Unipart Automotive in hope of rescue deal

By Tim Rose
|
11 July 2014

Car parts supplier Unipart Automotive is hoping for a takeover to be agreed to stop it filing for administration.

One potential candidate to buy is Euro Car Parts, reports the Financial Times.

Unipart Automotive has filed an intention to appoint KPMG as administrators, but its owners are hopeful of reaching a deal by the weekend.

Mark Dixon, chief executive of Unipart Automotive, told the FT the company was in detailed discussions with three parties in respect of the sale of the business.

"A notice of intention to appoint administrators has been filed, but merely with the intention of protecting Unipart Automotive while we complete this sale process."

An intention to appoint administrators has to be filed by the company and does not automatically lead to insolvency proceedings, but gives it 10 working days to finalise a deal and prevent its lenders or other creditors forcing it into administration.

Unipart completed a refinancing in May with a capital injection from existing shareholders, but was forced to file its intention to appoint KPMG after a period of poor trading.

How dealers can offset lost business to independent traders by selling them parts.

Author: Tim Rose

Editor

tim.rose@bauermedia.co.uk

01733468266

As editor, Tim is responsible for the media content, planning and production of AM's multiple channels (AM print and digital magazines, website, social media and contributing to our events planning). He interviews and writes about as many franchised dealer groups and UK divisions of motor manufacturers as possible, to explore the issues facing UK motor retail and understand what solutions dealers and suppliers are using to overcome these.

Comments (48)

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Comments

midge - 11/07/2014 13:34

if euro buy it will they shut it down
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- tara - 11/07/2014 22:28
  
  @midge - I think if ecp do get it and close unipart down, they will lose a lot of repect and customers.
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- Adam - 11/07/2014 23:01
  
  @tara - if it was your business and money and you bought them would you keen open a 100 branches that are losing money everyday!!?? NO of course not! If Euro but it you can't blaming them for keeping some branches and shutting most!! Unipart should of downsized years ago or investided better!!
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JOHN SELL - 11/07/2014 15:28

If it goes to Euros, they will destroy it with cheap imported product, which in my opinion is not what this country needs. (That's assuming they keep the branches open.)
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- Adam - 11/07/2014 21:15
  
  @JOHN SELL - And what do you really know about Euro other than listening to rumors about the products?
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- Stuart, - 11/07/2014 22:09
  
  @Adam - I put 7k a day on one branch, never enough!! So if they did purchase Unipart I am telling you they will close the branches! Only after some of the top quality staff as they have a massive turnover of staff. I wonder why that is? Also where are all the original euro staff going?
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- Adam - 11/07/2014 22:55
  
  @Stuart, - I have worked at Euro for 3 years and seen a branch grow from day 1 and yes they do always want a bit more. But where else can you work in the motor trade that is going places. Do you still work for Euro!? What staff are you referring to?!
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- Bob - 12/07/2014 12:28
  
  @Adam - Euros aren't going places, they are dragging the motor trade down to their level.
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- Adam - 12/07/2014 19:27
  
  @Bob - not going places!!?? Have a day off!! Euro is buy far the biggest growing factor around! You wait till the Panals and paint start arriving and taking Euro to the next level
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- Jason - 12/07/2014 23:43
  
  @Adam - wait for the panels? what do you think bonehill is full off!? Collision is growing fast - no other factor will touch it..... so without ECP... insurance premiums are likely to increase as avg cost to repair would be higher without a replacement panel..... ppl slate ECP but dont think wider than their jelousy allows
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- Stuart - 14/07/2014 21:37
  
  @Adam - the paint sales will not go through the branches, they go through lkq branches , the old sine master and mk paints, so don't get hung up on paints going on your daily sales figure! No I do not work for ECP anymore and yes it was my decision to leave .my family comes first not the motor trade! I have seen managers breakdown and get divorced being Married to the job. We are all speculating and waiting to see what happens.
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reno - 11/07/2014 15:50

They will go the same way as LSUK went.
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- @dannygill - 11/07/2014 17:11
  
