What has caused Autospares’ JLM sales to skyrocket?
Kalimex Managing Director, Mike Schlup, shines a light on its stockists and, in particular, Autospares of Hoyland Common, Barnsley headed by owner Steve Derham.
In the last 20 years, Kalimex, the UK distributor of JLM Lubricants’ range of additives and professional DPF/EGR toolkits, has grown on a firm foundation of strong support from professional motor factors. Our business model is to sell through you, the motor factor stockist! So, when a potential customer calls our office, we signpost them to their nearest one. It’s a model that has stood the test of time. Many of our stockists have been with us since we opened our doors 25 years ago. Between us we have created and continue to create effective shoestring marketing campaigns designed to unlock even more sales from their customers.
Whilst the market has consolidated in recent years with more factors now belonging to buying groups and many more promoting their business and products online, some things haven’t changed: the support, knowledge and experience that you provide to your customers – trade and consumers alike – undoubtedly stand the test of time.
People still like to buy from people, so much so that when they are uncertain which product is the best fit for their needs many still turn to their motor factor for advice. It’s no secret too that you are renowned for sterling customer service, not to mention a great sense of humour! It’s all part and parcel of the job.
This brings us nicely to a motor factor that every person in the Kalimex team enjoys talking to: Autospares, which was founded in 2003, making it an incredible 21 this year. A member of the A1 Motor Stores group, this thriving business describes itself as “a long established supplier of quality car and light van parts and accessories…with a huge range of stock from many different suppliers.”
The Kalimex and Autospares blossoming partnership
Kalimex has been trading with Autospares since approximately 2009, when we began supplying the factor with K-Seal Permanent Coolant Leak Repair. Sales have always been steady, but in 2021 Steve decided to try out some JLM products, initially Diesel Emission Reduction Treatment.
The team at Kalimex helped support Autospares with marketing resources to grow the business and sure enough, sales began to climb with Autospares adding more products from the range including DPF ReGen Plus. Autospares was also expanding its business online and was perfectly placed to satisfy the growing demand – trade and retail – for JLM products from across the country.
Today its bestsellers are the JLM DPF Cleaning Toolkit and Clean & Flush fluids, plus JLM’s Diesel Extreme Clean.
A combination of Kalimex’s marketing activities helping to generate awareness with the trade and motoring consumer, plus a demand for repair products in the current economic climate, have really boosted business for motor factors and accessory stores, like Autospares; in fact, JLM sales for Autospares have almost quadrupled in the last 12 months. However, it is Steve’s passion for his business and his unflinching determination to grow it on the back of delivering really good customer service that underpins its deserved success.
