Autopromotec 2007

Concepts' participation at Autopromotec Bologna 2007 provided an exciting backdrop to present new marketing initiatives and a number of important new product innovations.

All 3 major Brands - Concept, Surf-ACE & Zirconite featured in the new dynamic corporate presentation. Of particular interest were innovations in Paintwork polishing systems and hologram treatment, supported by new Video Training Films.

Many of Concepts' Importers from over 20 countries used this major international meeting venue to discuss and review strategies for the coming year. The featured photo montage captures these many visitors, and it was great to see you all there!

JCA Coatings Ltd

We are delighted to announce the appointment of JCA Coatings Ltd to our network of valeting chemical distributors in the U.K. We are excited that the formation of this new strategic supply partnership between JCA, the third largest U.K refinish distributor, and Concept Chemicals, the leading manufacturer of cleaning and conditioning chemicals in the UK refinish sector, will add significant value to the automotive cleaning market.

JCA have an extensive network of branches and supply agreements across the South and West of England and Wales and we look forward to working together to increase the penetration of the Concept Brands and build on our shared values of delivering a market leading level of quality, service and innovation.

Belgium - recognises the potential of Concept.

Dabrav, new Concept and Surf-ACE importers in Belgium explored the full potential of the range during a recent visit. We were invited to demonstrate our products in Audi, Volvo, Jaguar, Porsche and B.M.W dealerships.

Our team visited V Boats, importers and repairers of yachts. Surf-ACE compounds quickly produced excellent results for them. Issues with re-appearance of flatting marks when using competitor’s products have been resolved. Ultra violet protection offered by Concept’s Zirconite Paint Protection System will in future provide an opportunity for clients of V Boats to protect their investment from the suns rays they are always keen to enjoy.

On the Zirconite Launch evening planned by Dabrav, customers enjoyed a glass of wine whilst they watched demonstrations of the Surf-ACE compounds and Concept range. The vehicle was finally treated with Zirconite, locking in that shine and giving six years of protection.

We look forward to working with Dabrav in the future to develop the promising start made in Belgium.

Concept Invests in the future

The latest expansion at Concept’s manufacturing plant in the UK involves a £550,000 investment in the creation of a new Head Office Administration centre and Training School. Scheduled for completion by July 2007, the new facilities are already well on their way to completion.

Of greatest interest to our customer base is the new Training School. Included within the school are wet and dry bays, finishing and product testing areas. The creation of this training facility also means Concept will have a purpose built venue that can be used for product and ‘best method of use’ photography and videos which will be used to project the quality of Concept’s products ‘in action’ to an even wider overseas audience.

This development of the site is Stage II of Concept’s forward thinking ethos.

Stage III, which will follow shortly after, calls for a further £600,000 investment in new and extra manufacturing capacity to further expand the already state-of-the-art plant and equipment.

Keep reading the web site for further updates on the Training School and how you and your customers can benefit.

Automechanika - Another successful show

September saw Concept Chemicals attending Automechnika at Messe Frankfurt. Concept Stand promoted its Surf-ACE, Concept & Zirconite Brands to great effect.

Attendees from all over the world were impressed with the wide demonstration of Surf-ACE Compounds and Polishes with particular focus on a number of problem solving solutions for todays paintshop and showroom environments.

As one of the busiest shows in Concept's Exhibition Calendar, the stand was visited by potential new Distributors and Importers to discuss the excellent new business opportunities available through Concept.

Moscow Motor Show

A particular highlight from the summer was the Moscow Motor Show in August 2005, where our Surf-ACE Importer showcased the very latest innovations in the Surf-ACE Programme.

A regular series of seminars/demonstrations, was hugely successful as the reputation for quality of the Surf-ACE Polishing System has spread rapidly across this huge country... from St Petersburg in the West to Vladivostock on the Eastern Pacific Coast!

Our Russian partners generated a huge amount of interest in this ever expanding market. The exhibition was held over 5 days and created a huge amount of product and brand awareness - producing more than 1,000 enquiries about this unique polishing system.

Postscript: The latest news on spying techniques involves the use of hollowed-out rocks. However, some competitors are not so cleverly disguised: no prizes for the yellow shirt!

Maltese Support

Concept recently supported its Maltese importer at the November Machinery & Tools Fair where the Surf-ACE Polishing System attracted an immense amount of trade interest. Attendees crowded round the Surf-ACE demonstration stand where the complete polishing system was put through its paces.

Jerry Coole, senior Surf-ACE Technician, opened with showing Spray ‘n’ Finish - a superb product which enables operators to easily gauge the compounding process by completely removing all compounding residues. The great advantage of using Spray ‘n’ Finish is that polishing is not "masked" by any trace of compound and the operator can see exactly where he is up to.

Other demonstrations included Surf-ACE OE, Surf-ACE Rapide and Surf–ACE Ultimate Glaze, - products which remove paint haze, and hologram scratches on the toughest of paints – even the new ceramic clear coats!

The simple procedures for these rectification processes are highlighted on the Surf-ACE wall chart which was also available at the show.

Surf-ACE in Romania

Jerry Coole, one of our senior technical demonstrators, recently visited our Romanian Importer & Distributor to officially launch and demonstrate the Surf-ACE range of products to an eager invited audience.

The demonstration took place close to the Castle of Count Dracula - which is why some of the audience are looking over their shoulder rather than concentrating on Jerry!

The training seminar provided the ideal venue for the introduction of a new Concept Brand Core Products brochure which selects 30 key products from over 300 contained in the main transport cleaning and autocosmetics catalogue. This was widely applauded, as making product identification and user choice a much simpler procedure.

Zirconite, Concept’s new warranty polish system was also introduced in Romania. This range of products allows Treatment Centres to offer a comprehensive warranty polish system which covers paintwork for up to six years. Zirconite can be applied to new and used vehicles and offers Authorised Treatment Centres new profit opportunities. Check out the Zirconite section of the website for more details.