  @reno - hows that, brought by a greedy foreigner then shut down over night leaving familys with out a income to put food on there tables !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! i hope euro car parts and all who deal with them find out the hard way !!!!!
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- Jason - 12/07/2014 23:40
  
  @@dannygill - did you know that ECP paid LSUK due rent and wages..... then had no choice but to put them in administration.... why? because the LSUK Management had ruined the company months before they got out and washed their hands of it... if it wasnt for the rushed due dil that ECP did.... LSUK staff would have been a months wages less as well as no job!
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DAVE - 11/07/2014 16:17

UNIPART HAVE BEEN GOING DOWN THE PAN FOR A LONG TIME I WORKED THER FOR SEVEN YEARS AND THEY WERE ALWAYS WASTING MONEY
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- Reno - 11/07/2014 17:04
  
  @DAVE -
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rovert - 11/07/2014 17:10

**edited for legal reasons** Better close now than in a few months time. Nobody will keep it afloat
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Chris - 11/07/2014 17:31

Unipart have a great bunch of people working for them and they don't deserve to be served up on a platter to ECP who will tear them apart. John Moulton story reads well and looks as though would be good for them - but who's the 3rd interested party ?
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- rovert - 11/07/2014 19:29
  
  @Chris - such good people they still bleat on about the Unipart way. Unipart is 30 years behind ecp and that's just in stock let alone staff attitude
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- demi - 11/07/2014 21:36
  
  @rovert unipart is a good place, lovely people, I suspect you must work for ecp to be slating unipart.
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- Chris - 11/07/2014 21:50
  
  @rovert - I'm sure the 'unipart way' went as soon as h2 came in so a few years ago, that was a Unipart Group idea that wasn't one of the best. But I don't remember bleating only grounded people always willing to help and advise without ripping people off being top of the agenda
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TWEET TWEET - 11/07/2014 18:07

EURO CAR PART !!!! could buy Unipart Partco and keep the Wales Bangor Gwynedd branch open and keep the branch staff wee need them. tweet tweet,................ Do not do like what you did to LSUK
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- Red White & Blue - 12/07/2014 21:15
  
  @TWEET TWEET - Unipart Automotive is still a sleeping giant, do we need to wake up?? Yes we do, because we deserve the best, Hard working staff? YES, Loyal customers? YES, Excellent Quality Product? YES, Proccess Warranies promptly? YES, Pleasure to work for? YES.......Working for You Know Who???? Only if its a must!!!!!! Give us the news we deserve, Always an UA Man!!!!!!
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- sam - 12/07/2014 23:54
  
  @Red White & Blue - I agree with you all the way. Except im a woman lol.
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Mesoitis - 11/07/2014 22:04

I work for them now well the place is a shambles money wasted all over the place it's shocking.
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- Terry - 14/07/2014 11:40
  
  Bollocks
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- michael - 14/07/2014 15:38
  
  @Terry - Nice well thought out contribution Terry....care to expand a bit...if not...take a hike....
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Russell - 12/07/2014 09:14

I run a garage and I really do not want to use ecp parts as they are cheap and don't last. It would be nice if somebody else brought unipart but I am afraid that won't happen. We just sell anything British to any foreigner. Soon we will not be called Britain!
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- Adam - 12/07/2014 19:31
  
  @Russell - used to be cheap parts, but maybe if you bought the OE quality parts and fitted them correctly you wouldn't have so many issues!! Look forward to being called Great America
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Ken - 12/07/2014 11:05

Sorry Partco, but you would be better off closing than Euros buying you. Wish all of you all the best which ever way it goes.
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- TWEET TWEET - 16/07/2014 12:53
  
  @Ken - Well then you're a hero and you are willing to put 1600 people out of work I bet you are a doley having a good time on the beach are you !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Chris - 12/07/2014 11:07

Maybe, Chris Swann will pop up again!! Could be worse, could be Euros !!
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- KOD - 12/07/2014 11:46
  
