Marinelli Motorsport PR & Media Pty Ltd

Finding out all there is to know from the nation’s preferred supplier of automotive parts, tools and equipment, Burson Auto Parts, is made easy with the Aussie company’s quarterly trade news publication, THE BUR-SUN.

Available in print from your local Burson Auto Parts store, the Bur-sun magazine provides trade customers with the latest news relating to products and industry related services.

Regular updates from Burson Auto Parts, the company’s suppliers and the Australian Automotive Aftermarket Association (AAAA) in each edition ensure that Burson Auto Parts’ trade customers remain up to date with all recent developments that may have a direct effect on their businesses.

Detailed workshop equipment news and special offers can be found in each edition, along with regular updates from Burson Auto Parts Racing TCR driver Jason Bargwanna along with other special interest automotive features.

The Bur-sun is a publication designed for Burson Auto Parts’ loyal trade customers and includes interesting automotive feature stories.

The Bur-sun is also perfect for the workshop lunchroom, enabling staff to learn more about the technical aspects of the ever expanding quality Burson Auto Parts product range.

“Regular communication with our customers is very important and for several years The Bur-sun has enabled us to do this on a frequent basis through a well designed and easy to read print or online magazine.

“The Bur-sun also enables our suppliers to communicate directly with our store network and our trade customers, which also enables learning about the technical aspects and advantages of the quality products in our comprehensive aftermarket range,” Burson Auto Parts General Manager, Marketing, Anthony Hughes stated.

November 24, 2020 - MIDAS IPSWICH IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Australia’s most trusted automotive service and repair group, Midas, announce the opening of another new store catering for the motorists of West Ipswich and its surrounding suburbs.

Midas Auto Care Ipswich is conveniently located in the central hub of West Ipswich at 325 Brisbane Street. This new Midas store is owned and operated by highly experienced automotive businessman Adam Ronke, who has been a part of the Bapcor group of companies since 2017 with his successful operation of an ABS automotive workshop located in Mt Ommaney.

Adam brings more than 20 years of experience in the automotive servicing, repair and engineering fields, having started out on the spanners in the high-octane world of motor racing. The Ronke family have been a part of Australian motorsport for decades and Adam earned his stripes building, engineering and maintaining high performance road vehicles across various popular race circuits and events.

Adam’s motorsport experience translates well in ensuring that attention to detail and quality automotive repair and service processes are deployed across his new Midas workshop. This includes the addition of the latest specification diagnostic scan equipment, four service bays and quality tyre replacement equipment across his large 400 square metre workshop.

Midas Ipswich is located amongst a busy hub of shops along Brisbane Street in West Ipswich, with a bus stop located directly at the front of the premises. An air-conditioned waiting room including tea and coffee facilities ensures that customers have a convenient place to wait for their service or repair work to be completed.

Overseen by a highly experienced workshop manager, two fully qualified mechanics and one apprentice will be taking care of their customers’ cars.

Adam believes that Midas Ipswich is the new destination for local motorists to gain high quality and total value for money automotive servicing and repairs with friendly and attentive customer service.

Adam Ronke and his team are looking forward to welcoming you to their new Midas Auto Care centre to experience a new level of automotive customer service. Call Midas Ipswich to book your next service, repair, safety check or tyre replacement by calling 3444 2200.

Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative, Capricorn, is committed to making its Members and the entire automotive aftermarket industry stronger.

The establishment of the CapHub online information service at www.capricorn.coop/caphub has proven to be a major success, giving Capricorn Members and non-members access to detailed business advice, tailor made for automotive repairers. This included the release of the Capricorn State of the Nation 2020 Report - which combined feedback from more than 1,500 workshops to provide valuable industry insight.

This abundant source of highly relevant and easily accessible industry information is now complemented by a State of the Nation webinar series. In a strong gesture of support to the wider Australian and New Zealand automotive aftermarket industries, Capricorn is making this highly informative series available to all trade professionals, not solely Capricorn Members.

The webinar series brings together industry leaders with up to the minute market research and analysis, exploring the key industry insights gained form Capricorn’s State of the Nation 2020 Report.

For those not participating during the live webinar presentations, recordings of each Capricorn State of the Nation webinar remain freely accessible from the CapHub website to view at a later date, or to review with management and staff members as a valuable training tool.

Capricorn Members and non-members can register online to take part in this highly informative, interactive and helpful automotive aftermarket industry specific webinar series at www.capricorn.coop/caphub.

Past Capricorn State of the Nation webinars that are now freely available to view via the CapHub information portal include:

According to Capricorn Group CEO David Fraser, every automotive aftermarket business can benefit from these informative webinars.

“We have produced these webinars with the help and expertise of several highly experienced business training professionals and other leaders in their specific fields,” Mr Fraser stated.

“We hope that our Members take full advantage of these detailed webinars, which are certain to resonate with them as they are directly based on their feedback.

“By reaching out to non-members as well, we are doing our part to support our industry, helping the automotive aftermarket industry to remain strong and resilient,” Mr Fraser added.

Register now to take part in the Capricorn State of the Nation webinar series at the CapHub website - www.capricorn.coop/caphub.

October 30, 2020 - INAUGURAL MIDAS TYRE AND AUTO STORE OPENS

One of Australia’s best known and trusted names in automotive servicing and repairs has opened a new chapter in its almost five decade history with the opening of the group’s first Midas Tyre and Auto Centre located in suburban Brisbane.

Midas Tyre and Auto brings the same attention to friendly customer service and technical professionalism that has made the 90 store strong Midas group a preferred auto servicing and repair destination for Australian motorists. The only difference will be these stores’ focus on providing excellent value tyres and related tyre and wheel services across all brands and applications.

Located at 73 Enoggera Road Newmarket, Australia’s inaugural Midas Tyre and Auto Centre has been completely purpose designed to cater for all manner of tyre replacements to cover passenger cars, four wheel drives, light commercial vehicles and trucks.

Owned and operated by well known local automotive specialist Ben Neighbour, the first Midas Tyre and Auto Centre represents the next major step in a stellar 16 year career with Midas. Ben has built his long career by building strong customer relationships across a number of executive management positions, along with becoming the owner of two Midas stores located in the Brisbane suburbs of Ashgrove and Albion.

Ben has been intrinsically involved with Midas since becoming a Mazda factory trained fully qualified mechanic back in 2004. Joining the company as an Assistant Manager, Ben progressed to become a Midas Area Manager before taking on the reigns as State Manager of both Queensland and South Australia. Ben became a Midas franchisee when he acquired the Ashgrove store in 2011, followed by the Albion store four years later. Both Midas stores continue to operate successfully under Ben’s management and supervision.

Opening Australia’s first Midas Tyre and Auto Centre is an exciting step for this local family business.

“This is an exciting opportunity to expand the Midas brand into the tyre replacement and wheel servicing space and having been involved with Midas over the past two decades, it is a privilege to open the first Midas Tyre and Auto Store in Australia,” Ben stated.

“We have completely re-designed and equipped this workshop to handle all manner of tyre replacements for cars, SUV’s , 4WD’s and commercial vehicles and we look forward to offering the same level of dedicated service, advice and value pricing that Midas is famous for with tyre replacements, along with all automotive servicing and repairs,” He added.

Midas Tyre and Auto in Newmarket also uses the latest specification diagnostic scan equipment and has made a major $50K equipment investment by adding a state of the art Hunter wheel alignment machine that is suitable for all vehicles including those featuring lane sensing technology. In addition to this, the new Midas workshop includes Nitrogen inflation capability, making this the one stop Brisbane destination for all tyre and wheel services along with all servicing and repair requirements.

The new Midas Tyre and Auto store located on the easily accessible Enoggera Road in Newmarket features the latest specification tyre replacement and wheel alignment equipment technology to ensure prompt, professional and timely tyre replacements for all customers.

With one in every five cars presented for servicing at Midas workshops across the country displaying obvious signs of worn or damaged tyres, the establishment of Midas Tyre and Auto, along with the many Midas Auto Service Centres nationwide that also handle tyre replacements, is an important step towards ensuring that Midas customers are driving the safest possible vehicles.

According to Ryan Deal, National Operations Manager for Midas, “We congratulate Ben Neighbour and the growth of his local family business that now includes Australia’s first Midas Tyre and Auto store. The fit out of this workshop and its state of the art equipment really sets a new standard. Ben is leading the way for future Midas Tyre and Auto locations to gradually open across the country, thereby increasing the competition in tyre replacement - and this can only serve to benefit Australian motorists.”

“Even with this store’s specialisation in tyres, it is important to note that our new Midas Tyre and Auto store will offer the same value priced servicing and guaranteed automotive repairs that Midas is renowned for,” stated Ben Neighbour.

“As a family business, all customers can expect excellent service, being speaking directly to the business owner, general manager and mechanics, rather than being treated like a number,” Ben added.

Midas Tyre and Auto is also looking forward to becoming an active part of the local community, by supporting local sporting clubs, charities and community associations.

As a part of Australia’s largest automotive aftermarket company, Bapcor Limited, Midas Tyre and Auto enters the domestic tyre replacement market with significant purchasing power to provide motorists nationwide with competitive tyre brand choice and value for money.

/ends.

Print quality image links:

Australia’s first Midas Tyre and Auto Store - Newmarket (Brisbane)

Midas Tyre and Auto Newmarket Franchisee Ben Neighbour and his team.

Additional store image

Visit Midas online

Back to Marinelli PR press release index

October 29, 2020 - BAPCOR – ASIA PACIFIC’S UNRIVALLED AUTO AFTERMARKET INDUSTRY LEADER CONTINUES TO GROW

Australia and the Asia Pacific region’s automotive aftermarket industry leader, Bapcor, continues to set new benchmarks in business growth despite the disruption faced during 2020.

Bapcor’s strategically planned growth programs for each end of the automotive aftermarket supply chain include significant improvements across the company’s Trade, Specialist Wholesale and Retail segments located in in Australia, New Zealand and in Asia.

The Bapcor FY21 First Quarter Trading Update to the Australian Stock Exchange (ASX:BAP) outlined significant revenue growth that was achieved across each of the Australian company’s automotive aftermarket segments. Bapcor Group companies achieved 27% revenue growth during this highly challenging period, clearly underlying the robust strength of its automotive aftermarket businesses.

Already the clear number one with over 1,100 locations in Australia and across the Asia-Pacific region in the automotive aftermarket industry, following a strategy of organic growth and a series of perfectly mated automotive business acquisitions since 2011, Bapcor’s commitment to continued growth for each of its business segments is delivering significant and impressive results.

The Australian company has achieved this despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic by remaining committed to its planned growth path. Bapcor is investing significantly in the important areas of information technology, eCommerce, process and system upgrades as well as marketing. Capital investment in new facilities continues to increase the company’s already unrivalled Asia Pacific footprint.

Bapcor’s exciting five year growth targets for each of its business segments heralds a very exciting future for this proudly Australian owned company. Each of Bapcor’s segments are focussed “specialists”, whether they are trade, retail, truck or across the various wholesale businesses. The company recognises the needs of the different customer bases and treats every customer group with the specialised focus that they deserve. Put simply, trade customers have different requirements to retail customers; electrical specialist workshops have different needs to general automotive workshops - and as such Bapcor structures its businesses accordingly.

Bapcor’s Burson Trade business in Australia is perfectly on track to reach its 240 Burson Auto Parts store target having reached the 190 store milestone in October, 2020. This business has always targeted geographic locations to best suit its industry leading workshop customer base. It will continue to do so to best service the automotive repairers and service centres around Australia.

The company’s Specialist Wholesale segment sits at the very top of the industry for parts programs and continues to grow steadily through new product development, marketing initiatives and by generating improved efficiencies. These include the introduction of own-brand product ranges, which includes the recent launch of the Alcius Climate Control air conditioning parts range comprising of more than 6,500 part numbers.

The Commercial Vehicle Group also represents a strong growth segment for Bapcor with a planned doubling of its current footprint across both the light and heavy commercial vehicle parts sectors.

The Retail segment, which sells automotive parts and accessories to the DIY market, is also growing strongly across both company owned and franchised operations. National footprint growth across the highly successful and nationally renowned Autobarn stores has been consistent throughout 2020 and will continue well into the future as they march towards 200 stores. The service business, Midas, also continues to expand as Australian motorists continue the trend of owning their cars longer, requiring more maintenance and servicing by well-known and highly trusted operators.

To optimise the company’s already industry leading efficiencies is the construction of a state of the art Distribution Centre in the Melbourne suburb of Tullamarine. This enormous project will centralise the distribution requirements of the current 13 Melbourne based warehouses. This major local investment will create efficiencies that will set new industry standards for the optimisation of order fill, speed of processing, inventory availability and delivery along with re-stocking to meet the requirements of all the Bapcor businesses.

Bapcor’s growth is not limited to the confines of its native Australia, with the company actively growing and optimising its footprint in New Zealand with its strong performing BNT, Shock Shop and Battery Town store networks. This is in addition to being the first to open a number of successful automotive aftermarket parts stores in Bangkok under the Burson Auto Parts brand. Thailand has been the initial focus of the company’s international expansion, where Bapcor has been successful in creating significant culture change relating to how automotive parts are distributed to repairers and consumers, along with the introduction of the country’s first on-line vehicle parts catalogue.

According to Bapcor Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Darryl Abotomey, the company’s growth is just beginning.

“Our performance and growth this year with all of its challenges highlights what a resilient and financially solid business Bapcor truly is. Each of our business segments support each other, creating opportunities to further increase our already unrivalled footprint and customer reach.

“If the industry thinks we are big now as the Asia Pacific’s unrivalled automotive aftermarket industry leader, get set for the future as we have no plans of slowing down as we identify and develop more opportunities to use each of our segment’s synergies to generate growth well into the future,” Mr Abotomey stated.

Bapcor Limited (ASX:BAP) is the Asia Pacific’s leading provider of vehicle parts, accessories, equipment, service and solutions operating out of more than 1,100 locations across Australia, New Zealand and Thailand by 4,500 team members.

Bapcor’s core business is the automotive aftermarket. The Australian company’s businesses span the end-to-end aftermarket supply chain covering the Trade, Specialist Wholesale, Retail and Service sectors.

The companies within the Bapcor Group include Australia and New Zealand’s most trusted automotive aftermarket businesses:

Trade: Burson Auto Parts, Burson Auto Parts Thailand, BNT, Precision Automotive Equipment, Truck & Trailer Parts

Specialist Wholesale: AAD, Autolign, JAS Oceania, Baxters, Bearing Wholesalers, Roadsafe, MTQ, Diesel Distributors, Toperformance, Federal Batteries, HCB Technologies, Premier Auto Trade, AADi, IKP, HIM Spares, DKSP, JCS, Japanese Trucks Australia, He Knows Truck Parts, Truckline & Diesel Drive

All Bapcor companies are aligned to four straight forward and highly effective core values; We give a damn, We are in it together, We get it done and We do the right thing.

October 26, 2020 - ALL MIDAS SOUTH AUSTRALIAN STORES GAIN RAA APPROVED REPAIRER STATUS

After more than four decades of providing quality automotive servicing to Australia’s motorists, Midas continues to strive to meet and exceed the industry benchmarks. Testament to this commitment is Midas’ latest initiative to best serve the automotive servicing and repair group’s South Australian customers.

