New buying group Rapid/NDP has awarded a £12m contract for the supply exhausts, cats and towbars to Preston-based manufacturer Bosal.

The Rapid/NDP Alliance was formed this year as a result of a merger between the National Distribution Partnership (NDP) and the Regional Automotive Parts Distribution Alliance (Rapid).

Its membership includes AE Cook, Car Spares Distribution, EK Brakes, General Traffic, Minorfern, NPA, Parker Motor Services, Rapid Car Parts, Southern Exhaust Supplies and TMS.

Bosal will be supplying the 10 Rapid/NDP members its full range of Bosal exhaust systems, the shortline range of VFM exhaust products, the Bosal OE specification radial flow catalytic converters, eccoline catalytic converters, towbars and accessories on an exclusive basis.

Rapid/NDP chairman and Southern Exhaust Supplies MD Clive Wilson says: “Southern Exhaust Supplies and the other NDP members are pleased to have strengthened their partnership with Bosal. NDP had an existing contract with Bosal that has now been renegotiated to take into consideration the additional volumes offered by Rapid/NDP. This new deal will ensure our competitiveness in the aftermarket.”

Bosal has geared up its production and logistics operations to meet contract demands from Rapid/NDP while maintaining service levels to existing accounts.