Morgan Horobin, Author at ARC360

Fix Auto UK announces HR partnership with Connor

9 August 2024

Bodyshop, Environment, Mobility, People, Supplier, Vehicle Repair, wellbeing and Words

Fix Auto UK has launched a unique partnership that will ensure each franchise partner has leading human resources support service.

The network has bought into the services provided by Connor, a leading provider of HR support.

The strategic collaboration ensures every franchisee has access to an unrivalled professional assistance in the field including assistance with employment law, assistance with employee relations issues and wider HR/People strategies.

As part of the arrangement, all franchise partners will receive an initial consultation to enable the Connor team to understand their current HR/people footprint, processes and procedures. They will have access to a raft of documents and templates including contracts of employment, disciplinary and grievance policies and performance management policies and procedures.

Fix Auto UK’s Managing Director Ian Pugh, said, “Our franchisees have asked for additional HR support and we have simply answered their calls. Our existing support service has been excellent, but we are always striving to increase our service levels and Connor will meet those requirements.”

Steve Foulger, Director of HR Services and Organisational Change for Connor, added, “We’re delighted to provide support and advice across the expanding Fix Auto community. We understand how difficult running a small business can be, and how inaccessible good advice and support can sometimes be. We pride ourselves on great customer service, giving clear and effective advice, and helping franchise owners and managers to do the right thing for their people, and their business.”

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Motor premiums fall – but 300,000 still driving without insurance

8 August 2024

Environment, Finance, Insurance, Mobility, People and Words

Whilst car insurance premiums have fallen for the first time in two years, the impact of rising costs year-on-year are still to hit those yet to renew their insurance in 2024.

With up to 10% of British adults not aware that motor insurance is compulsory, and an estimated 300,000 uninsured drivers on the roads every day, MIB (Motor Insurers’ Bureau) is calling on those needing to take out a new policy to make sure they remain insured, rather than face the consequences.

According to the ABI (Association of British Insurers), premiums fell by two per cent in April-June compared to the first quarter of 2024. This is the first decrease in two years.

On the face of it, this is good news. However, costs are still just £12 off the all-time high, while annual increases of up to 21% compared to 2023 renewal costs are yet to hit the wallets of those still to renew. This means around 14 million households are to be hit by a likely premium rise.

Shockingly, according to a YouGov study commissioned by MIB, 10% of the British public are not aware that motor insurance is compulsory for any vehicle used on a public road.

MIB is raising awareness of the need for continuous insurance, appropriate for the driver, vehicle and journey purpose. For those not maintaining continuous motor insurance for vehicles used on public roads, the consequences can be severe. Whilst the fixed penalty notice is £300, should the case go to court the fine is unlimited. On top of this, drivers receive six points on their licence, vehicles may be seized and even crushed, and those with endorsed licences could find they struggle during job searches and with taking out future insurance policies.

James Dalton, Chief Services Officer at MIB, said,“We know times are tough for many people right now and increased cost-of-living pressures, including motor insurance premiums, may cause more people to make the wrong decision to drive uninsured, but this is not the right way to save money.

“We are encouraging people to ensure they maintain continuous, appropriate insurance on their vehicle, whilst reminding them to look at ways to legally reduce their premiums. While we understand the challenges many are facing, our message is that driving uninsured is never worth the risk.”

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NBRA welcomes Solera Audatex as gold supplier member

8 August 2024

Bodyshop, Mobility, People, Supplier, Technology and Words

The National Body Repair Association (NBRA) and Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association (VBRA) have announced that Solera Audatex, one of the UK’s leading estimating software systems, has joined as a Gold Supplier member.

The partnership marks a significant milestone for both organisations and promises a future of innovation and excellence in the body repair industry.

Solera Audatex is recognised for its cutting-edge estimating solutions, which streamline the repair process and enhance efficiency for repairers and insurers alike. The company’s expertise and commitment to technological advancement align perfectly with NBRA’s mission to support and elevate the body repair sector.

