Friday 3rd December 2005, Kerridge Commercial Systems Commercial Systems, Hungerford, UK

Euro Car parts and the Kerridge Commercial Systems K8 Motor Factors software

We are pleased to announce that Euro Car Parts Ltd, the largest independent supplier of car parts in the UK aftermarket, has selected Kerridge Commercial Systems, and their industry recognised K8 solution, as the IT platform to take their business forward as they continue to enjoy significant growth.

The decision to review their IT strategy came out of their success over recent years. Euro Car Parts' vision is to capitalise on this success and further increase their market share. "Growth, by nature, brings many challenges that need to be addressed and overcome; careful planning, strong management and 'real' action is needed," explains Sukhpal Ahluwalia Singh, Chairman & CEO, Euro Car Parts Ltd. "Essential to controlling and managing such growth is having a robust, dynamic, flexible, scalable and future-proof IT system in place. By addressing our IT issues, we will create and maximise operational efficiency, making all of our jobs/lives easier and faster. Ultimately, in the long-run, this will help us to improve customer service whilst saving time and money."

After a thorough audit of the strengths and weaknesses of their existing system, followed by an exhaustive and comprehensive review of solutions available in the market place, Euro Car Parts decided to continue their relationship with Kerridge Commercial Systems, by upgrading to their latest solution, K8. "Over the last 12 years, we have enjoyed an excellent relationship with Kerridge Commercial Systems. Their K8 solution is second to none, they have more than 30 years of IT experience and knowledge to assist us and, most importantly, they have a thorough understanding of our business, in terms of where we are today and our aspirations for tomorrow," comments Mr Singh. "This, combined with their longevity, financial stability, excellent reputation and proven ability to undertake a project of this size and scale, guarantees us the performance we need to help us achieve our vision for the future."

Mike Dorward, Managing Director, Kerridge Commercial Systems, expressed his delight at the continued partnership with Euro Car Parts, explaining, "we are extremely grateful for the faith shown, by Euro Car Parts, in our solution, our people and our company. Continuing such an excellent working relationship with any customer is always a pleasure, but over the last 12 years, Kerridge Commercial Systems and Euro Car Parts have forged a relationship that is exceptional, by many standards. We look forward to this new and challenging project, helping Euro Car Parts achieve the continued success they deserve."

K8 – a future-proof state-of-the-art solution

K8 is the latest in Kerridge Commercial Systems' new generation of fully-integrated, trading and financial control software, providing a cutting-edge business solution for single and multi-branch enterprises. K8 offers specific functionality for issues facing customers in the most specialist vertical markets which incorporate distribution with a trade and/or retail business. 

Mr Singh elaborates, "we are very excited by the additional functionality available to us within Kerridge Commercial Systems' K8 solution e.g. warehouse management, electronic trading, enhanced customer care via their integrated Customer Relationship Management (CRM) module, 'touch screen' technology and the classification and display of full product images. Collectively, these benefits, among others, will provide us with invaluable tools to help us take Euro Car Parts Ltd forward."

The entire roll-out of the proposed 38 branches will take approximately twelve months to complete – based on a branch-by-branch implementation, ensuring minimum disruption to day-to-day business. Mr Singh is adamant that the finished project will be change the way Euro Car Parts operates, commenting, "I can assure you that when completed, we will have an IT facility streets ahead of our competitors and suppliers. The time, effort and money we are committed to invest at this stage will reap us rewards in the future."

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Euro Car Parts

Euro Car Parts Ltd began as a single site operation in London in 1978 but, unlike some other companies that have hit the headlines in this sector recently; they have grown organically, rather than by acquisition, into a 38 branch national parts distributor covering England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

Employing nearly 1000 staff, and operating 400 vehicles (including a fleet of motorcycles where traffic congestion slows the progress of a van in highly populated city centres), this specialist organisation has been successfully satisfying the needs of German, French and Swedish vehicle repairers and owners for over 27 years.

The 2004 turnover figure of £59 million has dramatically increased nearly £70 million in 2005 with profits rising from £1.3 million in 2003, £2.5 in 2004 and nearly £5 million pounds in 2005, even though they are only currently supplying parts for 35% of the vehicles registered in the UK. As always, these profits have been re-invested into the business to ensure its continuing growth and ability to keep up with modern vehicle trends.

For 2006, the company is expanding its offer to their customers by entering the “all makes” sector, thus increasing their target customer base to 100% of the cars registered in the UK – a staggering 27 million vehicles. The turnover for 2006 is estimated at between £90 and £100 million. With a strong management team and excellent planning in place, this looks to be an achievable target. Its 2007 plans include acquisitions and consideration of expansion into Europe.