A DETERMINED assault to capture much more fleet and SME business user service work from both franchised networks and rival independents is being launched by Kwik Fit.
Kwik Fit the fast-fit automotive aftermarket group founded by Sir Tom Farmer 42 years ago, and whose owners have included Ford and CVC Capital Partners, the private equity group which controls Formula One.
Now the current owner, Japan’s Itochu conglomerate which bought Kwik Fit from another private equity group, France’s PAI Partners, for £673m two years ago, is providing full backing to Kwik Fit’s Fleet division to convert potentially up to 200 of Kwik Fit’s more than 600 outlets in the UK to “Kwik Fit Plus” centres.
The centres have more extensive and sophisticated servicing capabilities than the standard, mainly retail oriented outlets. They’re targeted strongly towards the contract hire and leasing sectors and other business users.
The equipment includes prototype, highly advanced, rapid on-board diagnostics, wheel alignment, braking and other key systems analysis.
Highly detailed vehicle status reports are available immediately by email to business car managers or SME users. The whole process takes little more than five minutes.
The Slough flagship outlet in Berkshire currently houses the only such installation in Europe, with only a handful up and running so far in North America, where the system was created.
