Register Now…
webinARC – people & skills 2022
1.30pm Wednesday 27 April
In this webinARC we look at the latest trends in recruitment, upskilling and wellbeing from a industry undergoing rapid evolution.
BASF extends WorldSkills support
BASF’s Coatings division has extended its partnership with WorldSkills International for a further three years, with a view to continuing the partnership beyond that. The agreement underlines BASF’s commitment to developing new talent in the automotive refinish industry.
Fabien Boschetti, Director, Global Marketing, Automotive Refinish Coatings Solutions, said, “Vocational skills are more important than ever. Young people will lead us on the road to global economic recovery and help us confront future challenges. BASF is proud to partner with WorldSkills International for the next three years through this agreement.”
The 46th WorldSkills Competition takes place in China from 12-17 October, with competitors from more than 60 countries taking part.
Meanwhile, BASF has reaffirmed its ambitious climate targets. In an update it confirmed that by 2030 it aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent compared with 2018 and is maintaining its goal of net zero emissions globally by 2050.
Repairify reveals record year
Repairify has announced that 2021 was a record year both in terms of scans and acquisitions.
It has revealed that its family of brands completed more than 12.4 million automotive diagnostic scans and delivered over 4.9 million diagnostic reports across the market. This included 938,000 EV repairs and 185,000 ADAS calibration reports.
Meanwhile, Repairify’s asTech has joined CCC Intelligent Solutions’ diagnostics network in the US.
Insurers drive continued CAPS growth
CAPS has reported a 23% increase in usage during 2021, with growth being driven by communication between motor insurers such as Ageas, Direct Line, Esure, LV= and Sabre and their supply chains.
In the same period CAPS also recorded a 10% increase in the number of bodyshops (1,357) connecting with its service as well as 21% increase in other suppliers such as parts and salvage businesses.
NBRA considering new net zero standard
The NBRA is inviting industry input in the potential development of a new carbon neutral standard. The new standard would help accelerate the sector’s progress towards net zero while at the same time providing a clear and uncomplicated approach to carbon offsetting.
To ensure the standard is ‘designed by bodyshop people, for bodyshop people’, the NBRA is now asking industry stakeholders to express their interest in taking part in the development by completing a brief survey.
Fix Auto Dagenham celebrates green certification
Fix Auto Dagenham has secured PAS 2060 certification, as part of its strategy to be fully carbon neutral.
The business achieved certification after significant investment in new equipment and working through a raft of other operational measures.
Commercial Director Paul Cunningham said, “I’ve heard it said before how repair centres aren’t the most environmentally friendly businesses, but, like others in the industry, we have followed the correct path and guidelines to ensure Fix Auto Dagenham meets the right criteria so we can meet the official requirements our industry expects.
ILC breaks £1m fundraising milestone
The I Love Claims (ILC) community surpassed the £1m fundraising milestone for the Rainbow Trust during the Motor Claims Networking Lunch 2022.
Taking place on Friday, 25 March at The Grand Connaught Rooms, London the annual event featured a live auction, silent auction and prize draws to raise funds for the charity which supports families who have a child with life-threatening or terminal illness.
Enterprise enhances rental solutions
Enterprise has introduced new technology enabling in-branch employees to geolocate both rental and car clubs in real time. This means they can inform customers when a car club vehicle is the more convenient option.
Meanwhile, businesses using Enterprise’s ETD booking platform can now also be directed to a car club vehicle automatically when that is the closest and most convenient option.
Apollo apprentices begin Thatcham training
Apollo Accident Repair Group has announced that 40% of its 2022 apprentices have commenced their three-year journey with Thatcham Research. This continues the group’s strong focus on talent development in an effort to fight the industry’s skills shortage.
Jim Swann, Academy Development Manager at Apollo, said: “I’d like to thank Dean [Lander, Thatcham Research] and his team for the warm welcome and superb opportunities available to our Apollo apprentices. We wait in anticipation to see them grow into our next generation of exceptional accident repair and paint technicians.”
AFV production remains strong despite industry stutter
Alternative fuel vehicles accounted for more than a quarter of all vehicles produced in the UK during February, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders.
It found that 15,905 AFV units were produced in what was actually the worst February for UK car makers since 2009. Overall production dipped 41.3% to 61,657 units, 43,351 fewer than the same month in 2021, with production for both the domestic and overseas markets falling 35.8% and 41.8% respectively.
Daniel Hogg’s the limelight
e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management has welcomed Daniel Hogg to its team of motor engineers. He brings with him valuable experience gained during his time with approved bodyshops and also as a motor claims desktop engineer.
Daniel joins a team responsible for providing e2e clients with a full engineering service including repair cost assessment, valuation and vehicle total loss categorisation.
Economical and Solera renew partnership
Economical Insurance has extended a long-standing relationship with Solera by agreeing to a new multi-year agreement to keep using Solera’s AI-driven end-to-end platform to manage claims workflow.
Economical was the first Canadian insurance company to introduce image capture through Solera’s AI-enabled AudaTarget solution.
FMG welcomes apprentices
FMG Repair Services welcomed 13 new apprentices to its site recently as they embarked on their apprenticeship with the Thatcham Research Automotive Academy. They were given a tour of the site, including the Repair Technology Centre and Crash Lab, and offered an overview of what their apprenticeship journey might comprise.
Chris Pennell, Technical Director, said, “Spending time with all the apprentices has been really inspiring and reminds me of when I joined the industry 35 years ago. Apprenticeships are a key part of the future strategy for FMG, and I’m excited to see our new colleagues learn and grow throughout their career with us.”
Technology: the vehicle for change
Covid-19 has caused profound disruption across all sectors, but any anticipated slowdown in vehicle technology has not materialised. If anything, in the areas of electrification and ADAS particularly, the pace of progress appears only to have increased in the last two years.