All Midas South Australian repair centres have now gained RAA (Royal Automobile Association) Approved Repairer Status, meeting all RAA stringent requirements to ensure total quality automotive service and repair to their valued customers.

In achieving this peak automotive association approval, essential criteria has been and will continue to be met by all Midas stores located across metropolitan Adelaide.

In adhering with the RAA Approved Repairer Code of Practice, all Midas Auto Service centres must:

Midas General Manager Rob Lewis, stated that this association with the RAA is strong endorsement of Midas commitment to continuously enhancing the group’s customer service excellence in South Australia.

“We are proud to offer motorists nationwide the highest quality automotive service and repair. This commitment by our South Australian franchisees to meet the state’s most stringent code of practice, as set by the RAA, represents yet another step forward in ensuring that this is the case.” Mr Lewis said.

“We congratulate our South Australian franchisees on attaining and abiding by these stringent requirements that provide further trust and peace of mind for our valued customers,” Mr Lewis added.

Print quality image links (Midas Harbour Town, SA featuring RAA Approved Repairer signage)

Dayco, a leading engine products and drive systems supplier for the automotive, industrial and aftermarket industries, marked a decade in Australia’s premier Supercars Championship during the Covid-19 disrupted 2020 season.

One factor has remained the same throughout Dayco’s Supercar involvement over the years and that is the racer doing most of the ultra-high-speed driving, highly experienced long term Dayco Ambassador David Russell.

Dayco’s decade in Supercars was marked with large front windscreen and rear wing signage on David Russell and Garry Jacobson’s MSR Commodore Supercar at the 60^th running of Australia’s great race, the Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000 held from October 15 to 18.

While ultimately this 10^th Dayco visit to Mount Panorama ended prematurely 62 laps into the 161 lap race, “Dayco Dave” Russell and Garry Jacobson performed strongly during all of the practice sessions, Russell placing the car into the top five during his co-driver sessions, with the car consistently close to the top ten throughout the preparation days despite the setback of an early engine replacement.

Russell and Jacobson were making up ground during the opening stages of the 1,000 kilometre race, Russell frequently among the fastest drivers across the top of the mountain, but lacking straight line speed due to the use of a spare engine that later in the race would fail, forcing the car’s retirement.

Dayco’s presence at Australia’s greatest motor race in front of major television audiences both locally and abroad throughout the four days, ensured that this leading global automotive aftermarket brand made the most of the only Supercar endurance event of the 2020 season, with the other two events having been cancelled due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Dayco’s 2020 motorsport program was heavily impacted by the pandemic in Australia and internationally, with Russell planning to compete with fellow Dayco Ambassador Roger Lago in the 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia Championship. Despite having completed one round, this along with a number of local and international GT Sportscar events were cancelled.

“We made the most of a bad situation in 2020 and we are very proud to have joined Dave Russell once again at our country’s greatest motor race,” Arnold Mouw, Dayco Australia Managing Director and Vice President, Aftermarket Asia Pacific stated.

“Of course, we are disappointed that we couldn’t do all of the customer events across all of the race events that we had planned, but this situation was the same for everyone involved in the sport this year. It is a tribute to all involved with Supercars that they managed to complete a disrupted season when so many other sports and racing categories could not. We have enjoyed being a part of the sport over the last decade with Dayco Dave and look forward to returning to a much more normal motorsport program in 2021.”

Australia’s Burson Auto Parts celebrates another major milestone in the almost five decade history of this country’s preferred trade supplier of parts, tools and equipment.

Burson Auto Parts’ 190th store has opened at the large Victorian rural town of Kilmore, located conveniently on the main street at Shop 7, 84 Sydney Street in Kilmore.

This new Burson Auto Parts store services the major Northern Victorian regional centres of Kilmore, Wallan, Wandong, Broadford and Seymour.

Despite the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Burson Auto Parts has opened an additional seven stores during 2020, taking the total number of new Burson Auto Parts stores joining Australia’s preferred trade network to 20 over the past two years.

Burson Auto Parts’ targeted geographic growth ensures that automotive repairers across the country have access to vast stocks of parts with prompt deliveries, keeping their businesses operating effectively throughout these regional centres and their surrounding rural communities.

The highly experienced management and staff of Burson Auto Parts Kilmore combine multiple decades of direct involvement in the automotive parts and repair industries, ensuring that their customers are provided with the highest level of service.

Committed to supporting local automotive businesses, Burson Auto Parts Kilmore is stocked with a huge range of parts tailored to meet local repairer demand and specific rural vehicle requirements. The Kilmore store also has a fleet of Burson Auto Parts delivery vehicles to ensure prompt deliveries.

This new Burson Auto Parts store increase the already unparalleled footprint of the Bapcor Group, Australasia’s largest automotive aftermarket specialised company, further emphasising the local company’s commitment to Australia’s automotive repairers.

According to Craig Magill, Executive General Manager, Burson Trade,“Our strategic growth continues to ensure that automotive repairers have access to large stock holdings of parts, tools and the latest diagnostic equipment along with prompt and knowledgeable customer service.”

“Our growth also provides new local employment opportunities ranging from store staff, delivery drivers and local store management, which is particularly important during this very challenging year for so many people,” Mr Magill added.

Burson Auto Parts now heads towards 200 stores nationwide, heralding a decade of immense strategic growth for this proudly Australian company.

Kilmore and surrounding regional area automotive repairers and service centres can contact Burson Auto Parts locally by calling (03) 5742 8065 or by Email: Kilmore@burson.com.au

Keep your cool and stay in control this summer, knowing that Alcius is taking care of the climate control components your workshop needs, when you need them.

Alcius is the cooling and climate control expert. Trustworthy, progressive and backed by Australasia’s largest automotive aftermarket specialists, Bapcor, Alcius has the most comprehensive range of climate control parts, tools and equipment for air conditioning specialists and general automotive repairers.

"The Alcius climate control product range provides Australian automotive repairers with a total one-stop air conditioning parts solution,” says Bapcor Group Category Manager Mark Caldone.

The comprehensive and accessible range of Alcius cooling and climate control components are specifically designed to withstand the demands of the Australian climate and you can be confident that the technical quality and performance perfectly matches the OE parts. The commitment to quality is underpinnned by a 24 month extended warranty. *

“Bapcor’s premium quality product, our highly skilled air conditioning and related climate control product experience, combined with our unparalleled national distribution footprint, make Alcius the complete climate control parts solution,” Mark adds.

The launch of Alcius’ new premium quality air-conditioning parts, tools and equipment range is being celebrated with the ‘Keep Your Cool and Summer On with Alcius’ promotional campaign and the release of the industry’s most comprehensive category catalogue. Boasting more than 6,500 SKU applications, across a broad range of genuine OE brands and after-market components, the catalogue showcases the extensive offering of Alcius products, which have been constantly redeveloped and updated over 50 years to ensure that they meet the requirements of Australian automotive repairers and air conditioning specialists.

“We are steadfast in our commitment as leaders and progressive product innovators to continually expand and improve existing products,” says Mark.

“The comprehensive Alcius product range meets the needs of our valued customers along with the ever-evolving number of vehicle makes and models on our roads.”

To help keep your business moving, Alcius supports its range with a professional team of automotive air conditioning specialists and customer service teams around Australia.

Focussed on building relationships to ensure truly personal service and unrivalled expertise, its people are responsive to all your needs, offering competitive pricing, technical advice and on-demand delivery. That’s the kind of support you need to stay in control this summer.

The Alcius range of cooling and climate control components is available exclusively from Bapcor’s leading automotive aftermarket trade outlets across Australia, including Burson Auto Parts, JAS Oceania Australia and BaxtersMTQ.

Now is the perfect time to consider the state of your workshop’s air conditioner service equipment.

Precision Automotive Equipment is the exclusive Australian importer of the premium quality Ecotechnics air conditioner service equipment range. This new product range includes both sole and dual gas air conditioning service models that are suitable for the servicing of both R134a and HFO1234yf refrigerant equipped vehicles.

Ecotechnics, with over 20 years of experience, is a leading manufacturer of quality air conditioning service equipment. Globally, Ecotechnics’ products are distributed to 80 countries, making this leading Precision Automotive Equipment brand the international benchmark for the maintenance of automotive air conditioning systems.

Manufactured in Italy and committed to continual product innovation and development, Ecotechnics is the industry benchmark in air conditioner servicing equipment. All Ecotechnics models are fully automatic in operation, recovering, recycling and recharging air conditioner refrigerant at the touch of a button. Featuring bright colour control displays, touchscreen functionality, thermal printers and integrated hybrid functions on some models, the Ecotechnics range is easy to use and has been designed specifically for use by professional automotive technicians.

Ecotechnics has invested significantly in the research and development of its products in line with continued technological development in the automotive industry. This has ensured that these products meet the growing performance and efficiency requirements of automotive air conditioning systems, coupled with the introduction of HFO1234yf refrigerant in recent years across today’s vast and constantly expanding car parc.

The Ecotechnics air conditioning service product range from Precision Automotive Equipment is innovative, safe, ecological and very easy to use. This exclusive new air conditioning service equipment range provides your workshop with the best possible automotive climate control service solution.

With Instant Asset taxation write-offs available, the timing is right to update your air conditioning service equipment and increase the scope of your air conditioning service business with the help of the Precision Automotive Equipment team, a part of Australia’s Bapcor Group of automotive aftermarket companies.

For more information regarding the Ecotechnics range please contact Precision Automotive Equipment on 1300 366 252 or visit www.precisionautomotive.com.au.

October 13, 2020 - DAVID RUSSELL PREPARES FOR BATHURST WITH POLE POSITION AND SECOND PLACE AT THE QUEENSLAND RACEWAY 300

Lismore (NSW) based Supercars endurance race co-driver David Russell has prepared for his 11^th Bathurst 1000 this weekend by competing strongly at the QR 300 Production Car Enduro held under lights at Queensland Raceway on Saturday evening (Oct 10).

Sharing the BTuned BMW M4 with Karl Begg for the first time, the highly experienced Supercars, GT and Porsche Carrera Cup driver set the fastest ever Production Car lap at Queensland Raceway (1:17.49s) earning his team Pole position following the top ten shoot out.

The 96 lap race saw the BMW powered duo finish second after having led the mid and closing stages of the race. Begg started the race strongly setting up a commanding early lead, handing the car over to Russell for a double stint on lap 30. The Dayco sponsored driver re-gained the lead after the pit stop and remained in front until his second compulsory pit stop. The team lost the lead to the Ellery brothers due to an ill-timed virtual safety car / clamp down period during the closing stages of the race, finishing a strong second.

Russell’s 2^nd place result in the QR 300 marks yet another endurance racing event where he has managed to win or achieve a podium result, which includes class victories in all Bathurst GT and Production Car endurance racing events over the past decade.

“I enjoyed being back behind the wheel again in this endurance race, Karl and I worked very well together and the team gave us a strong car with good pit work. After a year of very limited racing miles, it was great to be racing again so competitively,” Russell stated.

The Dayco Australia Ambassador is now focussed on this Sunday’s Supercheap Auto Bathurst 1000, where he will join the Matt Stone Racing team and season driver Garry Jacobson at Mount Panorama in the #35 Yellowcover MSR Commodore.

“I’ve been looking forward to this race all year and to finally be heading to Mount Panorama is very exciting. I think this year will provide some very mixed results, particularly if the weather plays a part as it has been predicted to. I believe that Garry and I will race strongly together, MSR always prepares a great car for the mountain and our goal is to be in the top ten when that final hour of the 161 lap race comes, to place us in a position to gain a strong result,” Russell said.

Dayco continues to lead the way with their premium quality range of engine belts, engine belt kits and more recently with Dayco’s Timing Chain Kits which have quickly established a prime reputation of total quality and reliability for automotive repairers and re-sellers across Australia and New Zealand.

Dayco’s policy of always providing the broadest range of vehicle applications to ensure the diverse Australian and New Zealand car parc of passenger vehicles, SUV’s 4WD’s along with light and Heavy Duty commercial vehicles across all of its engine component product ranges ensures that repairers and re-sellers always have the exact products they need.

The extensive range of direct-fit Dayco Timing Chain Kits combine the benefits of the company’s world class design and engineering expertise in toothed belt power transmission systems along with Dayco’s in-depth knowledge of functional requirements of popular local, Asian and European vehicle makes and models.

In addition to Dayco’s range of Timing Belt Kits, the global company has extended the company’s Heavy Duty vehicle aftermarket product range to include premium quality water pumps, coolant expansion tanks, thermostats and radiator caps. Covering the most popular Heavy Duty vehicle brands including Western Star, Kenworth, Mercedes, Scania DAF, MAN, the Dayco Heavy Duty range also continues to grow in line with repairer and operator demand.

The new Dayco Heavy Duty range of water pumps, coolant expansion tanks, thermostats and radiator caps cover most Heavy Duty commercial vehicles used in Australia and New Zealand.

Dayco has a renowned history in the design and manufacturing of Heavy Duty engine drive systems, thermal management and performance components. The global company developed its first Heavy Duty Poly Rib Belt for Diesel engines back in 1959. Dayco also designed and developed the first ever flat spring belt tensioner for heavy duty engine applications in 1984.

Globally, Dayco supplies the Heavy Duty Original Equipment market with engine belts and tensioners, providing Australia’s Heavy Duty repairers and fleet operators with the same or better quality than that demanded from the world’s leading Heavy Duty vehicle manufacturers.

All Dayco Heavy Duty replacement engine components have been designed to meet the higher torque and power pulses exerted by today’s diesel engines.

Application range, premium quality engineering and manufacturing, along with constant application updating, combine with unrivalled product availability and distribution to place Dayco Australia in a field of its own in relation to all of your engine drive and thermal management component requirements.

To find out more visit www.dayco.com or contact Dayco Australia customer service by calling 03 9794 4466 or speak to your Dayco distributor.

October 5, 2020 - IT’S A TOTAL WIN-WIN FOR CAPRICORN MEMBERS AND PREFERRED SUPPLIERS

Capricorn has been returning wins for its Members for almost 50 years. But it’s not only Members who benefit from participating in Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative. Recent financial results clearly show that Capricorn Preferred Suppliers are big winners too.

The Capricorn Preferred Supplier network, who provide high quality products and services to more than 20,000 Capricorn Member workshops across Australia and New Zealand, are the backbone to the cooperative’s success.

These Capricorn Preferred Suppliers operate in a healthy environment that provides strong repeat business. Capricorn drives sales by incentivising Members to always purchase the quality automotive products they need from a Capricorn Preferred Supplier. One powerful motivator is the Capricorn Rewards program, which is one of the most generous in Australasia, returning 1.5 points on almost every $1 spent, with every 100 rewards points worth $1. In addition to the financial incentives, Members also receive instant trade credit and consolidated billing with all Preferred Suppliers, making it a much more convenient way to trade.

This cooperative dynamic results in a true win-win relationship both for Members and the companies that have become Capricorn Preferred Suppliers. Many automotive component manufacturers, distributors and service providers have seen consistent, long-term sales growth through Capricorn.

Working to win each Capricorn Preferred Supplier more loyal customers, a team of almost 70 full time Capricorn field staff act as their defacto sales teams, visiting Members to inform them of the latest products and services available through the network.

