Specialist supplier of Japanese and Korean parts, Solid Auto, has showcased its product range at the annual Temot spring conference in Warsaw. Attended by over 60 member companies from four continents, with collective purchases of around €9bn, this provided an ideal opportunity for Solid Auto to open up a number of new overseas markets.
The Solid Auto range is available across over 60 different product groups with more than 87,000 applications. Based in the West Midlands, Solid Auto stocks OE and OE quality brands for filters, braking, transmission, cooling, steering and suspension products. With plans to develop the range further through 2016/17, the company is expecting to grow its market presence.
Solid Auto general manager, Mark Price attended the event and said: “We were delighted with the level of interest shown in what we can offer and are now set to visit a number of countries in the coming weeks where we believe there are immediate opportunities to develop the Solid Auto brand and range.”
Customers interested in finding out more about Solid Auto should visit: www.solidautouk.co.uk or call 0121 561 6450 for information about parts.
Wednesday 8 June 2016
Friday 27 May 2016
Solid parts added to product range
Solid Auto UK has added 31 fast moving part numbers to its extensive range of specialist Japanese and Korean automotive products.
The additions comprise cabin filters, oil filters, fuel filters, brake discs, clutch kits, and multi-rib belts.
In total, 104 references have been brought to market by the specialist supplier, as it continues to assess and meet ever-changing customer requirements. Solid’s portfolio now features more than 7500 part numbers, fitting close to 90,000 vehicle applications.
New oil filters cover a wide range of vehicle applications, including: Nissan Qashqai J11 (2013) and J10 (2011-15); Suzuki Swift (2011-15); and Honda Civic (2012) and their derivatives.
The new cabin filter covers popular Japanese model, Nissan Qashqai J11 (2013 onwards).
Meanwhile, the new two-piece clutch kits cover Toyota Auris (2008-13) and Yaris (2009 onwards), with a concentric slave cylinder available separately.
Finally, the new-to-range multi-rib belts cover several vehicle applications including: Kia Picanto (2011), and Nissan Kubistar (2003-10) and Micra (2003-11).
Listings for the new part numbers can now be found on MAM’s AutoCat+ V8 cataloguing system. To ensure full part number visibility, Solid Auto has recently produced a new five step guide to assist motor factors with activating these references on their AutoCat+ system.
The step-by-step guide is available to download as a PDF from the company’s website www.solidautouk.co.uk or by emailing uksales@solidautouk.co.uk. A comprehensive buyer’s guide is also available.
The additions comprise cabin filters, oil filters, fuel filters, brake discs, clutch kits, and multi-rib belts.
In total, 104 references have been brought to market by the specialist supplier, as it continues to assess and meet ever-changing customer requirements. Solid’s portfolio now features more than 7500 part numbers, fitting close to 90,000 vehicle applications.
New oil filters cover a wide range of vehicle applications, including: Nissan Qashqai J11 (2013) and J10 (2011-15); Suzuki Swift (2011-15); and Honda Civic (2012) and their derivatives.
The new cabin filter covers popular Japanese model, Nissan Qashqai J11 (2013 onwards).
Meanwhile, the new two-piece clutch kits cover Toyota Auris (2008-13) and Yaris (2009 onwards), with a concentric slave cylinder available separately.
Finally, the new-to-range multi-rib belts cover several vehicle applications including: Kia Picanto (2011), and Nissan Kubistar (2003-10) and Micra (2003-11).
Listings for the new part numbers can now be found on MAM’s AutoCat+ V8 cataloguing system. To ensure full part number visibility, Solid Auto has recently produced a new five step guide to assist motor factors with activating these references on their AutoCat+ system.
The step-by-step guide is available to download as a PDF from the company’s website www.solidautouk.co.uk or by emailing uksales@solidautouk.co.uk. A comprehensive buyer’s guide is also available.
Thursday 19 May 2016
Solid Auto launches new brand identity
Solid Auto UK is introducing a completely new corporate identity, including new logo and brand imagery – for its entire Japanese and Korean product portfolio.
The updated branding and new packaging is designed with the customer in mind, ensuring a high quality contemporary visual image, which is backed up by the OE quality product inside the box.
The launch follows months of development and refinement by Solid Auto, resulting in a high quality, competitively priced product now within eye-catching packaging, along side specialist support and customer service.
Over the next 12 months, all of Solid’s extensive product range will benefit from the new branding, including filters, braking, transmission, cooling, steering and suspension, electrical and engine components.
