NEWSTY

RE INDUSTRY

CONFERENCE

Bringing the Tyre Industry Together

Following the huge success of the 2015 event, which attracted more than 200 delegates from the tyre manufacturing, wholesale, retail and aftermarket sectors, the NTDA invites you to the Tyre Industry Conference 2016.

Once again, delegates will have an opportunity to hear the views of a range of influential experts covering industry strategy and

direction, legislation and enforcement, market conditions and trends, the constantly changing operating environment and much more.

This is also an ideal event for meeting fellow tyre industry and aftermarket professionals, considering new ideas, gauging the market, advancing your CPD and business expertise and networking with industry leaders. The confirmed presentations and speakers are:

Session 1: Regulation and Legislation – The Only Certainty Is Change:

• ModernisingtheMOT: Ian Marsh, Trade Engagement Manager, DVSA;

• TheTyreProducerResponsibilitySchemeintheRepublicofIreland: Séamus Clancy, CEO, REPAK ELT;

• TheEnforcementLandscape:Michael Sawyer, Senior Enforcement Officer, Regulatory Delivery Directorate.

Session2:Technology–FromProductInnovationtoFutureStrategy:

• RedefiningTyreManagement: Dr. Andy Pryce, Managing Director, Sigmavision Ltd;

• PathwaytoAutonomousCommercialVehiclesproject: Professor David Brown, Portsmouth University;

• Afutureperspectiveofcommercialfleetservice: Neil Purves, Senior Manager Solution Business Systems, Bridgestone Europe NV/SA.

Session3:LookingafterBusiness–FromPeopleManagementtoPromotingProducts

• ManagingYourOnlinePresence–HowimportantisSocialMediatoYourBrand? Richard Pagett, Managing Director, Aria Public Relations;

• TheChangestothePensionRegulations–IsYourBusinessReallyReady?Paul Bannister, CEO, BlueSky Pensions;

• TheFutureofApprenticeshipsintheUKandNewQualifications fortheTyreIndustry: Michael White, IMI Awarding Product Development Manager;

• ClosingGuestSpeaker:Penny Mallory, Champion Rally Driver, Stunt Driver and TV Presenter.

The conference will be held at the VOX Conference Centre, part of the Genting Resorts World, at the NEC Birmingham from 09.30 – 16.30, Thursday 6th October 2016, providing an excellent warm up for the highly popular NTDA Annual Dinner and Tyre Industry Awards held later in the evening.

This is an essential ‘must attend’ event for tyre and aftermarket businesses of all sizes, with speaker expertise covering an incredibly diverse range of business considerations, but don’t delay as places are limited! You can secure your place now by contacting Alison Fitzgerald via alisonfitzgerald@ntda.co.uk

We look forward to greeting you at the VOX in October.

www.ntda.co.uk NEWSNTDA South East & Central South Region continues to thriveThe South East & Central South Region met in High Wycombe on the 13th July. Once again, this was a very well attended networking event with seventeen NTDA members from tyre manufacturing, wholesaling, retail, collection and disposal and the wider aftermarket in attendance.

In addition to the normal Association agenda items, the attendees enjoyed excellent presentations from Absolute Alignment’s Chris Dear. Chris has been working with wheel aligners since 2004 and has worked in the motor trade since 1996 both in the workshop and at the race track. With experience working in dealerships and with independent workshops he has built up a fantastic knowledge base and his presentation triggered healthy discussion amongst the members.

The second presentation came from Tulbir Dosanjh of Phocas Ltd, leading experts in helping manufacturing, distribution and retail customers turn their company data into results.

Attendees enjoyed a demonstration of the Phocas software including the easy-to-read dashboards and how to use them to drill down and better understand business transactions.

The NTDA is currently looking to relaunch regional meetings in the Midlands and also runs very successful events for the North West & North Wales and Northern Ireland members. All full, supplier and aftermarket members are welcome. For further details contact NTDA Membership Secretary Alison Keitch via:alison.keitch@ntda.co.uk

NTDA applauds the workof Level 2 Apprenticeship ‘Trailblazer’ group A ‘Trailblazer’ group from across the tyre and auto-repair industry has worked together to propose a new standard for Vehicle Repair Technician to the Department for Business Innovation and Skills, (which has now been replaced by Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy). Consultation on the proposal ended on 15th July. The group included NTDA full members such as Kwik Fit, ATS Euromaster, National Tyre & Autocare, Micheldever, McConechy’s Tyre & Autocentres and Horndean Tyres. NTDA supplier members Bridgestone, Continental, Goodyear Dunlop and Michelin are also represented in the group as well as the IMI.

Stefan Hay, Chief Executive of the NTDA, said: “Firstly, I would like to thank and applaud all of the members who participated in this project and none more so than Paul Binks of Kwik Fit who tirelessly, and skilfully, led this project from day one. It appears that some in the automotive sector believe that only offering Level 3 apprentices will help upskill the workforce. This ignores the fact that for many new recruits into the industry an Intermediate or Level 2 apprenticeship is the most appropriate entry into the sector. Of course we all want to see the development of a greater skill level but those improved skills must be appropriate to the type of work undertaken across the sector. We need to recognise the fact that there are different requirements across the industry, from both employers and employees, but crucially, also from our motoring customers.”

NTDA welcomes another new member in the South EastEast London Mobile Tyre Service Ltd of Barking in Essex is the latest member to join the Association in the South East. It provides a range of tyres for agricultural, industrial and commercial vehicles. The company is very proud of its trained technicians who supply, fit and maintain customer’s tyres, offering unrivalled service standards and customer care. For further information visit: eastlondonmobiletyre.co.uk