INSIDE THIS ISSUE…
REGULARS
2 Note from the MD
3 For Your Information
14 Newsdesk
15 Take a Break with PMA
26 FPS Product Index
28 Competition Time
Your chance to win a bicycle of your choice – plus a Winter Cycle
Pack, courtesy of REMY!
FEATURES
4 Testing Excellence
FPS invests in quality control with ‘The Lab’
6 Kit Out the Shocks
BOGE explains why you should always complement new shock
absorbers with their associated service kits
6 DENSO Gap Fillers
Expanding the 360° application coverage with more products
from DENSO
7 Switched On
CAMBIARE talks about power steering oil pressure switches
8 Heat Resist and Don’t Lose Your Cool
VITAL NEWS discovers important tips on interior blowers and
heater resistors
9 Mind the Gaps
FEDERAL-MOGUL addresses queries about the apparent
differences in piston ring gaps
10 Bright Opportunities
RING sheds light on the latest developments in LED lighting
11 The Common Interest
VITAL NEWS investigates the latest in Common Rail technology
12 MAHLE Innovation and Uncompromising
Quality
Introducing the MAHLE range of original components and VICTOR
REINZ sealing products
13 FPS Galvanises Supply Chain
FPS reinforces supply chain network by streamlining same-day
inventory
16 Start-Stop, Power On
GS BATTERIES describes the challenges of Start-Stop technology
– and how you can benefit from it
17 Partner Up with GATES
VITAL NEWS finds out how to benefit from the TechPartner
Programme by GATES
18 Clean Cooling
FIRST LINE tells VITAL NEWS all you need to know about electric
water pumps
WELCOME
Note from the MD
Welcome to the latest issue of Vital News.
The past few months have been a
whirlwind of change. We started with
Brexit, the market’s knee jerk reaction to
the surprise outcome, and then the slow
realisation that the world hadn’t ended as
we “kept calm and carried on”. Then the
massive GB medal haul at the Olympics,
what a shame half the races were in the
middle of the night as the US media
controlled the schedules, but still
a fantastic achievement.
And then we have our very own “Lexit”,
with the announcement that Lookers
has reached an agreement whereby the
Parts Division (consisting of FPS, Apec
and BTN) will transfer to the ownership
of Alliance Automotive Group, a large
European aftermarket business, backed
by Blackstone. As with Brexit, this was a
surprise for many, but we really see it as
moving from a main dealer investor to an
aftermarket investor. We will continue to
run independently and work as hard as
we can to serve all of our customers to the
best of our ability, just as we have always
strived to do, so essentially no change.
As a demonstration of this, this issue of
Vital News covers our continual efforts
to reinforce our supply chain where we
catch up on the progress of our Super
Branches. Our commitment to delivering
value and quality has led us to invest
in the expansion of our quality control
centre. Find out more about the extensive
measures that our team have put in
place to set the standard in customer
satisfaction and QC on page 4.
We also celebrate a new partnership with
aftermarket giant, Mahle on page 12. This
has afforded FPS to further galvanise
and expand our component portfolio.
Vital News also has a guide on piston
rings by Federal-Mogul and news from
our suppliers like Boge, First Line, Ring,
Carwood, Cambiare, GS Batteries, Gates,
Comma, Castrol and Anaf.
As we approach the colder months, page
19 covers winter essentials to make sure
that you don’t get left out in the cold
with sales.
We also have an interesting take on
winter sales by preparing you for winter
cyclists. Many cycling enthusiasts would
not miss a chance to get more miles
in during the colder months, no doubt
spurred on by our Olympic success.
They will need to be kitted out for winter
cycling. Page 20 has some sales ideas to
brace you for the seasonal demand. We
also have a summarised update from
Wendy Williamson on IAAF activities.
As always, we continue to look forward
to your feedback on how to make the
business better.
Meanwhile, happy reading!
Neil Davis
Managing Director, FPS
[email protected]
PROUD TO SUPPORT
CONTRIBUTORS THIS ISSUE…
19 Brace Your Shelves. Winter is Coming
Making sure you’re well stocked with winter essentials
20 Warm Up for a Cold Cycle
VITAL NEWS sheds light on sales opportunities from winter
cyclists this season.
21 Going with the Flow
COMMA explains why using OEM-approved oils is so important
22 Stop Idle Damage, Start with Magnatec
How CASTROL’s Magnatec provides vital protection for your
customers’ engines
23 Fighting Flames with ANAF
ANAF stresses the importance of effective fire control
ORANGE = PMS P30-8C
GREY = 40% BLACK
24 IAAF Update
The latest news from IAAF Chief Executive Wendy Williamson
25 Hard-to-Find Parts
The latest additions to the 360° parts portfolio
2 CONTENTS
VITAL NEWS ISSUE 44