Battery brand Varta is to join OEASAA, the Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association in the UK.
It becomes the 13th member currently in the group, not counting sub-brands. Other members include Schaeffler, Hella, Denso and ZF.
Andy Cook, Technical Sales Manager at VARTA said: “Our new membership will help us support the independent garage further, especially in the area of new technology, where we have battery expertise on features like start-stop, where eight out of 10 start-stop cars fitted with an AGM technology battery, is one of ours”.
READ: BACK TO BETTER WITH VARTA
Nigel Morgan OESAA Chairman expressed delight at the new member. “We’re looking forward to collaborating with VARTA as part of the group, and joining forces with us in our drive to support the independent aftermarket in the UK” he said.
READ: NTN-SNR BRINGS NEW BEARING TO OESAA
OESAA was started as a way for suppliers with OE contracts to communicate what they saw as the difference between their parts, and parts labelled ‘matching quality’. Since establishment it has maintained around the same number of members, although various companies have come and gone over the years.
Recently the organisation has donated thousands of coronavirus ‘workshop essentials’ packs to garages, including floor and window stickers, hygiene hooks, three A2 posters and a British made washable face mask.
Not too sure how joining this group could really be in the interests of independent garages? I do wonder what they discuss at meetings – very dangerous especially when you look at the past history of some members and shocking cases of price fixing. Fines from the EU etc.