Month: August 2024

Rapid Repair Network (RRN) a leader in same day vehicle mobile repair services, has partnered with leading energy and carbon specialists ECA Business Energy to measure and validate the carbon footprint associated with each repair job conducted by their network of mobile repairers.

The company recognises the inherent advantages of mobile repair services, which typically require less energy and fewer resources compared to conventional repair centres, and by leveraging the expertise of ECA Business Energy, RRN aims to quantify these benefits and communicate the reduced environmental impact to their customers and the broader public.

The collaboration with ECA Business Energy marks the beginning of RRN’s journey towards achieving carbon neutrality. The first milestone in this journey is the attainment of carbon neutrality in accordance with the internationally recognised PAS 2060 standard.

This standard requires measurement, reduction, and the offsetting of carbon emissions, ensuring that RRN’s operations are genuinely contributing to a more sustainable future.

Looking ahead, RRN is committed to advancing beyond carbon neutrality and progressing towards a net-zero carbon footprint. This long-term strategy underscores the company’s dedication to environmental responsibility and aligns with global efforts to combat climate change.

Rob Hawes, Managing Director at RRN, said: “ At RRN we are acutely aware of the impact of vehicle repairs on the environment. Whilst we have long believed that our service is more environmentally friendly than a standard body shop repair, we are now formally quantifying this and aim to be carbon neutral before ultimately achieving Net Zero status. By choosing RRN, customers can be confident that they are making a positive contribution toward the environment.”

Four more major vehicle refinishes businesses, Pennings, Alton Cars, Veetec and Impact are joining AkzoNobel’s Sustainable Repair Network, a programme launched last year to help customers in the EMEA region on their journey to becoming more sustainable and efficient. 

All new businesses to the network have achieved a Level 1 Certification, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to reducing their respective carbon footprints.  

Over the last few months, the four businesses have partnered with AkzoNobel’s team of experts in the UK to generate insights about their energy consumption and emissions using the AkzoNobel’s proprietary Carbon Pulse application. This information has since been evaluated along with production data so that they can define their key performance indicators (KPIs).  

AkzoNobel is now working with each of them to develop strategies for future improvements across their repair centres. These improvements typically include changes in equipment, processes, and choice of products, which in turn results in reduced waste, energy usage, and cost, and increased efficiencies. 

Alton Cars, which operates a bodyshop group with 17 repair centres, Pennings, which has three sites, Veetec, with five sites, and Impact, which as four repair centres, all join The Vella Group, which became an official partner of the network in March of this year. 

Paul James, Strategic Accounts Manager Vehicle Refinishes UK & Ireland, AkzoNobel, said, “Ultimately, we are working towards finding areas where these businesses can reduce energy consumption and the associated emissions,” he says, “and identifying other key levers to reduce their impact on the environment and advance towards a more sustainable future.  

“We now have five of the UK’s leading accident repair groups, which collectively have more than 30 repair centres across the UK, working with us and where we know we can make a difference.  

“This is just the start for us. Our Sustainable Repair Network is open to all repair businesses looking for support on their sustainability journey, who can benefit from the knowledge and experience of sustainability experts and our growing portfolio of products and services to make a long-term difference to the operations and their business.”