aBr November 2014 | Page 28

technology FEATURE HELLA offers so much more… A healthy mix of being people orientated, clearly defined growth strategies, winning business partnerships, new products and a trusted brand, remain some of the key ingredients of HELLA Automotive South Africa (HASA) future growth plans. information that greatly assist all customer segments, no matter if you buy, sell or fit our parts. According to HASA managing director Theo Theuner, “HELLA will continue to offer so much more to both wholesale and retail customers during 2015”. “Under the banner of Tools, Parts and Services, we have had very positive feedback following numerous new product launches and we will continue with our strategy of product range expansion. “Furthermore we have significantly enhanced our aftermarket services. In particular, HELLA Tech World offers a wealth of product information, updates and training programmes online – this internet platform really offers meaningful ➲ Core elements in HELLA market approach and growth “Also, we certainly recognise the value of developing sound business relationships with leading key players on the Africa continent. Granted it takes time, but we are geared for it with a support infrastructure that calls for a deep understanding in developing common business objectives,” Theuner says. HASA is fully integrated into the global HELLA network – located in more than 100 countries, with more than 30 000 employees, which includes more than 5 800 research and development employees and is recognised as a leading supplier to original equipment manufacturer (OEM) worldwide. “We capitalise on global expertise, whether it entails truly advanced lighting technology be it our LED work-lamp or spot-light range, or general replacement parts, be it wiper blades, spark plugs or insulation tape. In Africa our brand is rooted in innovative expertise and creativity. Customers recognise the value of a trusted HELLA brand. They buy into what it offers in quality, personal sales support and business growth,” he adds. Read more at www.hella.com/techworld G.U.D. Filters celebrates 65 years of Great Engine Protection G.U.D. Filters, a Proudly South African icon, has celebrates its 65th year of manufacturing premium automotive filters. The much loved filter brand officially began their great engine protection in 1949 and started manufacturing oil filters and fuel lines a year later. Today, their extensive range of 1600 filters covers 3500 vehicle applications, over 95% of the vehicles on SA’s roads. With manufacturing facilities in Durban, Pietermaritzburg and Cape Town G.U.D. meets the filtration demands of their OEM, P&A and aftermarket customers. They are continually expanding their footprint into Africa and the rest of the world to ensure the global accessibility of their filters; which is supported by five Distribution Centres. G.U.D. Filters success and longevity in the automotive market is attributed to their dedication to product innovation. G.U.D. filters has come a long way from their early beginnings where some of the first filters were manufactured with cotton waste, pleated with wire and cans stuffed with papier- mâché. In the 1970’s G.U.D. was the first filter manufacturer in the southern hemisphere to produce panel filters. They also introduced PVC filters, spin-on filters and nylon petrol filters to the South African market. G.U.D. was the first filter manufacturer in the country to have a specialised filter laboratory for research, development and quality testing. | words in action 26 More than half a century later G.U.D. boasts four state of the art laboratories at their Prospecton manufacturing site dedicated to quality assurance. Their multi-million rand investments in laboratory equipment are in line with international standards and operated by trained specialists. Their commitment to quality has resulted in long term partnerships with leading vehicle manufacturers such Toyota SA, VW SA and General Motors among others. Over the years G.U.D. Filters have won numerous Supplier Achievement awards including Supplier of Year and Supplier Merit Awards attesting to their high quality and outstanding service. In their history spanning 65 years G.U.D. Filters has achieved many significant milestones in the South African automotive market; winner of the AutoZone Supplier of the Year, winner of the Midas Supplier of the Year Award, finalist at KZN Top Business Awards and finalist in the KZN Exporter of the Year Award in 2014. G.U.D. remains at the forefront of automotive filtration by manufacturing to OEM quality standards and product innovation. november 2014