Parts supplier OTTO has opened a brand new outlet, located at the Bray Retail Park in Co. Wicklow. The new branch will mean an enhanced level of service to existing OTTO customers in the Wicklow and South Dublin areas, as well as the potential of developing new trade business.

In many ways the new addition marks something of a home coming for company founder Barry McDowell and Director Nigel Baguley, who grew up as friends only a stone’s throw from the new premises at Southern Cross. The team that will man the branch are also local to the area. 

Barry comments, “We have a good many customers in Co. Wicklow, so when a unit became available at Bray Retail Park, we jumped at the opportunity. We had previously been looking for the right premises around Co. Wicklow, but had never been able to find the right location.” Barry adds, “We have taken over the lease of what was previously a tile outlet in the very busy Bray Retail Park and over the course of four months, and with blood, sweat and tears proceeded to demolish, rebuild and fit out the store ready for opening. The fact that most of the design, planning and fit out of the unit was done by our own staff, is testimony to the ingenuity and hard work of the OTTO team.” 

The plan for the new branch is to service local trade customers with both vans and the very popular and effective OTTO moped delivery service. Barry says the trade response to the opening has been extremely positive and he anticipates that demand will be high from the thriving local motor trade. 

The new outlet’s prime location will also allow for the development of much more retail business. Barry comments, “This is a very busy location, next to a DIY store and a coffee shop, so there is plenty of footfall and parking is not an issue.” To capitalise on this, the team have created an attractive and welcoming retail area and plan to fine tune the retail range, to meet demand with everything from bulbs, wipers and accessories, through essential fluids and car care and even model cars. 

In many ways, this renewed emphasis on retail also marks a return for Barry and the team, with the company first founded in a shop unit in Ranelagh Main Street in 1995. Previously, Barry had gained invaluable experience working in both Germany and the UK, where he was part of the pioneering German and Swedish chain of motor factors. Joined by Nigel in Ranelagh, the company development coincided with the rising popularity of German car marques and became a major success story in the Irish aftermarket.  

OTTO moved to its present HQ in Tallaght to provide much needed extra space and also opened branches in Cork and Swords. Initially set up as a German parts specialist, OTTO is now very firmly an all makes supplier, however, one of its great strengths is the excellent direct working relationship it has with many German parts manufacturers, which Barry and the team have forged over many years. These include many leading and OE brand names, such Hengst Filters, ZF, Boge, Bilstein, Bremi, ATE and Febi. In more recent years, it has also become an importer of an ever increasing range of products including GK, Mahle, TRW, Lemforder, GKN, Elring, Pierburg, Hazet, VDO, Osram, Magneti Marelli, Blueprint and in the last few months Conti and Beru. 

Barry says, “The philosophy of the company has always been to supply high quality parts that garages can have total confidence in. We back this up with first class service from a very knowledgeable and experienced team and although this is a new branch, it will also have the same level of expertise.” 

Branch Manager Barry McCall and Land Rover expert Gerry Timmons, will bring plenty of in-depth parts knowledge to the Bray outlet. Barry has some 17 years experience in parts and Gerry has a wealth of parts experience, both in the independent and main dealer sectors. They will also be able to call on the support of the rest of the OTTO team including Barry, Nigel and Garry Keogh, another key member of the OTTO management team.    

Barry comments, “With the right people in place, a great location, and an excellent well stocked and organised facility, we are very well placed to provide the trade in the area the products they need when they need them.” He adds, “There is lots of talk of change in the industry with the rise of electric vehicles, but petrol and diesel will continue to dominate the aftermarket for the next ten to fifteen years. We will also move with the market and are confident that our new branch in Bray will be able to meet the demand for car parts regardless of how the cars are powered.”   

The OTTO branch location is Bray Retail Park, Southern Cross, Bray. A98 AD78. Telephone 01-400-0059.