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BODY Magazine Bodyshops in the News January 2012
New Aberdeen Bodyshop
VBRA member Ashgrove Motor Body Co Ltd has opened a new site in Aberdeen. The company has been established in Elgin for 40 years and make the move into the Aberdeen and Inverness areas after many requests from work providers. Andy O’Hare explains, ‘The location we have selected for Aberdeen will allow us to service the Aberdeen area with no overlap from Elgin. This will allow us to cover Inverness to Aberdeen for any work providers.
The unit is 12400 sq. ft. with a large 19000sq.ft. secure yard space for storage. We are installing 2 x 10 meter long by 3.5 meter high booths, allowing us to paint and bake 2 vehicles at the same time in each booth. We are also introducing a fast track repair bay at both our Elgin and Aberdeen sites to allow us to carry out smaller repairs cheaper, faster and better. Elgin already has PAS125 and within the first 12 months we will have it in Aberdeen as well’.
EnKahnz Aquire Site
Yorkshire law firm Gordons has advised Bradford-based EnKahnz, the accident repair and customisation boutique, on the purchase of the city’s Cuckoo Nest Industrial Estate. EnKahnz has bought the multi-let development from a private investor for just under £1m and become anchor tenant at the estate. The company had rented the largest unit at the development site since 2007 and the acquisition will allow it to make substantial progress in enhancing its workshop, installing a new training academy and undertaking further product development.
Founded in 2003 by award winning creator Naveed Khan, EnKahnz has invested heavily to create the most technically advanced, state-of-the-art workshops in the north of England, using leading-edge technology, award-winning technicians and manufacturer-approved tools and equipment.
Simon Mydlowski, commercial property solicitor at Gordons, advised EnKahnz on the deal. He said: ‘It was a pleasure to work with EnKahnz, which has become well-known for harnessing Naveed’s artistic flair and outstanding skills to almost revolutionise vehicle style and development. The company has largely re-defined the concept of restoration and customisation. We’re delighted to have played such a key role in helping the business past this important milestone in its history. The purchase was vital, as it has put the company in a position to fulfil its long-term aims and, now the deal is complete, I expect to see EnKahnz continue its rapid success well into the future’.
ADR Pilots JagLR Accident Calls
ADR Accident Repair Centres has just completed a highly successful, first six months of a pilot with Jaguar Land Rover to host its Accident Services Helpline they say. Running alongside its own call centre operation in Chesterfield, ADR provides roadside assistance for Jaguar Land Rover customers, directing them to approved bodyshops throughout the UK. Where necessary ADR also arranges recovery and emergency onward mobility via JLR supply partner ‘Enterprise’ for anyone without alternative means of transport. Current customer satisfaction scores are well over 80%.
Unique TV Look Transforms 1994 Rover
Vehicle wrapping specialist, Creative FX, ‘chromed’ a 1994 Rover Metro Tahiti for Channel 5 TV programme, Fifth Gear. Presenter Jonny Smith wanted to investigate the biggest car phenomenon of the 21st century, vinyl wrapping - and see whether he could make some money in the process. Jonny opens, ‘The idea is to create a finish that wouldn’t be possible with paint; from stripes, to matt black and even chrome. The trend started with the mega rich but now even manufacturers are getting on to it’.
It took the vehicle wrapping specialists less than a day to transform the car, but Jonny admits it’s not as easy as Creative FX make it look. ‘It’s convinced me this is not a DIY job; not on your nelly. It’s very easy to get it wrong and there’s a very fine line between good and crap, especially with chrome’.
Sean Davis, Director at Creative FX, agrees, ‘It’d be a great car to have – it might not be to everyone’s taste, but it’ll certainly make you stand out from the crowd!’. The car was placed on auction site eBay after it had been wrapped and sold for £440.
‘I’m really interested to know what the next big thing will be’, says Jonny. ‘We’ve had matt black, carbon fibre and chrome; what’s next? I’d like to have a wood effect wrap; people would really notice that’,he concludes.
Harry for Nationwide
Nationwide Accident Repair Services plc has been recognised by Hasting Direct as a valued business partner for its excellent customer service and its desire to meet and exceed the expectations of the insurance broker. The Harrys are given each year to five business partners who have worked with Hastings Direct over the previous 12 months and who have clearly demonstrated that they reflect one of Hastings Direct’s core business values – accountable, decent, driven, together and brave.
Nationwide received the ‘Driven Harry’. On the night Edward Fitzmaurice, CEO of Hastings Direct said that Nationwide had received this recognition ‘for developing their repair service and ramping up their glass operation on short notice to give excellent service and to meet our very high standards’. Steve Thompson, Managing Director of Nationwide Network Services, accepted the trophy saying ‘As the largest repair group in the UK, we have to be flexible and adaptable to meet the challenging demands of the market and the many and varied requirements of our customers; our Motorglass division is a great example of this’.
Keltruck Gain ISO
Keltruck’s West Bromwich operation has achieved ISO 9001 accreditation
covering all aspects of the range of services on offer from new and used sales, through service parts, bodyshop and even end of life recycling of vehicles.
Andrew Jamieson, Managing Director of this VBRA member company comments ‘The accreditation of the ISO 9001 Quality Standard is a reflection of the systems and process that we have . . . aimed at continually improving the service we give to our customers; be this through efficient and effective management processes, through to reducing waste’. The ISO accreditation comes on top of the company’s significant investment in premises at the West Bromwich location and the £560,000 investment in IT system upgrades, making a serious statement of intent of the future ambitions.
JCC Launches Winter Customer Campaign
With The Highways Agency urging motorists to prepare for winter, Just Car Clinics surveyed customers to reveal that three quarters of those questioned did not know the legal requirement for minimum tyre tread.