Once a supplier joins Capricorn’s Preferred Supplier ranks, their companies are featured in the Capricorn Purple Pages Directory. Capricorn Members use this directory when seeking parts, tools, equipment and services on a daily basis. This directory is also used to source office essentials for Capricorn Members, providing opportunities for non-automotive companies to become Capricorn Preferred Suppliers as well.

Capricorn Preferred Suppliers can benefit further by conducting their own Capricorn Rewards promotions to further incentivise sales of specific products, brands or services.

The proof of Capricorn’s win-win success both for its Members and Preferred Suppliers is very clear. During 2018/19 in Australia and New Zealand, Capricorn Members purchased a staggering $2 Billion of Preferred Suppliers’ products, returning $35.9 Million to Members in Capricorn Rewards points.

Capricorn Preferred Suppliers can also save on the costs of doing business, with the expenses of credit checks, debt collection, invoicing, office bookwork and administration being greatly reduced.

August 25, 2020 - NEW CAPRICORN ONLINE RESOURCE PLACES YOUR OWN BUSINESS MENTOR AT YOUR FINGERTIPS

Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative, Capricorn, introduces another benefit designed to assist the growth and development of Members’ businesses.

There is no doubt that given the challenges faced across Australia and New Zealand by the COVID-19 pandemic, all business owners and their staff have a newfound appreciation for the speed of disruption and the direct impacts of this to their business stability and growth. Capricorn is assisting its Members to navigate through this challenging period by launching an online resource that provides wide-ranging content for all stages of business.

CapHub is a content portal providing easy access to valuable expert business tips and advice, automotive workshop hacks and important industry data to help develop and improve your business. CapHub also includes a highly researched snapshot of the auto repair industry from the perspective of Members. The ‘Capricorn State of the Nation Report 2020’ is the culmination of Capricorn’s most substantial research project ever undertaken. The landmark report combines feedback from over 1,500 automotive workshop owners and operators located across Australia and New Zealand, to provide a range of insights on the industry, by the industry, for your workshop.

According to Capricorn Group CEO David Fraser, “Capricorn is always looking for more ways to support our Members to strengthen their businesses. This is especially important as we recover from the disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.”

“In response to our Members telling us that they want to spend less time working in their workshops and more time working on their workshops, we are sure that this detailed report will enable direct comparisons and outline areas for improvement.” Mr Fraser stated.

This new Capricorn online business resource includes a variety of regularly updated automotive aftermarket business relevant articles and information within the Business section, while the Customer section has been designed to assist your business to attract, retain and engage with your valued clients. An Industry section provides instant access to a range of reports and event information to keep your business connected to key support information and activities.

Some examples of the business support now available from CapHub include seven tips to improve cashflow, how creating a great culture can transform your business and tough decisions: short term pain for long term gain. Using social media to enhance your customer service, what signals you may be giving to customers about your workshop and customer experience being your optimum marketing tools, are all current CapHub topics covered for the Customers section. These are joined by industry highlight features such as ensuring that your workshop is future-proof and protecting your business from cyber-crime.

The Capricorn State of the Nation 2020 Report enables Capricorn Members to compare their business’ efficiencies and concerns with their colleagues through easy to understand data analysis. It covers a total of 46 pages including proportionately equal Capricorn Member feedback from all Australian states and New Zealand. 69% of Members own and operate mechanical workshops, 10% are panel repairers, 5% auto electricians, 5% mobile mechanics, 3% tyre and suspension specialists, and the remaining fitting into other automotive categories. This ensured that the information gained from this report came from a vast range of Capricorn businesses of all types and sizes, providing a snapshot of the automotive aftermarket industry.

The Capricorn State of the Nation Report features easy to read sections relating to the total Member survey data gained. These sections include Confidence, Challenges, Perceptions of Success, Efficiency, Our Customers, Know Your Value, Parts Pricing, Technology, The Future, Apprentices, Staff Rates, Experience and Training, Succession and Future Planning and a set of General Recommendations.

“This is a relevant report on the industry, by the industry. This is not assumed data; it is real information from real Capricorn Members across Australia and New Zealand. I encourage Members to benchmark their own business performance compared to their automotive aftermarket industry colleagues. It is not a report to leave on a shelf. It’s a resource that will guide us all towards a more successful future,” Mr Fraser stated.

“If there is one major factor that stands out from the findings of this report, it is the optimism of Capricorn Members for the future. This is a future that we will be directly alongside our Members for - because as the success of our cooperative has shown across nearly five decades, we are always stronger together,” Mr Fraser added.

Capricorn Members and non-members are welcome to access the new CapHub content portal and Capricorn State of the Nation Report from the Capricorn website at www.capricorn.coop/caphub.

August 14, 2020 - ALL NEW CAPRICORN REWARDS WEBSITE AND PRODUCT RANGE UNVEILED

Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative introduces yet another new way to benefit from Capricorn membership. Driven by feedback from their Members, Capricorn has joined forces with leading rewards and incentives business innovators, 212F, to create a world-class loyalty program that gives all Capricorn Members a memorable and exciting experience when redeeming their hard earned rewards points.

Recognising how busy Capricorn’s 20,000 plus Members across Australia and New Zealand are, many of whom lack the time to leave their workshops to purchase items for themselves, their family or their staff, Capricorn introduces a brand new Capricorn Rewards website located at www.capricorn.coop/rewardprogram.

Ensuring that Capricorn Members make the most of the rewards points they earn on parts, equipment and business essential products purchased from Capricorn Preferred Suppliers, the new Capricorn Rewards website offers Members a huge selection of quality merchandise across a range of product categories.

According to Bradley Gannon, Capricorn Automotive CEO, “Our new Capricorn Rewards website is yet another way for our Members to make the most from being a part of Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative and be rewarded for their hard work. It also enables Members to be rewarded with quick and easy access to gifts or personal items from a vast, high quality, online selection, which is particularly important during the current challenging business climate in some parts of Australia.”

“I am sure that all Capricorn Members will be pleasantly surprised at the vast range of over a thousand different products available. This selection will continue to evolve with our Member’s wants and needs into the future.” Mr Gannon added.

The first 1,000 Members to use the new Capricorn Rewards website to purchase products or services using points from August 13, 2020 to October 30, 2020 will also receive 1,000 bonus Capricorn Rewards points as an exciting introductory incentive. Visit capricorn.coop/tc for full offer details.

Capricorn Rewards shop categories include products for the home, workshop, sport and fitness, technology and electronics, travel, cosmetics, jewellery, sunglasses, watches, toys, movies, books, magazines, outdoor living products and other gift ideas. Members can also reward their staff with gift vouchers, food and beverage products, hampers and workshop products. Of course, Members can still use their points to pay their Capricorn Trade Accounts too.

The new and improved program is made even more tempting with 90% of merchandise priced lower than recommended retail and with delivery costs also included.

The new Capricorn Rewards program clearly outlines the power of participation in this almost five-decade strong automotive cooperative. Capricorn Rewards is already one of Australasia’s most generous with Members earning 1.5 points on almost every dollar spent for doing no more than normally running your business.

Capricorn Members are encouraged to make more of their everyday purchases using their Capricorn Trade Account to watch their points balances soar.

For more information on the all new Capricorn Rewards program contact your local Capricorn Area Manager or login now to capricorn.coop/rewardprogram to reward your family, your staff or yourself.

Australia’s preferred trade supplier of automotive parts, tools and workshop equipment, Burson Auto Parts, will double-up the true blue company’s presence in one of Australia’s most exciting touring car championships this year.

Following the aborted start to the 2020 carsales TCR Australia Championship at the cancelled Australian Grand Prix season opener in Melbourne back in March, Burson Auto Parts has stayed on the virtual track thanks to the efforts of talented father and son racers Jason and Ben Bargwanna throughout the COVID-19 disruption of the official race event calendar.

Now, just like the double Burson Auto Parts simulator racing challenge, the Australian company is pleased to announce that two Burson Auto Parts Racing TCR Australia cars will take to the track across the newly revised 2020 carsales TCR Australia Championship season.

As announced in March, highly experienced former Supercar race winner Jason Bargwanna will compete in the Burson Auto Parts Racing Peugeot 308 TCR, while his son Ben will make his TCR Australia Championship debut in a uniquely liveried second Burson Auto Parts Racing Peugeot 308 TCR, with both cars prepared and raced by legendary Australian motorsport team, Garry Rogers Motorsport.

This doubles-up Burson Auto Parts’ motorsport based marketing efforts together with supplier sponsors Dayco, Wesfil, Fuchs, Hella, Hella Pagid, Sachs, Bosch and Premier Auto Trade.

Both Burson Auto Parts Racing Peugeot 308 TCR drivers have taken part in detailed pre-season testing and are well prepared and very eager to finally get the racing underway in this Covid-19 disrupted season.

“We had set out at the start of the year with a clear and structured plan with defined goals for both Ben and I, then 2020 slapped us in the face and forced a total rethink. Initially Ben and I were going to team up for the Bathurst international in the two driver event but those plans have changed and ours had to as well.

“We have worked closely with Burson Auto Parts and together we have aligned our goals and I am very excited to expand to a two car program for the remainder of 2020.

“Ben now makes the step to TCR and I am so proud of him. From his first Kart race meeting at Gippsland Kart Club, as a 10 year old, when he spent every lap of his first race waving to mum and I as he drove past, to the day the penny dropped and he realised what winning was all about, to watching him drive out of pit lane in the Burson Auto Parts Peugeot at the pre-season test, really was a lump in the throat moment. He has grown into a great young man - he clearly got that from his mother!” Jason stated.

“It is surreal to think that together we will head out and tackle the top quality TCR Australia field. I guess the saying about the first person you want to beat is your teammate now takes on a whole new and deeply personal meaning! He is the one driver I would be proud to finish in second place to,” He added.

As you would expect, Ben Bargwanna is counting the hours and minutes before his debut TCR race in the Burson Auto Parts Racing Peugeot 308.

“It is just awesome to be a part of the Burson Auto Parts Racing Team. I am so hungry for this that it hurts and driving the car for the first time in testing was an amazing experience.

“It was a bitter pill to swallow when my Formula Ford Championship plans were disrupted by the pandemic, but I decided to stay focused, positive and to work hard on the things that I could control.

“I have really enjoyed driving for the team in the E-Racing Sim world, I am fit and ready and now can’t wait for the real world racing to start,” Ben said.

“I make no assumptions of the size of the challenge I am facing with this, but with the support of Garry Rogers Motorsport and Burson Auto Parts, I will work harder than any driver in the field to make the most out of this fantastic opportunity.

“The first goal is to make the top ten, then to make the top five and race for the podium. I am focused on doing whatever it takes to win, including beating the old man!” Ben added.

All jokes aside, it also means a great deal for Ben to be able to race with and against his father.

“Not only is this a great opportunity to be part of the TCR Australia field, but it is also an amazing opportunity to be racing with my Dad. He has been there for every step of my racing and for him to be a part of this next huge step means a lot. Everything I have learnt so far has been from him, so to continue that next step of my learning with him can only generate further improvement,” Ben stated.

Burson Auto Parts General Manager, Marketing, Anthony Hughes is excited about doubling up on the track in this delayed start to the 2020 carsales TCR Australia Championship.

“We are delighted that the opportunity became available to place a second Burson Auto Parts Racing TCR car on the grid in this delayed start to the 2020 season. We are also looking forward to the father and son battles that will progress across the six races that will form the new look championship,” Anthony Hughes stated.

“Along with the impossible to miss Burson Auto Parts livery on Jason’s car, logos of more company owned brands will appear on Ben’s car throughout the season, reminding our valued customers and new customers of these quality Australian automotive aftermarket brands,” Mr Hughes added.

The 2020 carsales TCR Australia Championship is scheduled to return to the track from October and extend through to the end of January 2021. All races will be televised live and free on the Seven Network across Australia. Visit www.tcraustralia.com for updated event information.

TCR Australia includes all front-wheel drive C-Segment hatchbacks or sedans, powered by production based turbocharged petrol or diesel engines with a capacity of up to two litres. Vehicles represented in the series include such makes as Alfa-Romeo, Audi, Ford, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Peugeot, Renault, Subaru and Volkswagen. To find out more about TCR click here.

Australia’s Burson Auto Parts is part of the country’s largest automotive aftermarket specialised company, Bapcor Limited. There are more than 187 Burson Auto Parts stores nationwide with the company’s growth continuing at a solid pace. To find out more about Burson Auto Parts, visit www.burson.com.au.

Suggested Caption: Father and son racing duo Jason and Ben Bargwanna double the track action for Burson Auto Parts in the 2020 carsales TCR Australia Championship.

Capricorn, Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative, has once again conducted a highly successful search for Australia and New Zealand’s top performing automotive apprentice.

Capricorn Rising Stars is an initiative to help Capricorn Members recognise, reward and retain their high-performing apprentices. These are apprentices who show initiative in the workshop, eagerness to learn and commitment to the auto industry. By recognising the contribution of automotive apprentices and the bright careers they have ahead of them, Capricorn hopes to continue to attract the best talent and keep more qualified auto repairers working in the industry.

With all Capricorn Member automotive workshops eligible to nominate their star performing apprentices for this industry renowned accolade, the selection of candidates was once again outstanding.

More than 250 apprentices were nominated this year from industry sectors including panel and paint, auto electrical, heavy diesel, tyre/wheel and general mechanical workshops located across Australia and New Zealand.

Five finalists were selected by the Capricorn Rising Stars judging panel, which was comprised of a selection of highly experienced automotive aftermarket industry identities including AAAA CEO - Stuart Charity; Workshop Whisperer - Rachael Sheldrick; Kangan TAFE Commercial Vehicle and Engine Tech Manager - Gavin Cribb; TaT Biz Director and Technical Expert - Jeff Smit; Castrol National Sales Manager - Marco Mercuri and Capricorn Automotive CEO - Bradley Gannon.

The 2020 Capricorn Rising Star Apprentice of the Year is Gabrielle Clift from Highfields Mechanical and Off Road (QLD), the first female winner of this prestigious automotive service and repair industry accolade.

According to her employer, Craig Baills, “Gabby has an attitude that cannot be taught and a work ethic that is rare. She is an integral part of our team and an employee that improves the performance of those around her.”

Capricorn Automotive CEO Bradley Gannon is pleased that this year’s Capricorn Rising Stars competition has placed our industry’s next generation of automotive experts in the spotlight once again.

“We are always impressed by the number of nominations and the remarkable quality of the apprentices in the industry though our Rising Stars competition,” Mr Gannon said.

“My judging panel colleagues certainly had a difficult job this year given the extremely high standard of the nominees. We congratulate all of the finalists and our 2020 winner, while also thanking each of the Capricorn Members that took part. This competition is all about recognising and supporting young people to reach their potential in the automotive repair and service industry,” Mr Gannon added.

The newly crowned 2020 Capricorn Rising Star, Gabrielle Clift, was thrilled to have won the award that comes with prizes including an all-expenses paid Castrol Supercars Experience and Workshop Whisperer Leadership Academy training.

“I am very humbled and honoured to receive this award. I’d like to congratulate all the other hard working and deserving nominees who are forging a career in automotive,” Ms Clift said.

Gabrielle’s employer, Highfields Mechanical and Off Road, was also awarded 150,000 Capricorn Bonus Points for their winning nomination.