  Believe me Euros would be a million times worse . I have worked with Chris, and he would definitely be the man for the job.
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injerag - 12/07/2014 13:44

I think very strong no chance of a british firm buying out......... TATA maybe or a call centre in india to order parts .that would be good
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Roy Berrington - 12/07/2014 14:05

I was around when UNIPART first started.. In the British Layland days. All those Cannel5 meeting. One of their aims was to put the likes of PARTCO and other factors out the race. Bit of a Carma going on here if you ask me... From an ex H A Hamshaw Mann Egerton Leicester parts guy
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jasie - 12/07/2014 19:10

Hopefully for the betterment of Unipart, Halfords aren't one of the interested parties. Nuf said!
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Michael - 12/07/2014 19:13

No leadership...bosses that havnt a clue how to run the joint...and i mean area managers upwards.Hard working drivers who are first out the door when it comes to redundancy.Not enough office staff to do the basics of supplying the customers...like getting the phones answered quickly.Warehouse and other staff doing what the hell they like on a daily basis.Please someone take over with some brains..and save the jobs of those that really care and flush out those who just take the money....and yes...sometimes the stock.
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- sam - 12/07/2014 22:33
  
  @Michael - I work for unipart its a good place to work, friendly staff and I can asure you all the staff work dam hard to reach the customers needs, and as for warehouse and other staff we do not do what we like.
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- Red, White, & Blue - 12/07/2014 22:50
  
  @sam - Let's pray for a positive outcome, Better Capital please!!!!!!
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- Michael - 12/07/2014 23:04
  
  @sam - Speaking for my own area and branch sam...In sure there are much better areas and branches to work at.But we are all one and I am just peeded of at our contribution and the way we seemed to have put up the white flag and given up.
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- Michael - 12/07/2014 23:25
  
  @sam - Spend a week at our branch and you would see exactly what I mean and im not being over the top.Im glad you are at a nice and organised and hard working branch....im not....
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- Sam - 12/07/2014 23:34
  
  @Michael - im sorry to hear that but I really like working at my branch. We all work as a team here
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- Red White & Blue - 13/07/2014 09:43
  
  @Sam - It's has to be good news for us all in a few days, Cmon Jon Moulton buy a sleeping giant and keep the Name,The quality brand, let's continue to be "The UK BIGGEST Aftermarket supplier".
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G - 12/07/2014 19:40

I worked for ECP for 3 years and there products and customer service are crap!! And before anyone starts I worked at 3 branchs at Managerment level so I know what I'm talking about, if they take over then I believe they close many branchs and make the motor trade a bidding war. Cheap doesn't mean quality! !
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- w - 12/07/2014 23:10
  
  @G - I agree with you, im in the motor trade, they under cut all the other factors by 20% how can that be? They must be buying cheap crap.
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- Jason - 12/07/2014 23:33
  
  @w - Andrew Page are usualy cheaper..... if ECP do buy and close branches- - it will be because the Unipart branches arent pofitable. **Edited for legal reasons** Whoever takes them over will have to reduce the branch count no matter what.... so whoever takes over will get slated for that.... best to let the worse case happen now... its only delaying the inevitable.
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- mike bean - 13/07/2014 09:43
  
  @Jason - Well ecp bought Lucas service and closed it 3 days later and all the staff were locked out of the branches with just a note pinned to the door. so Unipart staff beware ecp no saviours. and I to worked t ecp and its not good. staff are treated poorly at best with a ruthless company who treatment of staff and customers is dubious at best
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Dave Sharkey - 12/07/2014 22:41

Sorry Unipart you have not been in the game for years putting all your eggs in one basket with the nationals and not enough into the independent market. You also lost the plot with the u stations too. For anyone to buy into your you needs to be competitive!
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- Peter Jones - 12/07/2014 22:55
  
  @Dave Sharkey - Hi Dave, I agree with you. I built my UNIPART sales to the independent garages in Essex starting in 1971. The national accounts are a wAste of time.
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- Michael - 13/07/2014 07:51
  
