With over 1800 filter references in our line-up, Comline certainly knows the marketplace, but what goes on behind the scenes to drive the brand’s success?
This article goes inside Comline’s development processes and takes a more detailed look at our ‘formula for filtration’.
MARKET ANALYSIS
The journey to producing a high-quality Comline filter begins with our expert product development team. They scout and study the European, Japanese and Korean vehicle parc here in the UK and across various worldwide markets.
The goal is to assess future demand for replacement filters and stay ahead of the curve by establishing which references will be in demand across each marketplace. This scouting ensures Comline is continually among the first-to-market with new filter applications, which in turn allows our numerous motor factor partners and garage fitters to be armed with the right
replacement filters at the right time. This is something which has helped earn the Comline brand a broad and loyal customer base.
PRECISE SPECIFICATION
Once this analysis has been concluded, and the demand for a new filter reference has been identified, the next chapter sees the production of a detailed Comline specification. Through meticulous original equipment (OE) benchmarking Comline develops its specification for every new filter- this provides the road-map for the development process.
PREMIUM COMPONENTS
Part of Comline’s specification requirements is our insistence on using premium quality components. This includes filter media sourced exclusively from world-renowned suppliers, heavy-duty stainless-steel base plates, durable silicone or nitrile butane rubber (NBR) seals, high-strength adhesives and more.
FACTORY SELECTION
Having the right specification and materials are only part of the puzzle; to truly deliver a top-quality filter, the manufacturing process must be equally exceptional. To that end, Comline has forged links with some of the world’s foremost filter manufacturing facilities.
Comline’s product development team plays a crucial part in selecting the right production facility by conducting thorough and regular audits. Each facility is visited and inspected by a member of the Comline team to guarantee compliance with the brand’s robust quality standards.
COMPREHENSIVE TESTING
Each new Comline filter is subjected to rigorous testing. This takes place during production, within Comline’s own in-house quality laboratory and in conjunction with International Filtration Testing Services (IFTS), one of the world’s leading filtration testing organisations, of which our brand is an appointed member. With this comprehensive, three-stage testing, every new Comline filter is put through its paces with checks for efficiency, pressure and temperature performance, plus impulse, rubber seal and media configuration testing.
CUSTOMER SUPPORT
With each of the stages complete, the production filter is market-ready and wrapped, of course, in Comline’s unmistakable blue and yellow packaging.
Each Comline filter hits the market backed by a substantial data portfolio, which includes everything from product specification, application data and fitment information. Here in the UK, this information is readily available at www.comline.uk.com or via MAM Autocat+ to which Comline is a certified data supplier.
With impressive sales and an ever-growing European presence, Comline has the right ‘formula for filtration’ for today’s aftermarket; Comline Business Line Manager for Filltration, Povilas Borisas, underlines this point:
“Filters are part of the DNA at Comline. Back in 1991 when the company was founded it was the filtration product line which first brought the brand to the forefront. We have come a long way since then, but our vision remained constant; for a filter to carry the Comline brand it must deliver absolute quality, reliability, but also genuine value for money. I feel our determination to execute this vision, coupled with our in-depth experience of this product category, is what sets us apart. “
For more information on Comline’s comprehensive filtration offering check out our ‘First for Filters’ brochure within our Auto:resource supplier profile.