Bodyshop, Car Rental, Covid 19, Environment, Finance, Insurance, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, vehicle sales, wellbeing and Words
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 SilverCloudsaid,“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.
Bodyshop, Environment, Insurance, People, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair and Words
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.
Chartwell has become a Net Zero Carbon business for 2021, the first step in its journey to reduce operational emissions and manage the transition to a low carbon future. The business measures emissions across scopes 1, 2 and 3 to include supply chain elements, business travel and staff commuting whilst setting ambitious reduction plans aligned to GHG protocol.
Repairify introduces asTech Mini
Repairify has introduced the asTech Mini device, a Bluetooth-enabled OBD2 scanning solution for OEM and OEM-compatible diagnostics. Paired with the asTech mobile app, the asTech Mini delivers the functionality of thousands of OEM scan tools in a powerful, pocket-sized device.
Copart names 28 Superstars
Copart presented 28 Superstar Awards in Q4, as part of its ongoing Copart Cares commitment to celebrating the achievements of teammates. The awards recognise teammates who have gone the extra mile to deliver world-class service and support to customers and to each other.
The move follows the recent adoption by Bentley Motors, Nissan GB and LV= of MONITRR – Outsorc’s network compliance and performance system.
Auto-Motivate achieves major milestone
Mindset and human performance training specialists Auto-Motivate has achieved a major milestone. Since the launch of its Mindset Development training programme in November 2017 over 1,000 individuals – ranging from front of house to CEO – have now experienced the one-day course. Business owner, Mike Monaghan said, “We have some incredible talent out there when we help them realise it by changing the way we think.”
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.
Bodyshop, Environment, Insurance, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair and Words
Andrew Hooker, Head of Technical at Solus Accident Repair Centres is set to unravel how and why environmental, social and governance (ESG) is now so vital within the accident repair supply chain at the ARC360 conference in November.
Andrew will provide an insight into how Solus – the 21 site repairer network owned by Aviva – is working to align its ESG practices with those of its insurer parent. From his unique perspective, Andrew will explore the reasons why; how it is achieved; and what a clear ESG strategy means for a sustainable future for all working relationships.
Taking place on Thursday 24 November at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry the ‘Gaining Ground Together’ themed event is offering free access to repairers who register as it bids to bring the repairer and supply chain communities closer.
Mark Hadaway, co-founder of ARC360, said, “Having the support of Andrew and Solus, with such a wealth of experience and understanding from both insurer and repairer perspectives, is a major coup for the event and aligns perfectly with the ARC360 theme of ‘Gaining Ground Together’.
“With ESG being such a topical subject, the session is sure to provide a great insight into both the realities of ingraining stringent ESG practices but so too the future expectations for supply chain partnerships.”
The event – sponsored by GT Motive – will also feature a host of ‘quickfire’ sessions focused on providing greater insight and context to market conditions via a ‘state of the nation’ look at market data and how it translates to everyday operations and future planning; procurement and battling the challenges of rising claims inflation; and an exclusive look at the latest technology to be deployed within the technician training environment.
The speaker line-up revealed to date includes:
Chris Brightmore, CEO, Chartwell
Andrew Eade, Head of AD Strategy & Fulfilment at First Central
Dawn Marsden, Head of GI Supplier Management, LV= Insurance
Nick Sweetman, Head of Vehicle Repair & Service Operations for UK & Ireland, Enterprise Holdings
Sharna Thomson, Head of Customer – UK Claims, Zurich Insurance
Bodyshop, Environment, Finance, Insurance, Mobility, People, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales and Words
Customer satisfaction, reshaping supply chain relationships and having the ‘why’ in your business are just some of the key topics set for November’s ARC360 ‘Gaining Ground Together’ event.
Taking place on Thursday 24 November at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), Coventry the event will kick-off with a ‘state of the nation’ round-up of the latest data and hot topics of the day, followed by a host of sessions focusing on the implications of the current challenging socio-economic factors.
With well-documented challenges around areas such as inflation, parts availability and talent pool the event will bring into focus just what this means for general business practices and processes, and discuss how optimising such areas can provide significant benefit now and into the future.
Taking to the stage to help explore these three key areas are:
Chris Brightmore, CEO, Chartwell
Dawn Marsden, Head of GI Supplier Management, LV= Insurance
Sharna Thomson, Head of Customer – UK Claims, Zurich Insurance
They join the previously announced speakers:
Andrew Eade, Head of AD Strategy & Fulfilment at First Central
Nick Sweetman, Head of Vehicle Repair & Service Operations for UK & Ireland, Enterprise Holdings
Chris Weeks, Executive Director of the NBRA
More names are set to be announced in the coming weeks.
The day – sponsored by GT Motive and free to attend for registered repairers – will include a host of ‘quickfire’ sessions focused on providing greater insight and context to market conditions. It will deliver a ‘state of the nation’ look at market data and how it actually translates to everyday operations and future planning; explore procurement and battling the challenges of rising claims inflation; and the importance and impact of ESG on the supply chain.
The day will also feature an exclusive look at the latest technology to be deployed within the technician training environment.
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. Contact jonathan@iloveclaims.com for details or click here.
