As the MOT season is in full flow, PMF catches up with Bailcast’s Sales Director, Martin Calley, to discuss the sales opportunities afforded by the CV boot market.
CV boots are not the most glamorous component found on our cars. However, failure to replace a damaged CV boot can result in a costly repair, which makes the humble, inexpensive item an essential automotive component.
Pressure on garages
March and September are peak periods for MOT testing, and demands on garages can be intense. Getting the right product quickly is crucial. End-user expectations can put demands on the garages; consumers rely on their vehicles, so a quick turnaround on the ramp is essential. Bailcast has developed its products to ensure they reduce fitting times. The compound used in the company’s boots has been developed over the years, producing an extremely strong boot with superior stretch capabilities, and a design that provides a great fit around the CV joint. This, coupled with the pneumatic fitting tool, Duragun, means a CV boot can be fitted in less than 15 minutes. So, whether they are being fitted to passenger vehicles by an independent garage or in the pits to a WRC rally car, downtime is reduced dramatically.
Workshops, factors and distributors alike need to be able to trust the components they supply. Duraboot’s two year ‘no quibble’ guarantee means that factors can sell – and technicians can fit – in complete confidence. The proof is in the pudding; with global sales of over 500,000 boots in 2018, the company says its return rate was only 0.00019%.
Availability
During peak times, availability is crucial. The old phrase ‘time is money’ comes to mind. Making sure the right products are available as the customers want them is a key to customer loyalty. Availability is at the heart of service excellence and has been vital to Bailcast’s success thus far. The boots are manufactured in the UK, ensuring that the company is in full control of its supply chain.
Recognising the importance of having a quality logistical service to match the quality of the products, Bailcast has teamed up with FPS Distribution. This partnership affords Bailcast the ability to improve the reach of its products within the UK aftermarket.
With more than 80 years of experience in distribution and wholesaling automotive components, FPS operates across the UK through a network of 23 sites that includes its national distribution centre, based in Sheffield.
Stock management
Managing stock successfully is a balance between cost and benefit. Too much stock equals extra expense, whereas too little stock can result in loss of sales and customer confidence. Having the right stock can increase sales, improve cash flow, increase customer confidence and attract new customers. The whole CV boot offer has been designed to take these factors into consideration. Duraboot, a vehicle-specific range, will fit almost all vehicles with a standard driveshaft, and does this with only eight different size boots. Duraboot can also be fitted to inner trilobal/tripod joints.
Should you choose not to stock the range, then the FPS network provides the availability of having overnight stock supply supported by same-day service. This helps to ensure that the customer is not left waiting too long for the part they need.
Confidence
Whilst the company understands that cost is a driving factor in most day to day decisions, it is worth remembering that for the cost to be reduced, something has to give, and that is normally the quality.
The Bailcast philosophy is to supply high quality products at a competitive price, coupled with a quality logistics partner, which gives the industry the ability to sell this ‘British Made’ product with confidence.
