Page 21 - Fedral Mogul News Collection

Issue 3 - Bradford United News

Customer Exchange traditional arrangements with equipment
manufacturers but our business concentrates
on slow- to medium slow-moving parts and
distress items – products the manufacturers
The Ferraris Factor NE OF FEDERAL-MOGUL’S can’t ship quickly enough or in the quantities
required – and that’s where we’re unbeatable.
Omost important customers, “We carry more than 70,000 lines and we’re
FPS has been offering a supplying 6,000 customers, typically motor
wholesale distributor service to factors and engine re-manufacturers, via
the automotive aftermarket for our 24 sites – that includes our sister
nearly seventy years. companies SLP, Engine Express and Euro
Very much has changed since Service Distribution – and we’re ready to deliver
FPS, or Ferraris Piston Service Limited up to six times a day. No-one else can match
as it then was, first opened for business that and we make sure we stay ahead by keeping
back in the early 30s but the essence up with the very latest technology.
of its business, and therefore of its
success, has remained consistent – to

deliver the products the customers
want, when they want them and at “I’m not so sure ordering on-line, for
the right price. example, is going to bring the massive
It’s a simple enough proposi- benefits which some claim for it but,
tion but, with fierce competition nevertheless, FPS is ready for it if that’s
and ever increasing customer expectations, getting it right means not only does FPS have what our customers want. We’ve got some
to have its act together but so do its suppliers. of the most sophisticated, bespoke
Managing director, Terry Wainwright, explained why supplier computer systems in place to make sure
partnerships are so important. “There has been an explosion in the that, if we’ve got it, then so has the
numbers of parts due to the increase in bespoke automotive technology. customer – right when he wants it – and
It’s just not possible for motor factors to stock them all – and nor we work in real time so a customer knows
would they want to. The fast-moving stuff can be catered for through he can ring us at 11.55am and the product
will go out on the 12 o’clock van.
“We’re known for our reliability and that
Champion’s means we have to rely on our suppliers. If they
let us down on supply it means we have to
protect ourselves by holding more stock
ourselves. If we haven’t got it in stock then a
Champion phone call becomes an enquiry rather than a
sale and we’ve lost our reputation.
“Important though it is, it’s more than
Local Boy Beats just a stock issue. We don’t just supply
products we support a brand. We have a
Best In World deliberate policy to stock the biggest brands
or what we perceive as long-term winners.
That means quality product but it also
WENTY-THREE YEAR OLD this story is continued on means range. So we rely on our supplier to
DOUGIE LAMPKIN HAS A LOT page 5... get those right too – and to keep them right.
TGOING FOR HIM. First off he’s We also have to be competitive so there
a Yorkshire lad – Silsden on the again we rely on our supplier to have the
outskirts of Bradford, to be exact – right pricing policy.
which already puts him in a class of “Four essential requirements we’re
his own; but he’s also pretty hot when looking for from a supplier but, when we
it comes to travelling on two wheels think we’ve got them, then we’re prepared
Currently the world trials champion – indoor and outdoor – Dougie’s lead by the to support that supplier with our investment
end of round 8 in the 2000 season was already unassailable, making it certain that up front. For example, if a supplier
he will add yet another world title to the six he already has when the competition introduces a new catalogue then we’re
reaches its final round in Andorra in September. almost ready to ask them to tell us what to
Dougie started the season by announcing a sponsorship deal with Champion – stock. And we’ll do that, we’ll make the
not a bad brand to carry around when winning is becoming almost a habit. As technical investment. But, if they haven’t done their
sponsor, Champion expertise is on hand during the gruelling outdoor series – still homework properly then we expect them to
seen as the ultimate title. Pre-season testing suggested that his new 249cc Montesa take back what we can’t sell.
Honda 315RY was in top condition and that has now been proven on the race track. ❖ “And that’s another important part of the
partnership. I often think our suppliers don’t
push us enough. We want to see them coming
continued from page 5... Thefts Prompt quite clear to every employee. The company may to us with bright ideas to attack the marketplace.
Increased Security also restrict access to authorised users only in We want to work together to both our benefits.
Watch Out! Measures certain specified areas. And those who are prepared to work hard with
so strict that it’s difficult to move around. Regardless of official security measures, all us will outstrip their competitors.
First off, covert cameras are being installed employees are urged to be vigilant about their personal “FPS has been dealing in the brands
in addition to the visible ones already in place. belongings. Don’t leave valuables lying around.
Second step is the introduction of a card identity The company is ready to pursue any individual which now belong under the Federal-
system for everyone working on site or coming in caught thieving – company employee or outsider – to Mogul banner for many, many years
as a visitor. By now, everyone should have had the full extent of the law. Theft by an employee is deemed – since AE first started. It’s a 5
their photographs taken so that a pass can be to be an act of gross misconduct and can result in relationship we want to see continue
allocated and the rules for their use will be made dismissal. ❖ under Federal-Mogul.” ❖