OESAA welcome new member GKN
The Original Equipment Suppliers Automotive Association (OESAA) announces GKN has joined, becoming the group’s 14th member.
GKN plc is a global engineering business with operations in 30 countries, engaging 38,500 employees. GKN Service International supplies the global aftermarket under the Spidan and Löbro brands. Ranges include sideshafts, CV joints, propshafts, boot kits and wheel bearings, with an additional steering and coil spring suspension program.
“We have watched with interest the work done by OESAA in the UK to champion the benefits of fitting OE parts,” said Frank Huerter, Commercial Director Automotive Aftermarket Distribution at GKN Service International. “The requirements placed on components increase more with every vehicle generation, demanding new technological improvements.
“As these cars reach the aftermarket there’s clear and increasing benefit in using OE parts to maintain the original performance of the vehicle.
“We’re already seeing a strong trend away from ‘cheap’ parts back towards genuine OE replacements in all markets where technicians understand the true benefits.”
The addition comes as OESAA’s preparations continue for an unprecedented programme of activity in 2016. This begins in earnest with a substantial commitment to June’s eagerly awaited Automechanika, taking place at the NEC Birmingham from 7th to 9th June.
OESAA’s drive to ensure motor factors and garages are fully aware of the engineering excellence of OE components, as well as the risks with ‘matching quality’ alternatives, seems set to gain a significant boost from the involvement of the global driveline technology leader.
“We’re delighted to welcome GKN into OESAA,” said Nigel Morgan, OESAA Chairman. “GKN is a global engineering business that works with vehicle manufacturers to develop leading-edge technologies so we’re certain their expertise can only strengthen our persuasive message for garages.”
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.
To find out more, please visit www.oe-suppliers.org .
Katherine Thompson | Account Manager | katherine@autotechcomms.co.uk
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.
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