business has now grown to become one of the largest automotive repairers in my region. It is very rewarding to watch our Members’ growth over the years, knowing that Capricorn has played an integral part in their success,” He added.

Capricorn Supplier Support Officer, Karen Fitzpatrick, joined Capricorn in January 1999 as a reconciliation clerk, working in the same department that colleague Hilary Hiscoe had started working in six years earlier.

For Karen it was an ideal job share arrangement that allowed her time to balance the commitments of a young family with her career. At 59 years of age, Karen has and continues to enjoy her 17 year career at Capricorn for a number of reasons.

“The key to having a long and rewarding career is to never become idle and at Capricorn there is definitely no chance of that!,” Ms Fitzpatrick stated.

“When I started we did everything manually and since then we have seen the introduction of technology that has brought with it significant changes. I have enjoyed adapting to meet these changes that still take place to this day with the introduction of our latest IT system – keeping us sharp and learning all of the time.

“My career has raced by so quickly and I have really enjoyed it because the people that I work with are great. Many of us have been with Capricorn for close to or more than 15 years, so we have all been a part of each other’s lives, with families growing up and all of the related experiences that we have shared together,” Ms Fitzpatrick added.

Also at 17 years with Capricorn, having joined in October 1999, is the company’s Business Solutions Manager, Brian Murphy. His long career with the company started after working with an IT company that developed systems similar to those implemented at Capricorn. One of the key factors that Brian attributes to his long and satisfying tenure with Capricorn is the varied and challenging work that his role provides.

“Capricorn is always growing, always seeking to find better ways to service its members and this constant growth always brings new challenges, such as the implementation of new IT systems and ensuring that we always deliver more value to our members as we grow. This makes the work good and varied, which has no doubt contributed to my long career here.

“Capricorn is also a very good company to work with, as our senior management is very supportive of their employees. People are rewarded for their hard work with new opportunities as Capricorn is always seeking to develop the company’s talent from within,” Brian stated.

“The focus is on the quality of the company’s services to its members. We have excellent lines of communication from our Area Managers in the field, so we know that we are making a difference by improving the way our members do business. This makes my work very rewarding and is another reason why I have worked with Capricorn for such a long time,” Brian added.

The youngest of Capricorn’s group of longest term team members is Capricorn’s Western Australia Supply Business Development Manager, 49 year old David McCluskey, who joined the company in July, 2001.

David commenced his career at Capricorn as a Liaison Officer after serving his Mechanical Trade Apprenticeship at a Capricorn Member’s automotive workshop. Then with over 20 years Automotive Industry experience which included Sales Representative positions within current Capricorn Preferred Suppliers, he eventually made his way to Capricorn. In joining Capricorn 15 years ago, he brought the unique experience mix of working within all three sides of the Capricorn business from Capricorn Member, to Preferred Supplier, to the organisation itself.

“The thing that really made a difference for me when I started and remains a key difference to anywhere that I have worked before, is the family bond that exists within the staff and management at Capricorn. It really felt like a family business when I started and while Capricorn has grown significantly since then, that family relationship remains strong amongst our team,” Mr McCluskey said.

“Being with the one organisation for some 15 years is a long time, especially these days. It has definitely had its challenges, but it has also been extremely rewarding, particularly watching members of whom I played a part in joining Capricorn prosper in their business. By the same token, working with and helping our many suppliers grow their business through their Capricorn involvement has also been very satisfying.

“I have made many great long term friends working at Capricorn, from staff members through to Members and suppliers, and I am proud to have been involved in our mutual success,” He added.

As the experiences and thoughts of Capricorn’s longest serving team members testify, this is a company whose co-operative structure thrives on successful relationship building, support and professionalism both internally and externally. With many more Capricorn team members approaching their 15 and 20 year milestones with this unique Australian organisation, Capricorn’s enjoys its hard earned status as an employer of choice.

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Suggested Caption: Two of Capricorn’s many long serving team members, (from left) Karen Fitzptrick and Hilary Hiscoe at Capricorn’s head office in Perth.

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