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2018 Spring Issue

AN IMAGE BANK UPDATE TO ENSURE CLEAR VISION

We have recently updated our image bank with precise product shots of our complete rear blade programme within the Exact Fit range.

Product and Brand Manager Sam Robinson said: “With al-most 50 references all with unique connection types the rear blade programme is complex. These new product photos will help garages and retailers to clearly identify the correct rear blade for a vehicle.”

The images include a side on shot which shows the com-plete blade and a close up overhead shot of the connec-tion area, showing the connection point in more detail.The images are available in all TRICO electronic cata-logues, future printed catalogues and also upon request -contact Hannah.martin@trico-group.com

NEW PACKAGING AT TRICO

We are delighted to announce a revamp of our popular clam-shell type packaging used on our Force, Flex, Neoform and Ice product lines.

In response to customer feed-back, these clamshells have been redesigned as a “shallower” type package – this will increase the number of packages that can be hung onto display pegs. In the case of Trico supplied display stands, the number of packages per peg will rise from 4 to 5.

We have also re-designed the artwork for these ranges which, with logos & branding now aligned across all packages, gives a coherent & uniform ap-pearance. This new artwork also features new product photo-graphs & key technical points, as well as a QR code linking directly to our website enabled mobile catalogue for easy vehicle look-up.

These new packages will be in-troduced as a running change, with estimated introduction dates as below:

TRICO Flex: May 2018TRICO Force: June 2018TRICO Neoform: July 2018TRICO Ice: September 2018

Please note that there are no changes to the product inside and stock in existing packag-ing can continue to be sold through as normal. All barcode & part number information, as well as outer carton quanti-ties, will remain unchanged.

If you would like to receive these new packaging pictures in high resolution format, please contact Hannah.martin@trico-products.co.uk or visit the “Image Store” section of our website.

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A SUCCESSFUL A1 SPRING TRADE SHOW

We enjoyed a bustling A1 Trade Show engaging with the members and discussing how they can help to grow their wiper blade sales and turnover in 2018.

The Show was held on the 19th April at the Whittlebury Hall in Towcester.

Andy Taylor presented a delighted Samantha Gutteridge, owner of Epic Accessories, with a TRICO liveried Ford Fiesta van, after having successfully exceeded their target during the three-month wiper blade promotion following A1’s Convention last year.

Samantha said: “The new vehicle will help us on both a promotional and practical level in getting the message out to potential customers that we fit wiper blades in our designated fitting bay at the rear of our store, so a huge thanks to TRICO!”

We have been working with A1 members for nearly 10 years and showcased the Exact Fit, Neoform and award winning, Mota 1 programmes at the show.

Sam Robinson, Product and Brand Manager said: “The show was a great success for us, in particular our pro-motional offer on Neoform retro-fit beam blades, which was well received with a number of members who placed orders for a merchandise box on the day. We also agreed plans with various members to help boost their sales, including supply of in-store signage, as well as training days to educate and support their staff on selling and fitting TRICO blades.”

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UPSELL OPPORTUNITY WITH EXACT FIT REAR

Technicians should always be checking the rear blade as well as the front as it’s not only an upsell opportu-nity but also the motorist needs proper visibility all around them.

Rear integral blades should be changed just as often as the front wipers, although most drivers only change their rear blade once every five years or so. Highlighting this is a great opportunity to help your customers and win their loyalty. Rear blade sales now account for 10% of all wiper blade sales –workshops need to offer an extensive comprehensive programme to cover the market needs and take advantage of another additional revenue opportunity.

Our Product and Brand Manager Sam Robinson said, “The process of changing a rear windshield wiper blade should be repeated annually along with replac-ing the front windshield wiper blades. If they are not replaced, they may fall off during use and scratch the entire windshield or not adequately clear the glass of obstructions.

“This provides another opportunity for garages to in-crease profit as there is an increasing number of ve-hicles with unique rear wiper blade designs. Although many of these blades look similar, they’re specially developed and unique in fitment. The TRICO Exact Fit rear blade programme is comprehensive in coverage to accommodate the wide variety of applications.”

EXACT FIT RECEIVES 4 STARS WITH AUTO EXPRESS BLADE TEST

We have received a 4-star rating in the Auto Express Best Wiper Blades: 2018 group test, for its Exact Fit Range. We also won a ‘Recommended’ Award in the Auto Express Product Group Test Awards on 2nd May 2018.

Auto Express reported: “TRICO’S Exact Fit is one of the easiest wiper blades to install. It simply clicks into place with minimal effort and comes with just a single adaptor. The jointless structure meant the flat blade performed well during our tests. It cleared most of the water with ease, leaving very few spots and marks on the screen.

