Profile
This is just one of the interesting company profiles appearing in the current issue of BODY Magazine. If you would like to read the other articles, please contact us for a complimentary copy available to anyone who takes out a 12 month subscription. Email: body@vbra.co.uk
Review of 2011
2011 Industry Trends
1. ‘Fix Me Quick’
* Heather Grant starts the BODY Talk series with a look at the move towards ‘rapid repairs’ – smaller jobs that can be pushed more quickly through the bodyshop, a very attractive proposition for insurers, accident management companies and car owners – and progressive bodyshops and SMART repairers.
* A string of schemes set up – AutoRestore making the news first with an approval from Allianz. Others include Global Repair Solutions, Selsia Same day, Repair Choice, EcoExpress.
* Nationwide AR Group sets up Mobile Restore division; some regionals and independents also set up mobile repair offering.
* Continuing the trend started in 2010, more mobile repairers move inside, setting up static repair units.
* The IMI launches a Cosmetic ATA at the end of the year.
2. Bodyshop Groups
Not a lot of news this year from the groups who very publicly banded together in 2009/2010. National Repair Group (NARG) appoint Malcolm Banner, ex-Nationwide, as Commercial Director; Welsh Repair Group celebrated 1st birthday. Other groups include Independent Repair Group (east of England); Synergy; Vizion; SW ARG.
3. Franchised Group
Fix Auto appointed Ian Pugh as MD in February; in October they announced a contract for part of their network with Allianz. They started the year with XX and finished the year with XX bodyshops – some gains and some losses as FixAuto franchisees seem no more immune to the economic climate and financial insolvency as other independents/dealer group bodyshops.
4. SMART Repairers
The mix continues with national groups, some franchise some not; regional groups; groups built alongside product distribution groups; and a host of independent technicians operating locally. There was one big surprise in May when Steve Barrett sold his Smart Express business to Morelli. Morelli were keen to expand their service offering into the SMART product arena, for the benefit of those whose repair networks they manage (Citroen) and to offer a wider product selection to their traditional bodyshop customer.
5. Paint Tech
Vinyl wrapping follows paint trends into areas such as chroming and matte finishes.
6. Vehicle Tech
Hybrid vehicles begin to impact on body repair techniques; training courses meet industry requirements but technicians and their managers need to take more seriously the requirement for ongoing professional development. Vehicle technology is changing fast and only professionals with thirst for knowledge will keep up and sustain confidence from motoring customers. Fully electric powered vehicles also getting lots of media attention although not many yet running on UK roads.
7. Energy
The high cost of energy continues to drive businesses to rationalise costs and search for cost-effective providers.
News Summary for 2011
January 2011
• VBRA launches Campaign Kit for body repair members. It’s an education pack for motorists designed to help improve customer loyalty.
• Ford bodyshop network saved 500 repairs from ‘write off’ status in 2010; by the end of 2011 another 1000 repairs have been rescued.
• Fylde ARC, Blackpool celebrates 3rd anniversary as first bodyshop to gain BSI Kitemark PAS 125.
• VBRA challenges bodybuilders who believe that WVTA ‘won’t happen’ or won’t affect their business.
February 2011
• VBRA announces RUPD scheme that will save bodybuilders fitting under-run protective devices a lot of time and money to meet future WVTA approvals.
• VBRA SMART Repair Council has first meeting.
• 2nd edition of PAS 125 launched for public comment.
• Gray & Adams are first UK trailer maker with EC WVTA approvals.
• Adamsons Bodyshop, Oldham is visited by PM, David Cameron.
March 2011
• Southgate College open next generation training centre, SC Body & Paint Skills.
• Government Transport Committee says one reason cost of motoring insurance has gone up is fraud. Also ask for greater transparency of referral fees.
• Social networking really starts to attract attention from vibrant repair businesses.
April 2011
• The Commercial Vehicle Show is staged following a 2 year absence. Visitor numbers respectable bearing in mind the smaller exhibitor numbers and stand sizes.
• Japanese tsunami effect ripples out with delays on some parts and paint continuing for months.
• BBC Radio 4 MoneyBox programme interviews anonymous bodyshop manager who reveals scale of referral fees.
• IMI announce modular ATA redevelopment, with priority for Panel, Paint, MET and VDA routes.
• Paint Product directive breaches (sales of non-compliant paint to bodyshops) in Wales tackled by DEFRA and local councils.
May 2011
• ABI said it believed notified motor claims in Q1 were 8% down, mimicing 2010 trend.
• UK designed and built electric sports car E4 launched at Silverstone.
• Roads minister Mike Penning launched consultation into the use of longer trailers.
• PMC Repair Specialists, West Sussex and Dorset; West Thurrock Coachworks, Essex and Bodywork Direct, County Durham talk to BODY about the importance of workshop layout.
June 2011
• VBRA training ‘Introduction to Hybrid Cars & Systems’ kicks off.
• The IMI launched the professional ‘Continuous Professional Development’ portfolio.
• Thanet Accident Repair Centre, Kent and Bodykraft Coach & Motor Works Ltd, Wolverhampton both celebrated 50 years of VBRA membership.
• Government launches Occupational Safety and Health Consultants register.
• VBRA begins Kick Start QA and COP sessions to help bodybuilders understand the processes they need to be integrating into their businesses for smooth transition to Whole Vehicle Type Approval.
July/August 2011
• Jack Straw and motor accident fraud hits the headlines – no let-up in interest on the subject of motor insurance and its cost.
• At ABI conference, Director General says UK insurance industry needs to improve its reputation with the public.
• Waste disposal laws change – information in our feature.
• City College Coventry launch bespoke commercial vehicle bodybuilding qualification.
September/October 2011
• Education Minister John Hayes uses London 2011 WorldSkills as vehicle for promoting the governments support, which does include funding, for apprenticeships. Some now questioning the worth of the funding, which has been used for ‘short term’ or fast track qualifications in some sectors.
• Government Transport Committee report says insurers should publish details of referral fee arrangements - an indication of the level of fees paid, how the referral scheme works and why it is necessary. The Ministry of Justice says referral fees for personal injury cases will be banned.
• Hex Holdings Ltd goes into administration; Trade Group say their business model is robust enough to withstand the loss of Hex from the Group.
• New ‘sidewinder’ system launched; it protects from falls from top of vehicles.
• Frankfurt International Motor Show review reveals a rash of small vehicle/‘city car’ launches, including the Nils VW commuter concept and their up!, which will be available for around £8000 and a new British car company, Eterniti Motors launched their first prototype super-suv, the Hemera.
• OFT investigates motoring premiums in Northern Ireland, which are believed to be significantly higher than elsewhere in the UK.
• VBRA runs first member workshop at Southgate College. Delegates take home many new ideas for their businesses.
November / December 2011
• WorldSkills London 2011 all done and dusted. Ben Eaton won a bronze medal for car painting and Ross Varnam brings home silver in car body repair. Both young men performed brilliantly under pressure; the crowds loved the entire event.
• HSE is trialling a scheme to recover their costs by charging businesses when an inspection incurs cost due to enforcement letters/ further inspections. They’ll start with a charge of £750 per letter.
• Industry campaigns to persuade government not to change the MOT intervals.
• EC proposes height limit for trucks that will put UK to great expense.
• EuroCarParts is bought by US firm, LKQ Corporation. ECP management team will remain but their expansion plans will be accelerated. They aim to become a one stop shop for all those in the body repair chain.
• Panel technician weld testing protocol is under consideration for change, as long as it can be shown that BS welding testing is carried out consistently and accurately across the UK.
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