Northamptonshire-based ZF Trading UK is one of the leading business partners to the independent automotive aftermarket sector in this country. After managing a lot of challenges in recent years the company is now enjoying solid growth and plans shortly to compliment existing brands – SACHS, LEMFÖRDER and BOGE - with ZF Parts, an exciting new brand for steering racks and pumps, which will be officially unveiled in 2008.

Part of the ZF Group, one of the world’s largest automotive component manufacturers, ZF Trading UK is keen to make more of its pioneering technology, and a new CRM system is also scheduled for release shortly to further improve the support it provides to its customers through its technical helpline.

An extensive aftermarket range of OE quality products

ZF Trading UK was formed after the merger of Sachs Boge UK Ltd (founded in Daventry in 1984) and LMI GB Ltd in July 2004. Following the merger, it sought to establish itself as the provider of the most extensive aftermarket range of OE quality powertrain, suspension and steering technologies in the country.

That direction has come in the shape of the senior management team, comprising of Alan Clarke, Operations Manager and Roger Scholes, IT & Finance Manager. Managing Director Addy Doodt heads the three-strong team. He is renowned throughout the industry for his honesty, approachability and transparency, and has been empowered by the parent company, to lead from the front, and as they say, make things happen.

And, this is exactly what he has done. A big part of this has involved a wholesale internal reorganisation of the business in Crick to ensure things work a lot smoother. Everyone now works together in big open plan offices, aiding communications, while staff have been upskilled where appropriate.

Investment in product lines

Huge investment has been made in the company’s product lines to compete more effectively against rivals. A major marketing campaign is also underway, with the strapline, ‘A People Apart’, to raise further awareness of this new-look business.

Addy says: “As a result, ZF Trading has returned to profitability and is now nicely positioned to press ahead. Such has been the transformation that ZF Trading UK is now used as a benchmark for other subsidiaries in the ZF Group, with staff routinely travelling from across the world to the company’s headquarters on the Crick Industrial Estate to witness the positive developments and implement some of the processes in their own organisations.”

A lead on industry-wide issues

The future is likely to involve ZF Trading UK taking a lead on a number of industry-wide issues. Counterfeit goods is a growing problem, and the impact on drivers safety, is potentially life threatening. Addy is already throwing his name behind the introduction of a kite mark to give the public confidence in the parts that are provided by independent garages. Ignorance of the block exemption rules is another, which he feels passionately about, and again Addy is keen to lead the way in raising awareness.

Addy adds: “We have set ourselves the goal of becoming one of the leading competence setters in our industry. And, as part of the ZF Group subsidiary, one of the world’s largest automotive component manufacturers, we believe we are well qualified to do this.”