Original equipment and aftermarket wiper specialist TRICO, says it is stronger and able to work smarter after its recent European restructuring. This saw its Welsh production facility close late last year, however, the company has maintained a first class team and distribution partners to service the Irish and UK aftermarkets.  

TRICO’s Senior Brand & Product Manager, Sam Robinson, said, “There was a smooth transfer to our Belgian distribution site and it was fully-operational very quickly. As of today, we have more than 1,200 stock-keeping units and over one-and-a-half million units in stock.” He added, “We still have sales, finance, marketing and administration departments in the UK to service out Irish distribution partners.”

During the past 12 months, TRICO has strengthened its distribution base putting in place UK agreements with both Optimal UK and the Excel Automotive Group, while in Ireland it continues to build on existing partnerships with Autoparts Express, Carcessories, D&S Roe, Strongline Autoparts, A1 Motor Stores and IFA.

Sam comments, “The aim was to turn TRICO into a sleeker and more efficient business and early signs are very encouraging. For example, we are currently working on an IT integration with our Airtex customer service centre to merge order processing systems, which will result in a more efficient ordering experience for our customers.” He adds, “We have been in regular dialogue with our customer base, updating them on developments as they happen, which has eased the situation and resolved any confusion. All of our distributors have been understanding in their approach to both TRICO and Champion through these changes, and we are confident that business will continue to grow.”

Sam also acknowledges the difficulties that many TRICO customers are facing at both garage and factor level due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but stresses TRICO remains operational and its warehouse staff are processing and shipping orders.

On the product front, TRICO has recently rejuvenated its Flex range, a move that is receiving excellent feedback. The company hopes to showcase the exclusive technology behind the wiper blade’s reinvention at Automechanika Frankfurt in September. Here the TRICO Group will exhibit its TRICO, Airtex and Champion wiper blade brands on a joint stand.