  @Peter Jones - I agree with you and Dave.You go past all these independants on route to the Nationals.Bigger profit margins from them and cashflow in the till from the CODs....so some idiot of a manager decides years ago...a minimum spend or we dont deliver.... to service the nationals to the max.Now we are second and third suppliers of certain lines...oh dear we need the independants back.Most of them dont want to know...we disowned them.Those that give us a chance...we struggle with...due to low staffing levels...and a few incompetent staff at that.
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- Dave Sharkey - 13/07/2014 18:11
  
  @Michael - I worked for brown brothers for 18 years and 6 years with unipart even the I could see the writing on the wall shame they didn't
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- ex employee - 16/07/2014 14:29
  
  @Dave Sharkey -
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- ex employee, i think they have got what they deserve after they shit on me after 22 years! - 16/07/2014 14:33
  
  @Dave Sharkey -
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Peter Jones - 12/07/2014 22:53

What is going on ? I was involved selling UNIPART PARTS for over 25 years and took pride in the product. To see this happening is heartbreaking. How can such a great name fade into possible oblivion,
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Peter Jones - 12/07/2014 22:53

What is going on ? I was involved selling UNIPART PARTS for over 25 years and took pride in the product. To see this happening is heartbreaking. How can such a great name fade into possible oblivion,
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Mike Bean - 13/07/2014 09:38

Is this going to be Lucas service all over again where Euro Car Parts buy the company then lay off all the staff anyway just to get what they need. if you work at Unipart like me if ecp buy then its out of the frying pan into the fire. I worked at Lucas when ECP bought them so it not good news. And eurocar parts do not have a good reputation for treating their staff well.
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- g - 13/07/2014 11:12
  
  @Mike Bean - I work for GSF and we would be more than happy emply anyone from Unipart infact Bedford branch are looking for 2 sales advisors
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tweet tweet - 13/07/2014 11:00

CAN anyone from dragons den please help Unipart
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- Dragon - 15/07/2014 22:41
  
  @ dragon. - sorry I'm out
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ang - 13/07/2014 11:08

if euro buy unipart will be gone theyre already saying weve gone a and that our doors are shut
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- mark - 13/07/2014 11:16
  
  @ang - true... come on Team Unipart. . No surrender.. any buyer but Euro.
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- ang - 13/07/2014 11:21
  
  @mark - team unipart all the way
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- Sam - 13/07/2014 12:02
  
  @ang -tenses times at the moment,
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injerag - 13/07/2014 11:32

JUST hope the locksmiths wont be round the branches in the next 6 days like what they did to LSUK. please take note.-
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Bobby B - 14/07/2014 09:51

I worked for Partco in the early 90's right through to Unipart in 2003. I left their to work for an independent Factor 10 years ago, but still feel emotional about its current situation. Still being in the trade and working with our local Unipart i see how hard they work every day. Its a terrible shame, but who is to blame? is it down to bad investment? bad decision making? or just not coping with the likes of ECP? Unipart have recently had new computers systems, always keep their fleet up to date, the local staff here are hard working but sadly it doesn't seem like its ever enough. remind you of ECP? for Unipart's sake i hope who ever buys them isn't too ruthless with the culling and that they keep on with the name, even if they are my competition!!
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Gary P - 14/07/2014 10:55

I am looking for Branch Manager/Assistant Manager in East Kent. Independent Motor Factor.
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Mark - 14/07/2014 12:23

All these Euro people having a laugh at our expense, they don't realise that Unipart staff have been approached offering jobs (because they have some bad staff in euro) so even Euro jobs are not safe ;)
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- Bobby B - 14/07/2014 12:31
  
  @Mark - very true. We had 2 employees leave us just over 2 years years ago to go to ECP (from different branches) and neither lasted there. In fact one is currently jobless after cutbacks at his depot. Staff are just numbers in a bigger game with companies that size!
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- m - 14/07/2014 16:20
  
  @Bobby B -
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- Me - 15/07/2014 07:17
  
  I am a current UA manager, been approached by ECP twice last week over management role at their site in the same city, thing is they already have a manager, makes you think a bit!
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Ex Employee - 14/07/2014 12:45