Each 2020 Capricorn Rising Stars finalist received a $1,000 Repco voucher, a 12 month subscription to Repco's Autopedia Technical Support Service, tickets to two Repco Masterclass Clinics plus a 12 month subscription to Autodata Training.

Capricorn thanks all Members who nominated their star performing apprentices for this year’s Capricorn Rising Stars competition from both Australia and New Zealand.

Capricorn looks forward to the continued growth of Capricorn Rising Stars which is proudly supported by Capricorn Preferred Suppliers: Castrol, Repco, AutoMate, The Workshop Whisperer and TaT Biz.

Over the past decade, Dayco Australia has supported one of the country’s most caring charity initiatives, Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria & Tasmania (RMHC VIC & TAS).

RMHC VIC & TAS provides a temporary home and support service for the parents and families of seriously ill children across Australia. Located in close proximity to paediatric hospitals, including the Royal Children’s Hospital, Ronald McDonald House enables families to remain close to their loved ones during major treatments and surgeries.

For ten years now, these families have been able to secure a home-away-from-home during these stressful times, with Ronald McDonald House providing the support and everything required to minimise their anxiety. This has proven to be a very welcome assistance for families who live in rural areas or even interstate, without the access to state of the art medical facilities and specialists that major cities like Melbourne can provide.

Dayco Australia was presented with a certificate commemorating this important milestone by RMHC VIC & TAS, supporting the company’s pride in being a long term sponsor of Room 1, at Ronald McDonald House Parkville.

“I would like to take this opportunity to thank and congratulate Dayco Australia on reaching ten years of supporting RMHC VIC & TAS through your ongoing room sponsorship,” stated Peter Bishop, Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria & Tasmania CEO.

“Thanks to you we have been able to provide thousands of families with a safe, warm bed and a supportive community close to their child’s bedside,” Mr Bishop added.

In addition to the company’s financial sponsorship, Dayco Australia also provides RMHC VIC & TAS visiting families with Medallion Club tickets for major Melbourne AFL games to help in providing some temporary excitement and distraction from their serious medical situations.

Dayco Ambassadors and Porsche Carrera Cup racing drivers David Russell and Roger Lago offered their GT3 Porsche rear wing following the aborted 2020 Australian Grand Prix in an online auction to raise additional funds for Ronald McDonald House. Just before the bidding deadline, Dayco Australia Managing Director and Vice President - Aftermarket, Arnold Mouw stepped in to outbid everyone and secure this piece of motor racing memorabilia.

“To say that we are proud to partner with such a worthy charitable service for a decade is an understatement. From the moment we commenced our involvement with RMHC VIC & TAS it was clear that this is very special and more than worthy of financial and in-kind support. We strongly encourage more companies to become involved and help bring smiles to families during the most worrying times in their lives,” Arnold Mouw, Dayco Australia Managing Director and Vice President - Aftermarket, stated.

Certificate presented to Dayco Australia on reaching one decade of support for one of the country’s most caring charity initiatives, Ronald McDonald House Charities Victoria & Tasmania (RMHC VIC & TAS).

While recent months have seen unprecedented disruption of Australian business across several industries, Dayco’s Australian and New Zealand automotive aftermarket business continues to defy the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The company’s Australian and New Zealand sales have increased year on year, which has seen Dayco Australia’s recently extended and modernised distribution centre located in Hallam (Victoria) operate at full capacity, literally requiring all hands on deck.

Dayco Manging Director and Vice President Aftermarket Asia Pacific Arnold Mouw, Sales and Marketing Director David McClurg, Business Development Manager James Barrett, Product Engineering Manager Dom Adrien and Product Application Coordinators Luke Sword and Jorg Kempka have left their offices and joined the warehouse and distribution centre team to ensure that Dayco customer orders are being speedily processed and delivered.

During the past six months, despite the Covid-19 disruptions, Dayco Australia has maintained an impressive 97% plus order fill rate, as its valued team of hard working distributors ensure that busy Australian and New Zealand automotive repairers are promptly serviced.

“Demand for our premium quality replacement engine belt, water pump and timing chain kits, pulleys, high performance harmonic balancers, moulded hoses and thermal management products to our aftermarket customers is at an all-time high,” said Arnold Mouw.

“This is good news for the automotive aftermarket, as Australian automotive repairers are gaining more business as people use these periods of lockdown to repair and maintain their vehicles. The softening in new car sales also supports this increase in repair and maintenance-based services.”

Customer demand of the Dayco range of premium quality automotive aftermarket products required all of the company’s senior management executives to work on the warehouse floor, assisting the hard-working distribution centre team. This has ensured prompt order processing and correct stock holding levels to meet this unprecedented demand.

“It has been a very rewarding experience for the management team, as we have made several integral improvements by being on the floor and taking a much closer look at how to improve our warehousing operations,” Mr. Mouw added.

Dayco’s Australian and New Zealand distributor partners have been integral to this business growth and the company has placed total priority in supporting them by ensuring highly efficient and responsive distribution services, adhering to strict Covid-19 personal distancing and hygiene guidelines.

In line with this growth, Dayco Australia has opportunities for people to join the company, particularly for experienced forklift drivers and warehouse personnel who have found themselves out of work due to the Covid-19 pandemic. More information can be obtained by contacting Dayco Australia by calling 03 9796 4044.

Dayco Manging Director and Vice President Aftermarket Asia Pacific Arnold Mouw, Sales and Marketing Director David McClurg, Business Development Manager James Barrett, Product Engineering Manager Dom Adrien and Product Application Coordinators Luke Sword and Jorg Kempka have swapped their offices for the Dayco Australia Distribution Centre floor to assist in meeting customer demand.

Dayco Manging Director and Vice President Aftermarket Asia Pacific in the Dayco Australia warehouse and distribution centre located in Hallam, Victoria.

Further underlining the inherent quality control standards throughout all of its facilities around the world, Dayco’s Suzhou China facility has been recognised as being one of the company’s growing number of award-winning sites.

On June 18, 2020, heavy-duty machinery manufacturer Caterpillar presented Dayco (Suzhou) Co., Ltd, with its Platinum Level, Supplier Quality Excellence Process Certificate. As it happens, the Suzhou facility has achieved this honour for the second consecutive year. An impressive achievement clearly demonstrating the company’s high ongoing production standards and consistent adherence to process protocols.

Commenting on the award, Michael Weiss, the company’s President of Global Powertrain Operations, said: “As a global manufacturer supplying premium quality components to vehicle manufacturers in every sector of the industry, all of our facilities must operate to the highest standards. The fact that our China plant, in common with our plants in Chieti, Italy and San Luis Potosi, Mexico, has again been recognised by another one of our valued customers, is not just a great honour, it is also a huge reward for the dedication of our employees. Our daily drive for excellence makes Dayco the company it is.”

Dayco’s world class global distribution network services the aftermarket industry with a full offering of kits and products to meet each local market’s need. We accomplish this with a dedicated global team that respects one another, shows humility through continuous learning and acts like owners in everything we do.

Dayco has more than 40 locations in 22 countries and over 4,500 associates. For more information about Dayco, visit the Company's website at www.dayco.com

June 24, 2020 - BRAND NEW MIDAS WORKSHOP BRINGS A NEW LEVEL OF AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE EXPERTISE TO BRISBANE’S WESTERN SUBURBS

Midas Darra Franchisee Luke Hawkins brings a lifetime of automotive customer service experience to the newly established Midas Car Service Centre in the western Brisbane suburb of Darra.

Luke Hawkins’ entire life has revolved around cars. The automotive family business that his father established in 1988 specialising in sales, parts and service grew to cover a number of highly successful locations over the next four decades, with Luke being at the forefront of ensuring customer satisfaction across both the sales and vehicle servicing operations of this family business.

One of these locations is an impressive 7,200 square metre high profile site at 259 Monier Road in Darra, which served as the company’s dealership based automotive repair workshop in past years.

Luke believed that this workshop could be so much better utilised as a dedicated general automotive service and repair centre, providing the motorists of Darra, The Centenary Estates, through to Jindalee and Brisbane’s Western Corridor with the highest quality and value priced vehicle servicing and repairs. Bringing this state of the art workshop into the Midas family was his first choice and this quality workshop was further improved and transformed into one of Australia’s largest Midas Car Care Service centres in early 2020.

Midas Darra has the special advantage of providing factory trained technicians with outstanding prior automotive dealer-based and all make service experience across a wide range of local, Asian and European makes and models. Equipped with no less than 17 hoists, two wheel alignment machines and a vast stock holding of service parts, Midas Darra ensures that your vehicle service and repairs will be completed on time - or if your car is needed for a longer period of time, customers can avail themselves of one of the store’s fleet of 12 loan cars at no extra cost.

As if all this wasn’t enough, an Opposite Lock 4WD store is also located at the same site, so Midas Darra is also best equipped for 4WD vehicle servicing, repairs and accessory fitments.

Midas Darra customers can expect a comfortable waiting area equipped with coffee, soft drinks and water which has been extended to the outside to meet current social distancing requirements. There is a fleet of loan vehicles also available to ensure that any guest’s day is not impacted while having their car serviced. It is also located close to the Mt Ommaney Shopping Centre and can be easily reached from the Logan Motorway and Ipswich Road, or via the Sumner exit on the Western Freeway.

“I’m very excited to bring our large and modern workshop to the Midas family. This ensures that all western Brisbane based car owners can take advantage of the same level of vehicle service professionalism and expertise as any of the major car dealers, at far better value pricing and with the efficiencies that go with this large and highly productive workshop,” Luke said.

John Kinnick, president of Dayco’s Global Belt Operations, has been named a 2020 Automotive News Rising Star. John is featured in a special section in the June 1 issue of Automotive News (USA).

The Rising Stars: Automakers and Suppliers program honors United States based auto executives, under the age of 45, on the manufacturing and supply side of the auto industry who have the talent and dedication necessary to become industry leaders of tomorrow. Automotive News has published the list of the industry’s up and comers annually since 2014.

This year’s recipients come from 18 companies and a variety of disciplines, from executive management to supply chain, engineering and human resources.

“We are very proud to have John as part of our team at Dayco and it is great to see him recognised for his contributions,” said Joel Wiegert, CEO of Dayco. Since joining Dayco in 2017, John has met every opportunity with great leadership and passion to succeed.”

“The Rising Stars program recognises automotive executives in middle and upper management who are destined to emerge as influential leaders in the industry,” said Jason Stein, publisher of Automotive News.

“The best predictor of big personal success is enormous responsibility at a young age. When great potential is identified and rewarded early, the organisation wins.” Mr Stein added.

The 2020 class of Automotive News Rising Stars emerged from a nomination and selection process in cooperation with KPMG. Complete profiles of all 25 Rising Stars can be viewed at www.autonews.com/risingstars.

Through our expertise in transferring power quietly and efficiently, Dayco has emerged as the leading global system solutions provider for hybrid electric vehicles. Dayco’s 100+ years of experience in drive systems allows us to equip all customer applications around the world with the most effective drive systems to meet customer specific performance requirements. Dayco’s world class global distribution network services the aftermarket industry with a full offering of kits and products to meet each local market’s need. We accomplish this with a dedicated global team that respects one another, shows humility through continuous learning and acts like owners in everything we do.

Dayco has more than 40 locations in 22 countries and over 4,500 associates. For more information about Dayco, visit the Company's website at www.dayco.com

Capricorn is committed to providing constantly updated and highly detailed COVID-19 support services to its Members and Preferred Suppliers across Australia and New Zealand. This coincides with both countries working towards a return to normal automotive repair, sales and servicing business operations.

Capricorn, Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative, provides a range of COVID-19 business support services through their easily accessible and user-friendly online information portal known as The Workshop - www.theworkshop.capricorn.coop.

To ensure that the optimum levels of support are provided during this important time, Capricorn has added two new online seminars to The Workshop that have been produced specifically for its Members across Australia and New Zealand.

Designed so Capricorn Member businesses can ensure the best possible return to pre-COVID-19 operations and for continued growth thereafter, these online seminars provide specialised business support information presented by people who know and understand the intricacies of the automotive aftermarket industry.

The first online seminar that is freely available from The Workshop to Capricorn Members is titled “Your Business Reboot Kit”. It is presented by Capricorn Group CEO, David Fraser, the highly accomplished automotive repair business co-owner and business coach Rachael Sheldrick (The Workshop Whisperer) and Capricorn Automotive CEO Bradley Gannon.

This online seminar addresses the three key objectives that all automotive workshops should be actioning to adapt and grow from the disruption that this unprecedented pandemic has caused. These include the establishment of a business game plan - a strategy to preserve finances and accelerate business growth, details of key government assistance packages as normal business resumes, along with details of additional resources that are available to the industry during this time.

Another important and helpful new online seminar is titled “Delivering Amazing Customer Experience”. This entertaining and easy to watch online seminar brings the outstanding experience of international customer service guru Shep Hyken directly to your desktop.

Initially organised to be the special guest keynote speaker for the now cancelled 2020 Capricorn Convention, Shep Hyken details how life-long customers can be created during times of crisis. This USA expert brings his renowned customer service and expertise to this highly specialised online seminar, which is also freely available to view at The Workshop.

“We encourage our Members and Preferred Suppliers to ensure that they make the most from these two online seminars along with the abundance of COVID-19 support that is available via our online information portal, The Workshop,” stated Capricorn Group CEO, David Fraser.

“Our goal during these highly challenging months has been to provide the maximum support possible to Capricorn Members and Preferred Suppliers across Australia and New Zealand. We have ensured updated information and significant business support services through all of our content at The Workshop and with the valued contributions of industry leading professionals with these two new online seminars,” Mr Fraser added.

To view these entertaining and informative online seminars, along with gaining access to an abundance of COVID-19 related support information, Capricorn Members should visit The Workshop, (www.theworkshop.capricorn.coop).

To learn more about Capricorn or to become a part of this highly successful, cooperative structured automotive aftermarket buying group, visit www.capricorn.coop.

Dayco’s extraordinarily consistent levels of manufacturing quality and distribution capability have once more been independently endorsed by PACCAR, the organisation behind the DAF, Kenworth and Peterbilt brands.

The company’s Chieti plant in Italy has been awarded its Quality Achievement certification for delivering original equipment (OE) components that match or exceed its 10PMM performance requirements.

The presentation of the annual award, which is based upon a supplier’s performance over the previous full year, is for 2019 and follows Dayco’s similar 2018 PACCAR certificate.

PACCAR Quality Achievement Certification acknowledges that the company’s reputation for producing trucks of unsurpassed quality, is in no small part due to suppliers such as Dayco, who have achieved its quality expectations.

In addition to the acknowledgement that Dayco has met and exceeded PACCAR’s stringent quality performance requirements, the company remains on its list of 10 PMM suppliers, which are shown on the company’s website (www.paccar.com) and displayed in its facilities.

Dayco, a leading engine products and drive systems supplier for the automotive, industrial and aftermarket industries, continues to gain an enviable reputation for the components it manufactures. This award follows similar recognition from vehicle manufacturers such as FCA and GM, as well as several trade organisations.

Upon receiving the PACCAR certification, John Kinnick, President of Dayco’s Global Belt Operations, said, “This latest endorsement is a further demonstration of Dayco’s underlying strengths in the design, manufacture and delivery of premium quality OE components and systems across the automotive industry. It is also a tribute to the team of dedicated professionals who are based at our Chieti facility.”

the most effective drive systems to meet customer specific performance requirements.

