The end of an era at Schaeffler (UK) Ltd as long-serving MD retires
The end of an era at Schaeffler (UK) Ltd as long-serving MD retires
Nigel Morgan, Managing Director of Schaeffler’s Automotive Aftermarket division in the UK, has decided to step aside after more than 40 years continual service with the company.
Nigel’s rise to aftermarket fame began as a Sales Manager at Alan A Morgan, his family’s company based in the Midlands, which became the sole importer of LuK clutches back in the Eighties. LuK liked what Alan A Morgan did so much it bought the company, which then went through several stages of evolution from LuK Aftermarket Service to the present day Schaeffler (UK) Ltd.
Nigel has presided over a phenomenal period of prosperity for the company in the UK, taking annual turnover from £3Mio to around £150Mio and successfully introducing the INA and FAG brands to join their LuK ‘big brother’. They can also now boast a prominent position in the UK aftermarket, as the preferred brands of many distributors and, importantly, independent technicians.
Schaeffler’s success in the UK can be put down to its philosophy of providing technicians with complete repair solutions, with everything in one box and all in genuine original equipment (OE) quality. As a trusted technical partner and supplier of components and systems to the world’s leading vehicle manufacturers, independent technicians soon built up their own trust and loyalty to the LuK, INA and FAG brands. Providing them with free access to the Schaeffler REPXPERT workshop portal and loyalty programme is simply the icing on the cake for many mechanics.
In 2013, at the height of the UK horsemeat scandal, Nigel decided that more also needed to be done to educate the aftermarket about vehicle parts quality, giving installers an informed choice about the differences between OE and non-OE components. Initial adverts from OESAA, the association chaired by Nigel since its conception, featured horse and cow images and triggered a vociferous response from some quarters.
Seven years later and the organisation is still going strong, recently adding new members such as Brembo and Motul, and still educating technicians at major events, including its own Autoinform Live training weekends held in partnership with Frank Massey.
Nigel will continue to be involved with OESAA, leading the campaign in a consultancy capacity after he leaves Schaeffler at the end of March, saying: “I firmly believe that technicians can benefit most from using the parts and services offered by genuine OE suppliers, which offer the best quality and technical backup available to the aftermarket.”
He continued: “OE suppliers are simply the best placed to keep technicians up-to-date with new products, systems and repair methods, as they are supplying these high-tech products and systems to vehicle manufacturers for original fitment.”
“OE suppliers will also continue to be a key source of education and information, as hybridisation and electrification slowly take hold, so there is still an important role for the OESAA campaign to play over the coming years – one which I hope to remain very much a part of.”
Nigel obviously leaves some ‘rather large boots’ to fill at Schaeffler, so stepping up to the newly created position of ‘Country Manager UK & Ireland’ will be Mark Dolloway, who joined Schaeffler from SKF in 2012. Mark will, in turn, be replaced as Sales Director by Matt Selby, another Schaeffler veteran who originally joined the company back in 2007.
As always, the final word belongs to Nigel: “I have enjoyed over 40 wonderful years with Schaeffler, with any expectations I had at the start of this journey completely and utterly fulfilled beyond my wildest imagination.
“However, all of my achievements are also that of the amazing UK team, many of whom have been alongside me at Schaeffler for a very long time. Their hard work, dedication and passion means that I can leave Schaeffler (UK) Ltd knowing that it is in some very capable hands, but this is not a ‘goodbye’, merely an ‘auf wiedersehen’, as there is certainly a lot more for me to do!”