More worryingly, 65% did not even know how to check if their tyres were worn. Of those that were in the dark, 40% said their dad still proved to be the go-to-guy when looking for expert guidance on whether their tyres remained legal and safe. A further 23% of customers played a dangerous waiting game by leaving a tyre inspection until their MOT was due.
Whilst dads topped the poll, respondents also said they would seek advice from boyfriends, husbands, father-in-laws, brother, neighbours with one person even suggesting their boss!
Just Car Clinics, the UK’s second largest accident repair company, recently launched winter tyre inspections as part of a Free Winter Health Check for motorists looking to stay safe in adverse weather conditions and avoid 3 penalty points and a hefty £2,500 in fines per tyre.
Barry Whittles, Just Car Clinic Group Chief Executive, said: ‘It is interesting to discover who people turn to but we would advise drivers not to rely solely on their dads! It may have been one of the mildest autumns on record but we are hearing regular warnings about winter being on the way so we want all motorists to be ready. Tyres are critical to safe driving in adverse conditions however clearly from our research the majority of motorists are unaware of how to check the level of tread required or, even more worryingly, put off checking their tyres until an MOT by which point it could tragically be too late’.
Roads Minister Mike Penning has said ‘The Highways Agency is ready for winter, but the experience of recent winters is that we must all play our part and be prepared. A few very simple steps taken now can reduce the risk of being caught out by the weather’.
The minimum legal tread depth for tyres is 1.6 mm, however the majority of manufacturers recommend changing at 3mm. As the tread depth reduces, the tyres ability to remove water from the road surface also reduces and the vehicles’ stopping distances increase. In addition to tyres, Just Car Clinics Free Winter Health Check covers other essential vehicle components including antifreeze, screen wash, coolant hoses, fan belt, lights, bodywork check and battery.
Perfect Detail 
Perfect Detail Ltd, a family owned Middlesex company working primarily within the SMART and Express Repair sectors has launched a new website, www.perfectdetail.org.uk. At the same time they are creating a closer business partnership between their mobile service and associated bodyshop, M&S Accident Repair Eco-Express to provide a one stop shop from minor scuffs to full bodyshop repair. Heather Miles and Gary Coles, directors of Perfect Detail Ltd, are pleased to be offering a full range of body repairs.
Nationwide Consults on Redundancies
Repairer TV has reported that a small number of Nationwide Repair Centres have entered into a consultation period for redundancy with staff.
Michael Wilmshurst, the Chief Executive of Nationwide, commented: ‘Some individual Nationwide Repair Centres have been adversely affected by the very challenging trading conditions of recent years and the reduction in notifications from insurers as consumers are becoming less inclined to claim on their insurance policies. These Repair Centres have regrettably had to consider staff redundancies and site closures.
We are committed to minimising the disruption to the individuals at these Repair Centres, and to the business as a whole, during the process. Services to customers will not be interrupted in any way. As these Repair Centres are currently in the early stages of the consultation process we can make no further statement at present’.
In Brief
Marshall Motor Group is reappointing iris as its chosen supply partner. As part of the agreement, iris is introducing its intelligent repair programme into the dealership group, providing a total solution to meet all its smart repair requirements. As well the company’s bodyshop managers will undertake the iris bodyshop management programme.
Automotive repair industry professionals participated in an interactive demo of Permahyd Hi-TEC 480, the new waterborne basecoat from Spies Hecker, at an open day event hosted by award-winning bodyshop ADR Macclesfield. Greg Stansfield, Group Commercial Manager, ADR Accident Repair Centres, says, ‘The open day was a great success and we’re delighted we were able to not only show off our fantastic facilities, but also help showcase a really great product, which is helping us to boost our efficiency’.
Vauxhall Motors has announced the winners of a recent benchmarking and training initiative, formulated and delivered in conjunction with Audatex UK. Over 100 bodyshops took part in the programme and the top three Vehicle Damage Assessors (VDAs)were Stuart Jarvis – Drive Aldershot, Julian Montagna – Browns Loughton and Terry Diaper – Picador Southampton; all of whom achieved over 90% accuracy across the programme. Tony Neff, Accident Repair Channel Manager from Vauxhall was ‘extremely pleased to see the numbers who took part in this initiative and our congratulations go to the winners’.
AW Accident Repair Centre Lincs has been at the top of the Volkswagen Group customer satisfaction league table for 5 months this year, to the delight of MD Andrew Walsh.
Midlands Volvo dealer Hartshorne are working closely with UK Mail Group to provide strategic transport solutions and vehicle support services, with their fully equipped Walsall bodyshop providing a comprehensive trailer repair service for UK Mail Group. UK Mail Group’s Fleet Administration and Resource Manager (Transport Group) David Williams said, ‘We like the fact that they give us a fixed price for trailer repairs and also their reliability. Jobs are always completed on time and to the agreed price. As a value added service, the bodyshop provides a fantastic fit with our transport requirements’.
The Selsia repair network has been appointed by South East Water to run their accident repair programme. South East Water operates a fleet of over 300 vans and company cars.
Fix Auto has signed 3 bodyshop groups to their network: John Grose Group bodyshops in Ipswich and Lowestoft; VARC Ltd, Sidcup; A S Whitaker in Spalding and Huntingdon. All 5 sites hold BSI Kitemark PAS 125.
Bodytechnics Ltd, well known for its work on prestige and supercar marques, has added 15 Citroën DS3 DStyle Plus cars to its loan fleet.
Apology – we inadvertently aged Autospray of Cornwall in our last issue. The company celebrates 20 years in business, not 40 as our headline wrongly stated.
Repairer TV Head-On Interview, April 2009 Interview with Malcolm Tagg - Director General, VBRA
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