TRICO Exact Fit replacement blades make it easy to for motorists to ensure their vehicles benefit from original factory quality wipers. Made from the finest quality natu-ral rubber and high-strength steel, they offer long-lasting performance.

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FLEX RECEIVES 4 STARS FROM AE WIPER BLADE TESTWe recently received a 4-star rating in the Auto Express Best Wiper Blades: 2018 group test, for our Flex ranges – securing two of the top five spots.

Auto Express tested eleven blades, looking for a clean wipe. Noise was measured, while testing in the dry, ease of fitment and price were also taken into account.

TRICO Flex made an impressive debut in the Auto Express product test and also received 4 stars with the Auto Express testers reporting that “we soon had the blades on the car” and that “overall performance was good”.

Product and Brand Manager, Sam Robinson said: “We are delighted to have two of TRICO’s blade ranges in the top five of the recent Auto Express Wiper Blade test.

“General advice from TRICO is that blades should be visually checked on a monthly basis and replaced every six to twelve months. The best time to replace wipers is the spring and again in the autumn, replacing the blades in the spring is recommended as they have worked hard in the winter fighting sub-zero conditions, then the summer heat also dries them up causing cracks hence the need to replace in the autumn.”

TRICO Flex lets the motorist step up from a conven-tional windshield wiper blade to premium beam blade wiper technology at a reasonable price.

With 97% car parc coverage and only 14 part num-bers, the slim-line range allows garages, workshops and retailers to offer a comprehensive wiper blade solution with minimal stock commitment.

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MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCEDuring the last 100 years here at TRICO UK we have evolved from being solely a manufacturing plant, to becoming a state of the art, rapid response, distribution centre with full testing and approval facilities, serving all of Europe.

The distribution centre, based in Pontypool, is nearly 9,000 square metres and is TRICO’s European HQ. It handles the company’s storage and distribution functionsand includes pallet racking storage space for 4,300 pallets, with an additional 25% storage capacity with full height utilisation. Approximately 10 million units were distrib-uted through the warehouse last year, with more than 50,000 picks processed and despatched to 165 European customers.

The facility is ISO9001:2008 accredited and offers on-site quality assurance, quality monitoring, warranty man-agement and validation as well as carrying out functional testing, durability testing and product management.

In addition, the distribution centre houses application engineering, customer support and project management, product development and test facilities.

Product and Brand Manager, Sam Robinson said: “TRICO has built its strong reputation by combining an obsession for product performance and customer service with the ability to deliver on its commitment to quality.

“We are continually developing new products, either as standalone ranges or extensions to existing ones, with a commitment to being first to market with new products, thus ensuring our customers never lose out on a sale.

“We offer marketing and promotional support to help our customers with trade and consumer advertising as well as seasonal promotions that drive sales.

“We have a comprehensive array of merchandisers to prominently display our products, from the standard 10-hook wall rack to the surpreme 20-hook floor stand. “There is also a wall poster that has been recently distributed to encourage garages and stores to provide a free wiper check to ensure their customers’ blades are safe.” To get a copy of this free poster, contact your local TRICO stockist: http://www.trico.eu.com/Trade/WhereToBuyTRICO#UK

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TRICO SPONSORS SWANSEA LADIES’ HOCKEY TEAMWe are delighted to have been the proud sponsors of the Swansea University Ladies’ Hockey Team at this year’s annual Welsh Varsity game, which took place on Wednesday 25th April - the biggest student sporting event in Wales.

Welsh Varsity started out 22 years ago as a rugby match between Cardiff University and Swansea University students, but today it’s so much more than that.

More than 30 sports are represented within the coveted Welsh Varsity Shield with the tournament culminating in the showcase Men’s Rugby fixture. This year the tournament was held in Swansea,with

fixtures taking place in various venues around the city, including the University’s own Sketty Lane and Swansea City’s Liberty Stadium.

Roger Davies from Welsh Varsity said: “We were thrilled to have local business TRICO as the sponsor of the Ladies Hockey team for this important student sporting event. Welsh Varsity is one of the highlights of the student calendar and a lot of preparation goes into the tournament, both behind the scenes and on the field.”

Product and Brand Manager, Sam Robinson said: “We are pleased to be sponsoring the Ladies Hockey Team at this popu-lar local event, and wish Swansea all the best.”

Despite Cardiff University wining double at this year’s varsity with a final score of 23-15 at Liberty Stadium, for Swan-sea’s Hockey Team it was a home victory with a final score of 2-1 - both goals scored by Menai Richards - Trico Europe’s Managing Director, Adam Richards’ daughter.

