IT and connectivity service provider for the independent aftermarket, eparts Automotive, is delighted to announce that Component Distributors, Ireland’s leading Warehouse Distributor, has chosen to connect with the eparts trading exchange.
Established in 1963, Component Distributors Group comprises four companies in six different locations throughout Ireland and employs more than 120 people in its role as sole distributor for a range of leading aftermarket products. Each company is autonomously operated and services its own developed markets such as components and accessories, paints and refinishing and, training.
The integration of Component Distributors with eparts will enable electronic trading with its suppliers through a single, manageable connection.
The eparts trading exchange enables business documents to flow between buyer and supplier as electronic messages, saving time, waste and cost through automating documents such as: Stock enquiries, orders, order acknowledgements, delivery notes, invoices and credits.
Ken Knox, MD of Component Distributors, said: “For some time now, we have sought a means of enabling comprehensive electronic trading with our suppliers. eparts offers us a proven service with existing connectivity with most of our major suppliers, which will help us streamline trading, improve our internal processes, and save everyone time. This in turn will allow us to improve our service to our customers. We see that eparts will remove the complexity of electronic trading and allow us to focus on the sharp end of the business – our customer.”
Mark Rudge, eparts Managing Director, added: “Component Distributors is a leading player in the Irish aftermarket, with a growing market share and forward thinking approach. I am delighted that eparts will play an integral role in helping to develop CD’s supply chain connectivity. For Component Distributors, even with comparatively long lead times, the benefits provided by the service will certainly make for efficiencies in trading with their suppliers – and will also reduce the suppliers cost of trading with CD – all of which will further strengthen the relationship between buyer and supplier.”
IT and connectivity service provider for the UK aftermarket, eparts Automotive, has announced that spring manufacturer Lesjöfors has commenced trading on the eparts’ trading exchange.
eparts is designed specifically for the requirements of the UK automotive aftermarket. The exchange allows buyers and suppliers of all sizes to trade through a single, manageable connection – into a trading exchange – with multiple trading partners.
The eparts exchange enables business documents to flow between buyer and supplier as electronic messages, saving time, waste and cost through automating documents such as: Stock enquiries, Orders, order acknowledgements, delivery notes, invoices and credits.
Lesjöfors supplies the complete package of Coil, Leaf, Sport and Gas springs to the automotive aftermarket and has grown extensively in recent years. UK Managing Director, Robert Glynn, believes that eparts eliminates many 'day-to-day' administrative tasks: "Parts proliferation continues apace within the industry and motor factors are under increasing pressure to stock more. Through the eparts trading exchange, many of a distributor's business practices are automated, making it easier for them to trade with suppliers, through effective use of IT, in spite of ever increasing ranges."
Mark Rudge, eparts Managing Director, added: “Lesjöfors is another high profile name to join the eparts trading community and the company will benefit from a closer relationship with its customers as a result. More major industry players will be announced as new eparts users in the coming weeks as we continue our growth in the market. Our success comes as a result of eparts’ strong proposition coupled with a demonstrable ability to deliver reduced costs and increased profitability throughout the supply chain.”
More than 25 aftermarket suppliers are currently committed to using eparts and benefiting from streamlined communication with their customer base.
Suppliers involved with eparts include: Arvin, ADL Blueprint, Bosal, Comma, Drivelink, Delphi, Exide, FAI, Febi-Bilstein, Fuel Parts, Gates, Hella, Lesjöfors, LuK, Mann-Hummel, NGK, Quinton Hazell, SKF, Standard Motor Products, Tuberex, Tenneco and Valeo – with more Suppliers connecting to the service every month.
United Aftermarket Network (UAN), the UK’s fastest growing buying group, has begun trialling AConneX with a view to rolling it out throughout its entire distributorship.
AConneX trials are part of a joint approach with Activant and eparts Automotive to deliver connectivity between UAN distributors and suppliers. Since the launch of the joint initiative in 2004, aftermarket companies – including garages, motor factors, warehouse distributors and suppliers – have embraced the concept of electronic trading and are today, enjoying the significant cost benefits of trading through AConneX and eparts.