Was a good company, but I was a Branch Manager & no one Area Manager upwards, listens to the local staff on the ground, they have got where they are by not looking after the independent garages, and having an arrogant attitude based on the fact they were the biggest & best, but that was a long time ago. Had the management taken on board experienced comments from people who know, things could have been different. As it is, they are playing at it....................
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- Michael - 14/07/2014 15:32
  
  @Ex Employee - I said pretty much the same in all my comments on here...you just about sum it up...and yes....they should listen to the so called lesser staff...even the drivers who are out there dealing with the customers head on.Dont mean we are thick cause we havnt got a big title
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Jamie - 14/07/2014 14:53

The loss making branches were closed when H2 came in, the fundamental issue is not making enough margin to cover central and distribution costs. The recession has driven customers towards lower quality products at a lower price point and ECP has cleaned up here. Combine this with customers who order parts because they might need them, or order both possible options and send one back and you have a recipe for disaster. I still believe it's a good business which can be saved - there are some great people (@DannyGill is one of them) who really know the market and have great relationships with their customers, it just needs a change in strategy to deliver it. I hoped H2 would do this, but it appears that hasn't happened, and with the sale of Sator to LKQ it was always going to be a serious uphill struggle to turn the business around without the benefits of scale the Dutch and Belgian businesses brought.
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Christine - 14/07/2014 14:58

My husband worked for Euro for 10yrs and left to go to Unipart because Euro ** edited for legal reasons**. They don't get dinner breaks **edited for legal reasons** its all money money.He was happy when he got the job at unipart,now he's afraid he'll have no job.
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mark - 14/07/2014 16:21

is this true that ecp have bought Unipart or is this just speculation?
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- william - 14/07/2014 18:54
  
  @mark - No just speculations
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Bill - 14/07/2014 18:19

looks just like back in 2008 with LSUK & MI Diesels ECP took them over and closed them all within a week apart from a couple of workshops they needed, makes me wonder who now owns the old Lucas properties that LSUK owned
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Bill - 14/07/2014 18:30

so Unipart is owned by H2 a Dutch group who was the owner of Sator, that is so funny when you think that Sator is owned by Euro Car Parts http://www.h2.nl/companies/selected-past-companies/5-sator
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william - 14/07/2014 18:51

Unipart Automotive is a completely independent company............ 36 hours is very slow coming up with any good new news
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x andrew page - 15/07/2014 06:47

i agree with a lot of comments made.i worked for andrew page for 11 years and came back over to unipart because i thought pages and euro were going the wrong way with ringing customers up all day long.unipart run after national accounts and ger treated like dirt by them,they talk to you as if you have to do things like buyouts to keep your job.people above above branch manager dont have a clue whats going on in the trade.its a shame but pages and euro are getting the bits that are left instead of our lot trying to fight for it
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staff - 15/07/2014 07:55

everything would be fine if every motor trader/account holders would pay on time and not taking this piz.... like left my cheque book at home.... my wife gone to with my keys
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@therealdannygill - 15/07/2014 17:57

Just to avoid any confusion, it was not me (danny gill ua) who wrote the comment regarding LSUK a few days ago. There must be another danny gill working in this industry.
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- Jamie - 15/07/2014 19:22
  
  @@therealdannygill - surely there's only one Danny Gill! (at least I hope there is...) Fingers firmly crossed for you guys, I'm sure there is a viable business there if you spun off the SW region into its own regional factor.
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Pinky - 15/07/2014 18:08

I am current employee at Unipart Automotive, am still proud to be working there after 7.5 years, I hope a suitable buyer is found NOT euro Car Parts, their reputation is bad, almost as bad as the quality of their parts. We have very good team here, and are staying till the end !!! Good luck to Unipart in finding us suitable buyer so we can stay !!!!!!!
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- RHOS - 15/07/2014 19:29
  