Dayco has more than 40 locations in 22 countries and over 4,500 associates. For more information about Dayco, visit the Company's website at www.dayco.com

April 15, 2020 - CAPRICORN ACTIONS DETAILED CORONAVIRUS SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE STRATEGY FOR MEMBERS, PREFERRED SUPPLIERS & STAFF

Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative, Capricorn, has actioned a detailed COVID-19 communications plan to assist over 20,000 Members, along with Preferred Suppliers and staff located across Australia and New Zealand.

Led from the onset of this unprecedented pandemic by Capricorn Group CEO David Fraser, a detailed strategy was introduced, ensuring that Members in each country are accurately informed of the business support mechanisms that may be relevant to them.

As the vast majority of Capricorn Members are small, family owned automotive aftermarket businesses, these communications include timely Member exclusive COVID-19 emails providing information in line with announcements made by state and federal governments. Importantly, these have been provided in an easy to understand format with state specific information, making it easier for Members to identify their eligibility for the various stimuli, staff retention and other taxation-based incentives that have been and continue to be introduced.

In addition to direct communications, Capricorn also continues to update “The Workshop”, the cooperative’s Member community platform that provides business support and resources to help Members stay strong through COVID-19.

The Workshop includes a COVID-19 Community Support Forum, where Capricorn Members can connect, share ideas and discuss their experiences operating a business during these unprecedented times. The Capricorn team is also available through these forums to answer any questions that Members may have. Capricorn’s community platform also features a resources section dedicated to ensuring Members are accurately informed of any changes to the assistance packages both at the federal and state levels, a series of videos designed to help workshops through these extraordinary times and a comprehensive list of mental wellness resources. Since March 20, The Workshop community platform has had over 16,500 visits and over 10,000 new users accessing the information made available.

“Our responsibility from the onset of COVID-19 was first and foremost to ensure that our Members and Preferred Suppliers are constantly and accurately informed of the local, state and federal government stimulus mechanisms and support services that have been introduced and continue to be made available to them,” Mr Fraser said.

“As a cooperative structured organisation, everything that we do is for the benefit of our Members, so it is incumbent of us during such an unprecedented situation like this to make use of our online services platforms and Member services capabilities to do all that we can to provide assistance to our Members, while also providing telephone or online based support.

“Our actions to date and the continued support services that we will be providing our Members across Australia and New Zealand have one major objective, to ensure that we sail these uncharted waters together, emerging safer and stronger once things return to some form of normality,” Mr Fraser stated.

“All of us at Capricorn understand that we are all in this together and that supporting our Members, Preferred Suppliers and staff through this pandemic is paramount” Mr Fraser concluded.

Burson Auto Parts Racing drivers Jason and Ben Bargwanna have kept Australia’s preferred trade parts, tools and equipment supplier on the track by sharing an entry in the Carsales ARG E-Sport Cup that started on April 2.

The father and son combination alternate the drives on their simulators, ensuring that at least one Burson Auto Parts Racing entry will be on the grid for the entire season.

The Carsales ARG E-Sport Cup is a new online motor racing series, borne out of the coronavirus pandemic that has kept the actual motorsport world on ice since early March.

The series features races for Audi TCR cars and Formula 3 cars at iconic racing circuits all over the world, with the inaugural round held at Mount Panorama, Bathurst.

Ben Bargwanna has also provided Burson Auto Parts with race car signage on his Formula 3 open wheeler e-racing car. The junior Bargwanna is currently competing in the Australian Formula Ford Series and has been confirmed as a future TCR Australia enduro co-driver driver in the actual #17 Burson Auto Parts Peugeot 308.

The virtual races are run on the popular iRacing gaming software, with all races streamed live on the TCR Australia Facebook and YouTube social media channels.

“The whole idea of racing in the ARG E-Sports Cup screams excitement,” said Ben Bargwanna.

“To be able to race against some of the guys I’ve watched on TV is a whole lot of fun.

“I don’t know a lot about iRacing, but I’m eager to jump in and give it a crack.

“It’s a great way to take our minds off the devastating events that are occurring around the world and I hope people can enjoy some close and exciting racing – something we haven’t had for quite a while now.

“I’m lucky that I have dad by my side to give me the benefit of his experience,” Ben added.

Jason Bargwanna, a former Supercars race winner and Bathurst 1000 champion, is keen to step out of his comfort zone and compete in the online ARG Cup.

“This is a whole new eye-opener for me, my sim experience amounts to a Colin McRea Rally game - clamping a steering wheel to the coffee table with a stack of books holding the pedals from sliding across the floor!” he said.

“Over the last couple of races I have discovered direct drive and refresh rate. This sim racing is seriously cool to watch and damn competitive. We all compare ourselves to our team-mate and mine is going to be tough to beat. Ben is a bit of a gun on these things and hoses me!

“These blokes all talk about having a laugh and a bit of fun, but this is full-on and great to be part of. Ben is already trash talking with the other drivers and they are winding each other up.”

Bargwanna also stated that he has been encouraged to see the motorsport fraternity work closely together during these tough times.

“This whole situation is tough on a lot of people and it’s hard to watch so many people under so much stress both health-wise and financially,” he said.

“The motor racing industry employs so many people and this situation has been really hard to deal with for the whole racing family. I like the fact that all of us, racers and fans, are working with each other to get through this, as we are all in this together.

“Motorsport certainly teaches you to be resilient and you learn to adapt and be ready for the unknown. So we can apply some of those lessons, stay home and adapt in a way so we get through this.”

Dayco, a leading engine products and drive systems supplier for the automotive, industrial and aftermarket industries, has taken the opportunity to apply its manufacturing resources into helping those suffering from the Covid-19 pandemic, by producing a vital component in the conversion of a readily available snorkeling mask, into a life-saving ventilator.

The adaption of the mask, normally supplied via sports outlet Decathlon, is the brain-child of the inventor supported by a project team including Italian consultancy Isinnova, eight individuals and several partners, which transforms the mask originally intended for leisure activities, into a vital resource that is already being used in hospitals in northern Italy and by the Italian Red Cross.

Recognising the value of the initiative to help save lives, Dayco has taken the opportunity to produce a key component – the Charlotte Valve – that allows the mask to be converted to a medical respiratory device. Dayco is producing it on 3-D printers at its San Bernardo d’Ivrea facility in northern Italy.

Commenting on the development, President of Dayco Global Powertrain Operations, Michael Weiss, said: “To be able to contribute in the fight against this terrible virus was an easy decision to make as we have both the facilities and machinery required to make the Charlotte Valve in the required numbers, as well as a duty to respond to the national and international emergency.

“We are now in contact with the Ivrea and San Giovanni Bosco hospitals along with the Red Cross to help distribute the item, which can be installed quickly and easily, and in conjunction with the reversal of the three existing valves in the face of the mask, convert it into the life-saving device.”

All files required to produce the 3-D printed valve are available here: Download

Dayco has more than 40 locations in 22 countries and over 4,500 associates. For more information about Dayco, visit the company's website at www.dayco.com

March 17, 2020 - PREMIUM QUALITY SGF POWER TRANSMISSION PRODUCTS JOIN THE BURSON AUTO PARTS RANGE

Burson Auto Parts, Australia’s preferred supplier of parts, tools and equipment to the Australian automotive trade, brings German engineering precision and total quality to its power transmission product range with SGF.

Burson Auto Parts offers a complete range of German manufactured SGF original flex couplings for European, Australian, American, and Asian vehicle makes and models.

SGF is a specialist in automotive power transmission products, manufactured from several state of the art engineering and manufacturing facilities located in Germany and around the world.

Australia’s Burson Auto Parts constantly seeks to provide its valued trade customers with premium quality automotive components. SGF’s decades of experience and unmatched quality make this range a clear stand out when it comes to flexible couplings.

A flexible coupling is used to transmit rotational torque whilst compensating for axial, radial and angular misalignment in the drivetrain. In a road car, they are typically located between the transmission output shaft and the driveshaft. They can also be located between the driveshaft and the differential on some makes and models.

SGF flex couplings from Burson Auto Parts are engineered to handle the operating and torque peaks of the engine in conjunction with cancelling the various vibration and harmonic frequencies generated by the drivetrain. Each coupling is designed and tuned to perform this task based on the vehicle model and powertrain configuration, so it is vitally important to be aware that a coupling can differ for each make and model of a vehicle.

SGF’s product advantage is based on its expertise in this field, along with its exclusive Tenpu® fibre technology. This technology combines unique cord inlays and rubber material that operate under tension load. Unlike common rubber couplings that work with shear load or pressure load on the rubber, the tension load principle ensures that the cord inlays transmit most of the load, providing a better tolerance to shock loads and a higher power density ratio. This results in the ability to transmit higher torque with a smaller coupling.

By selecting premium quality SGF power transmission products from Burson Auto Parts, automotive experts are fitting the same products that have been selected as Original Equipment for many RWD and AWD vehicles around the world. Ford, General Motors, Chrysler, BMW, Mercedes Benz and Hyundai all use SGF flex drive couplings.

Australian workshops and mechanics need to beware of the dangers when using lower quality flexible couplings, as they do not offer the same NVH cancelling properties as the original. This results in vibration and noise issues along with the fact that in many cases, lower quality couplings cannot handle the vehicle torque and RPM. This has the potential to cause serious and expensive engine damage.

To find out more contact your local Burson Auto Parts store by calling 1300 BURSON (287 766).

March 4, 2020 - BURSON AUTO PARTS RACING TCR TEAM HITS THE TRACK WITH GARRY ROGERS MOTORSPORT

Australia’s preferred trade supplier of parts, tools and equipment, Burson Auto Parts, returns to motor racing with a major presence in the country’s most progressive motor racing series, the 2020 Carsales TCR Australia Touring Car Series.

Partnering with one of the biggest names in Australian motorsport, Garry Rogers Motorsport (GRM), Burson Auto Parts is the major sponsor of highly renowned Australian racing driver Jason Bargwanna and his GRM Customer Racing prepared Peugeot 308 TCR.

Sporting an eye-catching white, blue and red Burson Auto Parts Racing livery, the Peugeot 308 TCR arrives direct from competitive performances in European TCR racing to form a part of the most diverse vehicle manufacturer field in Australian motor racing.

Australia’s Burson Auto Parts is part of the country’s largest automotive aftermarket specialised company, Bapcor Limited. There are more than 185 Burson Auto Parts stores nationwide with the company’s growth continuing at a solid pace.

According to Anthony Hughes, Burson Auto Parts General Manager, Marketing, “This an opportune time to maximise the Burson Auto Parts - The Parts Professionals message to our loyal and growing trade customer base across the country. TCR is a new and exciting national motor racing category and the cars strongly reflect the majority that are being driven and serviced by our customers - the mechanics in your local workshops.”

“We have a very highly experienced driver in Jason Bargwanna and an even more experienced team in GRM for the new TCR season. We are joined by our supplier partners Dayco, Wesfil, Fuchs, Hella, Hella Pagid, Sachs, Bosch and Premier Auto Trade with this exciting marketing initiative and we forward to a fantastic season ahead,” He added.

Burson Auto Parts Racing TCR driver Jason Bargwanna is also keen to get back behind the wheel this season.

“Returning to top level motorsport with such an iconic and blue-chip partner is unreal,” Bargwanna stated.

“I have been fortunate over the years to work with many teams and sponsors. There is no doubt that Burson Auto Parts is the perfect partner for my 2020 TCR championship assault.

“The team at Burson Auto Parts understands what makes mechanics and their workshops tic, they connect with their customer base strongly and partnering with a leading European brand like Peugeot is symbolic of what the automotive aftermarket represents today.

“The Burson Auto Parts Racing Peugeot is a rocket-ship and the car looks fantastic. And as the season progresses we will have some exciting livery design changes to highlight some of the world renowned and iconic automotive brands available through your local Burson Auto Parts store.

“I look forward to meeting the Burson Auto Parts team at stores across the country and I am very excited about racing with this outstanding Australian company - now lets get on the track!” Bargwanna said.

The 2020 Carsales TCR Australia season takes place across seven national championship rounds from March to September. A two driver Bathurst endurance race, the inaugural TCR Bathurst International will take place in November.

Burson Auto Parts will be conducting trade promotions linked to their new TCR motor racing marketing platform during 2020 as the championship makes its way across Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia and Queensland. To find out more about TCR, visit www.tcraustralia.com.

Contact your nearest Burson Auto Parts store for any automotive parts, tools or workshop equipment requirements by calling 1300 BURSON (287 766).

Suggested Caption: The Burson Auto Parts Racing Peugeot 308 TCR competing in the 2020 Carsales TCR Australia Championship with highly experienced racer Jason Bargwanna

February 26, 2020 - DAYCO AND POLITECNICO DI TORINO STRENGTHEN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP

Dayco, a leading engine products and drive systems supplier for the automotive, industrial and aftermarket industries, has strengthened its relationship with the Politecnico di Torino to develop hybrid electric systems for vehicle manufacturers across the globe.

The speed of transition to sustainable forms of vehicle propulsion is gathering pace, particularly in the light of global climate change and the shift in public opinion towards environmentally friendly alternatives. This means that high-level collaborations for the benefit of humanity must become a reality.

The objective of the agreement between Dayco and Politecnico is to research hybridisation systems and effectively develop the necessary technology innovations supporting vehicle manufacturers as they achieve the transition in an efficient, practical and sustainable way.

“We are enthusiastic to strengthen our relationship with the renowned scientists of the Politecnico di Torino. This new level of cooperation will provide leading hybrid system solutions to achieve a sustainable future of mobility for our customers globally,” said Joel Wiegert, CEO of Dayco.

“Building on our past areas of collaboration with Dayco, we have assembled a powerful innovation interdisciplinary team to enhance our contributions in developing electrified mobility technologies,” said Professor Guido Saracco, Rector of Politecnico di Torino.

The combination of research into the theoretical development of hybrid system solutions by the Politecnico with the specialised knowledge and technical abilities of Dayco, brings together the key elements to make these crucial technological advances a reality.

The arrangement was made official on Friday 21st February, 2020 in a ceremony at the offices of Dayco Europe in San Bernardo di Ivrea, Italy, where the Rector of Politecnico di Torino, Professor Saracco and Dayco’s CEO, Joel Wiegert, signed the Research Agreement.

Dayco has more than 40 locations in 22 countries and over 4,500 associates. For more information about Dayco, visit the Company's website at www.dayco.com

Politecnico di Torino (www.polito.it) was founded in 1906 and has its roots in the Technical School for Engineers that was created in 1859.

It is internationally ranked among the most important universities in Europe for engineering and architecture studies, with 35,700 students (out of which 16% are international students coming from over 100 different countries).

Politecnico is a center of excellence for education and research in engineering, architecture, design and planning and it works in close cooperation with the socio-economic system. It is a comprehensive Research University where education and research complement each other and create synergies in order to address the needs of the economic system, of the local community and above all, of its students.

Politecnico is committed to a strong internationalisation process of its teaching, research and technology transfer activities: not only does it work in cooperation with the best universities and research centres in world, but it has also been signing agreements and contracts with important international corporations, as well as local businesses, meaning to be for the latter a focal point for innovation.