UAN comprises more than 56 motor factors and Managing Director, Andrew Dickinson, said: “The pace at which AConneX has been launched and its subsequent success in reducing overheads and increasing profitability for motor factors provides an opportunity that is too good to miss. Our distributors require a connectivity solution that will bring about efficiencies in their business and I believe AConneX to be a key component in achieving this.”
AConneX is a secure web-based trading platform that enables motor factors to enquire on parts, prices, availability, place orders, and sell parts – all in real time. Transactions take an average of 5-8 seconds, whereas previously it would take more than five minutes on the telephone.
Mark Holcombe, Marketing Manager of Activant Solutions said: “We are delighted to have begun working with UAN and are confident that AConneX offers the connectivity solution they require. AConneX is a concept for the entire aftermarket supply chain and we look forward to demonstrating to UAN distributors how it will enhance profitability and customer service.”
eparts – which enables secure, real time trading between suppliers and distributors – offers a one stop solution to connect UAN suppliers to it’s AConneX-enabled distributorship. Managing Director, Mark Rudge said: “eparts has demonstrated its expertise in enabling supplier level connectivity for a number of buying groups to date. Our success is based on our ability to quickly integrate the service with any system, whilst being the most cost-effective, easily implemented and comprehensive connectivity route for suppliers. I am very pleased that UAN have chosen to work with eparts as its preferred supplier connectivity provider and we shall be working closely with UAN, its suppliers and Activant in order to enable the benefits of this electronic trading initiative to be fully realised as soon as possible.”
Connectivity service provider for the UK aftermarket, eparts Automotive, is delighted to announce that it will deliver ‘real time’ trading to IFA AConneX-enabled suppliers ahead of schedule.
eparts’ substantial investment and commitment to bringing about real time message transactions has received praise from industry suppliers, who will experience significant cost benefits in their use of eparts through Activant’s AConneX web-based marketplace.
Real time messaging means that IFA distributors using AConneX will be able to check parts availability, place orders and receive acknowledgements instantly as eparts will integrate its new service with supplier’s systems.
As early as next week, eparts suppliers who trade with IFA will be given a clear outline and demonstration of what is required from them to utilise the real time messaging tool.
Mark Rudge, eparts Managing Director, said: “eparts became involved with AConneX more than six months after its launch, subsequently we’ve been playing catch-up in giving IFA approved suppliers the ability to trade with their customers use through eparts. I am pleased to announce that we have delivered on our promise to integrate with AConneX, and I’m delighted that we now have something tangible that IFA suppliers can embrace which enables them to trade seamlessly with their customers.
“This, coupled with the facts that eparts is easy to integrate and has a proven success record, should further boost confidence and demonstrate clearly to Aftermarket suppliers that eparts is the most cost-effective and comprehensive connectivity route to trading with AConneX enabled distributors.”
IT and connectivity service provider for the UK aftermarket, eparts Automotive, is delighted to announce that Hella Ltd has commenced trading on eparts’ trading exchange.
Hella, which offers a comprehensive range of lighting, auto-electrical, electronics and air conditioning components , will begin eparts trading with motor factor customers, following a successful trial period.
eparts is a trading exchange designed specifically for the requirements of the UK automotive aftermarket. It allows buyers and suppliers of all sizes to trade through a single, manageable connection – into a trading exchange – with multiple trading partners.
The eparts system now functions real time transacting, allowing the messages to flow between buyer and supplier in seconds, with the benefits of automating documents such as: Purchase orders, order acknowledgements, delivery notes, invoices and credits.
Carl Brown, Hella Ltd’s Managing Director, said: “eparts brings us even closer to our customer base and will enable us to service their requirements more efficiently, which will, in turn, benefit their customers. The trading exchange takes the hassle out of the purchasing cycle and allows us to focus our attention at the sharp end of the business, such as customer service and technical support, all of which add value to our high quality product offering.”
