FTE joins OESAA with plans to develop UK aftermarket presence
The Original Equipment Suppliers Automotive Association (OESAA) has announced that FTE automotive Group (FTE) has become the 15th member, and the second to join this month.
FTE has been developing and manufacturing drive train and braking systems since 1943. A reputation for continuous improvement, high product quality, strong engineering principles, strict quality control processes and reliable customer service have made FTE a valuable supplier partner for vehicle manufacturers (VMs) globally.
In the aftermarket, FTE supplies 8,000 brake and clutch parts for nearly 20,000 vehicle types with exactly the same level of original equipment (OE) quality that its VM partners rely upon.
“FTE automotive GmbH is joining OESAA as we take further steps into the UK aftermarket” said Bo Marcusson, FTE Commercial Director Global Aftermarket. “As a leading German OEM manufacturer and the European leader in clutch hydraulic parts and remanufactured brake calipers, FTE plans to further expand in the UK aftermarket by offering distributors excellent supply and service.”
Mr Marcusson believes the UK offers ‘big potential still to be developed’ for FTE and motor factors alike, highlighting ‘high OES market share’ which sees business lost back to the main dealer on ‘product ranges where FTE is the leading OE manufacturer’.
He concludes: “By partnering with leading OE specialist FTE, UK distributors will have access to profitable and growing market segments with limited competition.”
FTE will join the OESAA stand at Automechanika in Birmingham from 7th to 9th June. OESAA’s stand will develop a theme of ‘Good Garages vs. Bad Garages’, with live presentations from industry expert Andy Savva.
OESAA Chairman, Nigel Morgan, said: “We welcome FTE’s decision to join OESAA as they seek to develop their UK presence. We look forward to working with FTE to ensure motor factors and garages are fully aware of the benefits of OE components, and understand the risks of alternatives sold as ‘matching quality’.”
OESAA say their aim is simply to ensure all garages understand the growing technology differences between many OE parts and their ‘matching quality’ counterparts, along with the impact these differences have on safety and performance, so they can make more informed choices on what they decide to sell and fit.
To find out more, please visit www.oe-suppliers.org .
ENDS
About OESAA
The Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association (OESAA) is a group of world-leading OE component manufacturers, who have joined forces to help raise awareness about the differences between OE components supplied for original fitment on new vehicles and the so-called ‘matching quality’ alternatives sold in the aftermarket.
OESAA members are concerned that many distributor motor factors and garage installers are being sold products that misleadingly claim to be of ‘matching quality’: a phrase which does not qualify how this standard is achieved or measured. To win OE business, OE suppliers – including OESAA members - have to meet the hugely challenging standards set by the vehicle manufacturers, with zero defects.
OESAA's aim is simply to increase awareness at workshop level of the huge difference in quality and testing regimes between genuine OE Parts and those parts claiming to be ‘matching quality’ - to benefit the entire automotive industry.
OESAA believe it is their responsibility to make the aftermarket aware of the different quality levels available, and the inherent risks of fitting lower quality parts, to ensure garages and motor factors can make informed decisions on what to buy.
About FTE automotive
The FTE automotive Group is a competent partner in the sector of development and production of drive train and brake system applications for the automotive industry. The company is located in all important continents and is one of the leading OE-suppliers for passenger cars and commercial vehicles worldwide. FTE automotive employed 3,800 people worldwide. In 2015, the company achieved sales of approximately EUR 505 million.
Katherine Thompson | Account Manager | katherine@autotechcomms.co.uk
Tags:
