PDP 2024 Winter Conference
The PDP held their annual winter conference in Solden Austria this year (2024). The conference was the largest to date with great representation from both PDP members and approved suppliers alike.
News
A sign that there is a degree of a return to normality in some areas post COVID
The PDP Group held their first face-to-face meeting with the membership since before the epidemic forced changes on the way we all live, work, and communicate. The meeting was held over two days in Doncaster, close to the PDP warehouse and offices.
The event commenced with a small exhibition for suppliers giving them the opportunity to showcase their businesses and communicate directly with PDP members
The meeting was held to update members on progress within the group, launch some new initiatives and reach agreement on supplier approvals on some key product groups.
As the membership of the group consist of likeminded people who enjoy working with each other and sharing the benefits, there was a celebratory mood in part since face-to-face contact has been so limited.
The PDP Group members are currently faced with supply and pricing issues
5th November 2021. The PDP Group members are currently faced with supply and pricing issues as not only the rest of the UK industry, but other sectors and indeed businesses in other countries and continents are experiencing the same problems.
As the World wakes as COVID cases decline and businesses reopen and demand increases, we are faced with the triple whammy of demand for the supply of product from manufacturers outstripping supply, a lack of capacity on ships, in containers and on lorries to transport the goods that are available, and a release of the pent-up demand from garage customers as their customers return to them.
Inevitably, this perfect storm is resulting in price increases and poor availability, not just for us, but for everyone in our industry.
Whilst this presents challenges as a group, the loyalty, relationships, and growth that we have developed with and delivered to our suppliers is being rewarded and without exception our individual members are going the extra mile to try and source product.
There is no quick fix to these difficulties, which aren’t unique to us, but we are united and doing our utmost to mitigate any problems.
The Bremen bearing range relaunched
1st November 2021. As part of the ongoing and constant review of the PDP private label branded product, the Bremen bearing range was relaunched on the 1st of November.
The detailed review consisted of product sourcing, pricing, and product range.
The Bremen product range has been extended to almost 300 part numbers which covers approximately 80% of the UK car parc.
Leeds 10k road race raising £500 for charity
11th September 2021. A keen rugby league supporter our team member Jim Mazza alongside his wife successfully completed the Leeds 10k road race raising £500 for charity.The beneficiaries of the sponsorship were the Leeds Rhinos Foundation that works locally with young people and the MND charity (Motor Neurone Disease).
The MND has come to the forefront of the minds of Rugby League supporters as a former Rhinos player Rob Burrow was diagnosed with this awful disease for which there is no cure.
The rugby league community has come together to raise money, with the former Rhinos captain and Rob teammate spearheading the campaign to raise money, running seven marathons in seven days. The story was given extra impetus, by BBC television who have covered the story and continue to give it publicity.
Rob himself has written a book ‘Too many reasons to live’ which is available at all good book shops and donations to support MND sufferers can be made at https://www.mndassociation.org/get-involved/donations/
Auto Spares Wales open second branch
2nd August 2021. Following the launch of the new business Auto Spares Wales in Newport South Wales, the success has been beyond all expectations. As a consequence of the demand they have experienced on 2nd August they have opened a second branch close by in Crumlin
The undoubted progress is due to the 75 years industry experience of the people working for Auto Spare Wales, the commitment to carry stock, all supported by the PDP Group purchasing activity working closely with approved suppliers to the group.
Obituary
17th March 2021. We were saddened to hear of the untimely passing of Steve Fisher who was the industry face of Apec Braking.
Steve was highly regarded within the industry for his honesty and integrity, and he will be missed by all those that had the pleasure of dealing with him.
Our thoughts are with his wife Marsh and children Tom and Alice at this, the saddest of times.
PDP are pleased to announce that on 1st March 2021 we welcomed another member to our Group
Auto Spares Wales is a new independent, owner managed motor factor operating from premises in Rogerstone, Newport. The experienced owners and employees of Auto Spares Wales offer knowledge and supply of traditional car parts, with the additional speciality of cooling components.
Auto Spares Wales becomes the twenty first member of our Group
Happy 40th Anniversary for Bullseye as they open in Wakefield
We are delighted to announce the opening of Bullseyes 18th site in Wakefield, this is an iconic building from the commanding days of Andrew Page and was once their head office, It later came under ECP control then ASAP Auto Parts before going into administration. Andrew Page was instrumental in helping Stacy purchase the site for Bullseye and was pleased that Bullseye managed to secure many of the original Andrew Page team to help bring Wakefield back to its former glory. Stacy Phillips, Bullseye Managing Director said
“Bullseye is a family owned business and I’m very proud to say in our 40th anniversary year that we can welcome this new branch and team into the Bullseye family. It is always demanding to open a new branch but to open while navigating a worldwide pandemic is testament to our people the service we provide and the strong supplier support we receive. Being a member of the PDP gives me confidence to expand knowing we have that strong supplier partnerships that support growth with the knowledge that you know you can compete on any level”
The whole PDP would like to wish Stacy and his team every success with their new venture.