Its portal has been developed as a direct competitor to established comparison websites such as Moneysupermarket, Uswitch, Compare the Market and GoCompare.
Including brands ABRA Auto Body Repair, CARSTAR, and Fix Auto USA, Driven Brands entered the market in 2015 and has since quadrupled its footprint to operate in 48 US states and all 10 provinces in Canada.
It achieved certification with the support of the NBRA, Glasurit and ECA Business Energy.
Fix Auto UK celebrates Green treble
Fix Auto UK collected a hat-trick of awards at the fifth annual NBRA Green Awards last night.
Fix Auto Rochester and Fix Auto Penzance were presented with Silver awards in recognition for their concerted efforts in providing a sustainable repair service, while Fix Auto Luton received the coveted Carbon Footprint Award for an Independently Owned Repair Centre.
People
Jade Johnson has been appointed as Commercial and Sustainability at Steer Automotive Group.
IRG Innovative Repair Group has appointed Kieran Nowland as Area Manager.
Mark Newberry has been named Commercial Director atEuropcar Mobility Group.
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.
Brexit, Finance, Supplier, Vehicle Repair and Words
The CMA is recommending that the government replace the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption (MVBER) with a UK Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Order (MVBEO).
The existing MVBER, which provides a block exemption for vertical agreements relating to the purchase, sale or resale of spare parts for motor vehicles and to the provision of repair and maintenance services for motor vehicles, expires on 31 May, 2023.
The CMA (Competitions & Market Authority) will now ask the government to replace it with a new order that is more suitable to British businesses and customers, which would be in place until 31 May, 2029.
This follows consultation with the industry, including respected bodies such as the ABI and Thatcham Research, the SMMT, the Independent Garage Association, the RAC and UKAFCAR.
The CMA said, “Given the strong evidence and views in favour of a block exemption for motor vehicle aftermarket agreements, the CMA is recommending that there should continue to be a block exemption and that letting the retained MVBER expire without providing for replacement is not currently appropriate in the UK.
“However, the evidence we have seen also indicates that the retained MVBER regime should be revised in certain respects.”
This includes issues relating to the definition of ‘spare parts’ and access to technical and vehicle information.
The CMA added, “The CMA is conscious that there may be advantages in divergence from the EU in certain circumstances – for example to address features specific to UK markets and better protect UK consumers.
“Equally, the CMA recognises that, all things being equal, there can also be benefits in consistency between the EU and the UK block exemptions, particularly for the various businesses with activities in both the UK and the EU (eg by reducing administrative burdens and compliance costs).
“When deciding about how to best address the various substantive issues at play we have sought to be guided by what is best for UK consumers and businesses when balancing these considerations.”
Bodyshop, Environment, Insurance, Mobility, Supplier, Technology, vehicle sales and Words
The Mercedes-EQ EQE achieved the highest ever score in Assisted Driving Gradings in the latest round of Euro NCAP testing.
The Gradings measure not just the safety systems in place, but the clarity of the marketing around them.
The EQE’s overall Assisted Driving rating of ‘very good’ was the best ever achieved, with an Assistance Competence score of 85%. The model also became the first to achieve a perfect Safety Back-Up result of 100%.
Matthew Avery, Chief Research Strategy Officer, Thatcham Research, said, “Mercedes is a brand that appears to be getting Assisted Driving right. Driver expectations are managed successfully thanks to appropriate naming conventions and marketing that clearly positions system function as ‘assisted’.
“The driver is encouraged to understand that it’s a team effort involving cooperative driving between motorist and machine, as opposed to becoming convinced that they can check-out completely.”
The Mercedes-EQ EQE was one of seven vehicles that went through rigorous impact protection and crash avoidance testing and a separate Assisted Driving Grading.
The Atto 3 from Chinese manufacturer BYD received a five-star rating, as did the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, BMW X1, SEAT Ibiza and VW Golf, while the Citroën C5 X and Mobilize Limo were given four-star ratings.
Bodyshop, Finance, Insurance, Supplier, Technology, Vehicle Repair and Words
Solera Audatex updated its paint materials table on Thursday, 13 October, for its Irish customers.
The updates were made to bring the table into line with recent paint manufacturer price changes, which shows an indicative average increase of 19% on the calculated paint and materials.
The company said, “These calculations are based upon updated paint material tables represented by the basket of paint brands used in our system. Please note that this is an indicative percentage for guidance purposes only, as the actual increase per job will depend on a number of factors including the specific paint operations (new part, surface, repair), paint type, and the surface to be prepared/painted (metal versus plastic).”
Bodyshop, People, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair and Words
Milton Keynes-based training provider RWC Training has announced a new partnership with Skillnet to deliver Ford’s Body and Paint Apprenticeship programme.
Apprentices have already embarked on their training at RWC’s state-of-the-art facilities.
The national programme will deliver a continued pipeline of qualified level 3 Vehicle Paint technicians for the UK Ford Collision Centre Network (FCCN), and open the door to many more would-be technicians.
The announcement compliments the training RWC already delivers for Ford at its Dagenham factory and at the Henry Ford Academy.
RWC founder and director Rob Ward said, “The team at RWC are extremely proud to have been appointed by Skillnet to deliver the apprenticeship scheme and develop the skills and knowledge of many young people employed across the Ford network.”
