Klarius explains how it stays ahead of industry trends
In part two of the conversation, Klarius’ Head of Product Development, Doug Bentley, explains to PMF how the company stays ahead of the curve within the industry, to everyone’s benefit.
Q. What steps does Klarius take to stay up-to-date with the latest automotive industry trends and technologies, ensuring motor factors have access to relevant products?
A. “We analyse leading industry VIO data and tailor new-to-range product development to suit the vehicles on the road, not just in the UK, but also in multiple European territories. We pride ourselves on being ‘first to market’ with most of our new products. Consequently, we often have a part in stock before the factor or mechanic even knows they need it!
“Listening to our customers directly is also important. Our technical hotline receives hundreds of calls every month, from mechanics looking for fitment advice to factors trying to source parts for classics. If customers need a new to range product fast tracked to meet market needs, that’s exactly what we’ll do.
“We also keep our eye on relevant, complementary products, expanding our offering outside of exhaust systems. One of our sister companies, Emissco, is a leading supplier of high quality AdBlue, which is used in the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) system of the exhaust on Euro 6 diesel vehicles.”
Q. How does Klarius assist motor factors in providing exceptional customer service and technical support to their customers, especially when it comes to complex parts?
A. “Technical support is one of our key strengths. We have a dedicated technical hotline, which factors can call or even direct their garage customers to (open 8am-5pm, Monday- Thursday, and 8am-4pm on Friday).
“Our website has both a TechTips and ‘resources’ page where factors and mechanics alike can find technical videos, training manuals and brochures to help them navigate a host of on-the-job challenges.
“When all else fails, we have a great team of knowledgeable key account managers available to support our factors with anything from part specification to order processing.”
Q. Can you share some success stories or case studies where Klarius has helped motor factors improve their business operations or expand their product offerings?
A. “Our product marketing team can help reduce and improve stock profiles based on known regional market demand. We help factor customers to implement what we call a ‘green, amber, red’ range. The factor holds only a streamlined same day range (green), which is then supported by our next day delivery service (amber and red parts). We balance factor stock holding while still maximising our industry leading availability.
“We also introduce around 350 new to range parts every year, making sure we stay ahead of market requirements and are, wherever possible, first to market.
“Strengthening our offering to European motor factors, we also opened a dedicated distribution centre near Lille in 2022.
“In 2023, we launched our marketleading next day delivery service in Northern Ireland, thanks to a new logistics depot in Carrickfergus. This offers our Irish customers rapid access to nearly 4,000 products.”
Q. With the increasing popularity of electric and hybrid vehicles, how does Klarius adapt to the changing automotive landscape, and what products and support can motor factors expect in this regard?
A. “Our goal is to remain the UK market leader for exhaust systems for many years to come. In most cases, an exhaust will not need replacing until five years or more after the car’s first registration, so the aftermarket we serve is for an older pool of vehicles. Nonetheless, we have a clear focus on offering hybrid exhaust systems and catalysts, which is evident in our recent new-to range releases.
“SCR systems are also something we’re investing in, as some of the early Euro 6 diesel vehicles start to reach an age where replacements are necessary.”
