Texaco new Havoline PitPack helps save time and space

• New packaging concept uses 85% less plastic than previous 20L packaging 

Following a successful pilot programme, Texaco Lubricants is introducing the new Texaco Havoline PitPack system across Europe.

The benefits of the Havoline PitPack are twofold. Firstly, the compact square design makes it easier for Texaco customers to stock and shelve Texaco Havoline engine oils, while also helping to optimise freight, with space for 50 per cent more product per pallet (48 cartons versus 32 pails). Secondly, the carton is fully recyclable, while interior liners result in less plastic use and lead to lower energy consumption in the manufacturing process when compared to conventional pails of the same size.

Customer focused solutions

The Havoline PitPack is an efficient storage, display and dispensing system for engine oils that provides product integrity from the box to the customer’s engine.

Each corrugated carton holds 20 litres of engine oil, sealed in a self-collapsing polyethylene liner bag.  The boxes are easily stacked to allow garages to stock a wider range of viscosities without taking up the space of a tank or multiple drums. Branded carton labels have been designed to match Texaco Havoline small packs, to ensure they are still easily recognisable.

An easy to use, non-drip, dispensing nozzle allows users to pour the oil into transfer jugs, each of which holds up to five litres of engine oil and has clear measurement markings. The specially designed jugs feature lids to help prevent dirt from getting into the oil and come with labels showing product names and viscosities to help prevent cross-contamination.

The PitPack display rack holds up to six cartons, plus six transfer jugs, as well as removable drip trays for easy cleaning.  The rack is ergonomically designed to sit lower to the ground to prevent unnecessary lifting and takes up significantly less space than six 20-litre pail packs.

Less energy use, more recyclable material

Another key element of the Havoline PitPack concept is its energy efficient production and the recyclability of the material choices. 

The new liner bags within each carton, contains 85% less plastic* than previous 20 litres plastic pails, with an HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene) weight of 134 grams versus the previous 900 grams.  The reduction in plastic use also lessens energy consumption in the manufacturing process.

Finally, the corrugated carton itself is 100% recyclable** and thanks to the separate liner bags can be disposed of with general waste, rather than adding to the industrial waste stream.

Further information about Texaco Havoline can be found at: https://www.texacolubricants.com  

The Road to Inclusive Workshops

• Castrol study identifies five key steps to help create a more inclusive workshop experience.

Recent research from Castrol finds that there is significant opportunity to make automotive workshops more inclusive, from first impressions through to post-service engagement.

The Castrol study titled, “The Road to Inclusive Workshops”1,focuses on different people’s perceptions and experience of independent workshops and is the first in a series of studies exploring how workshops might enhance their approach to inclusivity.

This first study which was conducted across seven markets: China, Germany, India, Malaysia, Poland, Thailand, and the United States, focused specifically on women’s experiences at workshops and identified five steps that workshop owners can consider taking to create more inclusive workshops, and hopefully attract a wider customer base.

1. Arriving at the workshop: Ensure customers feel more comfortable right from the start: with parking, clear signage and clear communication.

2. Entering the workshop: Provide a designated reception area, that is inviting, clean and well lit.

3. Vehicle repairs: Build trust with respectful communication and transparent pricing.

4. Waiting for the vehicle: Create a comfortable environment away from the shop floor with amenities.

5. Post-service and after-sales: Continue communication during and after the transaction, with additional services provided to help secure future business.

Overall, the message from the research was clear; across cultures and geographies customers (particularly women in this case) are looking for high quality, professional, and trustworthy customer service. 

Nicola Buck, Chief Marketing Officer, at Castrol says: “Our ‘Road to Inclusive Workshops’ study series is another concrete step in this direction. The first study in our series explores the experiences and expectations of what female customers want. Based on these findings we’ve identified how workshops can adapt their current offers and create more inclusive workshops. While there is still much more to do, both across our Castrol branded network and the industry generally, we hope this research will help improve the experience for all our customers and opportunities for workshops as well.”

Helping workshops navigate the road to inclusivity

To help workshops put these key learnings into practice, Castrol has developed a five-part micro-learning experience. This program will be supported with printed and digital materials to reinforce the training, as well as consumer communications that hope to demonstrate workshop commitment to providing a better quality of customer service.

To find out more, please visit: https://go.bp.com/YBZqJ

Eight-piece extra-long-reach screwdriver set from Kamasa

New from Kamasa is this set of 8 extra-long-reach screwdrivers (part number 56149) that feature soft-grip handles, black magnetic tips and strong chrome vanadium steel shafts, particularly useful for reaching restricted-access fixings.

The sizes included are PzDrive: Pz1, Pz2; Phillips: Ph0, Ph1, Ph2; and flat: 5.5, 6.5, 8mm. All the drivers have a 325mm shaft which lets you easily reach screws deep in the engine bay, or under the dashboard.

You’ll find the strong polypropylene handles comfortable to use and the thermoplastic rubber (TPR) inserts offer excellent grip. Magnetic tips grip the screws securely for safe retrieval.

The set is the usual Kamasa exceptional value and is available now from your Kamasa stockist.

Further details from https://www.kamasa.co.uk/Product/56149/Long-Reach-Screwdriver-Set-8pc

Hella Gutmann extends mega macs X finance offer

Monthly payment option provides an affordable way for workshops to future-proof their business

Over several decades, Hella Gutmann has consistently developed world-class tools that have allowed independent workshops to tackle the various service and repair requirements that have become necessary with modern vehicle design.

From a diagnostic perspective few will question that the mega macs range has been at the forefront of the technology and with products such as the pioneering mega macs X and the macsRemote, that trend continues and, in the process, provides the solutions that workshops need, not just in the here and now, but for the future, thus ensuring that they can compete effectively over the long term.

However, as Automechanika Birmingham recently proved, the company’s vision extends beyond just the equipment that workshops need, but also the means to access it cost effectively, and this now includes a highly competitive finance option.

Initially introduced as a show offer to allow the workshops and technicians at the event to quickly turn their interest in the tools into the reality of ownership, the response was so positive that the initiative has been extended to become another Hella Gutmann option, offered alongside its unique modular licenced data package formula.

As a result, as well as selecting the level of capability that the tool is required to provide, in terms of the work that it typically undertakes, the workshop can now also purchase the equipment at a competitive rate, over a longer period, to fit within a defined budget. This provides it with the added benefit of being able to use the best tools on the market, which in itself automatically improves efficiency and increases profitability!

“We have long been able to provide workshops with world-class diagnostic solutions, but with this move, we can now make ownership even more achievable,” explains Hella Gutmann’s UK Sales Manager, Julian Goulding.

“The initial scheme is a three-year option offering that can be applied to our X3, X5 and X5 Pro licences. Starting at £49 per week workshops will receive a mega macs X with an X3 data package, as well as an Android tablet. Increase to £59 per week and the mega macs X will come with X5 enhanced data, a Surface Go rugged tablet plus a macsRemote. However, the ultimate option, at only £75 per week, also includes a MT-HV Pro high and low voltage measure module, which allows workshops to safely discharge high voltage systems and work on hybrid and electric vehicles! And each offer also includes the licence renewal for the full three-year period.”

For more information concerning the products in the Hella Gutmann range, please call the sales team on: 01295 662402 or visit: www.hella-gutmann.co.uk