NEXUS Automotive International (N!) has announced that three years of geographic expansion is drawing to a close with the addition of top 10 European wholesaler group The Nordic Forum.
The Nordic Forum was among six new members in December, bringing the total to a record 105, 47 of which were recruited during 2016. The Nordic Forum consists of FTZ of Denmark, Inter-Team of Poland and Hellanor of Norway. As well as traditional wholesale, it is active in e-commerce through its companies, Iparts and Ucando.
N! CEO Gael Escribe said, “It has been a truly amazing year, with powerful growth giving us a presence in 113 countries. Two new regional organizations were also created, NEXUS Automotive Algeria and NEXUS North America, and two additional ones, NEXUS Automotive Brazil and NEXUS Automotive Central Europe, are about to be launched.
“Our first three years were devoted to the development of the N! network and to a very intense geographic expansion, with the objective to be a growth accelerator for progressive companies in the automotive industry,” said Escribe. “At our 2017 N! Business Forum in Montreux new priorities will be disclosed for the next three years in direct response to what is a fast-evolving, ever more demanding and consolidated automotive aftermarket.”
They will include education, which began with the launch of the N! Academy School aimed at helping managers within N! member companies to be much better prepared for future market trends. The first school session took place in Geneva from Nov. 28 to Dec. 1 and saw purchasing managers from 60 companies from around the globe discussing and updating their knowledge on safety and environmental issues.
Hosted by the European Institute of Purchasing Management, it included presentations from six N! Strategic suppliers – Bosch, SKF, ZF/TRW, Exide, MANN+HUMMEL and Valeo. It also provided the opportunity for delegates to exchange best practice and further develop relationships between members and suppliers.
Gael said the 2017 N! Business Forum (21st to 23rd February) will be “even more original and interactive” than the previous two, with leading experts discussing major industry topics and high-level workshops providing greater involvement for delegates, as well as the normal speed-date business networking.
Gael added, “It is our ambition that Montreux, within three years, will be recognized around the globe as the leadership platform for the automotive aftermarket, a date on the calendar that our industry looks to for insight, innovation and inspiration.”
