PMF speaks to UFI Filters to find out the potential opportunities for growth that come with being a UFI distributor.
UFI Filters is a leader in filtration technology serving a wide range of demanding high-tech sectors. It provides original equipment and aftermarket filtration for motor racing and a wide range of cars, motorcycles, commercial vehicles, tractors, other agricultural machinery as well as industrial and earth moving equipment.
Following the path to growth UFI says it is on target to capture a 10% share on the UK aftermarket within just three years. For Karl Ridings, Aftermarket UK Sales Manager, the initial key to introduction to all the new customers is to present them the values of the company, its history, credibility and know-how.
“Not many professionals in the UK are aware of the OE pedigree of UFI. This is the most important topic for new customers. To show them the dual branded product samples, the OE range presented in the OE excellence brochures and the high-quality leaflets demonstrates the marketing expertise of our company.”
The company says that another important point is the recently launched UK distribution centre in Redditch, just outside Birmingham. On 1,000m2 it holds stock of over 200,000 parts, with 2,600 SKUs covering 96% of the UK car parc. UFI claims that motor factors can count on excellent service quality that realises an optimum ‘last order’ time for next morning delivery service and highly flexible minimum order values.
Callum Goodland, Aftermarket UK & Ireland Sales Manager adds that the customer needs to experience UFI, its service and its leading quality products.
“Regular workouts with motor factors help a lot to sell through to garages.” Moreover, the company says its visibility to market professionals is an essential success item. “Attending trade shows is a must for us to reach out to factors.”
The company was recently approved to CAAR motor factor group. UFI says that the next step on its path to the UK market is to establish the TecCom connectivity and to realise the V8 compliance of the MAM cataloguing, in order to facilitate the access of its product range to factors.
New catalogues
UFI recently published new catalogues featuring fully updated layouts, new easy-to-read icons and between them 472 new codes. The catalogues cover the new 2017/2018 ‘Light Vehicles’ and feature a comprehensive range of aftermarket products, including air, fuel, engine oil and cabin filters as well as corresponding services. In the catalogue, a number of products are for important, recently launched models for which UFI Filters is the OE supplier. These include VW’s Golf VII, Porsche’s 718 Boxster and Cayman, the Range Rover IV, BMW’s 1 Series and Alfa Romeo’s Giulia and Stelvio.
The company says that one of the brand’s key strengths is the global presence of 250 cobranded OE filters created in collaboration with vehicle manufacturers, 190 of which are designed for light vehicles.
“The new editions to our catalogues bear testament to UFI’s commitment to offering a more complete and up-to-date range of products to the market. The numerous captive OE references and the promptness with which they are added to the ranges represent an added value to our customers.”
