Listen up…
In this week’s ARC360 podcast we catch up with well-known and highly respected industry figure – Steve Plunkett, Volvo body and paint business development manager. We focus on his career path to date; how the ‘day job’ has evolved in recent times; his perceptions of the repair sector; and where he sees the future of the industry. And it will come as no surprise to anyone that knows him… there’s also a mention (or two) of football.
IIR comes into force
The UK Insurance Industry Requirements (IIR) for the safe repair of ADAS-enabled vehicles is now in force.
The requirements aim to provide the motor insurance and repair industries with clarity to ensure the safe calibration and repair of ADAS-equipped vehicles.
Claims volumes down by 5%
Claims exchange volumes dipped by five per cent for week ending 27 March 2021, according to the CAPS Claims Analysis Report.
The reduction in volumes follows a steady rise since week ending 20 February which saw unique claims exchange volumes increase from 74% to 85% week ending 20 March. The latest figure now stands at 80%.
New Trend Tracker survey goes live
Trend Tracker, in partnership with ARC360 and NBRA, has launched its latest survey: UK Body Repair Market – Emerging from COVID-19 lockdown, Spring of 2021.
The survey will form the basis of an industry report on the motor insurance market offering the very latest position as lockdown restrictions ease and the sector begins to look forward.
Elder and Paton in Scottish first
Elder and Paton has become the first accident repair centre in Scotland to become a carbon neutral organisation.
Working alongside energy and carbon experts – ECA Business Energy – the multi-site repair operation has achieved carbon neutrality in accordance with PAS2060.
Fix Auto Mitcham increase capacity
Fix Auto Mitcham has relocated to a new building on the same industrial estate to increase repair capacity.
Owner, Daniel Lawes has moved the entire operation from his previous 5,500sqft repair centre that had to utilise two adjoining buildings into a 16,500sqft building with a layout ideal for a seamless workflow.
The new site increases the operation’s capacity to repair more than 45 vehicles a week once full work volumes return.
Broker Direct and Proficient launch CAPS pilot
Broker Direct and subsidiary Proficient Insurance are both piloting CAPS as the preferred data channel for their vehicle repairer networks.
CAPS automatically uploads data to Broker Direct group’s system as it is keyed in to the repairer’s bodyshop management system. This provides seamless data transfer into its customer care systems.
Ann Golder, Broker Direct and Proficient Operations Director, said, “We can see that CAPS starts working straight away where it is already embedded in the bodyshop management system. It’s all about having the information straight away in our system without any double keying or any actions on our part.
ABL opens site number 14
ABL 1 Touch has officially opened its 14th repair centre – its flagship site for future plans in Milton Keynes.
The site is fully equipped to repair electric vehicles and promote the company’s Carbon Neutral status.
Thatcham Research on-boards 15 VDA apprentices
A new cohort of 15 Vehicle Damage Assessor (VDA) apprentices met virtually this week with Thatcham Research for its on-boarding process which includes a virtual tour of Thatcham Research’s state of the art Academy workspaces using ‘mixed reality device’ HoloLens.
Dean Lander, head of repair sector services, Thatcham Research who joined the online session to greet the group, said: “We are really pleased to welcome our latest VDA apprentices, and to do so using the latest technologies to create a seamless blended learning programme. Lockdown has created huge barriers to apprenticeship development, but we have adapted the delivery of learning to ensure continual supply of the essential skills the repair industry needs.”
Drivers spend £25bn less on vehicle expenses
Drivers have spent £25.6 billion less on vehicle expenses since the start of lockdown in March 2020, according to new research from Direct Line Motor Insurance.
As restrictions and changes to working patterns have reduced the usage of vehicles, owners have spent £670 less annually than they would normally, or £56 a month. This equates to a combined total of £2.1 billion reduction in vehicle related costs every month across the UK.
According to the research, the pandemic has led to an uplift in vehicle ownership, even as motorists are saving significant amounts in running costs. In fact, 1.4 million people have purchased a car for the first time since Covid-19 restrictions came into force last year as they look for ways to travel which don’t involve public transport.
Look out…
Next week we’ll be releasing a 30 minute showreel of some of the highlights from last week’s ARC360 digital event week – The Future in Focus. The session will allow you to catch up with all the action from last week which included contributions from some of the industry’s key persons of influence focussing on the habits of highly effective repairers; vehicle technology; the evolution of insurance; how to create great cultures; and management buyouts and finance.
