Exploring JRP Distribution and new opportunities

PMF was invited to JRP Distribution recently. Based in Chichester, West Sussex, there were presentations and products aplenty, all in the name of informing the trade about the opportunities available and getting under the bonnet of a company that has been running for over four decades.

PMF has attended many press events over the years – but none have included as many personalities nor presentations as it received during the visit to West Sussex. It was a beautiful day; the roads were clear and there was genuine excitement about the day ahead – there was an air of mystery surrounding it, though, with only a date, time and address provided.

Arriving at JRP Distribution, backing onto a nursery stretching the length of the airfield, leaves an impression. The large, bold company logo is proudly etched onto a modern industrial building – a 60,000sqft warehouse to be exact. The sun’s reflection on the pristine glass – unsurprising given one of the products in its portfolio! – beams back and luscious green trees give the site a rural edge.

Walking into a large room filled with chairs to welcome automotive journalists, on the right was a glimpse into the 4,000 products JRP Distribution has at its disposal. It was the first introduction to its brands too, including Autobar, EcoMotive, QUIXX, Simply Brands, J-B Weld, Tecniks, Frsh Scents, Stoner Car Care and Invisible Glass – and it was these brands that were going to be the main talking points of the day.

What’s the storty behind JRP Distribution 

Before getting into the nitty-gritty of the day, the brother-sister team of Ollie and Kelly Page delivered a potted history of the company. Founded in 1981 by their father – Jon – JRP Distribution began life as a regional supplier of car accessories and consumables. Ollie – with an entrepreneurial background – and Kelly – a chartered accountant by trade – joined the family business in 2006 and 2016 respectively, taking the roles of managing director and financial director.

Today, JRP Distribution continues to be a family business and believes it is the biggest and fastest-growing automotive accessories distributor in the UK and Ireland. It has enjoyed a £12 million turnover increase in 10 years.

More than 80% of its business is automotive with the DIY sector a developing segment – but irrespective of the trade or the product, JRP Distribution’s philosophy is to evolve and expand its product portfolio to meet the needs of its customers – carefully selecting the brands it wants to work with.

Starting with wipers

And those brands would make their mark throughout a busy day of presentations, demonstrations and tours. Each brand representative had their slot in what was a strict timetable – even if lunch had to be curtailed to fit everyone in!

Whether it was Sam from Simply Brands, David from Invisible Glass, Jan from J-B Weld, James from Frsh Scents, Peter from QUIXX or Akhil from EcoMotive, they all brought a unique enthusiasm to the table.

Let’s start with Sam Robinson; many of you will recognise him from his 10-year tenure at TRICO. Perhaps unsurprisingly then, he is the wiper blade product lead for Simply Brands. He was instrumental in launching the range in 2024. What was once perceived to be a simple product, Sam explained how that perception changed after the introduction of beam blades – why? Most cars used traditional frame-style wipers, which had standard fittings. In the workshop, a technician could receive a pair of blades that ‘fit most cars’ and job done, but beam blades introduced different attachment styles – side pin, top lock, pinch tab, hook, bayonet etc – and each manufacturer used different designs.

After a trip down memory lane, Sam highlighted Simply Brands’ wiper blade range that comprises “the best of both worlds”, meaning a typical China supply with OE manufacturing. Developing a premium product at a competitive price – including its own quality control team, marketing, catalogue data and private label business – Simply Brands launched its portfolio in March last year, one including conventional (13 SKUs – 99% coverage), multi-fit (15 SKUs – 96% coverage) and multi-fit rear (10 SKUs – 90% coverage).

Sam said: “Simply wiper blades deliver complete coverage for retailers and motor factors, constantly managed and updated to stay ahead of the market. Backed by industry-leading product development, data and marketing, Simply is already a proven success with JRP Distribution and European distributors.”

Invisible success?

Next up was David Pykett – the first to take a presentation outside – who presented Stoner Car Care and its bestselling Invisible Glass cleaning products. An American native who has resided in the UK for 20 years, David revealed that Invisible Glass’ formulation uses “no soaps, no scents, no dyes” to create a 100% residue-free finish.

The assembled media picked up a Reach & Clean Tool and bottle of Invisible Glass – a regular and popular appearancemaker on QVC – to see if this product deserved its number one status. David also highlighted Clean & Repel, which repels rain, sleet and snow to improve visibility for safer driving. In 20-odd degree sunshine, there was little chance of sleet or snow – but as we now head into November, it might be worth looking at.

Flamboyant Presentation 

Back into the meeting room, we were greeted by a gentleman who wasted no time in getting on with it. His smile and energy were contagious; another American brand looking to make inroads on UK shores, Jan Sorensen revealed that he wants every toolbox to contain J-B Weld.