Adair Lord, marketing manager for Solid Auto, said: “This is one of the biggest development and investment projects at Solid Auto in its 33 year history and demonstrates our continued commitment to supporting our customers in the independent aftermarket”.
“Since the very beginning we have continued to offer a high quality product portfolio and we are proud that this is now complemented by our contemporary new branding. In today’s industry, it is essential to promote a powerful brand identity and we are investing heavily in all areas of our business so that our brand resonates strongly with motor factors and garages.”
“We look forward to implementing the packaging nationally and help drive sales through our valued customer base.”
To support the new imagery, Solid is increasing its communication with customers so that they can sell the brand with confidence. This includes a new quarterly newsletter, trade press campaign, social media and regular e-bulletins, as well as PR and marketing material.
The updated branding and new packaging is designed with the customer in mind, ensuring a high quality contemporary visual image, which is backed up by the OE quality product inside the box.
The launch follows months of development and refinement by Solid Auto, resulting in a high quality, competitively priced product now within eye-catching packaging, along side specialist support and customer service.
Over the next 12 months, all of Solid’s extensive product range will benefit from the new branding, including filters, braking, transmission, cooling, steering and suspension, electrical and engine components.
Adair Lord, marketing manager for Solid Auto, said: “This is one of the biggest development and investment projects at Solid Auto in its 33 year history and demonstrates our continued commitment to supporting our customers in the independent aftermarket”.
“Since the very beginning we have continued to offer a high quality product portfolio and we are proud that this is now complemented by our contemporary new branding. In today’s industry, it is essential to promote a powerful brand identity and we are investing heavily in all areas of our business so that our brand resonates strongly with motor factors and garages.”
“We look forward to implementing the packaging nationally and help drive sales through our valued customer base.”
To support the new imagery, Solid is increasing its communication with customers so that they can sell the brand with confidence. This includes a new quarterly newsletter, trade press campaign, social media and regular e-bulletins, as well as PR and marketing material.
Thursday 14 April 2016
A solid plan to grow filter range
Solid Auto UK has revealed plans to accelerate the growth of its market leading range of filters for Japanese and Korean vehicles, with a specific focus on providing motor factors and garages with OE-quality products.
Sales Manager, Philip Whitehouse, said “As a specialist within the industry, we are a trusted source of quality products for both motor factors and garages. With a greater number of brands and companies supplying parts into the aftermarket, it is essential the distribution chain has full traceability in parts supply and confidence in their fitment.”
Solid Auto’s portfolio of high quality air, oil, fuel and cabin filters is one of its most popular ranges. This, the company believes, is a direct result of products adhering to ISO9001 quality management standards and an effective pricing policy ensuring customers have a competitively priced product without compromising on quality.
All of Solid’s air filters come with high quality element material to ensure particles under 20 microns are filtered out - smaller than the diameter of a human hair.
Meanwhile, Solid Auto's oil filters are pressure-leak tested during production with a minimum burst strength of 15kg/cm2 - a standard engine is 5kg/cm2, so filters far exceed what is typically required for a smooth operation.
Whitehouse added: “Looking ahead, we will use our expertise and heritage to maintain our specialism within the filter market. Our renowned reputation enables customers to put their trust in our brand and rely upon us to consistently deliver the best service in the market.”
Sales Manager, Philip Whitehouse, said “As a specialist within the industry, we are a trusted source of quality products for both motor factors and garages. With a greater number of brands and companies supplying parts into the aftermarket, it is essential the distribution chain has full traceability in parts supply and confidence in their fitment.”
Solid Auto’s portfolio of high quality air, oil, fuel and cabin filters is one of its most popular ranges. This, the company believes, is a direct result of products adhering to ISO9001 quality management standards and an effective pricing policy ensuring customers have a competitively priced product without compromising on quality.
All of Solid’s air filters come with high quality element material to ensure particles under 20 microns are filtered out - smaller than the diameter of a human hair.
Meanwhile, Solid Auto's oil filters are pressure-leak tested during production with a minimum burst strength of 15kg/cm2 - a standard engine is 5kg/cm2, so filters far exceed what is typically required for a smooth operation.
Whitehouse added: “Looking ahead, we will use our expertise and heritage to maintain our specialism within the filter market. Our renowned reputation enables customers to put their trust in our brand and rely upon us to consistently deliver the best service in the market.”
Tuesday 15 March 2016
Solid Auto acquired by Andrew Page
Solid Auto (UK) Ltd is pleased to announce that the company has been acquired by the Andrew Page Group.
