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March 2022 webinARC: Technology (vehicle)
In this webinARC we explore the ever-evolving and rapidly developing world of vehicle technology and explore what it means for incident vehicle management across the supply chain.
Fix Auto West Kensington hits awards hat-trick
Fix Auto West Kensington became the toast of Fix Auto UK’s 2022 National Conference after picking up three awards during the network’s ‘Facing The Future’ National Conference.
Presented in front of a record number of delegates, insurer guests and suppliers at The Vox, near Birmingham, business owner Hemal Amin was presented with the RSA Insurance Bodyshop of the Year; Fix Auto UK Outstanding Customer Service Award; and the network’s coveted Bodyshop Of The Year.
NBRA launches trading option
The NBRA has introduced a buying and selling portal on its website after partnering with Quantum Technical.
The new solution enables members to list unwanted machinery and tooling which both member and non-members can then purchase.
Copart continues green revolution with offices
Copart UK has opened a new eco-friendly office building in Bristol as part of its ongoing Plan-Net-Zero sustainability commitment.
The new environmentally friendly office building in Bristol will now be a blueprint for the company’s wider strategy of upgrading and replacing offices at its other operation centres.
FCA imposes new claims management rules
New rules about what claims management companies can charge consumers owed compensation have been introduced today by the Financial Conduct Authority.
From now on, fees must depend on how much redress consumers are owned, so if the redress is below £1,500 then consumers can only be charged up 30% of their claim. These new regulations are expected to save consumers £9.6m a year.
WBM on path to BSI award
Wool & Bovingdon Motors has passed its first inspection for BS 10125 vehicle damage repair. The BSI Kitemark is a recognised industry sign of excellence and is valid for a period of three years.
Mark Riches, Aftersales Manager, said, “A big thanks to our owners Nick and Tim Pyne. A massive thanks to Brent Morris at Morris Associates, Robert Snook at MG Cannon, and most of all, our amazing team here at WBM accident repair.”
Calling all apprentices
Registration is now open until 1 April for the WorldSkills UK’s National Skills Competitions.
The Skills Competitions set out to identify the most talented learners and apprentices who are either still studying or have completed studying in the last 12 months.
Apprentices can take part in one of four automotive related categories: Light Vehicle Automotive Technology; Automotive Body Repair; Automotive Refinishing; and Heavy Vehicle Technology.
e2e ramps up IT commitment with new CTO
e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management (e2e) has appointed Martin Stevenson, as Chief Technical Officer (CTO).
The newly created position reflects e2e’s commitment to delivering service innovation to clients and network members, through the adoption of emerging technology and digitalisation.
Nottingham College hosts inaugural awards
Nottingham College celebrated its inaugural Apprenticeship Awards at the end of February, when the best emerging talent and the companies nurturing them were recognised in a black-tie event.
The Apprentice Champion of the Year was Lisa Porter, with other awards going to Gemini ARC (Large Employer of the Award), Tahya Fells (Rising Star), Frances MacDonald (Apprentice of the Year Award) and Rachel Parkhouse (Apprenticeship Tutor of the Year).
Euro NCAP releases first safety ratings
Euro NCAP has published the results of its first safety assessments of 2022, with seven vehicles coming under the microscope. Four of the seven models achieved the maximum five-star safety rating – the Volkswagen Polo, the crossover Taigo, the Megane E-TECH, and the Lexus NX – while the BMW 2 Series Coupé was awarded four stars.
Matthew Avery, Chief Research Strategy Officer at Thatcham Research, said, “This first set of Euro NCAP results for 2022 represents a great start to the year from a safety perspective. And although there are several conventionally fuelled vehicles here, we are continuing to see more and more EV options for consumers with strong safety credentials.”
HB puts down the pencils
HB Accident Repair has announced that its Swinton bodyshop is now completely paperless. The switch, supported by AutoFlow, has been made to streamline business processes and reduce environmental impact.
All drivers have been issued with tablets to capture images of damaged vehicles which will then be automatically uploaded to the repairer’s management system, while technicians can now access repair methods and record every detail of the job via tablets.
Synetiq sets up dedicated support team
Leading supplier of OEM green parts Synetiq has responded to the continued supply chain challenge by establishing a new team dedicated to supporting bodyshops secure parts. It hopes that by facilitating a quicker and more reliable provision of replacement parts it can reduce the number of vehicles being written off.
Meanwhile, the company has also announced that it has signed a supply contract with esure which will assist the insurer on its path to sustainability.
Tooling and consultancy providers partner up
Specialist technology supplier Eco Repair Systems has announced a new partnership with ECA Business Energy which will see each recommend the other’s services. This will provide bodyshops with access to both the tooling and consultancy services necessary in today’s fast-changing industry.
Eco Repair Systems provides equipment for non-structural repairs of steel, aluminium and plastic vehicle components, as well as associated training, while ECA offers carbon consultancy services to more than 450 bodyshops.
Special feature – Under the microscope: business operations
If strategy is the brains behind a business, then its operations and processes are the heart and lungs. That has never been more true than it is right now, in a working environment that have been bent completely out of shape by myriad influences.
