LKQ UK & Ireland Chief Executive Kevan Wooden has outlined his commitment to long-term supplier and customer partnerships at the recent LKQ Branch Managers Conference, as key to driving sustainable growth across the aftermarket.
Speaking at the annual event, Wooden, who succeeded Andy Hamilton at the start of the year, highlighted how LKQ can utilise its people, products and customers to achieve growth in the year ahead.
“We had a strong year in 2023, with strategic acquisitions like Digraph, and the launch of leading workshop concept 1TEC Auto Hub successfully expanding our support for customers,” Wooden told attendees in his Keynote speech.
“Our people, products and customers are all central to achieving sustainable growth, with an exciting year ahead for the business. For example, sales excellence will be achieved through management and adviser training underpinned by new customer service technology; we can nurture growth areas like the HGV market with Digraph, and geographic markets including Ireland; and we will be working hard to get the crucial electric vehicle (EV) parts that garages need to retain and win new customers. If we can help our customers to thrive, then we can thrive with them.
“Our recent success reveals what can happen when we get out and see customers. They like the way we have changed over the years. We are not just here to supply parts. We are here to solve customers’ problems armed with a whole scope of services, really being a supportive partner of choice.”
LKQ Branch Managers Conference brings group together
The LKQ Branch Managers Conference saw each of the four businesses within the LKQ UK & Ireland group – LKQ Euro Car Parts, LKQ Bodyshop, LKQ Leisure & Marine and Digraph , come together, to focus on leveraging the strength of the four businesses’ best-in-class product range, logistical infrastructure and experience, influence and expertise to drive growth in partnership with customers.
The Supplier Zone at the LKQ Branch Managers conference featured activations and demonstrations from leading brands like Shell, Varta, Pagid, Brembo, Valeo, Mann, Bosch and Schaeffler – many of which work closely with LKQ on the 1TEC Auto Hub garage concept network launched last year, and which share LKQ’s commitment to innovation and customer support.
In a talk to delegates, Anthony McAteer, group procurement director at LKQ Euro Car Parts, also committed to being the first to market on key products launching in the next few years to help customers keep pace with evolving vehicle technologies. Meanwhile, Andy Southby, new Chief Commercial Officer for UK & Ireland, spoke about the importance of building trust with customers, embracing change and how the business can and will continue to add value to the aftermarket.
Guests at the LKQ Branch Managers Conference also heard from David Coulthard and Bernie Collins about their experiences in F1, how that can be transferred to colleagues, and on the importance of attracting young talent into the automotive sector.
Also at the LKQ Branch Managers Conference was home to a series of stands detailing the group’s commitment to its colleagues and to driving progress on the issues that matter. As well as highlighting key sustainability achievements and initiatives like its Community Branch Fund that supports local grassroots causes, there was a significant focus on diversity, equity and inclusion, including the group’s industry-leading commitment to reaching a 25% female workforce by 2025.
Speaking about the conference, Kevan added: “In a competitive, challenging environment, the LKQ Branch Managers Conference brought our colleagues, suppliers and customers together to reflect on everything we’ve done to reinforce our position as customers’ partner of choice – and how strong and sustainable we increasingly are as a result. Building these relationships is centric to the aftermarket’s success, as an ecosystem that relies on each other.
“But we know we can never rest on our laurels in a dynamic market like the aftermarket. At the heart of the show was the principle of how we can continue to deliver excellence for customers by investing in our people and products, and by fighting industry issues on their behalf to secure our mutual success.”
