Striking van wrap drives home power partnership

Date: Wednesday 12 July 2023

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A striking van wrap design is being used to drive home the developing association between leading European O/E battery manufacturer, Banner, and The Shortis Group, one of the UK’s foremost automotive parts supply and fitting centre specialists.

With both parties having entered into a major new product distribution agreement earlier this year, two bespoke Citroen Berlingo vans are now set to become a familiar sight whilst servicing The Shortis Group’s EU Linco customers, primarily in the Lowestoft and Basildon localities. And having been co-branded to feature Banner’s powerful and iconic ‘Wall Street’ bull and the familiar branding of EU Linco, the eye catching van wraps certainly make a bold statement.

Adding to the poignancy of this latest development, the official handover of the two vans coincided with a visit to the UK by Banner’s CEO, Andreas Bawart, who was accompanied by Franz Märzinger, Head of Sales and Marketing. Indeed it was a coming together of two heads of separate family run and owned businesses, with Richard Shortis, Managing Director of the Shortis Group, also being present at the handover.

Joining a fleet of in excess of 180 vans, the Banner branded Berlingos will be used to service customers with over 130,000 stock lines of off-the-shelf and immediately available automotive parts Including the Banner Battery range.

Commenting on the new van wraps, Richard Shortis said:

“The vans not only look amazing, they serve to promote the already excellent relationship that is developing between the two family owned businesses. And whilst the overall style of design echoes that adopted across our van delivery fleet, the Banner Bull certainly makes its presence felt visually. Not surprisingly, we are looking forward to working ever more closely with Banner in continuing to give our customers access to the Banner Battery range that is revered here in the UK, across Europe and beyond at O/E level.”

Banner’s Commercial CEO, Andreas Bawart added:

“Handing over the vans following the visit to meet with Richard and his team was certainly a highlight of our trip to the UK. We are delighted with how our relationship with the Shortis Group has developed so progressively in such a short space of time and I would like to thank our UK Country Manager, Lee Quinney and his team for their efforts in supporting the partnerships rollout this far. We are confident that the successful and mutually beneficial relationship will go from strength-to-strength.”

The Shortis Group is supplying Banner’s extensive automotive battery programme through its established EU and EU Linco motor factors, with both Duracell and Banner stocked at its Fast-Fit and Wilco Motosave fitting bays, as well as at selected Wilco Motor Spares locations.

With a trading history of nearly 60 years, The Shortis Group enjoys a turnover in excess of £46m, employs more than 600 enthusiastic staff, and owns and operates over 180 vehicles with more than 100 trading locations.

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