Colin Denton, star of TV’s Classic Car Garage has been unveiled as a keynote speaker for Schaeffler‘s all-new REPXPERT Conference, which takes place at the Manufacturing Training Centre in Coventry on Wednesday 22 nd May, 2024. Having clocked-up decades of automotive experience, when he’s not in front of the camera, Colin is busy as the Chief Executive of the North London Garages Group Training Association (NLGGTA), which for 50 years has been delivering training, apprenticeships and more. At the REPXPERT Conference, Colin will be looking at the changing face of automotive apprenticeships in the context of the skills shortage. He will explain how this affects garages and the wider industry. “Apprenticeships are the foundation of the whole garage industry,” said Colin. “The way we teach young people is being influenced by changes in vehicles, but it's not just that. The people who are wanting to become apprentices is also changing. It's important for the industry to acknowledge both of these factors.” Available on a first-come, first-served basis, garages are being urged to book their free REPXPERT Conference tickets now to avoid disappointment. The number of remaining tickets is extremely limited. "Colin’s experience and perspective will provide even greater depth to the content on offer at the Schaeffler REPXPERT Conference,” said Jeff Earl, Marketing Communications Manager at Schaeffler Automotive Aftermarket (UK) Ltd. “His knowledge of the industry, and his sheer enthusiasm for all things automotive will prove to be a big draw for those looking to attend.” The Schaeffler REPXPERT Conference runs from 9am to 5pm, and delegates will be treated to breakfast, hot lunch and refreshments throughout the day. For more information and to book tickets, click here: https://oeparts.typeform.com/to/Nj0eezec
The Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association (OESAA) was thrilled with the overwhelming success of its first OESAA Academy Live event of the year, hosted at Trafford College, Manchester. The event, held at the end of February, showcased industry expertise and experience from colleagues representing industry giants, such as Schaeffler, Bosch, DENSO, MAHLE, Brembo, ZF, and GSF Car Parts. Jonathan Hudson, representing Trafford and Stockport College Group, extended appreciation to OESAA and its participating for inspiring the next generation of automotive talent. He said: “From all of us at Trafford and Stockport College Group, we want to express our sincere appreciation to the group of amazing people from the Original Equipment Suppliers Aftermarket Association and the enlightening education session provided by the team. “The knowledge and understanding gained by was invaluable to both staff and students. The expertise and passion for the industry truly shone through, and we were incredibly grateful for the opportunity to learn.” The feedback emphasised the event’s significance for both students and faculty. Throughout the day, attendees were treated to engaging presentations and workshops; Siti Abdullah of Brembo, for example, introduced students to braking solutions but also revealed her pathway into the automotive sector. Bosch’s Mark Heard addressed prevailing challenges in vehicle diagnostics. Stuart Mcleod from ZF provided a comprehensive overview of transmission servicing, enriching participants with essential insights into the automotive sector. Moreover, Jo Warren from GSF Car Parts gave an outstanding presentation about CV writing and career advice, further enhancing the educational experience. Nigel Morgan, the chairman of OESAA, expressed his delight at the event’s triumph: “These events serve as a vital platform for us to engage with the next generation of automotive professionals, offering them first-hand insights into our industry. I was delighted with the level of engagement from the students.” The success of OESAA Academy Live underlined OESAA’s commitment to nurturing talent and discovering excellence within automotive colleges. As such, it looks forward to future events at Suffolk New College and Blackburn College. They promise to be as engaging and exciting as Trafford College.
In honour of International Women’s Day, Brembo Expert and Technical Training EMEA Coordinator, Siti Abdullah, reflects on over two decades in the automotive arena and highlights both progress and ongoing challenges in gender diversity within the sector: “I have been in the automotive industry since 2003, and there have been some positive changes, with more women featuring in the industry. There are some great initiatives, like the Automotive 30% Club motoring towards its ‘30 by 30’ goal , having filled 27% of key leadership and decision-making roles with women. “However, in workshops and roles of a technical capacity, the gender imbalance is still prominent. There is still a lot of work that needs to be done to overcome the industry stereotypes to improve this imbalance. “In Brembo, where over 15,000 people worldwide contribute to the company’s success, embracing diversity is not just a value but a vital strength. Brembo is committed to promoting an inclusive environment capable of supporting a sense of belonging. It empowers people to see themselves as integral contributors to the Group’s achievements, fostering a culture of inclusion that respects voices, individualities, and unique qualities of each person.” As we commemorate International Women’s Day, let’s continue to break barriers, challenge stereotypes, and build an inclusive automotive industry where everyone’s talents are recognised and valued.