Bodyshop, Car Rental, Insurance, Mobility, People, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair and Words
Three more stellar names within the automotive aftermarket industry have been confirmed for the inaugural Motor Claims Showcase Event, which will take place at the CBS Arena on Wednesday, 29 June.
Marc Holding, Managing Director, The Vella Group; Nick Sweetman, Head of Vehicle Repair & Service Operations for UK & Ireland, Enterprise Holdings; and Rebecca Winterhalder, Vehicle Damage Manager, Ageas Motor Claims are the latest names been added to an already impressive line-up of speakers.
They will take part in a panel debate titled, ‘A Sector at a Crossroads’, which will consider current market conditions and the multitude of factors that are now and will shortly impact the motor claims process – and how businesses can best navigate their way through an ever-evolving landscape.
The session is part of a quality line-up of ‘free to choose’ activities throughout the day, which includes four keynote sessions on the main stage, four partner showcase sessions in the designated Showcase Arena, a Next Generation Meet & Greet session, an expo featuring over 30 key sector exhibitors, and plenty of networking opportunities.
Mark Hadaway, Managing Director of ILC and Co-Founder of ARC360, said, “The latest names revealed as part of the agenda add to what is already a stellar line-up of names supporting this all-encompassing event.
“To have brands such as Abacai, Ageas, ElectriX – powered by LV General Insurance, Gemini ARC, Tesla, Thatcham Research, The AA and Trustpilot, amongst others, join the agenda is testament to how vital the evolution of the sector is to a far wider audience.”
Bodyshop, Covid 19, Environment, Insurance, Mobility, People, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair and Words
While it’s impossible to know for sure, the famous saying that a car is ‘a computer on wheels’ must now be nearly a decade old. The amount of technology within modern vehicles has probably doubled since then, and the evolution is still just getting started with automation, connectivity and electrification all still in infancy.
As such, the products and equipment required to repair the modern vehicle is having to move on too, taking skills and processes on the journey with it.
Handling such rapid and significant shifts is no easy thing, especially for a sector still rebuilding from the impacts of Covid-19 and, on top of everything else, fighting with competitors from within the industry and without for their most prized possessions – staff.
This demand for skills has seen wages rise by as much as 20% in some areas but still, according to the latest NBRA Repairer Market Summary: “Bodyshops are having daily conversations with technicians leaving for other repairers or industries requiring similar skills.”
The challenges are not confined to vehicle repair either. While transformation here has been extensive, no less significant a transformation has been taking place in customer service, with consumer expectations elevated by the almost instant response and delivery times offered by leaders in other industries.
Service
With technology now enabling similar outcomes in our sector, service levels have become a point of difference like never before – and the gap between those who ‘delight’ the customer and those who don’t is only going to get wider.
“We repair cars,” said Ranjit Gill, Director at Fix Auto Slough & Uxbridge, during an exclusive ARC360 podcast, “but how can we make the experience for the customer better? We’ve got a culture now where customers don’t want to wait three days when they can have it tomorrow. They want instant reactivity. So businesses have to evolve to fulfil that requirement. Because as much as we think we’re in control, we’re not; the consumer will dictate how the market evolves.”
Automation is playing a growing role, but Ranjit believes there is low hanging fruit for bodyshops seeking cheap and immediate benefits in terms of customer relationships. For example, he explained how his site now communicates with customers via WhatsApp, a seemingly small innovation that is delivering big benefits.
Ranjit said, “Who wants to have a phone call? Even emails are getting old. So we’re just catering for what our customers want, which is instant reactivity. Also, it speeds up the process our end because it enables us to identify total losses, vehicles that are non-driveable, and what recovery we need to arrange. All that is done at the outset.”
Pandemic
But while that is an easy win, quick and convenient communication won’t make up for a slow and inconvenient repair. Unfortunately though, that is the reality as customer expectations have rebounded much quicker than the sector’s ability to meet them.
“Customer expectation is very high, but our general supply of staff and clientele of suppliers is still recovering from the pandemic,” explained Peter Randhawa, Group General Manager at Steer Automotive Group, during the most recent ARC360 webinARC. “There is very much an imbalance between what we as a sector can deliver and what is being asked.”
A lack of repair capacity is one factor, as is a lack of skills. Across all industries, 33% of employers say their workforce now lacks key skills and a further 41% expect to face the same problem within 12 months, while the Institute of the Motor Industry reported in March a 51% increase in vacancies across the sector.
“We need more staff,” Peter continued. “We’re actively recruiting but everyone knows recruiting is difficult right now.”