  @Pinky - Hi, EURO CAR PART is better than dole money and who ever is the buyer its going to be harder this time round..........I hope that my local branch is going to be safe.... euro car part is better than an empty shop like comet stores
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- sam - 15/07/2014 21:57
  
  @Rhos I rather be on the dole than work for Euros
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- ces - 16/07/2014 07:42
  
  @sam -Hello you be on the dole then mate there are plenty looking for work and there are fare more worse firms to work for than euro xmas is just round the corner, so you like it or not
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- Red, White & Blue - 16/07/2014 19:48
  
  @ces - Well....Euros have not bought UA!!! Every employer's biggest aset is their staff, therefore employers need good staff more than the staff need them!!! Dole money not an option!!
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****** - 16/07/2014 18:10

The first money saving is that CAR CARE CENTRES has to go what a waste of money Unipart.....warranty on the part only don't leave the centres milking it in 0n huge labour charges.
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me - 16/07/2014 20:59

One of Britain's best-known financiers is vying to complete a rescue deal of a major car parts supplier. and not ECP
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Mike Crease best RSM in ECP - 17/07/2014 19:55

A lot of talk about ECP when the focus should be about how to support the UA people, remember 1600 people do not know if they will have a job soon, children to care for, family will be under pressure. As for ECP I was there for many years, but the last few months were so wrong.,,,,,I got out :). As for the Unipart staff I hope this ends well for you, remember if someone buys you then make sure you support them regardless of who it is as they are taking on a high risk based on where the business is now. Good luck and I hope all goes well
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- driver for UA - 17/07/2014 20:20
  
  @Mike Crease best RSM in ECP - I cant support ecp when all they are doing is spreading rumours about UA, and iv heard these 1st hand being out on the road.
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- mike bean - 17/07/2014 21:45
  
  @Mike Crease best RSM in ECP - sorry mike but if ECP take over were doomed we will be selling unbranded parts and hounding customers to the point they will go elsewhere. I see you have left like so many others are doing I have heard so ECP cannot be a good place to work
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- UA Staff - 17/07/2014 22:00
  
  @mike bean - So if ECP do buy UA, (hoping for someone else!!) I wonder how many hard working UA staff will abort shp?? How ruthless are they?? Any ideas Mike.....
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- Cant say as I still work there - 17/07/2014 23:29
  
  @UA Staff - We had a good regiona at ecpl, nigel he had been here since about 1998 he new what to do and often was working till very late, nothing to get a email from him sunday or 11pm at night. you ask ruthless well it got so bad he walked out. I still talk to him he walked straight into another job doing the same and he is very happy, he said he should have left the day sukhpal handed over to the new boss, gray. Sukhpal had honor and was true to his word that left when he did, if I can find somewhere out of here i will leave as well
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- UA Staff - 18/07/2014 07:44
  
  @Cant say as I still work there - Enough said, high staff turnover,etc, shame because working for UA is a dream.
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- gaz1971 - 20/07/2014 17:59
  
  @UA Staff - lets get some things right 1 yes there are some unbranded products..............however putting stuff in a red white and blue box doesnt make a product good 2 i was made redundant by ua in march and by the way i understand why...............gutted at the time but looking at it now maybe it was for the best 3 ecp are moving forward 4 i have lots of v good friends still at unipart so i want a good result for them................families/mortages etc and if and i stress if ecp take over hopefully they will still be employed 5 in my honest opinion the finger of blame can stretch back as far as 15 years.............while ua stood still other companies moved forward and the top people let it happen like i have said good people work at ua all they are asking is to keep working....................all the best to them u have me on your side
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Lewis - 17/07/2014 20:03

ECP are not so bad, I worked at Halfords for many years, I took my skill sets, cycle clips and repair kit to ECP, now I almost run the place.
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tweet tweet - 17/07/2014 22:32

I hope that ECP will buy if no other buyer will and please keep our UA branch in Wales Bangor Gwynedd open because this branch is a profitable one. and the staff ....... also it would be good to keep prices down in this area for budget car owners,
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rufus69 - 18/07/2014 12:39

