Mobility needs responsibility. Also in the aftermarket.
Our product management plays a central role in this. As Group Director Product Management, Adrian Rothschild takes us into his area of responsibility to give us exciting insights into product development in the Independent Automotive Aftermarket (IAM). We not only learn about developments in the IAM, but also how the market benefits from our original equipment expertise on a daily basis.
"Mobility is the pulse of our social and economic coexistence. Even though technologies are constantly evolving, people and goods will still be transported from A to B many decades from now. Our products may not be very visible, but they support precisely this pulse.
Adrian Rothschild
Group Director Product Management
Product management at Hengst: far more than product development
"Everything to do with the product" - this describes exactly what our product management does in the aftermarket. We don't just look after products, we create solutions that are successful on the market. From selection and technical support to the coordination of Packaging, catalog and product data: Product Management ensures that an idea becomes a tangible, reliable product - with quality that wholesalers and garages alike can rely on.
This work is more complex than it appears at first glance. Different markets, regional requirements and a multitude of regulations make every day a new challenge. At the same time, the aim remains the same: to develop and refine products that meet the highest quality standards and precisely meet the needs of our customers - today and tomorrow.
For wholesalers, this means one thing above all: security. Behind every article is a clear process in which technical know-how, market understanding and responsibility come together. Product management maintains an overview, checks product ranges, identifies gaps at an early stage and makes targeted adjustments - so that the overall range is right in the end and supplies are reliable.
This makes it clear that product management is much more than an internal interface. It is the engine that ensures that the right products of the right quality are available where they are needed - and thus a decisive success factor for wholesalers in the aftermarket.
The aftermarket in a state of constant change
The Independent Automotive Aftermarket] is undergoing change - from new drive technologies to ageing vehicle fleets and digital sales channels. These changes open up great opportunities: for sustainable growth, modern spare parts supply and the combination of OE expertise with aftermarket know-how. Hengst is actively supporting this change - with innovative solutions, data-driven service and practical content in the Hengst.garage, which brings knowledge and technology together in an understandable way.
E-commerce is gaining in importance
However, the aftermarket is also changing in terms of distribution channels. Due to the growing importance of e-commerce, a very good database is also becoming increasingly important. Our customers can rely on high data quality, which has been recognized not least with the TecDoc Premium Data Supplier Award.
Hengst has long recognized the digital importance and, in addition to providing the various product data, also provides entertaining and, above all, useful video content in the Hengst.garage. Here, we not only show the benefits of our products, but also share active installation instructions and additional knowledge in different languages. Curious? Then take a look at our Hengst.garage yourself.
Quality that garages can feel
For us at Hengst, quality is not a marketing promise, but a matter of course. As an original equipment manufacturer for numerous vehicle manufacturers, we know exactly what is required - and we consistently transfer this knowledge to the aftermarket.
We always develop new products from the garage's point of view: the required mounting material is included, our portfolio is clearly structured and warehousing is simplified. We see particularly great potential in the area of kits: "One job - one product." Whether changing engine oil or transmission oil - everything you need is included in one box. This saves time, reduces errors and increases efficiency in day-to-day workshop operations.
Also with a view to electromobility, new vehicle brands from Asia, for example, or changing logistics markets, our aim is to stay close to our customers, recognize developments early on and make our products visible. Because a good product alone is not enough - it must be understood, found and used correctly.
