A Profile of CarSpeed autoparts.

Please find some of the most frequently asked questions I have received since starting this new venture

1. Who are you and where are you based?

My name is Jonathan Fowler and the business is based near Brampton on the east side of Carlisle, Cumbria

2. What is your past experience? What was your previous job?

My experience and knowledge is in tyres. I previously worked for Pirelli Tyres Ltd. for 19 years, in the Technical Department and in the Quality Department as Quality Manager for the Carlisle and Burton on Trent sites.

Latterly I was based in Milan, Italy responsible for the Original Equipment Quality requirements requested by  Pirelli customers, such as Land Rover, VW/Audi group (Bentley & Lamborghini), Peugeot /Citroen, Ford, Fiat group (Ferrari & Maserati) and many others.

3. What made you do this?

In 2003 I bought a Mk2 Ford Escort RS2000 with the plan to renovate and modify it into a road rally car.  The journey was a long story involving selling the RS shell and building an Escort from a standard bare shell. Along the way I found it difficult to get hold of fasteners, clips, fuel hose and various workshop essentials specific to my project and hence the idea started to form.

Coupled with this local problem I also had a strong desire to work for myself and finally the opportunity was presented late 2008.

4. Is this a franchise business?

No, the idea has been all mine, born originally to serve the motoring enthusiast but developed to also serve local business requirements focusing as much as possible on the motor trade, allowing them to concentrate on their own core business.

5. When did you start?

The business was started on the 1st January 2009. The first day on the road for the van was 10th February 2009.

6. What areas do you cover with the van?

The areas and routes currently covered by the van  are local to Carlisle, Cumbria. I cover approximately a 30mile radius that takes in Maryport, Workington, Penrith, Wigton, Kingstown, Brampton, Longtown and the City centre, however we are keen to reach out to a larger audience hence the development of the website.

2010 New routes: Three new routes for the van have been added onto the circuit in 2010 covering Penrith South (Appleby), Silloth and Hexham Haltwhistle. If you are in these areas, give me a call and I will visit with the van.

2011 New routes : The CarSpeed van will now be covering the Brough and Kirby Stephen area and a new route to Dumfries as well as the current normal service. If you think you might find the products and service useful, give me a call and I will visit.

7. Which businesses and customers do you visit?

The main core of businesses visited are automotive and wagon based however we are keen to serve any business which requires nuts, bolts, fasteners and workshop essentials.  As can be seen from the product pages, we have an extensive range which also includes the complete range of TENG tools as well as the full DRAPER tools range.

8. What plans do you have for the future of the business?

The van will remain an integral part of the service that CarSpeed autoparts will offer, supporting local business and maintaining the contact and knowledge of requirements for local industry.  Medium term, a service for the motoring enthusiast will also be developed for accessories and motorsport equipment initially through the website and in the long term with a shop front.  We will keep you posted on all developments.