Valeo Service UK has announced the appointment of Bastian Mertens as Director of Marketing Aftermarket Northern Europe, signalling the next stage of the supplier’s development across the region.
Having joined the business in November, Bastian has completed his first 150 days in post and set out a 2026 roadmap aimed at strengthening Valeo’s position as a full-service partner to both distributors and workshops.
“Joining Valeo at this pivotal moment for the automotive aftermarket is incredibly exciting,” said Bastian. “It’s clear that simply being a component manufacturer is no longer enough. My priority is to deliver Valeo’s ‘Augmented Service’ vision, bringing together our OE-quality parts with the data, tools and training our partners need to succeed.”
With more than 15 years’ experience in the distribution sector, including senior roles at LKQ Europe, Bastian’s strategy focuses on combining Valeo’s technical expertise, digital tools and training support to help the UK aftermarket respond to both an ageing vehicle parc and the increasing complexity of modern vehicle technologies.
A central element of the plan is the continued expansion of training through the Valeo Tech Academy. New partnerships with major UK distributors have been secured to deliver advanced programmes, with future courses expected to concentrate on high-demand areas such as ADAS calibration and emerging vehicle technologies.
Alongside training, Valeo is preparing to introduce additional digital support for distributors. Planned for launch later this year, new tools will use regional car parc analysis to help factors identify gaps in their inventory, enabling them to stock the right OE-quality components for their local market and minimise lost sales opportunities.
Bastian also highlighted the continued value of Valeo’s Specialist Club programme for workshops. The platform allows technicians to earn loyalty points by scanning Valeo product barcodes, which can then be redeemed for a wide range of workshop tools, equipment and business support items, providing an added incentive for garages that regularly fit Valeo parts.
“Workshops and distributors are operating in a more demanding environment than ever before,” he said. “Between our technical hotline, the Tech Assist, the Tech Academy and our expanding digital tools, we are building an ecosystem where our partners don’t just buy a part, they gain the confidence and support to grow their business.”
For further information and to access Valeo’s help centre visit: https://www.valeoservice.co.uk/en-uk/help-support.