Martyn Rowley, Executive Director of the NBRA-VBRA, said, “We are thrilled to welcome Solera Audatex as a Gold Supplier member. Their leadership in estimating software will undoubtedly provide substantial benefits to our members. We look forward to a collaborative relationship that will drive progress and innovation within our industry.”

The collaboration will provide NBRA members with unparalleled access to Solera Audatex as they continue to introduce new technology, tools and resources, ensuring they stay at the forefront of the industry. The alliance will foster a community of excellence, where continuous improvement and the highest standards are the norms.

Tom Hart, Sales Director of Audatex UK, added, “Innovation sits at the heart of everything we do at Audatex, and we are pleased to support the NBRA with its mission to support and elevate the body repair sector. The collaboration will ensure that Audatex technology continues to evolve in partnership with industry to drive efficiency and better customer experiences.”

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ARC360 News – Friday, 26 July 2024

26 July 2024

Bodyshop, Environment, Finance, Insurance, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales, wellbeing and Words

Bodyshop Briefs

Steer Automotive Group has unveiled its first purpose-built electric vehicle repair site, Steer Electric Eastleigh.
The collaboration between Gemini Accident Repair Group, Mac Tools UK, and Emtec Colleges will announce the winners of the MacNIFICENT Toolbox Design Competition shortly.
Adlington-based ST Accident Repair Centre has been awarded the BSI Kitemark Accreditation for vehicle damage repair.
Silvester Crash Repair has achieved carbon neutrality in accordance with PAS 2060.
Whaley Bridge ARC has taken delivery of its new KECO Glue Pull Repair System.
Brandon Accident Repair has become a Tesla approved bodyshop.
Steer Automotive Group has achieved carbon neutrality in accordance with PAS2060 for the second year in a row after reducing CO2 emissions by an additional 5.3%
In collaboration with Emtec Colleges, Steer Automotive Group has welcomed 60 more apprentices to the group.
Greg Biggam Accident Repair Centre has passed its first unannounced BS 10125 Kitemark audit.
Thatcham Research hosted the AutoRaise trustee board for a day of learning and insights.

Industry News

Matt Freeman of cap hpi delivers keynote address

The used car market, electric vehicles, and new technologies were the subject of a keynote address delivered by Matt Freeman, Managing Consultant, cap hpi, at ARC360’s Future Vehicle Technology themed conference.

Enterprise Repair Partner Event 2024: A showcase of innovation and partnership

The third annual Enterprise Repair Partner Event took place on 11 July 2024 at the prestigious Chesford Grange Hotel, Kenilworth marking the second consecutive year the venue has hosted this key gathering. Attended by industry leaders, partners, and stakeholders, the event highlighted the innovations, challenges, and successes within the vehicle repair and mobility sector. ARC360 was on hand to find out more.

Motor conference set to explore key market dynamics

ILC’s Exclusive Motor Claims Conference 2024 is set to explore the key market dynamics shaping the motor insurance claims sector in 2024 and beyond.

Themed ‘Preparing for a better tomorrow’, the event takes place on Thursday 3 October at the UK’s highest event space – Landing Forty-Two in the Leadenhall Building London.

Thatcham Research sets government seven challenges

Thatcham Research is asking the new government to address seven key areas of concern within the automotive sector, including skills, autonomous vehicles, connected vehicles, and cyber security.

SYNETIQ and cap hpi agree salvage data deal

Vehicle remarketing and salvage company SYNETIQ has signed a data deal with vehicle provenance check company cap hpi to provide customers with information around total losses.

Premiums fall for second successive quarter

Comprehensive car insurance premiums fell six per cent, or £59, between April and June this year, according to the latest Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index in association with WTW.

Home and motor insurance show resilience after IT outage

Consumer Intelligence has reported that the insurance industry has shown considerable resilience and is recovering after the largest IT outage in history.

