VLS offers support and advice to motor factors
In part two of VLS’s 10 year anniversary interview with PMF, Chairman Mike Bewsey explains how the organisation can help motor factors, and imparts his advice on how to deal with incorrect marketing claims.
Q. Motor factors reading this and discovering VLS for the first time – what is your message to them?
A. “VLS is here to help. The engine oil market is an incredibly complex market, which is constantly changing. Motor factors have a vested interest in the quality and standards of the products they sell to their customers. We are here to support motor factors in helping them understand the lubricants market and the types of questions they must ask suppliers to ensure they are protecting their endusers. We welcome motor factors becoming members of VLS, so they can gain insight into the common issues affecting the industry and play their part in upholding the highest standards in Europe for lubricant manufacture, blending and marketing, so protecting the interests of their customers and end-users.”
Q. What do factors need to be wary of when it comes to incorrect claims/labels?
A. “If a product sounds too good to be true, check it out. Understandably, with margins under pressure and space at a premium, lubricant marketers are keen to service the maximum number of applications with the minimum number of products. But they must be able to prove their marketing claims, so that motor factors can have continued confidence in the products they are selling. VLS has clear guidance on our website about the different marketing claims being used, such as ‘suitable for’ or ‘approved’, and the evidence manufacturers must be able to provide to support those claims.
“VLS plays a vital role in ensuring that lubricants are labelled accurately and meet the specifications they claim, and are genuinely suitable for today’s increasingly sophisticated engines, where engine oil choice really does matter. If required, this includes working with Trading Standards to ensure that robust action is taken, and incorrectly labelled products are brought into line.”