J-B Weld is the market leader for epoxy resins, adhesives and specialist products. When thinking of how to bond two parts together, many technicians may think of soldering or welding them, but what if there’s an easier solution? J-B Weld has a range of products that are suitable in a host of areas including bumper repair, fuel tank repair and even a cracked windscreen! Whether it’s metal, plastic or on a high-temperature surface, J-B Weld has a solution.

The J-B Weld Original Twin Tubes, for example, is a two-part epoxy system that provides strong, lasting repairs to metal and plastic. It has a tensile strength of 5,020 PSI and sets to a hard bond overnight; it can withstand temperatures up to 290°C when fully cured.

Meanwhile, SteelStik is a hand-mixable, steel-reinforced, non-rusting epoxy putty that quickly repairs or rebuilds anything made of metal. After mixing, it forms an industrial-strength polymer compound that can be moulded into shapes or used to build up, patch and repair steel components. It sets in three to five minutes and after 60 minutes, it can be drilled, tapped, machined, ground, filed or painted. It is rated at a tensile strength of 4,000 PSI and will withstand temperatures up to 150°C.

Jan revealed the “value equation is high” and J-B Weld is on track to become a $1 billion company.

Smell for success

From epoxy resins to air fresheners – every day is different at JRP Distribution! James Rankin began his presentation by handing out a range of different fresheners, all with a unique shape and smell – it certainly gave the room a new and welcome aroma after lunch.

Frsh Scents – perhaps better known for its regular slot in Aldi’s Specialbuys section, the legendary ‘middle aisle’ – offers an extensive, eclectic range. Designs include fox, mushroom, cloud, bunny, rainbow and nut characters, available with a variety of scents, like woodland, vanilla, peony and tropical.

While these little bundles of joy bring personality and, of course, a nice smell to a car, there is a serious side to this business too. Acutely aware of its responsibility of sustainability, Frsh Scents is committed to reducing waste and poverty, achieved through its offset programme with The Plastic Bank from every product sold.

James said: “On average each Frsh Scents product pays for the equivalent of three plastic bottles to be collected and recycled. As a result, these products are responsible for much more plastic being reclaimed and recycled than used, meaning every product is Certified Plastic Neutral!”

PMF Challenged 

Peter Van Mol was next to bring a portfolio of products to the table – and a portfolio it was! The table was full to the brim with QUIXX DIY products, including alloy repair, paint and interior repair kits.

Peter said: “We are not in car care – we are in car repair.”

Throughout the day, the assembled media did what it does best – and that’s ask questions. Peter probably faced the most. There were eyebrows raised when Peter claimed that drivers could use the QUIXX Wheel Rim Repair Kit to repair a scratched or broken alloy to a professional standard, shaping it back to its original shape and then using a touch-up pen to paint the treated area.

PMF put it to Peter that to truly repair a broken rim, giving it a factory-style finish, motorists would require the specialist skills of a bodyshop professional. Peter rejected this, insisting this type of repair could be completed by a motorist, so long as they have the right kit – the QUIXX Wheel Rim Repair Kit.

At this juncture, Ollie intervened and invited PMF to use the product the next time an alloy was damaged – challenge accepted, Ollie!

Last but no means least

EcoMotive’s Akhil Valjee had sat quietly, patiently all day – watching presentations come and go – but he took his chance by giving a slick presentation and demonstration.

EcoMotive’s flagship product, Clean Drive, is “scientifically proven” to enhance the fuel efficiency and overall performance of any vehicle. Akhil claimed that Clean Drive improves fuel efficiency by up to 15%, reduces harmful emissions by as much as 60% and returns engine performance back to new. It can be used with any fuel type, including petrol, diesel and even hybrid vehicles to clean and maintain performance.

The product cleans the DPF, catalytic converters, inlet valves, fuel injectors and lambda sensors, removing unwanted deposits. By cleaning and lubricating the fuel system, maintenance costs are reduced, and the engine is more efficient.

Clean Drive has been tested in a laboratory at the University of Leicester on two engines on fixed-bed dynamometers. The tests confirmed measurable gains in fuel economy from using Clean Drive.

Gask-it – a head gasket sealant – and TyreFix – a puncture-sealing solution – were also introduced. Akhil demonstrated the latter in the afternoon sun of the JRP Distribution car park, piercing a pre-filled tyre with a screwdriver – he said: “With our formula, it’s not just a get-you-home product, thanks to our formula this will last the life of the tyre.”

Conclusion

And there you have it! JRP Distribution’s event in Chichester proved to be far more than a simple company presentation – it was an immersive experience that showcased the scale, ambition and personality behind one of the UK’s leading automotive distributors.

From humble beginnings as a small family business to its current status as a multimillion-pound operation with an expanding portfolio of trusted brands, JRP showed the invention, energy and customer focus that continue to drive its success.

Everyone who championed the brand they represent, under the stewardship and guidance of JRP Distribution, painted a unique but vivid picture. The day demonstrated an enviable camaraderie – starting at the top with Ollie and Kelly – that means that this success story is only just getting started.