Comline Auto Parts celebrates 25 years of aftermarket success


comline-25-logo-copyComline Auto Parts is celebrating a milestone 25th anniversary.

Comline is currently one of the fastest-growing aftermarket companies in Europe and has certainly come a long way since it began trading from small premises in Harrow, back in October 1991.

The successful Comline journey began as an importer of Japanese original equipment (OE) and aftermarket brand parts. Transformed, the company is now a bonafide ‘all makes’ supplier, delivering its own-brand aftermarket parts for all European, Japanese and Korean vehicles.

The company boasts an enviable multi-category range. This diversity, coupled with consistent, reliable quality, makes Comline excellent value-for-money and a brand that aftermarket businesses can trust. The range includes: filters, braking, steering and suspension, clutch kits, water pumps; hub and bearing kits, motor oils and lubricants and more.

Growth at home

Comline is proud of its British roots – the Great Britain ‘stamp’ marked indelibly on the brand’s website and across its array of promotional material is a true indication of that fact.

It is within the British automotive aftermarket where the company forged its stellar reputation, established a position of strength and built a foundation from which to expand. Indeed, from a turnover perspective, the UK continues to be Comline’s biggest single market accounting for over a quarter of all sales.

Personnel-wise, it’s the same story. Over the last six years, the number of Comline employees has more than doubled from 59 to 150 people. Warehouse capacity has also seen significant growth, and space has increased exponentially from 75,000 sq. ft to 175,000 sq. ft over the same six-year period.

Overseas success

These impressive statistics are mirrored by the company’s overseas progression, and it is the stunning success of Comline’s export business that has made its 25th anniversary truly one to remember.

Comline received its very first export order back in 2007 and hasn’t looked back since. This modest initial order was the catalyst for a distribution network, which now spans over 40 countries worldwide.

The majority of these markets are serviced via a select number of loyal distributor partners, but Comline has also opened its own subsidiaries in Athens, Greece (Comline Hellas S.A.) and Madrid, Spain (Comline Ibérica S.A.).

The rapid and sustained expansion of Comline’s overseas distribution has played a significant role in the growth of the company; in fact, overseas business now accounts for over 65% of Comline’s multi-million pound turnover.

This overseas success has been widely-recognised. Comline is the recipient of the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade 2016, the UK’s highest and most prestigious business accolade. In receiving this award, approved first by the Prime Minister and finally by Her Majesty The Queen, Comline has demonstrated outstanding and sustained growth in its overseas earnings.

Comline also ranked a highly-creditable 70th in The Sunday Times HSBC International Track 200 league table, a reputable standing of Britain’s fastest-growing private companies based on international sales over a two-year period.

Managing Director of Comline, Divyesh Kamdar, said: “Over 25 years, Comline Auto Parts has evolved into a strong, dynamic and energetic business. We have a driven, ambitious management team and a group of highly-dedicated staff, each of whom contribute to our success on a daily basis. We are well established across the European aftermarket and continue to reinvest to further strengthen our position.

“Our 25th anniversary, punctuated by receipt of The Queen’s Award for Enterprise: International Trade, marks a significant moment in our history, and we are already looking ahead to another quarter of a century of success. There is no shortage of exciting growth opportunities for Comline – both at home and abroad, and the future most certainly looks bright.”