LKQ Europe sets concept network target of 10,000 workshops

Leading distributor of automotive aftermarket parts, services and solutions in Europe, LKQ Europe, has launched a central workshop concept hub to bring its 16 concept brands closer together.

Ageas reveals new crash for cash scam targeting van drivers

Ageas has identified a worrying new trend of so called ‘crash for cash’ scams involving vans and mopeds. This new type of fraud sees moped-riders deliberately manoeuvring their vehicles into the path of reversing vans.

AND-E acquires assets of Nukula

AND-E, the captive insurer for the Toyota and Lexus brands through its subsidiary business Toyota Insurance Management (TIM), has acquired the trading assets of Nukula, the former administrator for Toyota and Lexus add-on insurance products in the UK.

One in ten motorists have had a collision while driving abroad

New research from Aviva reveals that almost one in seven motorists have had an incident abroad with 11% experiencing a collision while driving overseas.

ADAS market to swell by £26.2bn in four years

The size of the global ADAS market is expected to grow by £26.2bn from 2024 to 2028, according to Technavio.

£350m sale of PI group in the offing as turnover and profit soar

Private-equity backed personal injury business Winn Group has reported soaring revenue and profit amid talk that it is to be sold for £350m.

Rooster attempts to disrupt UK motor market

UK insurtech motor provider Rooster is looking at new ways to target the younger generation of drivers with innovative policies.

WhoCanFixMyCar rebrands to FixMyCar

The UK’s largest online marketplace for car repairs & maintenance, WhoCanFixMyCar, has rebranded to FixMyCar.

Perfect Paint flourishes in ITAS audit

ITAS has recently carried out a successful audit of Perfect Paint Centre Milton Keynes on behalf of the Honda and Mazda brands.

Todd Engineering upgrades Zeus spraybooth

Todd Engineering has announced an upgrade to its Zeus all-electric spraybooth, which offers advanced technology for efficient and eco-friendly curing.

Vector Group acquires vehicle measurement tech manufacturer CSM

CSM Computer-Systeme-Messtechnik, a manufacturer of networked measurement technology and data loggers for vehicles and test benches, has been acquired by software specialist Vector Informatik.

Car-O-Liner hosts ADAS awareness day for NBRA

Car-O-Liner proudly hosted an ADAS Awareness Day on behalf of the National Body Repair Association (NBRA) at their UK headquarters.

Vehicle theft remains at 15-year high according to Government statistics

The number of vehicles stolen in the UK remains at a record high level, according to new data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS).

VM News

VW and Xpeng pursue electric dreams

Volkswagen and Chinese EV pure play start-up Xpeng have entered into a new agreement to jointly develop electric architecture based on Volkswagen’s China Main (CMP) and Modular Electric Drive Matrix (MEB) platforms.

ZEV mandate targets slip out of reach for major brands

Car makers including Renault, Volkswagen, Land Rover, Ford and Toyota are falling far behind targets for the UK’s ZEV Mandate, which requires 22% of this year’s sales to be of zero-emission models.

Mercedes-AMG reorganises its GT Sport division

Mercedes‑AMG has taken groundbreaking measures to strategically reorganise its motorsport division to meet future requirements and plans.

Toyota joins Coca-Cola in hydrogen fuel cell testing

Toyota has started testing a new hydrogen-fuelled truck with Coca-Cola as part of the drinks company’s supply operations.

End of an era at Bentley

Bentley Motors is celebrating production of the last hand-built, high performance 12-cylinder engine at the company’s UK headquarters in Crewe.

People

Craig Brooks has been named Technical Director – Motor TPA at Davies.
SATA has expanded its technical team with the appointment of Terry Oxley as Sales & Technical Manager for The Midlands.
Tony Fearon has joined Vertu Accident Repair Centre Nottingham.
Shaun Hopkins, Supply Chain Manager at AXA, is raising money for Macmillan Cancer Support through an all-day darts event.

