First Line Strengthens UK Sales Team and Parts Range

First Line Ltd has appointed Lewis Wykes as UK Sales Manager as the Banbury-based aftermarket supplier expands its product range with 52 new parts. The combined move points to a wider push to strengthen UK customer support, parts availability and vehicle parc coverage for motor factors, garages and workshop customers.

A broader UK aftermarket push

Wykes joins First Line with 22 years of automotive aftermarket experience across senior sales and account management roles. His background includes national sales planning, key customer development and team leadership.

In his new role, he will lead the company’s UK sales function, working with customers and internal teams to support growth across First Line and Borg & Beck product lines.

The appointment comes as suppliers and distributors continue to compete on availability, product data and service levels. Tyre News has recently reported on the launch of Autodoc’s UK marketplace, which widened digital access to vehicle parts, and GSF Car Parts’ Basildon branch opening as part of its network expansion.

Wykes said he was proud to join First Line at “such an exciting time for the business”, citing the company’s reputation for product quality, service and innovation. He said his focus would be on building customer relationships, supporting the sales team and putting strategies in place that deliver measurable growth.

Dan Joyner, Managing Director at First Line Ltd, said Wykes brings “a wealth of automotive aftermarket experience” and a customer-focused approach that aligns with the company’s values.

New parts added across key categories

Alongside the appointment, First Line has introduced 52 new parts across its range. The largest addition is in transmission, with 35 new drive shafts designed to improve availability across popular applications.

The latest releases include the Borg & Beck BDS1942 drive shaft for the Citroën Berlingo. Other new-to-range parts cover steering and suspension, cooling, hoses, friction, turbo hose and wheel bearing categories.

In steering and suspension, additions include the FCA8215 suspension arm for Ford Tourneo and Transit models, as well as the FTR6317 tie rod end for the BMW 7 Series. Cooling updates include FTK600 thermostat kits for Ford Focus, Kuga, Puma and Transit engines, together with the FWP3101 water pump for a range of BMW applications.

Borg & Beck friction additions include BBP2961 brake pads for Dacia, Mercedes, Nissan and Renault models, plus the BBW1976 wheel cylinder for Toyota models. Further additions include the BBH9162 brake hose for Renault Kangoo models, the BTH1738 turbo hose for Seat and Volkswagen models, and the FBK1649 wheel bearing kit for Lexus GX and selected Toyota models.

Why it matters to workshops

For garages and motor factors, the practical issue is not only new part numbers, but whether those parts are easy to identify, source and fit. First Line says the full range, including the latest additions, is available through its WebCat online catalogue.

The update also reflects a wider aftermarket focus on stock depth and last-mile availability. Recent Tyre News coverage of GSF Car Parts’ Bury St Edmunds branch showed how distributors are investing in local stockholding and trade delivery capacity to support independent garages.

For First Line, the appointment of a new UK sales lead gives the company a clearer structure for customer engagement at the same time as it adds range depth. For workshops, the value will depend on catalogue accuracy, availability and consistent support through the motor factor channel.

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Tagged with: First Line Ltd, Lewis Wykes, Borg & Beck, automotive aftermarket, motor factors, UK garages, drive shafts, steering parts, cooling parts, brake pads, WebCat catalogue

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