Russ Coad, Director, set up Automotive Equipment Solutions UK Ltd in September 2005, after 21 years with a multi-national automotive equipment company, initially covering the UK and subsequently the Asia Pacific region. His experience, skills and relationships built up over many years gave AES the foundations to build the business upon. CVW learns more.
In 2005 AES was made the UK distributor for ALESCO induction heaters, alongside a range of other equipment. Two years later AES became the UK distributor for TruckCam, a commercial wheel alignment product which utilises camera technology, as opposed to the traditional laser technology.
Much like the rest of the industry, the recession period beginning in 2008 resulted in a couple of tough years for AES. The post-recession years saw AES have good business growth with the equipment and services provided. TruckCam was then acquired by the Car-O-Liner group in 2013, for AES it was business as usual.
Due to the experience gained working within the industry and with TruckCam, at the end of 2015 Russ was invited to be a consultant for the commercial division of Car-O-Liner (Josam and TruckCam) Europe, after a year of consultancy Russ was approached by Car-O-Liner and offered the Josam agency to be run through AES – which initiated in March 2017.
Range
As the approved distributor of Josam, AES supplies a range of industry standard equipment covering three core areas: wheel alignment, collision repair and induction heating. The wheel alignment product range starts with a laser system, moves up to a camera system, and then to a full diagnostic bay system. Each system has accessories to suit the job in hand, offering solutions to small fleet operators up to large scale OEM VMUs. TruckCam now solely provides end of line/factory systems for wheel alignment, which AES also supplies and installs. AES provides onsite training with each wheel alignment package to ensure the equipment can be used to its full potential.
The collision repair equipment by Josam offers solutions for chassis straightening and cab repair to suit various bodyshop requirements. Josam’s induction heaters offer a safe, clean and effective way to straighten vehicles, and also loosen seized up parts, removing the need for open flame heating. Josam claims its heat inductors are some of the best when considering power output and duty cycle combined.
Spare parts
Josam has a reputation for quality products which are already installed in a number of workshops and bodyshops throughout the UK. This is one of the reasons AES was appointed distributor for the country,
offering a quality service and aftersales support to existing and new customers is vital to being a successful distributor. AES stocks a large number of spare parts for Josam, as well as offering service and calibration plans to ensure equipment is maintained to optimal standards and to help prolong the life of equipment.
What makes AES different? With nearly 40 years’ experience within the automotive industry, AES offers expert advice and solutions rather than simply providing equipment. The company offers nationwide coverage, telephone and email support as well as expert training for all Josam products.
AES’ aim is simple: “To be the trusted partner of our customers, consistently evolving and providing industry standard products and services.”