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Fix Auto Buckingham and Loughborough secure PAS 2060

26 July 2024

Bodyshop, Environment, Mobility, People, Supplier, Vehicle Repair and Words

Fix Auto Buckingham and Fix Auto Loughborough have secured their PAS 2060 accreditations, with the support of Purchase Direct.

Fix Auto Buckingham owner Richard Taylor, said, “We have long operated as lean and carbon neutral as possible. In fact, we really were ahead of the game in terms of the systems we have had in place for a long time. We invested in energy efficient LED lighting five years ago and then, just prior to Covid, we installed a large bank of solar panels and have long had various recycling programmes in place for our waste plastic and cardboard.

“Operating a carbon neutral repair centre must be a goal of every repairer in the country. Numerous sites within the Fix Auto UK network are already PAS 2060 certified and are leading the way for the industry with numerous initiatives to ensure their carbon footprints are dramatically reduced year-on-year, I am just delighted to be joining them.”

Paul Smith, owner of Fix Auto Loughborough, added, “We were one of the first businesses in Loughborough to invest significantly in solar panels to help power the site. That was several years ago, and we have since built on that platform by constantly introducing various initiatives to reduce our carbon footprint. Receiving PAS 2060 certification completes the process.”

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Matt Freeman of cap hpi delivers keynote address

26 July 2024

Bodyshop, Car Rental, Finance, Insurance, Mobility, People, Supplier, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales and Words

Taking place on 27 June at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC) in Coventry, the conference featured insights from insurers, vehicle manufacturers, repairers and leaders on how the sector is evolving.

The used car market

Focusing first on the used car market, Matt said that values remained fairly-stable until the pandemic struck, typically falling three to six per cent a year through the life cycle of a vehicle.

However, in the wake of the pandemic used car values spiked by nearly a third. They peaked in March 2022 at 31.2% and then remained at that level for nearly a year.

Since this time the market has returned to ‘normal’, with correction taking place throughout 2023, although cap hpi data indicates that values have not fallen back to pre-pandemic levels and remain 13.8% up on February 2021 levels.

The EV market

The fall in values has been most noticeable in electric vehicles, with average values plummeting by 60% since September 2022. In fact, half of the 10 fastest depreciating models since then are electric.

In contrast, used petrol and diesel models remain 16% and 14% higher than they were in 2021, with hybrids also tracking at similarly inflated levels.

In terms of EV numbers, Matt said that about five per cent of the total UK car parc is now electric (eight per cent in the car sector), which equates to more than a million vehicles.

But when looking at new registrations, electric models account for well over a third of the sales, with pure battery electric vehicles more than half of that (16.5%).

He said, “We’ve seen a very significant change in the kind of cars that are flowing through into the parc and will ultimately then flow through from the new market into the used market. And that’s obviously going to accelerate because of the ZEV (zero emissions vehicle) mandate which is going to have a significant impact on the shape of the vehicle parc.”

He suggested that if OEMs get anywhere near meeting ZEV targets it could drive EVs towards a 20% share of the parc by 2030.

New technology

The growing number of EVs is clearly going to impact both values, not least because the rapidly advancing innovations around battery technology is accelerating obsolescence.

Matt explained that as batteries develop, even the latest versions are being left behind in a matter of years. This is impacting their value dramatically, as is the continued concerns around a lack of charging infrastructure.

However, although there are only around 60,000 public charging stations in the UK today, that is expected to reach the 100,000 milestone by next August, which Matt suggests could have a psychological impact on customer confidence and a tangible impact on their driving experience.

But innovation is not limited to powertrains.

Matt said, “This is an industry which prides itself on innovation, but I don’t think we’ve had a pace of change and a concentration of change like this in the 30 years I’ve been in the automotive industry.”

There is an argument though that the speed of innovation is making vehicles difficult to value in the eyes of customers, who are not prepared to pay for what they can’t see, don’t understand, and don’t believe they will use regularly.