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CONGRATULATIONS TO 25-YEAR SERVICE AT TRICO!Seven employees here at TRICO HQ in Pontypool were recently presented with engraved watches and a Dartington Crystal Clock by Managing Direc-tor, Adam Richards, for their 25 years of dedicated service.

Adam gave a short speech thanking the employees for all their hard work over the years.

Phil Evans, from Cardiff began his TRICO career in Customer Services before being promoted to Applica-tions Engineer in 1995, having gained experience in blade technology. Nigel Bevan, from Nantyglo, joined as Quality Engineer, then Advance Product Quality Planning Engineer before being promoted to Senior Quality Engineer.

Peter Forey, from Aberdare, started off in the warehouse working in goods inwards, before working as Production Planner in the arm sections of the blades and now for the last 11 years, he has been Supervi-sor of the packaging department. Christine Williams, from Blaenavon, worked in the Customer Services Department for 11 years before moving to the Finance Department as the Account Purchase Ledger. Christine was delighted to have received the engraved crystal clock.

Ian O’Neill, from Milton Keynes, has worked for the OE side of TRICO for the past seventeen years as OE Director. Ian Beckett, from Abertillery, has worked in the warehouse for 25 years, starting off as Ware-house Operator in goods inwards and for the past 10 years has been the Warehouse Supervisor. Brian Fernquest, from High Cross, has been a Warehouse Operator for 25 years. As well as working in goods inwards and dispatch, he also carries out quality checks and invoicing.

Adam concluded: “Congratulations to all my seven colleagues on achieving this anniversary with us! We know they have worked hard for this accomplishment and we truly appreciate their dedication.”

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STAFF UPDATES AT TRICO HQHere at TRICO we are delighted to welcome three new members of staff in our European Head Office. Andy Taylor from Glasgow joins us as technical sales representative for the UK & Ireland.

Andy, who has more than 25 years expereicne in the automotvie aftermarket, commented: “With an insight to both sides of the market – from a supplier and customer perspective – I have a greater understanding of what customers need to grow their TRICO wiper blade sales.” Andy’s role includes working with customers to help them grow their TRICO business by promoting the ranges, updating stock, upselling products and sell-ing products to prospective clients, alongside maintaining positive business relationships to ensure future sales.

Ben Callard joins us from Northern Automotive Systems as the new Project Introduction Engineer at the TRICO European HQ and will be responsible for project work relating to business quotations and implementation in Europe. Ben will have direct contact with the Trico US engineering team as well as local operational projects.

Ben commented: “With my background in automotive projects and account management at Northern Automotive Systems, I am hoping I can bring some new experience and fresh ideas to TRICO. I’m looking forward to the challenges ahead.”

Finally, Leah Eversley-Boyd has joined the finance department as Credit Con-troller and Finance Analytics.

Leah ,from Newport, concluded: “For the past 4 months I have really been enjoying being part of the team at TRICO and communicating directly with other businesses and individuals.”

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OE SpotlightTOYOTA CHOOSE TRICO BLADE FOR LEXUS RANGE Our company was awarded significant business back in 2016 from Toyota, with our innovative Hybrid Blade design to service the blades on their vehicle range. Toyota then launched these under the name of their Optifit Range in May 2017, using Trico’s Hybrid Blades. We are now pleased to announce that TRICO has been approved by Toyota to supply their Lexus Range with our Hybrid Blade, which will launch this Summer.

The design of our Hybrid Beam Blade provides a number of advantages, which were instrumental in Trico being awarded Toyota’s business:

Trico Hybrid Blade is on average 40% lighter than the Existing OE Uni-Blade.

• Trico Hybrid Blade has Memory curve spring steel beam and variable curvature, provides uniform pressure along blade length for a clean, clear wipe throughout life. The OE Uni-Blade uses pressurepoints• Trico’s Hybrid range of 3-Off twin point couplers has been calculated to provide optimal loading for each blade length from 350mm to 700mm lengths.• Trico Hybrid Blade is designed to work well in cold temperatures i.e. it has no moving parts whereas the OE Uni-Blade has joints.• Trico Hybrid Blade has Best in Class proprietary Z7 Coating to reduce friction and provide a clean clear wipe through-out Blade life.• Trico Hybrid Blade has High –performance natural/synthetic rubber compound wiping element for longer life. Provides 4 seasons wipe performance capability, designed to wipe well both in thewinter low temperatures and resist permanent set in summer higher temperatures.• We used our proprietary Variflex software to determine appropriate blade curvatures based on Glass and Arm Load inputs to design appropriate loading throughout wipe pattern.

You and your customer can benefit from the same hybrid performance and styling using our Exact Fit range of Hybrid wiper blades - using the same design, consturction & components as Toyota Optifit blades.