After losing two members in as many months to the Parts Alliance, the IFA has announced that it will be joining the ADI European buying group from January 1, 2013.
The new move is the latest in a string of significant shifts in the buying group landscape this year and provides the IFA with significant support.
IFA Chairman Gary Kennett said: “The aftermarket in the UK is undergoing a massive change right now. Every part of the market, and the way it works, is being challenged from various sources.
“We think that a partnership with ADI will enable us to respond adequately to these changes, so we look forward to this new era of international cooperation.”
The new member for ADI marks a renewed involvement for the group in the UK. ADI President Olivier Roux welcomed the IFA and said: “We believe that the IFA is well placed to represent ADI in the UK.
“We chose to support the IFA after a detailed study of its ambitious business plan. Their policy fits well with the expectations ADI has from them.”
Formed in 1970, ADI operates in 31 countries and says it put €5.7 billion through the books of its 2000 wholesalers and 500 distributors in 2011.
The IFA was created in 1977, has 35 members and nearly 200 branches. It says purchases from suppliers with group-wide agreements exceeds €120 million.
The added stability for IFA follows the departure of Motex and BBC Superfactors from the group to the Parts Alliance which itself lost Camberley Autofactors to Andrew Page in July.
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