EURO CAR PARTS BRANCH MANAGERS SEE THE FUTURE OF THE UK AFTERMARKET
Last weekend (December 10 and 11), 100 branch managers and over 100 head office staff congregated at Euro Car Parts’ National Distribution Centre in Tamworth for their ‘BIGGER, BETTER, FASTER, SMARTER’ conference. The conference was summed up by Chairman Sukhpal Singh who opened and closed the event. He said: “I can promise all of you a future of excitement, opportunity and phenomenal rewards.” “Despite the economic challenges the year has finished off better in every measurement compared to last year we now distribute 50% more parts than our nearest competitor… have 1,000 new colleague have opened 20 new branches including eight regional hubs… have our own garage concept - Bosch AutoCrew and are already over halfway to our three year growth target in just 12 months.” There was however a cautionary note to the audience: Sukhpal added: “A threat bigger than all our competitors put together is complacency – if we relax or take our position for granted, we will perish. We must never be arrogant, or else we will not learn from our mistakes. “Connectivity to our people and customers will continue to be crucial and the most important ingredient in our success during 2011. Yes, growth is dynamic, growth is exciting but only if we really listen to the needs of our customers and then meet them.” The investment of nearly £20m in the new National Distribution Centre, £12m in new branches as well as 250 new delivery vans really only tells part of the story - the branch managers in attendance were also apprised of other exciting plans for 2011 including: new ranges, new brands, increased resources at branch level and a variety of new employee benefits. One lucky manager even left the conference with the keys to a £270,000 Lamborghini Murcielago! It has been the most astonishing year for Euro Car Parts, 23 branches opened, eight Regional Distribution Centres, a 400,000 sq ft National Distribution Centre and a brand new fleet of trucks, plus more than 15 branches have been re-fitted and extended to provide additional warehousing and office space. Sir Tom Farmer was guest of honour and held the floor for over an hour relating stories of his time building various companies including Kwik Fit. One branch manager with over 20 experience years in the automotive aftermarket stated: “The excitement, opportunities and plans for the future are amazing – the investment and plans for 2011 knocked us off our seats. I am speechless, no other company in the aftermarket is offering its staff and customers what Euro Car Parts have laid on the table this weekend.” Sukhpal Singh concluded: “Everything we do is about our customers and every penny we earn goes right back into the business to develop a stronger company that can service the needs of the aftermarket.”
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