Intermotor Group will make its first solo appearance at AAPEX in Las Vegas. The company plans to use the show to push the aftermarket to look past the finished component and ask what quality really means, from engineering and manufacturing through to product testing and validation.
Intermotor Group is a family-owned business and has been a name in the automotive aftermarket since 1968, with more than five decades of engineering and manufacturing expertise. The company is strengthening its presence in the US market. Its message is that customers should work with suppliers that offer more than a finished product.
Quality starts before the part reaches the aftermarket
Vehicle technology keeps getting more complex, and workshops are under constant pressure to deliver efficient, reliable repairs. Intermotor argues that product quality has to begin long before a component reaches the aftermarket. Quality is usually discussed in terms of performance and reliability. Intermotor wants the industry to look instead at the processes behind those claims: how components are designed, engineered, manufactured and validated before they go to market.
“The aftermarket shouldn't be the testing ground for new parts. When a component reaches a workshop, technicians need confidence that it has already undergone the necessary development and validation to perform as expected.
“Quality isn't simply about the finished product. It's about everything that happens before that component reaches the box, from the initial design and engineering through to manufacturing, testing and continuous improvement.
“When products aren't properly validated, the consequences can extend far beyond the component itself. Repeat repairs, additional diagnostic time, warranty claims and dissatisfied customers all create unnecessary costs and challenges throughout the supply chain.”
— Ross Toomey, Managing Director, Intermotor Group
End-to-end capability and in-house testing
Intermotor describes itself as different from traditional parts suppliers because it provides end-to-end solutions. It supports customers across the whole product lifecycle: initial concept and product development, engineering, manufacturing, packaging, logistics and distribution. With in-house engineering and product development, the business can assess components throughout development, spot potential issues and make improvements before products reach the market.
Intermotor runs a Centre of Excellence in Nottingham, UK. There it uses specialist testing equipment to assess how components perform under different conditions, including thermal shock chambers, salt spray testing, thermal cycling ovens and vibration testing facilities. Its engineering team also develops bespoke testing solutions where required.
“Our values are fundamental to how we operate. We believe in taking ownership of what we produce, being accountable to our customers and constantly questioning how we can improve.
“That means encouraging our people to challenge existing processes, share ideas and develop innovative solutions. It's this combination of experience, curiosity and engineering expertise that allows us to continue evolving and responding to the changing needs of the aftermarket.”
— Ross Toomey
Building US relationships
Alongside its solo debut, Intermotor wants to strengthen relationships across the US. The company says it recognizes the importance of understanding individual market requirements and of working with customers to develop solutions that meet their needs.
“The US represents an important opportunity for Intermotor Group and AAPEX provides the ideal platform to demonstrate who we are and what we can offer. We want customers to see us as more than a parts supplier. Our engineering, manufacturing and end-to-end capabilities allow us to work closely with partners, understand their challenges and deliver solutions built to grow their business.”
— Ross Toomey
For more information, visit Intermotor Group or the AAPEX show website.