‘Loyal’ Unipart Automotive staff in quandary while takeover talks continue Thursday 17th July 2014 | 0 Comments Reports of at least one bidder recruiting Unipart Automotive staff We know Unipart Automotive is in need of a buyer. We know at least three companies including Euro Car Parts and Better Capital are talking to the owners about a takeover/rescue plan. But a lot remains unknown. And so Unipart Automotive’s roughly 1600 employees are facing a great deal of uncertainty while the talks continue causing some to consider their employment options moving forward. Indeed while Unipart Automotive’s owners (H2 Equity Partners – 50.1 per cent and Unipart Group – 49.9 per cent) sit round the table with potential rescuers, the company’s workforce are increasingly raising questions about their future. Some have even taken to social networks such as twitter to air their concerns. In such a pressured situation the occasional individual venting their frustration is inevitable, but there is now a widespread expectation for a resolution by the end of the week. There are also isolated indications that the HR department of Euro Car Parts (remember ECP is one of the bidders, which in many ways can be considered to be a frontrunner) are phoning ex-employees and key branch managers in a bid to cherry-pick the best and most experienced staff. One such manager tweeted that he had been called by ECP recruiters more than three times already. It would be foolish to base any conclusions on this one-off source, but it does raise questions about what the strategy of any future owner would be. Private equity or otherwise the chances are that there would be branch closures and therefore experienced people are likely to enter the jobs market again. The questions are how many? And what are their options? Recruiter speaks highly of both Unipart Automotive and “loyal” employees One automotive recruiter has gone some way to answering that question with an insightful blog on this precise subject. Beginning with an overview of the HR context of this part of the market, Cathy Richardson of CR Associates explained how the UK automotive parts aftermarket distribution sector is as complex a market where people are concerned as it is logistically. She also pointed out that it is a fairly small fish bowl. And this means there is a significant of movement between employers in the sector. The downside is that if something goes wrong this can also affect a lot of people. What’s interesting is that Richardson speaks very highly of both Unipart Automotive as an employer and the company’s “loyal” employees. This could be part of the company’s relationship with the wider Unipart Group, which was recently named as a top company for graduates (however it remains worth pointing out that Unipart Group and Unipart Automotive are two separate companies with two separate financial contexts). Nevertheless while the Automotive business seeks to solidify a deal, Unipart Group published details of how it has been voted the best in its class for graduates to work for in the transport, logistics and distribution sector by graduates providing reviews on TheJobCrowd site. TheJobCrowd is a graduate recruitment site often described as the ‘TripAdvisor’ for jobs. It hosts thousands of reviews, all written by graduate employees. Graduates stated that Unipart Group has a “culture, respect, openness and can-do approach to everything” and that their employer “takes huge pride in their graduates”. Unipart graduates said that “getting such a large amount of responsibility, and being put outside of my comfort zone at such an early stage has been brilliant for my development”. Training and support was scored highly with reviewers commenting on “amazing investment” in training and supporting graduates, “brilliant training opportunities” including “emotional intelligence development”, “training relevant to my job” and a strong emphasis on “lean and six sigma” principles, which underpin The ‘Unipart Way’. Perhaps this ethos can also be found amongst the staff at Unipart Automotive, which recruiter Cathy Richardson went on to describe as “a long-standing, highly respected and somewhat iconic brand in the parts aftermarket.” Adding that they “have always invested well in their people. Many employees have long service records, and there is a very loyal employee base that has given the company stability over the years. It has been a safe, secure and supportive working environment for a lot of people. I believe that this investment is now being repaid with well-earned loyalty.” Her point in the article that came shortly after the initial news at Unipart Automotive was that despite all the uncertainty, Unipart’s loyal employee base are “holding fast”. And this, she said, was unusual: “One would expect a flood of CVs and job seekers at the first bit of bad news. So far, this has not happened. I have not seen an increase of Unipart employees applying to all the branch based roles I am advertising. I have had a few phone calls from worried people and past contacts who want to assess their chances of getting new jobs.” Contrary to the negative tweets visible online and contrary to reports that ECP is taking steps to reach out to staff it seems Unipart Automotive employees are “waiting for salvation” in the form of some kind of rescue deal and are sitting tight until then. Richardson continued: “This is a real testament to Unipart Automotive as an employer. The values they have instilled in their employees are now prompting staff to keep fighting the good fight, in the face of a very limited and debilitated trading environment.” But the reality is that no-one will stick around forever. Richardson is confident that employees are loyal and will remain whilst salaries are being paid. However with administration looming if a buyer cannot be found this is something of a big “if”. Her fear is that in the event of a massive influx into the job market, companies will be relatively short term in the recruitment policies and that long-term succession planning will be overlooked – something that remains a challenge in the wider aftermarket/garage/fast-fit industry. In the meantime all eyes are on shareholders H2 Equity Partners and Unipart Group as the industry waits for news on the possible rescue plan.
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Pinky - 18/07/2014 18:41

