Welcome to November’s Distributor Focus. This month we interviewed Carlos Nascimento, administrator of the Portuguese distribution group Create Business.
In early 2003, eight automotive parts distributors joined forces to create a parts distribution group - Create Business, SA. Currently, the group has 14 companies and over 200 employees. The company also has 30 local branches in Portugal, six in Angola and over 25 .000sqm of storage, combine this infrastructure with more than 100 delivery vehicles and you have the perfect recipe to ensure efficient distribution of parts to independent repairers.
"Create Business was born of the need to provide to independent workshops a solution for excellence, for the parts and equipment they use and for technical and commercial skills they need," says Carlos Nascimento, Create Business administrator, SA.
With a clear mission to support the automotive repair professionals, Create Business has developed a range of services which include:
- A plan for continuous training
- Online technical information
- A technical hot-line
- Equipment and tools
The training program of Create Business is supported by certified trainers and comprises areas ranging from air conditioning to engine management systems, through active and passive safety and braking systems.
The quality of the products that we distribute and excellence of the services we offer are the pillars of our strategy and what differentiates us from our competitors.
The workshop network branded "A OFICINA – ESPECIALISTA EM CARROS" is another solution offered by Create Business. "The European regulations allow the driver to choose, without limitations, where he does his vehicle maintenance and this is an opportunity for independent workshops. The workshops that adhere to the "A OFICINA", are associated to a network with high quality standards. In addition, they increase their levels of knowledge and competitiveness in relation to the VM dealers and fast services networks ".
"Currently the "A OFICINA" has 27 independent garages, scattered throughout the national territory, including Madeira and the Azores islands. We have about ten proposals for membership which we are currently analysing", adds Carlos Nascimento.
Our suppliers have to be original equipment manufacturers of parts and systems and must have a marketing and commercial policy that favours the development of the independent parts distribution market and that is why TRW is our main supplier of braking and steering and suspension, since the creation of our company, in 2003.
Create Business also offers a program of effective waste management, appropriate to the needs of independent garages, ensuring that all applicable environmental standards and legislation are fulfilled.
The distribution group has also been a member of the ATR International AG since 2006, and with a consolidated turnover of more that 35 million euros in 2009, Create Business distributes many of the major brands present on the independent aftermarket, establishing long-term strategic partnerships with these manufacturers.
"Since 2003, our partnership with TRW has intensified, both in sales volume and intra-company relationship. This is due to the excellent range of products, to a level of service appropriate to the needs of Create Business and, above all, the pro-activity and commitment that the whole TRW team has demonstrated over the years, with the aim of strengthening, in a consistent and lasting way, the partnership with Create Business ", concludes Carlos Nascimento.