February 20, 2020 - DAVID RUSSELL, DAYCO RACING AND GOLD 104.3 JOIN FORCES TO RAISE BUSHFIRE APPEAL FUNDS AT THE ADELAIDE 500

Dayco Ambassadors and 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia drivers David Russell and Roger Lago assisted the nation’s Bushfire relief fundraising efforts at the spectacular opening round of the 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup season being held on the streets of Adelaide from February 21 to 23.

Russell, who competed in the #23 Dayco Porsche Carrera Cup GT3 car at Australia’s largest domestic motorsports event, answered the call of The Christian O’Connell Breakfast Show on GOLD104.3 seeking support from the community to promote a special brew of beer, Heroes Gold, which has been developed to raise funds for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.

Heroes Gold was created by the popular Melbourne Breakfast radio show host in conjunction with independent brewer Hawkers Beer to assist in raising funds for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. The popularity of O’Connell’s fund-raising concept has seen the first round of pre-orders for Heroes Gold completely sold out, with more than 650 cases sold in its first three days of availability.

O’Connell made the call on his popular show seeking billboards to promote this most worthy of beer brews and he was inundated with offers of support. Russell made the generous offer to race with the Heroes Gold hashtags and logo at the opening motor racing event of the 2020 season in front of more than 200,000 spectators and many more television viewers.

The stunning black #23 Dayco Porsche GT3 Carrera Cup Car featured Heroes Gold hashtags below the front headlights along with Heroes Gold signage on the roof of the car throughout the three day Superloop Adelaide 500, which was broadcast live on Network Ten and Foxsports from Friday February 20 to Sunday February 23.

“Being from a country town myself, it is great to do our bit as a team to assist in the bushfire fund raising effort. I am sure that Heroes Gold looked great on our black beauty in Adelaide and I encourage more Aussies to take part in this fantastic fundraising initiative,” stated Dayco Racing Porsche team driver, David Russell.

Christian O’Connell from The Christian O’Connell Breakfast Show on GOLD104.3 said, “What a partner to come onboard. A huge thank you to Dayco for working with GOLD104.3 to raise funds for the Victorian Bushfire Appeal. We are lucky at GOLD104.3 to have such strong support from our audience for this incredibly worthy cause, Heroes Gold and the Victorian Bushfire Appeal.”

David Russell hits the streets of Adelaide at full speed in Thursday’s opening practice session. Russell and the Dayco Racing Team are promoting Christian O’Connell’s special bushfire relief beer, Heroes Gold to help raise awareness and funds for Victoria’s Bushfire victims.

One of the world’s leading engine components and drive systems suppliers for the automotive aftermarket industry, Dayco, continues its marketing presence with the world’s most competitive Touring Car series in 2020, the Virgin Australia Supercars Championship.

This year marks a decade of Dayco Australia’s involvement in Australia’s premier motor racing category together with highly experienced racing driver and long-term brand ambassador David Russell.

Complementing the strong Dayco branding presence in the 2020 Porsche Carrera Cup Australia championship with Russell and Roger Lago, the Dayco logo will occupy its synonymous Supercar rear wing signage position on the # 35 Matt Stone Racing (MSR) ZB Commodore Supercar this season.

This attractive black and yellow liveried Supercar is being driven this season by former Super 2 Champion driver Garry Jacobson, with “Dayco Dave” to become the team’s endurance race co-driver for the three endurance races to be held at The Bend (SA), Bathurst (NSW) and the Gold Coast during (QLD) the second half of the 2020 season.

“We are excited to be back in Supercar racing for the new season and it is great to have our ambassador Dave Russell back where he belongs - behind the wheel for the three endurance Supercar races, alongside his Porsche Carrera Cup program,” stated Dayco Australia Managing Director and Vice President Aftermarket Asia Pacific, Arnold Mouw.

“Dayco has enjoyed outstanding local and international coverage from our long term involvement in Supercars and it is great to be using this effective automotive marketing platform for a tenth year in 2020 with an exciting team in Matt Stone Racing,” He added.

The 2020 Virgin Australia Supercars Championship commences on the streets of Adelaide on February 22 and 23 and continues across a further 14 rounds through to December, providing year long coverage across many exciting, high profile events.

Dayco’s Supercar journey has seen the global company appear on Supercars derived from three different manufacturers, debuting with the Holden Commodore in 2011 and being a part of the exciting debut seasons of both the Nissan Altima and Ford Mustang Supercars in the category. Dayco also supported the first female full time Supercar driver, Simona de Silvestro in 2017.

The Dayco Australia motorsport program for 2020 now includes two of the most high profile motor racing categories in the country alongside the world number one Formula Student team, Monash Motorsport, with another significant Australian motorsport sponsorship announcement to be made in the near future.

In the USA, Dayco is a primary sponsor of the multiple NHRA Championship winning Dan Schumacher Drag Racing Team, manufacturing specifically designed Dayco Racing Supercharger belts used by the team and several of its competitors successfully.

Image links - Dayco Ambassador and Matt Stone Racing Supercar endurance race driver David Russell with the Dayco sponsored MSR Commodore at Supercars pre-season test day held on February 18 at The Bend Motorsport Park, Tailem Bend (SA)

Australia’s Burson Auto Parts joined forces with one of this country’s most iconic national performance emotoring events, Summernats 2020 from January 2 to 5.

Established in 1988, the Summernats has become one of the most anticipated events for performance motoring enthusiasts. A total of 2,200 meticulously restored and performance modified vehicles took part in this year’s event which was also the first to be sponsored by Burson Auto Parts.

The cars, their owners and friends, combined with a myriad of performance vehicle competition events, DJ’s, bands and much more to create four days of automotive summer fun in our nation’s capital.

Burson Auto Parts made its debut as a major sponsor of the 33rd running of the Summernats, enjoying a very strong brand and activation presence during this four day high performance motoring extravaganza.

One of the event’s largest pavilions was converted into a complete Burson Auto Parts store during the event, ensuring that all automotive enthusiasts and mechanics in attendance had access to a large range of premium quality automotive parts, tools, equipment and accessories on site. This pop-up Burson Auto Parts Summernats store proved to be an outstanding success.

Burson Auto Parts event signage and big screen coverage was visible throughout this high octane Australian performance vehicle spectacular that included more than 40 separate competition based events. These included burnout competitions, horsepower dyno competitions and show’n’shine events to mention just a few.

“The automotive aftermarket industry is always well represented at the Summernats and with Burson Auto Parts involved as a major sponsor for the first time this year, we took the aftermarket industry’s involvement to an entirely new level,” stated Burson Auto Parts General Manager - Marketing, Anthony Hughes.

“The event enjoys incredible support and goodwill from both the automotive trade and performance vehicle enthusiasts. We enjoyed being a part of it and there is no doubt that we gained more Burson Auto Parts customers as a result of the Summernats,” He added.

The competition events of the 2020 Summernats generated millions of live web streaming views and video content views. The iconic event’s social media reach includes 12.1 million Facebook likes, over 29,000 YouTube subscribers and almost 60,000 Instagram followers.

Dayco Australia has been presented with the company’s second consecutive Burson Auto Parts Supplier of the Year Award at the Bapcor Supplier Awards Dinner held at Melbourne’s prestigious Park Hyatt Hotel on Tuesday February 4.

Dayco Australia has once again gained this prestigious accolade against strong local and global supplier competition, voted by Australia’s preferred trade supplier of automotive parts. In addition to receiving this award, Dayco Australia was also ranked in the Bapcor New Zealand / BNT top three finalists for the New Zealand Supplier of the Year Award.

“We were delighted to win this award last year and we were very proud to have won it against such strong competition. To win it again this year is truly an outstanding achievement,” stated Dayco Australia Managing Director and Vice President Aftermarket Asia Pacific, Arnold Mouw.

“It is also a tribute to the hard-working team that we have at Dayco Australia.

“We were up against the best of the best, so this award speaks volumes for the efforts of our entire team both at our head office and distribution centre in Hallam and our dedicated team at Wagga who have ensured that our product quality and supply continues to meet and exceed the expectations of our largest customer,” he added.

Dayco Australia’s recent extension and modernisation of its Hallam (Victoria) based warehousing and distribution centre has also ensured that Burson Auto Parts and all of Dayco’s Australian and New Zealand based customers are provided with the most extensive Dayco aftermarket product range along with excellent customer service.

“Dayco Australia continues to extend the boundaries of excellent customer service and this award reflects the efforts of our Australian team to ensure customer satisfaction. We strive to be the supplier of choice for all of our customers around the world, so for Dayco Australia to achieve this with Burson Auto Parts across two consecutive years is outstanding,” Dayco Global Aftermarket President, Bruno Vallillo stated.

The entertaining cocktail and dinner event in Melbourne gathered most of Burson Auto Parts’ and Bapcor group company suppliers, making it an enjoyable night of networking and socialising.

Bapcor Chief Executive Officer, Darryl Abotomey, provided a detailed briefing relating to the current and future plans for the ever growing Bapcor group of companies, which now has an unparalleled footprint of 1,000 locations across Australia and New Zealand.

Dayco Australia is honoured to be recognised for a second consecutive year as the Burson Auto Parts Supplier of the Year.

Image 1 – (from left) Bapcor Chief Operating Officer Jeff Nicol, Dayco Australia Managing Director and Vice President Aftermarket Asia Pacific, Arnold Mouw, Executive General Manager - Burson Trade Craig Magill, Dayco Australia Business Development Manager James Barrett and Bapcor Chief Executive Officer Darryl Abotomey.

Image 2 - (from left) Dayco Australia Managing Director and Vice President Aftermarket Asia Pacific, Arnold Mouw, Dayco Global Aftermarket President, Bruno Vallillo and Dayco Vice President of Global Industrial Business Yann Taurel with their two consecutive Burson Auto Parts Supplier of the Year Awards along with their top three Bapcor / BNT Finalist Award.

Image 3 - (from left) Dayco Vice President of Global Industrial Business Yann Taurel, Burson Auto Parts General Manager – Merchandise & Procurement Peter Cheney, Dayco Global Aftermarket President, Bruno Vallillo, Burson Auto Parts Product Manager Gavin Keedle, Dayco Australia Managing Director and Vice President Aftermarket Asia Pacific, Arnold Mouw, Burson Auto Parts Product Manager Martin Farrell and Dayco Australia Business Development Manager James Barrett.

Image 4 – The 2020 Bapcor / Burson Auto Parts Supplier Awards gala dinner at Melbourne’s Park Hyatt Hotel on February 4.

Australia’s Burson Auto Parts introduces a premium quality hose clamp range to its vast automotive aftermarket offering, Icon Series Hose Clamps.

This new Burson Auto Parts hose clamp range consists of a variety of clamp types including Perforated, Fuel Hose, Nut and Bolt, CV Boot, Solid Band, Spring Loaded, T-Bolt, P Type, Ear Type, Quick release, Multi-Purpose and Universal Band among others.

The Icon Series Hose Clamp product range is available to automotive repairers nationwide in a variety of clamp materials including including full and part Stainless, 316 Stainless and treated steel. This new Burson Auto Parts hose clamp range also features variants with a range of protective coatings including rubber and vinyl.

Burson Auto Parts also offers the new ICON Series Hose Clamp range in trade workshop packs including a Multi‑Pack that features a range of popular hose clamp sizes and model variants.

Burson Auto Parts ensures total quality with the precision engineered Icon Series Hose Clamp range. Manufacturing certifications include ISO 9001:2015 and IATF 16949:2016 Auto Industry, UPC approval from IAMPO, NF approval of France, CE approval of Europe and in BSCI approval from TUV.

According to Burson Auto Parts Product Manager, Martin Farrell, “Automotive repairers can rely on ICON Series Hose Clamps for correct operation, excellent durability, temperature stability, high clamping force and vibration resistance.

“As with all of the automotive aftermarket products that we offer to the trade, quality and value for money are the two distinct advantages of this new hose clamp range which is now available across our nationwide store network,” Mr Farrell stated.

Suggested Caption: Australia’s preferred trade supplier of parts, tools and equipment, Burson Auto Parts, introduces premium quality ICON Series Hose Clamps to its vast automotive aftermarket product range.

Dayco Australia sponsored Formula SAE Team, Monash Motorsport, has placed 1st overall in both the combustion and electric categories of the Formula SAE Australasian competition, triumphing over 30 teams that took part in the international competition held last December.

As a result of this effort, along with the 2019 achievements of the Monash University of Melbourne based Formula Student Team, the Dayco sponsored team is now the number one ranked Formula Student team in the world for the combustion engine division and third in the electric vehicle division.

This significant milestone follows Monash Motorsport’s first global Formula SAE victory gained last year, while also marking the debut of the team’s third car, a driverless Formula Student variant. This is the first Australian designed and developed Australian Formula Student driverless vehicle. The car’s capabilities were on display at the Formula SAE Australasian competition, gaining significant attention and acclaim.

The Monash Motorsport Formula SAE Team now embarks on their 2020 European campaign, travelling with three cars (combustion, electric and driverless) to Germany, the United Kingdom and Hungary to compete on the world stage.

“We congratulate the dedicated and highly talented Monash Motorsport team on their Australasian competition victory. Dayco is proud to support this team that continue to lead the way in Formula Student car design, reliability and performance,” stated Dayco Australia Sales and Marketing Director, David McClurg.

“We look forward to the new season ahead and to more successes for this great team on the global stage, using several of our engine and thermal management components,” Mr. McClurg added.

Dayco Australia is proud to support the development of this country’s future automotive and motorsport engineers through the company’s extensive motorsport marketing program which includes Supercars, Porsche Carrera Cup, GT and more in 2020.

The Dayco sponsored Monash Motorsport Formula Student team, ranked 1^st in the world in the combustion engine division and third in the electric vehicle division.

Dayco is a global leader in the research, design, manufacture and distribution of essential engine drive systems and aftermarket services for automotive, truck, construction, agriculture and industrial applications.Through our expertise in transferring power quietly and efficiently, Dayco has emerged as the leading global system solutions provider for hybrid electric vehicles.

Dayco’s 100+ years of experience in drive systems allows us to equip all customer applications around the world with the most effective drive systems to meet customer specific performance requirements. Dayco’s world class global distribution network services the aftermarket industry with a full offering of kits and products to meet each local market’s need. We accomplish this with a dedicated global team that respects one another, shows humility through continuous learning and acts like owners in everything we do. Dayco has more than 40 locations in 22 countries and over 4,500 associates. For more information about Dayco, visit the Company's website at www.dayco.com.

December 4, 2019 - DRiV™ MONROE SPRINGS CYCLE TEAM RAISES $6.3K FOR CHILDRENS’ CANCER RESEARCH

Darren Bender and Gareth Jones were joined by friend Duncan Toombs to take part in the “Australian Great Cycle Challenge” which was held in October 2019.

This event is a national Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI) fundraising initiative held nationwide throughout October.

The DRiV™ Monroe Springs team joined the fight against childhood cancer, which is the largest killer of children in Australia, where over 600 Australian children are diagnosed annually, and three die every week. Raised funds gives children the chance at the brighter future through the search for better treatments and cures.

Team Captain, Darren Bender, a Leading Hand of the Monroe Springs Maintenance Department, led the charge along with Gareth Jones, the Monroe Springs Plant Manager. The team rode a total of 1,362km during October, raising $6.3k.