For example, Matt pointed to research carried out by Ford around its self-parking function. It found that customers rarely use the feature and as such the brand is now removing it from many models.

While many similar features around autonomy are in-built, many are available as a ‘function on demand’, which is also creating confusion for the customer.

Matt said, “Function-on-demand sounds great, the ability to add technology. But you’ve got to pay for it usually and customers value the wheels that are already on a car, not the wheels you potentially can add.”

Brands

Alongside this, there are a number of new brands entering the market, with many Chinese manufacturers poised to enter the UK market with 10 models in a range. UK customers have traditionally been open to new entrants from Europe, Japan and Korea, but there is uncertainty around how they will value many Chinese brands in an already crowded market.

Matt concluded, “We’re in an era of unprecedented change. But the path is set and the external forces like government legislation are going to move consumers into these new technologies, as well as the manufacturers introducing them and wanting to profit from them.

“But there are many, many factors which create uncertainty and we should expect continuing turbulence. Data is vital to signpost those changes. We need to look across the industry for that data to take the opportunity to use new and mix datasets to better understand what’s going on around us.”

The event was sponsored by Activate Group, Thatcham Research, and Stellantis, and supported by Corporate Partners: BASF, CAPS, Copart, Entegral, Enterprise, Mirka, Nationwide Vehicle Assistance, S&G Response, Solera Audatex; along with Partners: e2e, Gemini ARC, Repairify and Prasco.

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Home and motor insurance show resilience after IT outage

26 July 2024

Bodyshop, Environment, People, Technology, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales and Words

Consumer Intelligence has reported that the insurance industry has shown considerable resilience and is recovering after the largest IT outage in history.

On Friday, 19 July, a flawed Windows update from CrowdStrike affected IT systems around the world, causing widespread pricing and quotability disruption.

According to reports, 8.5 million devices were impacted, including many operating within the UK motor and home insurance sectors. Disruptions included registration look up failures, underwriting changes causing large price increases, and significant drops in quotability.

In home, price increases were recorded for 17 brands on Friday, with four brands seeing average day-on-day increases ranging from 32% to a 65% for annual premiums. However, by Saturday, home insurance pricing appeared to stabilise, although further analysis is needed to understand the long-term impacts fully.

In motor, 25 brands showed price increases on Friday, with many of the more significant increases likely to have resulted from registration lookups failures. Some sites were unable to use services that match registration numbers to vehicle details, therefore requiring consumers to input makes and models manually.

While most of these issues have now been resolved, several brands continue to report disruption to their contact centres and live chat availability. Other knock-on impacts could include progressing claims and confirming coverage.

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Steer Automotive Group launches dedicated EV repairer

24 July 2024

Bodyshop, Environment, Mobility, People, Supplier, Technology, Vehicle Repair and Words

Steer Automotive Group has unveiled its first purpose-built electric vehicle repair site.

Based in Eastleigh near Southampton, Steer Electric Eastleigh is a 14,000 sqft facility dedicated to EV repairs.

It features full aluminium structural repair capabilities and integrates advanced EV technology tooling and equipment to meet the demands of the current and future electric vehicle parc.

All technicians have undergone extensive EV training around safety, battery management, and high-voltage systems, while long-term partnerships with leading industry bodies and educational institutions will ensure continuous professional development to keep pace with evolving technologies.

The facility also includes EV rapid chargers available for both colleagues and customers.

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SYNETIQ and cap hpi agree salvage data deal

24 July 2024

Bodyshop, Environment, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales and Words

Vehicle remarketing and salvage company SYNETIQ has signed a data deal with vehicle provenance check company cap hpi to provide customers with information around total losses.

The agreement ensures that vehicle provenance checks offer a fuller picture of a vehicle’s history, with SYNETIQ providing contextual information for vehicles passing through its facilities.

