Bilstein seeks to make inroads in JA
GERMANY’S Bilstein group, umbrella organisation of the febi, SWAG and Blue Print brands, announced a partnership deal with Alrobe Enterprise at the Altamont Court Hotel in New Kingston last Friday evening.
The deal will see the Karam Place-based service centre — Alrobe Enterprise — being the authorised dealers of Bilstein’s lubricants, suspension and brake parts.
Established in the 1800s, the Bilstein group is the world’s leading specialist in the independent aftermarket and offers repair solutions for all popular makes of vehicles.
Bilstein’s sales director Ulrick Wiedemuth said the deal would make Jamaica the centre of its Anglophone operations.
“We believe Jamaica could be the biggest distribution hub to the English-speaking Caribbean,” he said, adding that Panama distributes to the rest of its Spanish-speaking neighbours.
With a range of over 47,000 different products, all parts meet the most stringent requirements for production quality and fitting safety.
Wiedemuth said while he is aware that there were other lubricants and parts, their strategy would be unique.
“It’s not only about spare parts and lubricants. It’s also about solutions. We realise that, yes, the customers get parts, but we want to extend the information. We want to talk to them, and make sure they’re getting the right parts and right support,” Wiedemuth told Auto. “And we’ll get it right the first time.”
The sales director said his products are ideal for all European-made vehicles. He said the Blue Print brand caters to all Korean and Asian vehicles.
Robert Walker, director of Alrobe Enterprise, said he was pleased to be part of such a groundbreaking move.
“We saw the need for European parts in the Jamaican market and not just any brand, but one that is tried and tested,” Walker told Auto.
“The prices will be very competitive. However, the focus will be on quality,” he continued.
The director was keen to highlight that for the venture to be successful his company had to “build key relationships”.
“We’ll be seeking partners to assist in distributing the products,” he said.
— Brian Bonitto
