In the last issue of BODY Magazine we published an anonymous letter from someone who appears to be a frustrated and despairing repairer, driven to write to VBRA seeking a ‘Knight in Shining Armour’. It was thought worthy of publication as soon as possible because it stated many frustrations voiced privately to VBRA about the way the market in general is currently operating.
Unfortunately the letter named a work provider that the editor was unable to contact in time (over the Christmas period) for their response to be formulated and printed in the same issue. We apologise to WNS for this.
It is pleasing to be able to publish their response now on our website coincident with the mailing of the issue in question. Their response will also be printed in the next (February) issue of BODY Magazine.
STATEMENT to the Editor FROM WNS ASSISTANCE
An anonymous letter was published in the December/January issue of BODY Magazine, which contained significant factual inaccuracies about the vehicle repair market and also made reference to WNS Assistance.
However, WNS Assistance is both a long-term and respected player in the vehicle repair market, having been a consistent work-provider to bodyshops for almost 25 years. Our system-integrated national network of loyal repairers currently numbers well over 300 bodyshops, with many of which we have enjoyed a long and close partnership. We make no apology for being commercially astute, our demanding customers in the insurance, broker, and fleet markets expect no less, but we do take pride in the fact that we have contributed to the provision of the highest possible service and quality standards in the industry, which has inevitably benefited the most efficient bodyshops. As for customer satisfaction, the current rating from drivers who use the WNS repairer network is running at well over 90%.
The VBRA’s own published response to BODY Magazine’s anonymous letter stated that “despite the problems you highlight, there are repairers who tell us they are at least doing OK and, in some cases, doing very well.”
The following testimonial from Paul Marden, managing director, Seward Accident Repair Centres, provides further proof of this fact.
“Having carried out a review of all our business partners, I should like to comment on our relationship with WNS.
We find that if you are a high volume ARC, the WNS contract is seen by managers as a valued contract because, without doubt, it can guarantee consistent volumes of work and help iron out peaks and troughs during the year. As part of a balanced portfolio of work provision, it has certainly helped us to increase our profitability in a difficult year, despite the fact that, like all insurance-based contracts, the rates currently paid do not reflect the huge increases in costs (BSI Kitemark, Escribe, etc.) we repairers have faced over the past couple of years. However, we feel that this is an industry issue and not solely an issue with WNS.
As with all insurance-based contracts, unless you have excellent premises and a well-motivated, skilled workforce, returns on the current ‘going rates’ would be minimal, but then, of course, why should we be paid to be inefficient?
Positively, we like the way we are able to get on and repair vehicles without constant micro-managing. We find all the staff we deal with throughout the organisation to be efficient and pleasant to work with, bearing in mind, of course, the pressure they themselves are under from their work providers.
Payments are generally very good, 85% at around 30 days, with just a few drifting and having to be chased by our credit controllers.
Taking everything into consideration, we are pleased to be a business partner of WNS and will seek to strengthen our relationship in the future.”
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The anonymous letter was first published alongside responses from the VBRA and from an experienced, respected motor insurance manager. You can download a pdf version of the original story published in BODY Magazine by clicking here
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Could You Use Apprentice Funding?
Bob Calder at Cwmbran Autorefinish in Wales has successfully applied for apprentice funding through the National Apprenticeship funding service. He says they were made aware of the scheme by their local college. ‘We took advantage of this offer as we were in need of an extra person, this coupled with the fact that we had a recommendation from the college made it too good an opportunity to miss. Without the funding due to the size of the business it is doubtful if we would have employed anyone. For us it has worked’.
The National Apprenticeship service has funding for up to 5000 Apprentices for employers of 16/17 year olds. This is in addition to training costs. Grants up to £2500 are available for employers offering places to new and additional places for unemployed persons. They are targeting employers who would not otherwise be in a position to recruit an apprentice.
For more info: uk/employers/AGE16and17.aspx
or call 08000 150 600.
www.apprenticeships.org.