Solid’s Japanese & Korean heritage and specialist expertise, has operated for more than 32 years and is seen as a valuable asset to Andrew Page who now operate 108 branches throughout the UK.
Business will continue very much as normal at Solid Auto and with its additional financial strength will look for growth throughout the UK and Europe.
The fast-growing Leeds headquartered business has bought Solid Auto (UK) for an undisclosed sum as part of its growth strategy in the car parts market. Significantly, the acquisition will also strengthen Andrew Page's sourcing capability in China and the Far East. Chairman Jim Sumner said, "Birmingham-based Solid Auto has established a very good reputation as a specialist supplier over the last three decades".
Japanese and Korean cars make up around 20 per cent of the UK car market. Jim Sumner said: "We are very strong in American, UK and European marques. There is a very good growth opportunity for us in Japanese and Korean car parts. We are actively pursuing a differentiation strategy. Our key brands are increasingly differentiated from what competitors are offering and acquiring Solid Auto drives that further. Our goal is to be the UK's leading specialist Japanese and Korean car parts player."
Mark Price, managing director of Solid Auto, said: "I am confident there will be significant benefits across the group given our expertise in Far East sourcing and detailed understanding of the market. "I believe there is a great cultural fit between Andrew Page and Solid Auto."
Andrew Page, which is owned by Colton Mill Holdings, has also published new annual results showing a 12 per cent increase in turnover to £192m. In the first full year since its refinancing in 2014, the company reported a doubling of core earnings to £9.6m* in the 12 months to September 30th 2015. "We are delighted with the trading performance," said Mark Saunders, chief executive. "It is the result of a lot of hard work by the whole team at Andrew Page for which I am very grateful."
Andrew Page invested £15m in the last financial year as it prepares for growth in turnover and profitability. It has invested nearly £8m in a 500-strong fleet of new vans. These are installed with the latest telemetry systems to dramatically improve the efficiency of distribution operations. Mark Saunders said: "It's amazing the message this sends to our market place when they see shiny new vans turning up."
The company also invested more than £1m in a state-of-the-art telephony system to transform communications across the business, which has 108 sites and 2,300 staff. In addition it has increased capacity by 40 per cent at its central distribution centre at Markham Vale, off the M1, boosting its ability to constantly refresh its stock and serve the online market and expanding network of retail outlets.
Andrew Page has invested £500,000 in a new online platform retail.andrewpage.com and mobile phone technology to feed changing consumer demand. Finally it added 21 new sites with the acquisition of select assets from Unipart Automotive in July 2014.
Mark Saunders concluded: "You can see the culmination of these improvements in the results, the first since our refinancing. We have a growth strategy, a wonderful distribution network with overnight capability and we remain very optimistic about the future."
*Earnings before interest, depreciation and amortisation
Solid’s Japanese & Korean heritage and specialist expertise, has operated for more than 32 years and is seen as a valuable asset to Andrew Page who now operate 108 branches throughout the UK.
Business will continue very much as normal at Solid Auto and with its additional financial strength will look for growth throughout the UK and Europe.
The fast-growing Leeds headquartered business has bought Solid Auto (UK) for an undisclosed sum as part of its growth strategy in the car parts market. Significantly, the acquisition will also strengthen Andrew Page's sourcing capability in China and the Far East. Chairman Jim Sumner said, "Birmingham-based Solid Auto has established a very good reputation as a specialist supplier over the last three decades".
Japanese and Korean cars make up around 20 per cent of the UK car market. Jim Sumner said: "We are very strong in American, UK and European marques. There is a very good growth opportunity for us in Japanese and Korean car parts. We are actively pursuing a differentiation strategy. Our key brands are increasingly differentiated from what competitors are offering and acquiring Solid Auto drives that further. Our goal is to be the UK's leading specialist Japanese and Korean car parts player."
Mark Price, managing director of Solid Auto, said: "I am confident there will be significant benefits across the group given our expertise in Far East sourcing and detailed understanding of the market. "I believe there is a great cultural fit between Andrew Page and Solid Auto."
Andrew Page, which is owned by Colton Mill Holdings, has also published new annual results showing a 12 per cent increase in turnover to £192m. In the first full year since its refinancing in 2014, the company reported a doubling of core earnings to £9.6m* in the 12 months to September 30th 2015. "We are delighted with the trading performance," said Mark Saunders, chief executive. "It is the result of a lot of hard work by the whole team at Andrew Page for which I am very grateful."