Sharing a platform with Peter on the ARC360 webinar was Dave Sargeant, Managing Director at Gemini Accident Repair Centres. He explained that a commitment to apprenticeships has protected his group from the most severe affects of the current skills crisis, with 17 new apprentices recently qualifying and now mentoring the next intake.
He said, “We’re not a company that struggles for people. We do look after our staff and have very little churn.”
Parts
But possibly an even greater stumbling block to delivering the service customers expect now is the disruption to parts supply. The NBRA has suggested that current delays could well become the ‘new normal’, and even get worse before they get better.
“It would seem our parts supply chain issues are set to continue if not worsen for a long time,” it warned, adding that lead times have now ballooned from five to 15 days to 15 to 45.
Peter backed this up, revealing that what used to be a 48-hour window for parts supply has now stretched to over a week, with those delays unavoidably passed on to the customer. Furthermore, any subsequent changes to the repair which mean additional parts ordering knocks the whole process back to square one.
The growing popularity of recycled parts among certain insurers shows they’re alive to this problem and seeking solutions, but the use of green parts is not yet accepted universally so can’t provide a quick fix.
Peter said, “We need a bit of tolerance from suppliers in terms of SLAs and repair times. The only way we’ll get through this is if we understand and support each other. It’s a joint challenge and the quicker we join forces the better.”
Equipment
One knock-on affect of longer repair times has been a greater market requirement for courtesy cars.
However, it is not the only thing placing strain on mobility options available to customers because while customer demand has gone up, supply has gone down – dramatically.
To understand exactly how severe the supply constraints are, figures from the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders spell it out clearly. It reported that car production in the UK was down by 32.4% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021 – and 2021 was hardly a bumper year itself, down 6.7% on 2020 and a whopping 34% below pre-pandemic 2019.
Peter said, “Getting courtesy cars is one of our biggest headaches at the moment. Our business is growing and while you do inherit courtesy cars from the acquired business – I’d hazard a guess we’ve got somewhere in the region of 1,000 courtesy cars now – we are still running a hybrid system where we own some of our cars, lease some of our cars and then use Enterprise as a back-up service.
“What we’re finding now is the cars are due back and there’s nowhere to get replacements. We’re trying to do deals with our current suppliers to extend usage, but it’s not easy.”
Dave agreed, describing mobility as a huge problem simply because of the unavailability of new cars.
He said, “It’s being exacerbated by the fact that about 40% of cars we’re getting at the moment are immobile because of the technology on them. I think now that the whole mobility solution needs to be looked at. Insurers need to see if there’s a better way of doing things other than bringing cars on site and putting customers in courtesy car unnecessarily. That’s not the way forward.”
Innovation
Of course, facing down obstacles is nothing new for the automotive repair industry. It again proved its resilience during Covid-19, and adaptability and innovation in both product and process could well be the way through the post-pandemic challenges.
While no one can magic new vehicles and additional staff out of thin air, there are other areas of the business where creative thinking and a willingness to implement new things can improve processes.
For example, Dave explained how Gemini has for the past decade been roll priming instead of putting the vehicle in the spraybooth to primer and bake it, reducing costs from £8 to 67p. They have since gone back over all their processes to see if there are other marginal gains that can be made.
He said, “I think a lot of bodyshop managers could walk around their own shops and ask if the way they’re doing things is still fit for today’s world.”
In terms of production innovation, they have actively approached suppliers to ask for new solutions that could improve the business. Taking a similarly proactive approach is Ranjit, who revealed that one improvement came from the most unlikely of sources.
He explained, “I recently saw a glue-pulling system on Instagram. It was made by an America company, but I got in touch with them and we’re now incorporating that technology into our company. If you stand still, you fall by the wayside. You have to continue to evolve and we’re constantly looking for ways to improve our business.”
Support
Fortunately, not all innovation needs to be unearthed. When it comes to world-leading manufacturers, they will bring it to you.
BASF is strengthening its claim to be the world’s most innovative company in the chemical industry with a new digital solution that it believes will raise bodyshop standards, improve efficiency and drive profits.
Rob Ghey, Head of Strategic Account Management (BASF Automotive Refinish UK & Ireland), said, “Refinity is our all-new global value proposition for automotive refinish customers. It is a cloud-based platform designed to provide our bodyshop customers worldwide with a cohesive digital experience, driving efficiency in the entire bodyshop process.
“From providing painters with technical support and assessed training modules to giving transparency to bodyshops through management metrics and insights, this will truly enable independent bodyshops and multi-site operations to make the sound business decisions needed to improve performance, profit, and growth over time.”