Hugh Leslie, IT Director for SYNETIQ, said, “We continue to invest in pushing standards forward across the industry, and our new data agreement with cap hpi will help to keep consumers and the supply chain informed about the vehicles they buy. Everyone in the industry must play their part to increase transparency and raise standards.”

The HPI Check is a fully comprehensive vehicle check and report that provides vital information about cars for sale, protecting drivers and businesses from motoring scams and fraud.

Jon Clay, Identification Director at cap hpi, said, “As technology and data advance, we are able to connect parts of the industry to increase transparency across the sector. We can layer information to provide a richer picture of every vehicle.

“The team at cap hpi continues to work with stakeholders, including the police and industry bodies, to help keep motorists and businesses safe. It’s important to our customers that our data is collected ethically and is reliable, and that’s why we are pleased to team up with SYNETIQ on this important milestone.”

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Enterprise Repair Partner Event 2024: A showcase of innovation and partnership

23 July 2024

Bodyshop, Car Rental, Finance, Mobility, People, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales and Words

Ryan Johnson, Senior Vice President of UK and Ireland Enterprise Mobility, kicked off the event with an inspiring keynote address centred around the changing world of mobility, the rebranding of the business and the value of its people.

He emphasised Enterprise’s longstanding commitment to ‘leading by listening’ and building bespoke solutions tailored to the needs of vehicle manufacturers, repairers, and customers.

“At Enterprise, our mission is to advance the world one journey at a time,” stated Ryan, reflecting on the company’s 65-year history, spanning 90 countries, and with a fleet of 2.3 million vehicles worldwide – including 150,000 in the UK.

Ryan also addressed the challenge of integrating Zero Emission Vehicles (ZEVs) into Enterprise’s fleet and the need for innovative solutions and infrastructure development to support the transition to greener fleets.

“It is an exciting but challenging time – we want to be a central part of helping to connect vehicle manufacturers, repairers and customers,” stated Ryan.

Repair highlights and strategic insights

Nick Sweetman, Assistant Vice President of Vehicle Operations for UK and Ireland, Enterprise Mobility, presented the highlights and strategic insights across its repair network from the past year. He celebrated the successes in relationships, data integration through Entegral, vehicle collection, and engineering performance.

However, he also pointed out areas of opportunity, including deployment strategies, parts management, delegated authority, and enhancing EV capabilities.

On the customer repair side of the business he highlighted the growth in the number of partners and a static work mix as key success factors. He also reiterated the point that over three quarters of work volumes come with an Enterprise mobility solution – relieving the costs and pressures associated with courtesy car provision.

Joining Nick on stage to announce the new LKQ Loyalty Programme, Danny Watkins, Head of Network Relationship Management at LKQ, explained how the initiative would result in network members accruing points on purchases to redeem on training and equipment.

The scheme is officially set to get underway from 1 August and Enterprise will be communicating full details with its network in the coming weeks.

Technological advances

The event featured several insightful presentations from key industry figures.

Mark Marshall, BMW Group Technical Trainer, along with Andrew Rodbourne, Manager- Bodyshop Development at BMW UK highlighted BMW’s advancements in EV technology, now in its fifth generation. They showcased the new sixth-generation models which are set to offer a 620-mile range and 30% quicker charging times.

Mark also highlighted how the business currently has 1,000 hydrogen IX5 vehicles on test – illustrating the brand’s commitment to diverse green technologies.

With the technology advances the manufacturer has made, Andrew emphasised the necessity for BMW vehicles to be repaired in its approved network and promoted its total loss borderline programme as a valuable support solution.

Tom Leggett, Vehicle Technology Manager at Thatcham Research, was next to explore the advances in ACE+ (Assisted and Automated; Connected; Electrified; and Everything Else), shedding light on the future of vehicle technology and its implications for the repair industry.

