ARC360 news round up – Friday 4 November

HoloLens exclusive set for ARC360 event 

Thatcham Research is set to provide delegates at ARC360’s forthcoming ‘Gaining Ground Together 2022’ event with an exclusive first look at its Microsoft HoloLens technician training capabilities. 

Taking place on Thursday 24 November at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry, the event which is free to access for registered repairers will see Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services, Thatcham Research provide an overview of the latest advances in learning environments including its ‘mixed reality device’ HoloLens. 

MotorAid become Fix franchisee 

Fix Auto UK has announced that MotorAid has joined the network and will now operate as Fix Auto Basildon. 

One of the region’s leading vehicle repairers with a heritage spanning almost three decades, the three-acre site features a workshop space of more than 27,000 sqft that can handle up to 200 car and light commercial vehicle repairs a month. 

Repairify unveils new training initiate

Repairify will launch a new comprehensive technical training programme intended to raise standards and skills among automotive technicians. 

Due to be introduced in 2023, the Repairify Institute will employ innovative training methods such as adaptive learning, which adjusts teachings according to the person’s individual strengths and weaknesses, with additional features including a mentorship support programme and a Proof of Skill concept that enables students to demonstrate their new skills. 

Kennedy wins at WorldSkills finals

UK technician Craig Kenney celebrated a double success at the recent WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition for Car Painting, which took place in Denmark from 18-22 October. 

He won bronze in the Car Painting Skills category, and also picked up second place in the Sustainable Practice Awards. 

The competition, supported by BASF’s premium paint brand Glasurit, replaced the 46th edition WorldSkills that was cancelled in May due to the pandemic. 

FMG sponsors Skills Competition

FMG Repair Services has underlined its commitment to nurturing new talent by announcing that it is sponsoring the IMI Skills Competition finals. 

The two-day final at Cardiff and Vale College will take place in November, when 24 students and apprentices will demonstrate their skills across a range of tasks in four areas: Automotive Technology, Automotive Body Repair, Automotive Refinishing and Heavy Vehicle Technology. 

Komoo cuts ribbon on fifth site

Fleet repair specialists Komoo has opened a new site in Middlesbrough. 

The new single bay repair Qube will provide a convenient and rapid repair solution to fleet and rental customers in the region. 

Certification secured

Service Certainty imageproof has renewed its ISO27001 certification. 

ISO27001 is the world’s most well-established standard for information security management systems (ISMS) and accreditation recognises a company’s commitment to protecting data and information entrusted by third parties. 

Enterprise wins big in Las Vegas

Enterprise Holdings was named CIECA’s 2022 Company of the Year at the Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards in Las Vegas. 

CIECA (Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association) develops collision industry electronic standards, codes and standard messages and provides implementation guides to make the industry more efficient. 

Maintaining standards 

PK Motors Accident Repair Centre has passed a recently unannounced BSI audit. 

The company said, “This would not be possible without our loyal team of qualified technicians and staff being committed to providing the highest standards of service every single day.”

Premium prices on steady upwards climb

Comprehensive car insurance premiums have increased 14% in the last year to an average price of £586.  

According to the Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index, premiums have risen four quarters in a row with six per cent rises recorded in the last three months.  

Van drivers count the cost

Van drivers are now paying an average of £1,127 per year for motor insurance after policies rose by 18.9% in the last year. This is according to data released by Consumer Intelligence. 

New report highlights mental health challenges

A new report has found that half of workers in the UK have reported worse mental health since the outbreak of Covid-19. 

Nearly half (48%) said they were experiencing ‘burn out’ and more than a third (35%) said they felt depressed. 

People

Shorade has named Stuart Bone as Head of Business, Cannock.  

Mark Toms has started a new position as General Manager at Snows Peugeot Southampton and Romsey. 

National Accident Repair Group has appointed George Georgiou as Network Operations Manager. 

Bianca Dubiel has been named as Corporate Client Executive at Fix Auto UK.

Silverlake Automotive Recycling has named Greg Rose as Continuous Improvement Manager, a newly created role within the business.   

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webinARC – Business development 2022: 30 November 

In this webinARC we offer a host of interviews, comments and insights via recorded interviews focusing on business development opportunities and challenges in 2023 and beyond. 

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MotorAid become Fix franchisee

Fix Auto UK has announced that MotorAid has joined the network and will now operate as Fix Auto Basildon.

One of the region’s leading vehicle repairers with a heritage spanning almost three decades, the three-acre site features a workshop space of more than 27,000 sqft that can handle up to 200 car and light commercial vehicle repairs a month.

