Automechanika 2008

Presentation as systems supplier with new products and services

This new aftermarket organization, which was created from the merger of ZF Trading and the ZF Sales & Service Organisation (SSO), has viewed the trade fair as an ideal form to showcase both its demonstrated expertise and its new strengths. Complete axle and transmission modules had been displayed for the first time instead of individual components, which emphasized the company's transformation from components dealer to systems supplier. The proven strategy of having two stands at different locations – Halls 3 and 8 – had been continued.

Stand A91 in Hall 3

Stand A91 in Hall 3 focused on services from the entire ZF Group – with a special emphasis on the newly created ZF Services. The target group for this stand consists primarily of wholesalers, who could become acquainted with ZF Services' comprehensive product range here, as well as with the strengths of ZF brand names Sachs, Lemförder, Boge, and ZF Parts.

Stand F51 in Hall 8
The stand in Hall 8 is oriented much more directly to workshops. Mechanics, workshop owners, and field sales personnel from wholesalers could find specific information here and the right people to talk with. The focus here was on the wide variety of service programs for passenger and commercial vehicle workshops.

Stong Brands

 

Optimizing the OSS program
ZF Services will be offering a single optimized Original Sachs Service (OSS) program in the future. Separate variants for passenger and commercial vehicle topics will remain, but the service and marketing modules – such as the decoration and marketing materials on offer – now apply to both. The program's contents have now been compiled into a single binder with an attractive new layout. This means that partner workshops will not receive duplicate materials such as the InCat CD ROM. OSS partners will receive "everything from a single source" including the new binder by mail directly after the Automechanika, but visitors had also a chance to preview the new materials at the stand.

Commercial vehicle services added to Lemförder plus
The range of services from Lemförder plus will be expanded at the end of this year to cover the commercial vehicle sector. Installation instructions will be added for commercial vehicles, the help lines will cover commercial vehicle questions, the Website will contain news and information for commercial vehicle workshops, and special marketing materials will be on offer as well. The next step will be to add seminars on commercial vehicle topics to the Lemförder plus training program, because this aspect of the program is valuable for workshops seeking to enhance their professional qualities.

The same motivation underlies the optimization of Lemförder catalogs, because these component reference works remain an important tool for the mechanics. ZF Services was presenting its newly designed, user-friendly Lemförder parts catalog for Volvo commercial vehicles at the Automechanika, further catalogs will be updated and optimized on a successive basis. Mechanics need only a few steps to find the vehicle model and a selection of suitable axle configurations, and then the right product group, part number, and important tips via five fold-out axle illustrations.

New and user-friendly InCat

 

In general, ZF Services recommends using electronic catalogs and will be presenting a new development here too. The InCat.Net replaces the previous InCat, and offers users real added value such as a glossary that explains major technical terms. Availability is displayed clearly in the form of a traffic light. New pictograms let users select assemblies directly, while convenient navigation and image previews in the link lists ensure greater ease as well. Workshop partners will now receive only one DVD with all the information instead of several CD ROMs, so it will no longer be necessary to install a series of different CDs. Each partner can install their program – OSS, Lemförder plus, or Boge Service – via an activation code.

New products at the Automechanika

The prime objective of every repair and service that workshops offer is to ensure a high degree of driving safety. To do so successfully, brand-name products are crucial. In order to further strengthen the Lemförder brand name, which is in many respects a synonym for rubber-to-metal parts, ZF Services will now be offering those parts only under Lemförder and no longer under Boge. The previous Lemförder range of steering and suspension parts, bearing components, drive elements, brakes, and engine and steering components will now include the associated rubber-to-metal parts under the same name. This conversion process will be finished in April of 2009, at which time the Lemförder name will cover more than 4,100 references. The entire product sector will also be expanded, with an emphasis on rubber-to-metal parts for the suspension and powertrain.

ZF Services will also be presenting a considerably expanded range of shock absorbers at the Automechanika. The selection for Asian vehicles will be expanded by more than 300 new references. With this action, the company wants to optimize its global range and respond to the rising demand in Eastern European countries and other markets with high and increasing shares of Japanese and Korean cars.