Tom said, “Systems will get more advanced and more complicated. This is partly being driven by demand from regulators around increasing safety standards, and a lot of technology is now fitted as standard. We’ve not yet seen the reduction in claims frequency we’d like to, but there has been a reduction in severity.”

Industry trends

Paul Sell, Managing Director of Trend Tracker, provided a market insight, noting the rapid evolution from surplus demand to surplus supply in the repair market. Paul said, “While repair volumes have seen a slight decline, the overall outlook remains positive,” highlighting increased capacity and reduced cycle times.

He continued, “However, the skills shortage remains a key issue requiring investment, along with the need to cope with the plethora of new manufacturers entering the rapidly growing BEV market in coming years.”

Steve Silverwood, Managing Director, ECA, provided an overview of energy in accident repair centres. Despite a decrease from 2022’s peak, Steve was keen to emphasise that average energy costs per job were still 55% higher than 2020 (pre-pandemic). He urged repairers to buy better, use less and pay for what you use. Steve cited that behaviour was one of the most basic costs controls within a bodyshop. He also predicted a 10-20% increase in the next two years.

Integration and optimisation

Olly Chambers, Assistant Vice President of Sales and Operations at Entegral, provided an update on technological advancements. He discussed the exponential growth of CAPS in the UK, which now connects 1.3 million claims per annum and supports 90% of UK repairers. Olly offered various guidance around CAPS’ best practice to ensure users were optimising the opportunity it presents.

He referenced The CAPS National Advisory Council which provides expert-led governance, explaining that future development is in the hands of industry leaders and experts. Two areas of current focus for development are vehicle recovery and glass repair/replace, whilst a new scorecard has also been launched to get data to users faster. The next phase of development is assignment management enhancements and enhanced WIP analytics.

Closing out the session Olly provided a brief update on management system, Bodyshop 360 – which is composed of five modules including the customer app launched earlier this year and updates to Core.

The event concluded with an interactive panel session hosted by Stuart Sandell, Assistant Vice President of Sales for UK and Ireland, which centred on the challenges of attracting new talent and retaining existing skillsets within the sector. References were made to the need for government support, cross industry collaboration, better promotion of the industry, changing generational behaviours, and the need to listen.

The Enterprise Repair Partner Event 2024 showcased the resilience, innovation, and collaborative spirit of the vehicle repair and mobility sector. With a focus on technological advancements, strategic partnerships, and overcoming industry challenges, the event reinforced Enterprise’s role as a leader and connector within the industry.

Enterprise Repair Partner Awards 2024

The evening culminated in the prestigious Enterprise Repair Partner Awards 2024, hosted by Andrew Mackenzie, UK and Ireland Network Manager. The awards recognised outstanding performance and contributions across various regions. The winners included:

Best Fleet Repair Partner – South East: Grove Autos
Best Customer Repair Partner – South East: Drive Vauxhall – Bury St Edmonds
Best Fleet Repair Partner – South West: Smart Bodyshop Solutions Ltd – Exeter
Best Customer Repair Partner – South West: Carbody Banbury Ltd
Best Fleet Repair Partner – North West: Lichfield ARC
Best Customer Repair Partner – North West: KC Autos – Northwich
Best Fleet Repair Partner – North East: Bodyline Dunston Ltd
Best Customer Repair Partner – North East: Vertu Accident Repair – Teesside
Best Fleet Repair Partner – Scotland & Northern Ireland: QA Vehicle Solutions
Best Customer Repair Partner – Scotland & Northern Ireland: Arnold Clark – Ayr
Customer Excellence 2024: Rye Street Broxbourne Ltd & KC Autos – Blackburn

Guest Speaker

Guest speaker Gerald Ratner, widely credited with making the ultimate off-the-cuff gaffe with his infamous ‘it’s total crap’ description of some of his company’s products, entertained attendees by regaling his riches to rags story. Gerald closed by telling attendees: “Value what you’ve got – brand is everything. It takes years to build up so cherish it.”