Well finished work tonight and we still don't know what's happening, it's getting very tiring all this non communication, why can't they tell their LOYAL EMPLOYEES what's been said and if we still have job. I still DONT want to work for ECP, and the rumours staff at ECP are spreading is showing how unprofessional the company is !!!
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- william - 18/07/2014 19:21
  
  @Pinky -Hi, the 10 day dead line is up 22/07/14 Tuesday we motor trade must get any news by then.... it is 10 working days ex weekends the whole takeover is very private due to a huge finance reason. PLEASE DON,T RUN ANY BUYERS DOWN take a tip
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- Pinky - 18/07/2014 21:16
  
  @william - that is certainly not my intention, it's when customers tell US what is happening to our company with buyers that one gets frustrated, our depot is one of the most loyal amongst us !
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- merlike - 18/07/2014 21:51
  
  @Pinky - understand where you are coming from, I am a UA manager in a successful profitable branch and the team and I have been together for 8 years, its frustrating to work in the current climate but we take pride in the support we are getting from our customer base, its good to see that "extra discounts" have little effect on our customers and proves that if you establish a good relationship then the customers will stay with you through thick and thin,majority have stated only reason they will leave UA is if ECP take over
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dre - 18/07/2014 23:16

Sukhpal Singh Ahluwalia, sold Euro Car Parts, Britain's biggest distributor of parts for cars and light commercial vehicles, to the Nasdaq-listed auto components group. so who are they
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- Pinky - 19/07/2014 07:40
  
  @dre - think they are American
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- dre - 19/07/2014 08:54
  
  @Pinky - so euro car part was sold April 2014 is this true ?
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- gaz1971 - 20/07/2014 09:58
  
  @dre - no
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- dre - 20/07/2014 11:25
  
  @gaz1971 - is the Nasdaq-listed auto components group a british firm then
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- gaz1971 - 20/07/2014 13:37
  
  @dre - no its part of lkq corporation its an American company.
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Bobby B - 21/07/2014 12:34

the term 'no news is good news' does not apply to this situation. The staff at UA are beside themselves at my local branch, i truly feel for you all and hope that whatever news you get is both good and very soon!
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- Marken - 21/07/2014 17:01
  
  @Bobby B - there's a lot of people worried, and the longer it goes on the more worried we become.
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- mike bean - 21/07/2014 18:01
  
  @Marken - longer it goes on starting to wonder if the company being sold off in bits. the ones ecp wants to fill in gaps and maybe some others doing the same. maybe that's why its taking so long. some to be saved most to be closed down. guess we carry on waiting
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- Marken - 21/07/2014 19:52
  
  @mike bean - you may be right, let's hope we hear something soon,
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peter - 21/07/2014 21:05

rumor at our branch from trusted source,no names mentioned is stapleton tyres aka kwikfit,in the running,will deliver parts via it,s tyre delivery network
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Glynn Roy - 24/07/2014 12:06

I've just heard some very bad news, Unipart have closed.. if anyone from unipart is now looking for a job and would like to work for GSF Car parts in any area please contact me 01234 573375 ask for Glynn
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