More than 25 aftermarket suppliers are currently committed to using eparts and benefiting from streamlined communication with their customer base.
Suppliers involved with eparts include: Arvin, ADL Blueprint, Bosal, Comma, Drivelink, Delphi, Exide, FAI, Febi-Bilstein, Fuel Parts, Gates, Hella, Lesjofors, LuK, Mann-Hummel, NGK, Quinton Hazell, SKF, Standard Motor Products, Tuberex, Tenneco and Valeo – with more Suppliers connecting to the service every month.
Connectivity service provider for the UK aftermarket, eparts Automotive, is delighted to announce that its supplier customer base will soon be able to receive real time, online parts enquiries and orders online from any eparts or AConneX enabled Motor Factor
Both eparts and Activant have worked tirelessly in recent months to speed up the integration between eparts and AConneX in the UK aftermarket, as it is a much needed business tool for independent parts distributors and suppliers.
Mark Rudge, eparts’ Managing Director believes the alliance with Activant Solutions underlines both companies position as the leading connectivity providers in the aftermarket: ”The alliance provides the first fully integrated supply chain solution for the UK aftermarket, providing any motor factor with the ability to trade electronically with both its suppliers and customers.
“I believe it is crucial for software vendors to work together in order to ensure the market understands how our services operate with one another, as opposed to having a confusing array of standalone technical solutions with little or no connectivity between them. Together the two services from eparts and Activant offer a complete package, which I am certain will be widely adopted in the market – beyond our joint user base of nearly 30 UK suppliers and, the UKPA and IFA buying groups.”
Suppliers involved with eparts include: Arvin, ADL Blueprint, Bosal, Bosch, Comma, Drivelink, Delphi, Exide, FAI, Febi-Bilstein, Fuel Parts, Gates, Hella, Lesjofors, LuK, Mann-Hummel, NGK, Quinton Hazell, SKF, Standard Motor Products, Tuberex, Tenneco and Valeo – with more names set to connect to the service shortly.
Mark Holcombe, Marketing Manager of Activant Solutions, said: “Our vision of uniting the independent aftermarket in one connected marketplace has moved a step closer with the agreement between Activant and eparts. The aftermarket desperately needs an IT breakthrough that will bring about greater efficiencies in how the supply chain works and connects together. eparts Automotive is a like-minded organisation that believe, as we do, in ensuring a prosperous future for the entire UK aftermarket.”
IT and connectivity service provider for the UK aftermarket, eparts Automotive, has appointed Mark Rudge as its new Managing Director.
Rudge has worked at eparts Automotive for the past two years as Business Development Manager, playing an integral role in the launch of eparts to the automotive aftermarket and, the appointment of more than 25 leading aftermarket suppliers to its electronic trading exchange.
In his role as MD, Rudge assumes responsibility for the development and direction of the eparts service, in addition to the company’s commercial and financial performance.
With a career background in IT and software – having previously worked as National Sales Manager for a company specialising in integrated EDI for the automotive OEM market – Rudge is relishing the opportunity of taking eparts forward.
“I am delighted to have been appointed as Managing Director of eparts Automotive and look forward to helping unite the automotive aftermarket through providing easily implemented connectivity for suppliers and distributors. The eparts service is based on simplifying trading relationships, managing the complexity of IT and, allowing companies to focus on more important aspects of their business – getting the right product to the customer on time. In the next few months, we will be working with even more companies across the aftermarket supply chain to help users of the service achieve this goal.”
IT and connectivity service provider for the UK aftermarket, eparts Automotive, has launched a campaign aimed at raising awareness of electronic trading within the industry and is working with software vendors, suppliers and distributors to deliver reduced costs and increased profitability throughout the supply chain.
eparts is a trading exchange designed specifically for the requirements of the UK automotive aftermarket. Requiring only internet access and with no additional hardware or software licence costs, eparts allows buyers and suppliers of all sizes to trade through a single, manageable connection – into a trading exchange – with multiple trading partners. This simplifies the purchasing cycle through automating the exchange of documents including: Orders, acknowledgements, delivery notes, invoices and credits. This however is just one part of a wider service.
