October 2009
Today's cars are packed with electronics, with an average of around forty ECUs that control safety equipment (Airbag, ESP®, …), as well as those handling comfort (air conditioning, navigation, …) or even engine functions (injection, idling, …). Though maintenance and repair of these components are no longer the sole domain of dealerships, thanks in part to multi-make diagnostic tools and technical training, it is no less true that trade in these technical parts for the most part eludes the independent spares sector.
Based on this fact, the Autodistribution Group – the French and European leader in independent distribution of car and HGV spare parts - true to its desire to offer its customers comprehensive solutions with high added value, has decided to position itself as the leader in this market with high growth potential for all parties involved. After launching its range of multi-make diagnostic tools "Diag’issimo", AD is using the Equip’Auto trade show to launch its "Technical Parts" program, which focusses on 3 areas:
- The technical supply through its technical platforms
- The technical parts training dispensed by the AD Institute
- Sales assistance marketing tools
This scheme aims to remove all the braking factors that the sector can encounter in this type of operation.
AD technical platforms:
The common rail parts repair market represents a great opportunity for the independent spares sector. This market still needs to be clearly identified and organised. Already heavily involved in this sector via management structures for these repairs, and thanks to a large parts portfolio, it stands to reason that AD should become the major player on this market. So the technical platforms are aimed at offering an "all-in-one" package to the Autodistribution group distributors, who will pass on the scheme to repairers.
Hence a technical platform is a distributor which:
- meets the equipment manufacturers' selectivity criteria for CR repairs
- has at least 3 technicians able to work on common rail pumps and diesel injectors
- holds a technical parts stock covering the entire range of vehicles
Autodistribution now has a national network boasting 15 platforms, which already establishes the group as a major player on this market.
So a waterfall organisation has been adopted:
The AD platform overhauls common rail systems, offers a technical hotline for distributors and stocks 100% of technical part ranges
The AD distributor procures the overhauled and new parts from the technical platform, and stocks the biggest selling technical parts using the Pareto principle.
The repairer procures the overhauled & new parts and technical parts
from its distributor
AD training in technical parts
Via the AD Institute, a variety of training is offered to provide all operators with the best possible help. For distributor personnel, this will involve assisting them in providing advice on and selling these parts, by means of the various modules available to them. For repairers, the Millennium program is the express route to boosting their skills in the fields of diagnostics and diesel injection. The equipment manufacturers make a commitment to Autodistribution, and will also provide the specific training to the AD distributors.
Sales assistance marketing tools
Autodistribution has rolled out a whole toolkit with the aim of facilitating the sale of technical parts, but also recommending and selecting ad hoc parts. We can mention, for example, the AD Technical parts catalogue, or the counter mat, available in the distributor's or repairer's version, which is very practical for quick identification of product families. And of course the group's cross-business tool Autossimo, thanks to which finding and identifying technical parts is simplified, and technical databases can be accessed with a single click.
The Autodistribution Group plans to maintain its leading position in the spares market, and strengthen the range of technical parts and services offered to its customer repairers.
The Autodistribution Group in brief
The Autodistribution Group is a French and European leader in the independent distribution of car and heavy goods vehicle parts. Alongside its distribution activities, the Autodistribution Group is also the number one independent car repairer via its brands Garage AD and Garage Expert, AutoPrimo, Staff Auto, Auto Service AD, Carrosserie AD, Centre Technique Automobile and number one HGV repairer with its AD PL Garages and Outlets.
The Autodistribution Group was established in 1962, employs a staff of 6 500 and is projected a turnover of 1.1 billion euros in 2009. The company has a presence in Poland via its subsidiary AD Polska and in Italy via its subsidiary Parts Distribuzione Italia, and holds minority interests in the Netherlands and Morocco.
Press contact:
Nathalie Dunoir
00 33 4 91 19 16 16
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Pieces_techniques.pdf