Owner Steve Abbs said, “We are constantly looking to improve and develop the business. Nearly a year ago we started repairing vehicles for Fix Auto UK and liked the services they provide. We realised early into our relationship there was much more to the network, and we wanted more of it.

“We’ve recognised we needed to future-proof our business, being part of a network, especially one with such a reputation as Fix Auto UK, has to be the future for all repairers and we’re now delighted to be part of it.”

Ian Pugh, Managing Director for Fix Auto UK, said: “These are undoubtedly frenetic times for the industry and we are always striving to strengthen the network but with businesses that sit right for us and, dare I say, we have to be the right fit for them too. Steve and business partner Simon Croft have built up an enviable reputation over the years and have served us well since the start of 2022, stepping up to be a first tier, fully branded, Fix Auto UK repairer was the natural progression and I am delighted to have them on board.”

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Bodyshop | Mobility | People | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | wellbeing | Words

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New report highlights mental health challenges

A new report has found that half of workers in the UK have reported worse mental health since the outbreak of Covid-19.

Nearly half (48%) said they were experiencing ‘burn out’ and more than a third (35%) said they felt depressed.

Despite this, only a third of companies have increased wellbeing support since pandemic.

These were the headline findings of a report, Making Mental Health Top of the Agenda, commissioned by leading digital mental health provider SilverCloud.

It also found that those suffering with poor mental health saw their work performance drop, with lower concentration levels (60%), reduced productivity (56%), reduced quality (40%), and a deterioration in working relationships (26%).

Dr Carolyn Lorian, Head of Clinical Transformation at SilverCloud said,“These findings reinforce the crucial role that businesses can play in supporting their workforces to unlock human and business potential; however, just 28% of employees believe employers are doing enough. This gap between employee reality and employer perception and action needs to be addressed.”

The new research also revealed increases in productivity and profitability are being unlocked by companies who invest in their workforce’s mental health. Over half (55%) of employers have seen an increase in staff productivity, plus increases in profitability (40%) and a reduction in absenteeism.

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ARC360 Conference 2025: Unpacking the future of claims and collision repair

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

16-04-2025

Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

Bodyshop | Mobility | People | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | wellbeing | Words

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Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

11-04-2025

Corporate Partners

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REPAIRIFY

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HoloLens exclusive set for ARC360 event

Thatcham Research is set to provide delegates at ARC360’s forthcoming ‘Gaining Ground Together 2022’ event with an exclusive first look at its Microsoft HoloLens technician training capabilities.

Taking place on Thursday 24 November at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry, the event which is free to access for registered repairers will see Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services, Thatcham Research provide an overview of the latest advances in learning environments including its ‘mixed reality device’ HoloLens.

Thatcham Research first deployed HoloLens back in March 2021 as part of its Vehicle Damage Assessor (VDA) apprentice onboarding process. Since this time, the Automotive Academy team has been refining the use cases – advancing its virtual teaching environment capabilities and deploying these within its blended technician learning environment.

Dean said, “Just as vehicle technology continues to become ever more expansive, so too does the role for technology in delivering our training programmes. Working patterns and practices have shifted permanently because of the pandemic and flexibility has come to the fore in a competitive jobs market, where hybrid models continue to challenge conventional ways of working.

“At our Automotive Academy we’re welcoming hundreds of apprentices who will contribute to rebalancing the ageing repair workforce and bring much-needed cutting-edge skills to bodyshops.”

The day – sponsored by GT Motive – will include a host of ‘quickfire’ sessions focused on providing greater insight and context to market conditions including a ‘state of the nation’ look at market data and how it actually translates to everyday operations and future planning; procurement and battling the challenges of rising claims inflation; and the importance and impact of ESG on the supply chain.

ARC360 is supported by Corporate Partners: Solera Audatex; BASF; BMS; CAPS; Copart; EMACS; Entegral; Enterprise; Innovation Group; Mirka; Nationwide Vehicle Recovery Assistance; and S&G; along with Partners: Repairify; The Green Parts Specialists; Indasa; and Prasco UK; and Associate Partners: Gemini ARC; Trend Tracker; and Thatcham Research.

Tickets, sponsorship, and exhibition spaces are all now available for the event – click here for more or contact jonathan@iloveclaims.com.

More Insights

ARC360 Conference 2025: Unpacking the future of claims and collision repair

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

16-04-2025

Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

Bodyshop | Mobility | People | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | wellbeing | Words

14-04-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

11-04-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

REPAIRIFY

Associate Partners