More than 25 aftermarket suppliers are currently committed to using eparts and benefiting from streamlined communication with their customer base. Distributors also profit as eparts provides them with accurate information as to the availability of parts ordered, along with huge time-savings when booking in stock and cost-savings through the receipt of validated electronic invoices.
Suppliers involved with eparts include: Arvin, ADL Blueprint, Bosal, Bosch, Comma, Drivelink, Delphi, Exide, FAI, Febi-Bilstein, Fuel Parts, Gates, Hella, Lesjofors, LuK, Mann-Hummel, NGK, Quinton Hazell, SKF, Standard Motor Products, Tuberex, Tenneco and Valeo – with more names set to connect to the service shortly.
Managing Director, Mark Rudge, said: “The UK aftermarket must try to adopt a more united approach to electronic trading. This is essential in order to preserve the prosperity of an industry under increasing pressure to provide the highest quality of service at a lowest cost. We are committed to aiding automotive aftermarket trading and aim to actively contribute towards its future development.
“The UK aftermarket, with its demanding supply chain requirements, has acknowledged the benefits of electronic trading, but the sector is confused on how to proceed. This, coupled with the fragmentation of the distribution market – with organisations and groups seeking to make progress independently – makes it difficult for those suppliers needing to connect to multiple customer groups. It is eparts’ role to solve this problem and we are working with other system providers, the major buying groups and leading suppliers, to provide connectivity for the entire aftermarket – without compromise and conflict – to the benefit of all in the industry.”
“eparts automotive limited” is pleased to announce that an agreement has been reached with Activant Solutions Inc. with the aim of providing connectivity between the eparts and Aconnex electronic trading exchanges. This will enable suppliers to the IFA and UKPA to communicate with both buying groups through the eparts exchange.
Initial technical discussions between eparts and Activant have begun and the next step is for both parties to develop the integration between Aconnex and eparts; this is currently expected to take between 4 to 6 weeks, following which there will be a rigorous testing programme to ensure the stability and consistency of the link between the two services. At present, it is anticipated that a live, fully functional link between eparts and Aconnex will be in place by Nov 1st, 2004. Before the end of this year, additional functionality to enable real-time stock enquiries and VOR ordering will be added to eparts to complement the functionality of Aconnex.
Mark Rudge, Business Development Manager of eparts commented, “this agreement represents an important landmark in the evolution of electronic trading in the Independent Aftermarket. Whilst companies have long recognised the generic benefit of electronic trading, many have yet to commit to doing so on the basis of being unable to interact with a significant trading audience through any one service. The proposed link between eparts and Aconnex will soon give suppliers one consistent point of use for electronic trading”.
The eparts service, owned and operated by ABS (Alternative Business Solutions) Ltd, is developed specifically for the needs of the UK Automotive Aftermarket. eparts manages the complexity of trading electronically with multiple partners through one simple interface, irrespective of the technological or business process differences between trading partners. Better yet it can handle data in any electronic format which makes it a service suitable for all companies, of any size, with any system.
eparts automotive is pleased to announce that Gates Automotive and Hella Ltd are the latest Aftermarket suppliers to sign up for the use of the eparts electronic trading exchange. Gates and Hella Ltd will soon be able to trade with over 125 eparts enabled motor factors, joining the growing number of eparts enabled suppliers who already use the service for integrated electronic trading.
The commitment of Gates and Hella Ltd follows the commencement of live trading in June and July for other suppliers:
Mark Rudge, eparts Business Development Manager, commented, ”the continued ability to attract new suppliers further underlines the validity of eparts in the UK Automotive Aftermarket. The eparts exchange has by far the largest audience of any electronic trading service in the Aftermarket, and with the support of both our existing and new subscribers on ‘buy side’ and ‘sell side’, the growth of the service is set to continue at a great pace.”
eparts latest developments include the support of the CAP (Common Aftermarket Protocol) message standard and the use of Real-time, online stock availability enquiries, allowing Motor Factors to get instant feedback on product availability from their suppliers without having to pick up a phone.
