AS-PL Sp is a European company that operates in the field of supplying parts and electrical components for vehicles. The company was established in 1992. AS-PL cooperates with distributors and wholesalers of spare parts from the whole world in the area of the aftermarket.
The company’s product catalogue includes about 24,000 items, which correspond to nearly 610,000 references. The offer includes Alternators, Starters, Parts and Components for Cars, Trucks, Agricultural machinery, Plant, Marine and Motorcycles. All alternators and starters offered by the company are tested on specialized machines, and their test results are included with the offered products. The brand has the ISO 9001: 2015 certificate.
Interview with Krzysztof Falk, Chief Operating Officer at AS-PL.
Easy Engineering: How was 2022 for your business, a short summary?
Krzysztof Falk: The beginning of the year brought a shock and a sense of helplessness related to the war in Ukraine. Our natural reaction was to focus on humanitarian aid. Besides the support for the Polish Center for International Aid Foundation, all our branches collected needed goods among the employees.
For AS-PL it was a time to systematically expand the offer with other models of alternators, starters, and parts. The same with our offices and warehouses. In March we opened our next foreign branch located in Valencia, Spain.
We placed great emphasis on sustainable development in our company, and that is why the section on remanufactured alternators and starters was prioritized. In comparison to 2021, we have managed to double the efficiency of the remanufacturing in our Production Plant.
E.E: What new products/services will be launched this year?
K.F: We have increased our offer with new products. The base of 24,000 different products was enlarged with NOx sensors. The sensors are a very important element of the Selective Catalytic Reduction system (SCR). This system is responsible for changing the particles of nitrogen oxide into water and nitrogen by injecting an AdBlue solution into the SRC catalytic converter. One of the elements of the system is NOx sensors mounted directly in the exhaust system. They are responsible for the constant measurement of the concentration of nitrogen oxides in exhaust gases.
E.E: How did the market change in the last year?
K.F: The beginning of the year was obviously a shock regarding the war in Ukraine, which had an impact on the already difficult situation in the economy. Besides this, the companies had been struggling the problems with the availability of raw materials, raging inflation, and the high prices of fuel. This was accompanied by the specter of the energy crisis that could cause the possibility of limiting the energy and increasing operational costs.
E.E: What were the best-selling products of 2022?
K.F: Our best-selling products in a range of starter motors are models intended for passenger cars, i.e., product no. S0123 with application to Citroen Jumper or Ford Transit.
From the alternators, we have A2003 for the 12 V cars like Opel Corsa or Meriva.
From the range of remanufactured alternators and starter motors, we have product A6010PR intended for 12 V cars of Ford Focus, Ford C-Max, or Volvo V50 and product S3016PR for 12 V cars of Citroen Berlingo, Peugeot Partner or Peugeot 307. Presently in our Production Plant, the remanufacturing product assembly capacity amounts to approx. 15 thousand items per month. Each product has a confirmation of the completed final test (report) which demonstrates that the product is in good working order and is reliable.
Krzysztof Falk, Chief Operating Officer
E.E: What sector of business do you think is expected to grow this year?
K.F: Regarding our company, we think that it will be our range of remanufacturing products. This will be in reference to the problems with the availability of raw materials, inflation, ecological requirements of the EU, and high prices of the new original parts (OEM). Our products are remanufactured in a professional way and do not differ in quality from OE products.
E.E: What estimations do you have for 2023?
K.F: Our plans for 2023 are a further development of the range of our offer of alternators, starters, and parts, including the remanufacturing models.
In 2023 the offer will be enlarged with NOx sensors, a very important element of the Selective Catalytic Reduction system (SCR).
In the first part of the year, we will open a new warehouse in the United Kingdom, located in Liverpool. Our branch office in the United Kingdom was established in 2017 and will be enlarged with an additional space of around 1000 sqm.
E.E: A short message for collaborators for the beginning of the year.
K.F: A difficult and full of work year is behind us but on the other way a very satisfying year. We turned the shock and feeling of helplessness associated with the war in Ukraine into humanitarian aid. The war is still going on, so let’s not forget about helping.
Despite the difficulties that companies around the world are currently facing, we are not slowing down. We are constantly looking for opportunities to develop and raise our already very high standards. Therefore, together with the New Year, we wish everyone perseverance and solidarity in this difficult period.
