Page 11 - Champion Get the Facts booklets

1995 Champion acquires Trichamp, 7
1995 South Africa

1996 With a 50% share of the spark plug aftermarket, an 85% share of
1997 the wiper blade market and a 90% share of the OE wiper arms
and linkages market, the acquisition of Trichamp in 1995 gave
Champion Europe a major presence in the African continent.

£20 millions redevelopment
programme is begun

Further underlining its central role within the European operations
of the group, Cooper Industries invested a major resource into
the re-development of the Upton site, including an ultra-modern
engine test centre, the base for all Champion engine development
work in Europe. Upton is now the major spark plug production
unit in the Champion Europe complex. Wagner (another company
in the Cooper Automotive stable) began distributing lighting
products into Europe, Africa and the Middle East through the
Champion distribution organisation.

Name change recognises the
product diversity

In October of 1996, the Upton plant officially changed its name to
Champion Automotive Products, division of Cooper GB.

Champion brand reaching
throughout Europe

Champion Europe now has manufacturing plants in Upton in
England, Aubange in Belgium, Druento in Italy, Casarza in Italy,
Carpi in Italy, Naas in Ireland and Isando in South Africa. As
well as the manufacturing facilities, the company also operates
two major distribution centres. Latour in Belgium distributes to
mainland Europe whilst the Upton warehouse supplies all the'
deep-sea' markets of Africa and the Middle East as well as the
UK mainland and Ireland. There are also local warehouses in Italy
and Spain.