1st October 2020 Automotive Supplies joins the PDP Group membership
After an approach from Automotive Supplies of Londonderry with a request to join our group, they were welcomed as a full member of PDP from 1st October 2020.
This underlines the commitment of PDP to grow the group in a controlled manner, with the aim being to attract like-minded individuals that recognise the benefits of being part of a collaborative organisation with the simple aim to support them in their independent businesses.
1st March 2020 Leada Components joins the PDP Group membership
We are delighted to announce that Leada Components of Darlington have joined our group from the 1st March
With the owners having previous experience running an extremely successful motor factor business, accepting Leada as a member to the group is a departure from the normal criteria for membership but demonstrates our confidence in the people in Leada to build their business supported by all that PDP have to offer.
AV Taylor Ltd latest member to join PDP Group membership roster
PDP Group are proud to announce that AV Taylor Ltd, has joined our expanding network of leading aftermarket businesses.
A.V Taylor Ltd is a long-standing independent motor factor and the North East's leading car part and accessory retailer, adding greater strength to our coverage in the North of England.
Alastair Whatmore, Chairman Parts Distribution Partnership, said: "We're delighted to welcome AV Taylor to the group."
Melksham Motor Spares - IAAF Car Distributor of Excellence!
Melksham Motor Spares are proud to announce their award of Car Distributor of Excellence at the The Independent Automotive Aftermarket Federation (IAAF) Annual Awards & Dinner 2018.
Based in the South West with branches in Melksham and Frome, MMS are perfectly placed to provide customers with a level of service that is second to none. Established in 1968, they remain an independent firm with traditional values and their acknowledgment by the IAAF and industry peers is testament to their superb service to garage, trade and private customers.
The rest of the members of the PDP Group would like to add their congratulations on this well deserved accolade.
Jim Mazza joins the PDP team!
Parts Distribution Partnership are delighted to announce that Jim Mazza will be joining the Group's management team with immediate effect as Vice Chairman. Working with the members he will assist in every aspect of the group's development.
Alastair Whatmore the PDP Group Chairman comments: "With consolidation in the market showing little signs of slowing down, we recognise the need to change, to grow and to develop a group that is well positioned to take advantage of the opportunities that undoubtedly exist for independent motor factors and their suppliers.
Jim has an impressive track record in the automotive aftermarket and brings to our group a wealth of experience and buying group knowledge which will undoubtedly help us to achieve our objectives.
I am pleased that Jim has demonstrated his commitment to PDP in agreeing an initial fixed term agreement of three years with the option to extend it at the end of the period and am looking forward to the progress we will make together".
Jim Mazza says "On a personal note I am glad that the weeks of speculation have come to an end and whilst somewhat bemused and flattered by the level of interest my return to the aftermarket has created, I am humbled by the levels of support I have received since first suggesting that I would like to get involved again".
Jim Mazza adds: "A decision to join the PDP team was not taken lightly and having spent some time looking at what PDP does and its hopes and aspirations, I came away convinced that the group presents exciting prospects to grow and develop initially for the benefit of the existing membership, but ultimately for those motor factors looking for a safe harbour in turbulent times.
PDP is undoubtedly a platform to build on and I am looking forward with relish to working with the group, its members and its supplier partners and helping PDP achieve its ambitious aims'.
New role for Martin
The PDP are delighted to announce the promotion of Martin Pavier to Commercial Director of the Group. Martin has worked hard to develop strong supplier relationships and worked with individual members to help them with the introduction of new product ranges to the benefit of all their businesses. We wish martin well in his new role.
MTS Exhausts
The PDP are proud to announce the approval of MTS exhausts. Established in 1973 MTS have been producing exhaust silencers to OE specification and above. Their autonomous robots ensure the highest quality of weld to match the pressed muffler interior and 2mm thick end caps. The visual appearance of the MTS exhaust along with the weight of the product was apparent in the search for a premium supplier. The Italy based manufacturer now has a distribution site in the UK to service the PDP members on a daily basis. Members of the PDP are offered exclusive distribution to their area of operation.