Across Australia, more than 13,000 riders cycled for more than 2.4 million kilometres during the 2019 event, raising $4.3 million. Over the past six years, a total of 55,774 riders from have ridden over 13 million kilometres, raising $16 million in support of this program.

“We are all very proud of the DRiV Monroe Springs team effort in the 2019 Australian Great Cycle Challenge, which will help save children from this terrible disease” stated Plant Manager, Gareth Jones.

Suggested Caption: DRiV Monroe Springs Australian Great Cycle Challenge Team members Gareth Jones (left) and Darren Bender.

December 9, 2019 - NEW BRAND POSITIONING FOR AUSTRALASIA’S LARGEST AUTOMOTIVE COOPERATIVE - STRONGER WITH CAPRICORN

When 12 Golden Fleece service station owners in Western Australia met to discuss the strengthening of their businesses by working together as a cooperative, they would never have envisaged that nearly five decades later they would be joined by more than 21,000 businesses across Australia and New Zealand who similarly recognised how they could be stronger together.

Capricorn has supported the Australian automotive aftermarket since the 1970s and it has done the same in New Zealand for more than two decades. If it has something to do with moving on wheels, Capricorn has been there, supporting Members to keep those wheels turning and improving their business success and sustainability.

To help their Members’ businesses thrive, Capricorn has introduced a myriad of supports covering access to suppliers and parts, operations and service data as well as financial assistance, business protections and industry networking events. These varied Capricorn services have one common goal – helping to make Members’ businesses stronger.

Protecting each Capricorn Member’s existence as a strong, independent business is foundational to advancing the Australian and the New Zealand automotive aftermarket repair industries as we head towards a technologically disrupted and demanding future.

The time has come to take the strong business relationships that Capricorn has formed with their Members and Preferred Suppliers to the next level of value and support, to make each of them stronger over a long and successful future.

To outline this clearly, a new brand positioning statement has been created that reflects Capricorn’s total commitment to providing services, support and value over the long term to all Capricorn Members and Preferred Suppliers – Stronger with Capricorn.

Stronger with Capricorn is about more than just the strength that Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative has in its numbers. It defines the strength and support that comes with an extensive network that has been designed by automotive repairers for automotive repairers.

Stronger with Capricorn also signifies Capricorn’s strength in growing their Members’ businesses using the vast products and services currently provided, with new support services being constantly developed to meet current and future technological, financial and risk challenges.

Stronger with Capricorn also reflects how this unique and highly effective automotive aftermarket industry-based cooperative supports their Members to face the future positively and with continued business success, regardless of the changes being faced by the industry.

According to Capricorn’s Group Chief Executive Officer, David Fraser, the advantages of being a Capricorn Member have grown far beyond simply making their businesses easier to operate from purely a business transactional point of view.

“While making business easier for our Members is important, Capricorn provides far more than that. Our new brand positioning outlines Capricorn’s unique ability to champion Member business improvement by leveraging our extensive and Member exclusive products and services,” Mr Fraser stated.

“Supporting our Members’ businesses and helping to make them stronger is fundamental to ensuring a positive and sustainable future. Making your business Stronger with Capricorn is without a doubt the major advantage of being a Capricorn Member,” Mr Fraser concluded.

The new Stronger with Capricorn brand positioning will be visible across all Capricorn online and print media advertising along with promotional documentation during 2020. A detailed video has been produced to further outline Capricorn’s new brand positioning statement which can be viewed online at www.capricorn.coop.

December 2, 2019 - 2019 CAPRICORN GALA DINNER & TRADESHOW EVENTS BIGGER AND BETTER THAN EVER

Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative, Capricorn, has just concluded its annual Gala Dinner & Tradeshow events across Australia and New Zealand from September to November 2019.

Always a social calendar highlight, this year’s events were held in Perth, Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and in Auckland, New Zealand. All events were well received, with almost 5,000 Capricorn Members, Preferred Suppliers and guests taking part.

While the focus of each Capricorn Gala Dinner is to connect Members and Preferred Suppliers who are part of the Capricorn network, the events also provide a well-earned, end of year celebration with food, music and lots of fun for all who attend. The tradeshows also provide Capricorn Members with access to the latest offerings from Capricorn Preferred Suppliers with special offers to take advantage of on the night.

Hundreds of Capricorn Preferred Suppliers took part, with highly impressive tradeshow stands, display cars and interactive activities that kept the emphasis on enjoyment as well as business.

Attendees were given a sneak peek into Capricorn’s future plans for the cooperative to return even greater value to both Members and Preferred Suppliers, further strengthening their businesses in 2020 and beyond.

On the entertainment side, the Capricorn Gala Dinners did not disappoint with the hilarious Lawrence Mooney ensuring total hysterics with his stand-up show across Australia, while in New Zealand, outstanding ventriloquist comedian Darren Carr was a major highlight. Live music at each Capricorn Gala Dinner ensured a great time was had well into the evening.

“It has been a real pleasure to catch up with so many Capricorn Members and Preferred Suppliers throughout Australia and New Zealand, to hear more about their businesses and how Capricorn is supporting their continued growth,” stated Capricorn Group Chief Executive Officer, David Fraser.

“The events themselves are a great opportunity for workshops, suppliers and all others involved in the automotive repair industry to come together and make lasting connections. The fact that it’s a great night out with outstanding food and entertainment doesn’t hurt either.” Mr Fraser added.

Dayco announces that Laura Kowalchik joined the company on November 25, as Chief Financial Officer (CFO).

“Laura is a highly regarded operational finance leader with significant experience in automotive industries, data analytics and steel. Her breadth of experience in multiple ownership structures, and market conditions, as well as her hands-on-leadership style make her uniquely qualified to drive our financial strategy forward to deliver industry leading financial performance across our business worldwide,” said Joel Wiegert, Dayco’s Chief Executive Officer.

“I am looking forward to working closely with Dayco’s investors and stakeholders,” Kowalchik said. “It is exciting to join the Dayco team during this time of transformation to drive strong discipline around financial results that focus on delivering stakeholder value.”

Laura has served as the CFO for Kenwal Steel Corporation and previously for Urban Science, but her career has also included senior level financial and controller positions with organisations such as Kaydon Corporation, Dura Automotive Systems, Microheat, and Metaldyne Corporation. Laura earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting from the University of Richmond and a master of business administration degree in finance from Indiana University.

Laura is also active in the community and a member of the Board of Trustees for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan Foundation.

Dayco has more than 40 locations in 22 countries and over 4,500 associates. For more information about Dayco, visit the Company's website at www.dayco.com

Wouter Nijenhuis has joined Dayco, accepting the role of Executive Vice President of OE Sales and Business Development, reporting directly to the company’s CEO, Joel Wiegert.

“This is an exciting time for Dayco as momentum grows from our Original Equipment customers for products that enable hybrid electric systems,” said Mr. Wiegert. “I am delighted Wouter has joined our team. His expertise in electric and internal combustion propulsion solutions, combined with his strong relationship with customers globally makes him an ideal commercial leader to accelerate Dayco’s growth.”

“It is very exciting to join a company with such a rich history, and strong brand, that is now intensely focused on providing innovative hybrid system solutions for our customers,” said Nijenhuis. “I am excited to work with the more than 4,000 talented and passionate Dayco employees to deliver growth through building strong partnerships with our customers around the world.”

Nijenhuis has joined Dayco from Oerlikon/Dana Limited, where he served as the EVP of Global and Aftermarket Sales, Marketing and Business Development, Drive Systems. Prior to this he was the VP Global Engineering, Sales and Program Management at BorgWarner Inc. In this role, he oversaw all sales, engineering and program management activities for the turbo systems segment for commercial and industrial applications.

Fluent in French, German and English, Nijenhuis will direct all aspects of Dayco’s global OE sales, business development, program management and OE marketing functions in order to deliver its organizational strategy and objectives.

Wouter Nijenhuis - Dayco Executive Vice President of OE Sales and Business Development.

Dayco has more than 40 locations in 22 countries and over 4,500 associates. For more information about Dayco, visit the Company's website at www.dayco.com

November 13, 2019 - IMPROVED MEMBER BENEFITS AND BUSINESS EFFICIENCIES WITH CAPRICORN AUTOMOTIVE DIVISION CHANGES

Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative, Capricorn, constantly seeks to enhance and improve its services and operational efficiencies to ensure that the cooperative is delivering the best possible outcomes for both its Members along with Capricorn’s Preferred Supplier group.

Since becoming Capricorn Chief Executive Officer Automotive in July 2019, Bradley Gannon has spent time analysing the automotive division’s operations. As a result of this detailed business study, Mr Gannon has announced the following changes that ensures greater efficiencies, enhanced Member services and stronger Preferred Supplier relationships.

Capricorn’s Sales and Supply teams will merge into one business unit, headed by the highly experienced Dale Durden, who has been appointed to the new role of Head of Sales and Supply, Australia. Bringing the leadership of these field teams together provides an even more consistent approach in relation to Capricorn’s interactions with both its Members and Preferred Suppliers.

In line with the new merged sales and supply departments, two newly formed Regional Manager positions have been created. Kelsey Ferguson is the new Regional Manager - North Western, encompassing Western Australia, South Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland.

Neil Richards has been appointed to the role of Regional Manager - South Eastern encompassing Victoria, Tasmania, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory.

An additional new role has been created to lead and develop Capricorn’s growing Commercial Vehicle division and Ron Bougoure becomes Capricorn’s National Manager – Commercial.

“I am confident that this new structure will help deliver even more benefits to Members, Preferred Suppliers and Capricorn. This is another great example of Capricorn’s commitment to improving its business and maximising our cooperative’s strengths. We look forward to delivering even more efficiencies and improved Member benefits as a direct result of these changes,” stated Mr Bradley Gannon, Capricorn Chief Executive Officer Automotive.

The newly released FRAM Racing Filter range provides maximum performance and durability for performance vehicles on the street along with the demands of racing engines on the track.

Compatible with all engine oil formulations, FRAM Racing Filters combine strength and precision filtration to optimise their performance in the most demanding of high performance and racing conditions.

FRAM Racing filters include a heavy-gauge tapping plate and an extra-thick steel casing to withstand the high pressure flexing caused by demanding driving conditions.

The spiral-shaped center tube in each FRAM Racing Filter provides protection against collapse, along with tough steel end caps that add even more durability. All FRAM Racing Filters also include a screen-over 22psi filter bypass valve that provides additional protection against larger lubricant contaminants.

Used extensively in NASCAR racing across the United States and with applications to fit many classic and current high performance drag racing and circuit racing engines (including the Ford Mustang Coyote 5.0 Litre and GM, Nissan and Honda performance engine applications), the extensive FRAM Racing Filter range offers a premium quality, premium performance and racing engine filtration product option for high performance vehicle technicians and racing teams.

The FRAM Racing filter range coverage includes a wide number of performance engine specifications including GM, Ford, Chrysler, Nissan and Honda engines, including GM LS1 and LS6 applications. (See link to applications list below).

According to Roger Lassen, Filpro Automotive Managing Director, Australasia, the FRAM Racing Filter range complements the brands comprehensive application coverage in Australia and New Zealand.

“We are constantly approached about our high performance and racing specification filtration products due to their long

standing success internationally. We are delighted to make these globally renowned filtration products available to Australian and New Zealand high performance vehicle technicians and racing teams,” Mr Lassen stated.

“The FRAM brand has a long and proud history in racing and we look forward to creating a new chapter in the brand’s high performance success here in Australia and New Zealand,” Mr Lassen added.

The FRAM Racing Filter range and the entire FRAM Filters aftermarket replacement range is available in Australia from official FRAM distributors including ADRAD and SWD. To locate your closest distributor contact Filpro Automotive Australia State Sales Manager Alex Rossiter on 0400 878 837 or 08 8193 9675.

The 2019 Burson Auto Parts Managers’ conference was held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre from October 17 to 20.

A total of 170 Burson Auto Parts store managers joined the Australian company’s executive management team across four days covering a detailed agenda of seminars and activities.

The theme of the conference was “Step Up”, enabling all of the Burson Auto Parts store managers to reflect on the company’s fundamental goals. These include continuing and growing the company’s status as Australia’s preferred trade supplier of automotive parts, tools and equipment by focussing on providing optimum service, value and industry leading supplier product knowledge to the company’s highly valued trade customers.

An undeniable inspiration for the Step Up theme of the conference was the event’s special guest motivational speaker, Contiki Tours founder John Anderson. His story of having started his world leading travel business by taking people on tours of New Zealand driving a Combi-Van, held similarities with Burson Auto Parts coming to life when company co-founder Ron Burgoine started selling automotive parts to mechanics from his car boot.

It wasn’t all training seminars for the Burson Auto Parts store managers during the conference, with team structured physical events also including the company’s own “Survivor” challenge. The Gold Coast’s Movieworld was opened exclusively for a team dinner during the conference, with some managers taking on a few of the wild rides that were operating during this fun Team Burson event. A third social dinner event at the Miami Markets proved very popular, offering a variety of international cuisines in a funky seaside atmosphere.

The Burson Auto Parts managers’ conference concluded with a gala dinner held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on Sunday October 20. This spectacular event saw the Burson Auto Parts managers join more than 800 of their Bapcor Group company colleagues and supplier attendees in what was a highly enjoyable finale to this highly successful event.

According to Burson Auto Parts National Sales Manager, Anthony Hughes, “Our goal for this conference was to educate, develop and support the company’s greatest asset, our people. Placing our store managers together with our suppliers and many like-minded company colleagues, the conference proved to be an excellent training and networking opportunity for all who took part.”

“We believe that this annual event and our 2IC Conference held last year, combined with all of the training initiatives that we continuously provide, positions Burson Auto Parts and Bapcor as employers of choice in the automotive aftermarket,” Mr Hughes added.

This conference is just one part of the Burson Auto Parts’ ongoing commitment to ensuring that this company nurtures and develops its people in a team orientated, cooperative and highly supportive manner. This contributes significantly to the Australian company’s ability to retain and attract the industry’s best talent, offering career ascension opportunities not only through the ever growing Burson Auto Parts store network, but through Australia’s largest automotive aftermarket specialised company, Bapcor Limited.

Team - 170 Burson Auto Parts store managers were joined by the Australian company’s executive management team and guest speakers at the 2019 “Step Up” Burson Auto Parts Managers’ Conference held at the Gold Coast Convention Centre from October 17 to 20.

Conf - The Burson Auto Parts Managers’ Conference included team-building physical activities held in Australia’s playground

Bapgala – After social events on each evening of the conference, the event concluded with a gala dinner that saw the Burson Auto Parts managers join more than 800 of their Bapcor Group company colleagues and supplier attendees.

November 6, 2019 - DAYCO APPOINTS TOM TECKLENBURG AS VP OF AFTERMARKET, NORTH AMERICA

Dayco, a leading engine products and drive systems supplier for the automotive, industrial and aftermarket industries, has appointed Tom Tecklenburg as its Vice President of Aftermarket for North America, reporting directly to Bruno Vallillo, President of Global Aftermarket.

Located at the company’s Troy office, Tom will be responsible for establishing the strategic plan and leading the North American Aftermarket team, which encompasses the United States (US) and Canadian markets, to increase customer satisfaction and drive growth.