The eparts service, owned and operated by ABS (Alternative Business Solutions) Ltd, is developed specifically for the needs of the UK Automotive Aftermarket. eparts manages the complexity of trading electronically with multiple partners through one simple interface, irrespective of the technological or business process differences between trading partners. eparts can handle data in any electronic format, making eparts a cost effective service suitable for all companies in the Automotive Aftermarket, of any size, with any system.
For further information please contact:
Mark Rudge
eparts automotive limited
3 Des Roches Square
Witney
Oxon
OX28 4LQ
Telephone: 01993 899 213
Email: eparts.sales@abs-ltd.co.uk
eparts automotive is pleased to announce that Fuel Parts and Standard Motor Products have completed their integration with eparts and are now able to receive orders from over 125 eparts enabled motor factors directly into their respective back office systems. Furthermore, Fuel Parts and Standard Motor Products are able send integrated documents back through eparts, including Order Acknowledgements, Invoices and Credit notes, providing significant business benefit to their customers, who receive these documents automatically into their own business systems.
Mark Rudge, Business Development Manager of eparts, commented,”eparts now has 25 committed suppliers, which represents the largest supplier audience of any electronic trading service in the UK Automotive Aftermarket. In June 2004, eparts handled over 300,000 electronic documents and nearly £12M worth of Purchase Orders. I expect these figures to increase rapidly with the imminent development of Online Stock Availability enquiries and VOR order messages over the coming months.”
SKF and Febi Bilstein will be the next eparts enabled suppliers to go-live. Both are currently nearing the completion of their testing phase and aim to begin live trading through eparts before the end of July.
The eparts service, owned and operated by ABS (Alternative Business Solutions) Ltd, is developed specifically for the needs of the UK Automotive Aftermarket. eparts manages the complexity of trading electronically with multiple partners through one simple interface, irrespective of the technological or business process differences between trading partners. Better yet it can handle data in any electronic format, making eparts a cost effective service suitable for all companies, of any size, with any system.
For further information please contact:
Mark Rudge
eparts automotive limited
3 Des Roches Square
Witney
Oxon
OX28 4LQ
Telephone: 01993 899 213
Email: eparts.sales@abs-ltd.co.uk
Ferraris Piston Service has announced their commitment to use the eparts trading exchange as a means of implementing electronic trading between their 18 distribution centres, their customers and their suppliers.
The eparts service, owned and operated by Alternative Business Solutions Ltd, is developed specifically for the needs of the UK Parts Aftermarket. eparts manages the complexity of trading electronically with multiple partners who all have different business systems, communication mechanisms and business processes.
eparts does not require the user to invest in new software or hardware for their local systems and is designed to integrate seamlessly with any business system. eparts provides users with all of the benefits of electronic trading without the integration headache, management time and cost that is involved with connecting to multiple trading partners.
Electronic trading brings cost savings for buyers and suppliers alike. The ability to send or receive Orders, Acknowledgements, Delivery Notes, Goods Received Notes, Invoices and Credits automatically from one business system to another saves huge amounts of time and cost; data is always accurate so queries are reduced, meaning the entire Purchase-to-Pay process takes place more quickly and with minimal effort.
Neil Davis, Financial Director of Ferraris Piston Service said,
“Connectivity is essential for the aftermarket to improve the whole supply chain. We have signed up with e-parts as it helps us progress along this path, with a solution that is appropriate to dealing with both customer and suppliers and is also demonstrably already in use.”
eparts has over 120 subscribing motor factors actively trading with a wide range of major Aftermarket suppliers.
For further information please contact:
Mark Rudge
eparts automotive limited
3 Des Roches Square
Witney
Oxon
OX28 4LQ
Telephone: 01993 899 213
Email: eparts.sales@abs-ltd.co.uk