Andrew Page invested £15m in the last financial year as it prepares for growth in turnover and profitability. It has invested nearly £8m in a 500-strong fleet of new vans. These are installed with the latest telemetry systems to dramatically improve the efficiency of distribution operations. Mark Saunders said: "It's amazing the message this sends to our market place when they see shiny new vans turning up."
The company also invested more than £1m in a state-of-the-art telephony system to transform communications across the business, which has 108 sites and 2,300 staff. In addition it has increased capacity by 40 per cent at its central distribution centre at Markham Vale, off the M1, boosting its ability to constantly refresh its stock and serve the online market and expanding network of retail outlets.
Andrew Page has invested £500,000 in a new online platform retail.andrewpage.com and mobile phone technology to feed changing consumer demand. Finally it added 21 new sites with the acquisition of select assets from Unipart Automotive in July 2014.
Mark Saunders concluded: "You can see the culmination of these improvements in the results, the first since our refinancing. We have a growth strategy, a wonderful distribution network with overnight capability and we remain very optimistic about the future."
*Earnings before interest, depreciation and amortisation
Wednesday 2 March 2016
CAAR membership brings Solid growth
Solid Auto UK Ltd has announced growth with CAAR members, after recently becoming an approved supplier to the buying group.
Approved across all products and brands, CAAR’s membership has benefitted from specialist stock packs, designed to ensure they profit from a minimal parts holding but still offer high coverage of the widest range of vehicles possible.
As an official UK distributor for the full range of DENSO aftermarket products, the brand has proven incredibly popular with members, which is backed up by Solid’s exceptional service and support.
Mike Harrod of CAAR member Harrods Motor Components, based in Stockport said: “Since we began working with Solid Auto, we have been really pleased with the modern approach of the company and their willingness, where possible, to adapt their working practices to suit the customer. The supplier is in tune with the market and supplies us with a range specifically tailored to sell and grow our business.”
CAAR managing director, Dave Owen, echoed Harrod’s comment: “Solid has taken a long term approach to supplying the group and the business is growing well. From speaking to members, the feedback has been very positive and the efficiency of their supply has been highlighted regularly.”
Mark Price, managing director of Solid Auto, said: “Our specialist approach sets us apart, and our knowledge and expertise is market leading. We will continue to develop our product range to reach an even wider target audience and ensure customers continue receiving exceptional service.”
Approved across all products and brands, CAAR’s membership has benefitted from specialist stock packs, designed to ensure they profit from a minimal parts holding but still offer high coverage of the widest range of vehicles possible.
As an official UK distributor for the full range of DENSO aftermarket products, the brand has proven incredibly popular with members, which is backed up by Solid’s exceptional service and support.
Mike Harrod of CAAR member Harrods Motor Components, based in Stockport said: “Since we began working with Solid Auto, we have been really pleased with the modern approach of the company and their willingness, where possible, to adapt their working practices to suit the customer. The supplier is in tune with the market and supplies us with a range specifically tailored to sell and grow our business.”
CAAR managing director, Dave Owen, echoed Harrod’s comment: “Solid has taken a long term approach to supplying the group and the business is growing well. From speaking to members, the feedback has been very positive and the efficiency of their supply has been highlighted regularly.”
Mark Price, managing director of Solid Auto, said: “Our specialist approach sets us apart, and our knowledge and expertise is market leading. We will continue to develop our product range to reach an even wider target audience and ensure customers continue receiving exceptional service.”
Tuesday 2 February 2016
A ‘Solid’ suspension addition
Solid Auto UK has added an extra rear suspension lateral link and stabiliser link to its extensive product range for Japanese and Korean vehicles.
Lateral link M242032 covers 23 applications in total for the popular Mazda 6 (2005-07). Fitted to the rear suspension mechanism, this link comes with highly durable rubber bushes to maximise longevity, while stabiliser link N142058 for the Nissan NV200 has been added to their light commercial vehicle (LCV) range.
The company’s complete steering and suspension range features more than 364 numbers for more than 9000 Japanese, Korean and Grey Import vehicle applications.
Vehicle marques covered include: Chevrolet, Daewoo, Daihatsu, Honda, Hyundai, Kia, Mazda, Mitsubishi, Nissan, Subaru, Suzuki, Toyota and their derivatives.
Listings for the new part numbers can now be found on MAM’s AutoCat+ V8 cataloguing system. To ensure full part number visibility, Solid Auto has recently produced a new five step guide to assist motor factors with activating these references on their AutoCat+ system.
The step-by-step guide is available to download as a PDF from the company’s website www.solidautouk.co.uk or by emailing uksales@solidautouk.co.uk
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