Tom brings with him 30 years of automotive and commercial vehicle experience across both the original equipment manufacturer and aftermarket sectors, with his most recent previous role at HDA Truck Pride, where he held the position of Chief Commercial Officer for the US, Canada and Europe. He has also worked for The Timken Company, Honeywell International and Fram.

“I’m excited to have Tom onboard,” said Bruno Vallillo. “With his experience and the great team in North America, we can accelerate the growth of the business, while also improving customer satisfaction.”

“I look forward to the opportunity at Dayco to lead the aftermarket team and leverage the heritage, strong OE position to drive continuous improvement and customer satisfaction.” said Tecklenburg.

Earning a bachelor’s degree in Accounting from The Ohio State University and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the University of Dayton, Tom also holds an Automotive Aftermarket Professional (AAP) certificate from the University of the Aftermarket.

Dayco has more than 40 locations in 22 countries and over 4,500 associates. For more information about Dayco, visit the company's website at www.dayco.com.

Suggested Image Caption: Tom Tecklenburg brings 30 years of automotive and commercial vehicle experience across both the original equipment manufacturer and aftermarket sectors to his new role of Dayco Aftermarket Vice President, North America.

October 23, 2019 - NEW ROTARY WHEEL SERVICE EQUIPMENT RANGE NOW AVAILABLE FROM BURSON EQUIPMENT

One of Australia’s leading automotive workshop equipment suppliers, Burson Equipment, exclusively offers automotive repairers a totally new level of wheel service equipment excellence with the new Rotary wheel service equipment range.

The new Rotary wheel service equipment range brings the world’s latest technology, build quality and productivity boosting wheel service products to Australia’s automotive repairers and wheel / tyre specialists.

Rotary has forged a well-earned reputation for total quality across the decades with its unparalleled range of outstanding lift products, making it the world’s most trusted in that field. The same dedication to total quality, reliability and industry leading technology can be found with the Rotary wheel service product range of wheel balancers, tyre changers and alignment systems from Burson Equipment.

The Rotary wheel balancer range offers a balancer for the vast majority of wheels and workshops from the smallest to the largest. The Rotary tyre changer range is one of the most comprehensive in the industry and the company’s premium quality wheel alignment machines allow technicians to complete accurate alignments in as little as 15 minutes, ensuring significant increases in workshop productivity and profitability.

Manufactured in Italy, Burson Equipment’s outstanding new Rotary wheel service equipment range includes:

According to Burson Equipment National Sales Manager, Jim Santef, there is no doubt that the new Rotary wheel service equipment range represents an entirely new level of wheel servicing efficiency and productivity for Australian automotive repairers and wheel / tyre specialists seeking to future proof their businesses.

“The most successful automotive workshop owners and managers are not just seeking replacement wheel service equipment, they are seeking an investment towards the long term future success of their businesses. Our new Rotary wheel service equipment range offers the latest technology along with the peace of mind of many years reliable service,” Mr Santef stated.

To find out more and to take a closer look at Burson Equipment’s new range of industry leading Rotary wheel service equipment products, contact your local Burson store by calling 1300 287 766 or visit Burson Equipment online.

September 17, 2019 - CAPRICORN INSPIRED TO HELP BY MEMBER’S FIGHT WITH PROSTATE CANCER

There are more than 20,000 very important reasons why Australasia’s largest automotive cooperative, Capricorn, has made a dedicated effort to accept donations to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

Following the highly successful Capricorn Cares Farmer’s Drought fundraising initiative conducted last year, Capricorn is dedicating this year’s Capricorn Cares effort to increase awareness and collect donations from its vast Member base towards Prostate cancer research.

Prostate cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australia, affecting one in seven men. One of those 20,000 plus men diagnosed last year was Capricorn Member, John Spicer from John Spicer’s Mechanical Repairs in NSW. Like many men, John never thought about Prostate Cancer until a routine blood test revealed that he was suffering from it.

“I never thought about prostate cancer at all, but I needed to get my Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) and cholesterol tested every year as part of my medicals needed for my speedway racing. And it was this very simple blood test that showed something was going on” John said.

The impact of the disease made it clear, it’s not just a men’s cancer. It’s a family’s cancer that impacts wives, children, mothers, fathers and friends too.

“My four adult children were extremely shocked and wanted to help out in any way they could. I was initially diagnosed in September last year and I was ok until I had my first radiation treatment. I came back to the office and it hit me - I have cancer.

“My wife took over running the business with a friend to keep our customers happy so I could rest after treatment every day. But I found that I really couldn’t leave the business full time as I had to still do the rego checks and vehicle diagnosing,” John said.

John was more fortunate than most. By getting the simple PSA blood test every year, he was able to catch the disease early. And while he’s not out of the woods just yet, it’s clear that getting tested has significantly increased his chances of making a full recovery.

“By the time symptoms show, that usually means it’s too late. I’m not “all clear” at the moment, but after treatment my PSA levels have halved.

“I want to retire in a few years and enjoy travelling and fishing with my wife. But that wouldn’t be possible without getting tested. I can’t stress it enough. Early detection is a must. Just do it.” John said.

September is prostate cancer awareness month in Australia and New Zealand, making it an apt time for this very special Capricorn Cares awareness and fundraising campaign.

For the sake of your wives, your children, your friends and the other people in your life, ask your doctor for a PSA blood test this month. Even if your doctor says you don’t fit the likely profile, getting tested early is the best way to track changes in your PSA levels in the future, that can indicate the presence of the disease.

The Capricorn Cares fundraising campaign is accepting donations to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. To donate, Members should login to capricorn.coop and complete the donation form.

All donations are entirely tax deductible and 100% of all funds raised from this Capricorn Cares campaign in Australia will go directly to the Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia.

• In Australia and New Zealand, Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in men.

• More than 20,000 men are diagnosed with Prostate cancer in Australia and New Zealand every year.

• Studies have shown high fat diets and the consumption of processed meats and alcohol can also increase the risks of cancer.

The Prostate Specific Antigen Test (PSA Test) is a simple blood test and the most common screening tool for the early detection of Prostate cancer. It might be the most important test you’ll ever do, but the reality is, too many men put it off until it’s too late.

September 13, 2019 - TIMING CHAIN KITS JOIN THE VAST DAYCO AFTERMARKET RANGE IN AUSTRALIA & NEW ZEALAND

Dayco, a leading engine components and drive systems supplier for the automotive, industrial and aftermarket industries, introduces a new range of premium quality Timing Chain Kits to the company’s vast Australasian automotive aftermarket product range.

This new range of direct-fit Dayco Timing Chain Kits bring the benefits of the company’s world class design and engineering expertise in toothed belt power transmission systems along with Dayco’s in-depth knowledge of functional requirements.

Combining this expertise with the total quality and reliability hallmarks of the Dayco brand, ensures that automotive repairers and parts re-sellers across Australia and New Zealand can offer technicians outstanding quality replacement Dayco Timing Chain Kits to suit a wide range of popular local, Asian and European vehicle makes and models.

In designing the new Dayco Timing Chain kits, a system logic was followed, to ensure that all of the elements required for replacement, that is; the chain, hydraulic tensioner, sprockets and guides are included with every kit. Additionally, Dayco has guaranteed that all elements of each Timing Chain Kit comply with the technical requirements of each single component. This provides maximum functionality, silence in operation and promotes longer transmission life.

The main advantages of the new Dayco Timing Chain Kit range include:

To find out more about the new Dayco Timing Chain Kit range visit www.dayco.com, call Dayco Australia customer service - 03 9794 4466 or contact your Dayco Distributor.

Suggested Caption: A new range of premium quality Timing Chain Kits have been added to Dayco’s vast Australasian automotive aftermarket product range.

September 10, 2019 - BURSON AUTO PARTS PLAYS ITS PART IN PROTECTING THE ENVIRONMENT

Australia’s preferred trade supplier of automotive parts, tools and equipment is playing its part to protect the environment through parent company Bapcor Limited’s partnership with Greenfleet.

Greenfleet is a leading environmental not for profit organisation that seeks to protect our climate by restoring forests through carbon offsets and donations. This outstanding Australian organisation has restored more than 500 native bio-diverse forests since 1997, planting more than 9.2 million native trees across both Australia and New Zealand.

Burson Auto Parts’ fleet of almost 1,000 vehicles across the country are carbon offset through Greenfleet, forming one of several major carbon offset initiatives being made across the immense Bapcor group of automotive aftermarket companies.

Burson Auto Parts is also taking part in a tree planting program that contributes to offsetting the carbon emissions of its national vehicle fleet, an integral part of Bapcor’s Greenfleet commitment that contributes to the planting of new bio-diversive forests in Australia.

In fact, Bapcor’s contribution to date will assist in vegetating an area covering more than nine times the size of the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).

According to Bapcor Chief Executive Officer, Darryl Abotomey, “We are delighted to be partnering with Greenfleet to support native Australian local reforestation projects that provide a wide range of environmental benefits.

“Our partnership with Greenfleet forms part of Bapcor’s strategic commitment to reducing its carbon footprint and taking action on environmental sustainability,” he added.

Sustainability is an important part of this Australian owned company’s growth strategy. Both Burson Auto Parts and the entire Bapcor Group are proud to be taking effective and directly measurable action through their partnership with Greenfleet.

This media release initially was distributed to promote Australia’s Burson Auto Parts reaching the milestone of the company’s 180^th store. Such is the pace of Burson Auto Parts’ national store network growth that the total is now in fact 183 stores and growing each week.

These stores cannot best serve Australia’s automotive trade without great teams of people at the counter, on the phones and on the road - so now more than ever, opportunities exist to commence, continue, or a make a career change that has exciting future prospects with Burson Auto Parts and its parent company, the immense Bapcor Group.

A total of 11 new Burson Auto Parts stores were added to the company’s national network in 2019, forming part of almost 60 new Bapcor Group sites that were added to the Australian automotive aftermarket company’s unparalleled national footprint over the past 12 months.

This strategic growth is providing local employment opportunities ranging from store staff, delivery drivers and local store management, with the company’s size and growth also providing exciting long term career ascension opportunities across regional zone management, category management and executive management levels.

The 180^th Burson Auto Parts store to open its doors was the Murwillumbah store, located in north eastern New South Wales. This branch, along with a further four new sites in the region, has grown Burson Auto Parts’ footprint in the state significantly. Store 181 was Mansfield (QLD), Store 182 is the Emerald (QLD) store and the 183^rd Burson Auto Parts store is located in Wangaratta (VIC).

According to Craig Magill, Burson Auto Parts Executive General Manager, “Our targeted growth continues to ensure that we provide fast, reliable and geographically convenient service to our loyal trade customers across the country - which is always our primary focus.

“Our growth also makes this the right time for people involved in the automotive aftermarket industry, or people seeking a start in this industry, to join us as we continue our unprecedented expansion in line with all of the automotive trade and retail companies that are a part of the Bapcor Group,” Mr Magill stated.

To find out more about Burson Auto Parts and the career opportunities that are available with this proudly Australian owned and operated company, visit www.burson.com.au.

/ends.

Suggested Caption: Burson Auto Parts has now reached more than 180 stores nationwide and is continuing to grow. Now is the right time to join the Australian company as it continues its unprecedented expansion. 180^th Burson Auto Parts store (Murwillumbah NSW) crew members pictured.

Nov 27, 2020	READ ALL ABOUT IT IN THE BUR-SUN!
Nov 24, 2020	MIDAS IPSWICH IS OPEN FOR BUSINESS
Nov 9, 2020	CAPRICORN STATE OF THE NATION WEBINARS NOW AVAILABLE TO ASSIST YOUR BUSINESS
Oct 30, 2020	INAUGURAL MIDAS TYRE AND AUTO STORE OPENS
Oct 29, 2020	BAPCOR - ASIA PACIFIC'S UNRIVALLED AUTO AFTERMARKET INDUSTRY LEADER CONTINUES TO GROW
Oct 26, 2020	ALL MIDAS SOUTH AUSTRALIAN STORES GAIN RAA APPROVED REPAIRER STATUS
Oct 22, 2020	BATHURST NUMBER TEN FOR DAYCO
Oct 21, 2020	190 BURSON AUTO PARTS STORES AND COUNTING
Oct 15, 2020	ALCIUS - FOR COMPLETE CLIMATE CONTROL
Oct 14, 2020	GAIN MORE AIR CONDITIONER SERVICE BUSINESS WITH ECOTEHCNICS
Oct 13, 2020	DAVID RUSSELL PREPARES FOR BATHURST WITH POLE POSITION & 2ND PLACE IN QR 300
Oct 12, 2020	D AYCO CONTINUES EXTENSIVE PRODUCT RANGE GROWTH
Oct 5, 2020	IT'S A TOTAL WIN-WIN FOR CAPRICORN MEMBERS AND PREFERRED SUPPLIERS
Aug 25, 2020	NEW CAPRICORN ONLINE RESOURCE PLACES YOUR OWN BUSINESS MENTOR AT YOUR FINGERTIPS
Aug 14, 2020	ALL NEW CAPRICORN REWARDS WEBSITE AND PRODUCT RANGE UNVEILED
Aug 6, 2020	BURSON AUTO PARTS DOUBLES UP ON TRACK IN 2020
July 31, 2020	NEW CAPRICORN RISING STAR EMERGES FROM HIGHLY TALENTED FIELD
July 29, 2020	DAYCO AUSTRALIA CELEBRATES A DECADE SUPPORTING RONALD McDONALD HOUSE
July 20, 2020	ALL HANDS ON DECK AT DAYCO AUSTRALIA
July 6, 2020	DAYCO EARNS CATERPILLAR QUALITY EXCELLENCE AWARD
June 24, 2020	BRAND NEW MIDAS WORKSHOP BRINGS A NEW LEVEL OF AUTOMOTIVE EXPERTISE TO BRISBANE'S WESTERN SUBURBS
June 11, 2020	RE-BOOT YOUR BUSINESS WITH CAPRICORN ONLINE SEMINARS
June 11, 2020	DAYCO'S JOHN KINNICK RECOGNISED AS A RISING STAR
June 10, 2020	DAYCO PRESENTED WITH PACCAR QUALITY ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
May 20, 2020	BURSON AUTO PARTS GOES E-RACING
Apr 15, 2020	CAPRICORN ACTIONS DETAILED CORONAVIRUS SUPPORT AND GUIDANCE STRATEGY FOR MEMBERS, PREFERRED SUPPLIERS AND STAFF
Apr 7, 2020	DAYCO STEPS IN TO HELP THE CORONAVIRUS BATTLE
Mar 17, 2020	PREMIUM QUALITY SGF POWER TRANSMISSION PRODUCTS JOIN THE BURSON AUTO PARTS RANGE
Mar 4, 2020	BURSON AUTO PARTS RACING TCR TEAM HITS THE TRACK WITH GARRY ROGERS MOTORSPORT
Feb 26, 2020	DAYCO AND POLITECNICO DI TORINO STRENGTHEN HYBRID ELECTRIC VEHICLE RESEARCH PARTNERSHIP
Feb 20, 2020	DAVID RUSSELL, DAYCO RACING & GOLD 104 .3 JOIN FORCES TO RAISE BUSHFIRE APPEAL FUNDS AT THE ADELAIDE 500
Feb 19, 2020	DAYCO'S DECADE IN SUPERCARS POWERS INTO 2020