The single platform solution requires just one set-up and one password to provide full access. Its Business Applications will provide complete transparency into consumption and profitability metrics for each repair, while also enabling bodyshops to set their preferred portfolio of products, manage pricing and stock levels, and automatically generate recommended orders.
Refinity will also include links to offers from selected partners.
Rob continued, “Today’s bodyshops use a number of different software solutions across various systems in their daily operations, which often leads to an inefficient use of time and resources. With the launch of Refinity, BASF will become the first refinish paint company in the world to offer a single digital platform that incorporates all customer solutions in a secure, one-stop shop offering with a simple user interface and designed for the bodyshop environment. This leap forward in technology means Refinity is always up to date, with no onsite maintenance required.”
While it’s true the sector is changing rapidly, and change in one area is creating a need for change in another, the evolution that has already taken place should inspire confidence that the sector can remodel itself to continue to serve the customer safely, efficiently, and profitably.
“We cannot solve our problems with the same thinking we used when creating them.”
Euro NCAP has awarded all six of the vehicles in its latest round of testing either four or five stars for safety.
The fully electric Kia EV6 received a five-star rating with a strong 90% result in the Adult Occupant Protection category. It also scored maximum points in Euro NCAP’s challenging side barrier and pole impact assessments.
Also achieving a five-star rating were the Volvo C40 Recharge and Volkswagen Multivan, with both achieving the highest Child Occupant Protection score (89%) seen so far in 2022, and both also including a centre-console airbag.
Meanwhile, the Mercedes-Benz C-Class scored 93% in Adult Occupant Protection to also secure five stars. It also offers Reverse Autonomous Emergency Braking as an optional extra option.
Completing a positive set of test results, the Peugeot 308 and Vauxhall Astra each received four stars.
Matthew Avery, Director of Research, said, “These latest results show that the vast majority of carmakers are working in partnership with Euro NCAP and continuing to increase safety for the benefit of the drivers and other road users, resulting in four and five-star cars across a spectrum of price points, sizes and styles.”
Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services at Thatcham Research, will provide a keynote address at the forthcoming Motor Claims Showcase Event highlighting the changes technology is having on the sector.
The session, ‘Automotive technology – influences and trends,’ will explore the technology and complexity of modern-day vehicles, highlighting how these advancements will reshape the motor claims supply chain both from a technical and strategic perspective.
While the data gathered in April can be considered something of an anomaly due to school holidays and Bank Holidays, the report found that the issues faced by the entire motor eco-system were deeper than expected.
He has more than 35 years’ experience in the sector at both operational and management level, with extensive expertise in running prestige, manufacturer-approved bodyshops.
Managing Director Leon Coupland said, “Having worked with Brian for a number of years, we knew he was an excellent fit for Shorade UK. Brian will be an integral part of the business as it grows, his experience and expertise have already proved invaluable.”
Bradley Rankin of FMG Gloucester was named Apprentice of the Year while father Lee, also of FMG Gloucester, ensured it was a double celebration for the family by collecting the Mentor’s award.
In total, it uncovered more than 11,000 instances of claims fraud last year – an average of more than 30 every day – worth an accumulated total of £122m.
The insurer is still investigating a further 16,700 potentially fraudulent claims.
It has extended the one-week initiative to ensure that all colleagues have the opportunity to make the most of the training activities on offer, which focus on three key areas: uncovering learning potential, uncovering hidden powers, and uncovering new dimensions.
The site now occupies more than 400sqm of floor space and is equipped with the latest technology to support the development customer-centric innovations.
Patrick Zhao, Senior Vice President, BASF Coatings Solutions Asia Pacific, said, “This investment is a significant milestone in our effort to further strengthen our R&D footprint in Asia Pacific, as well as improve our proximity to customers in one of the fastest growing regions for our automotive coatings solutions.”
Its Insurance Behaviour Tracker, which records consumer action through the renewal process, found that Aviva increased its market share by 1.7%, nearly twice as much as the second-placed insurer, RAC.
The research identified price comparison website distribution as a key driver behind Aviva growth, with more than half of customers taking out polices through an aggregator compared to just 30% who bought online or over the phone.
The Task Force was set up to understand how the sector can become more attractive to a wider demographic.
The industry body is also developing qualifications to support the sector which it hopes will, in time, lead to more diverse role models.
Car production suffers April stutter
The Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders has reported that production fell 11.3% to 60,554 units during April. It attributed the decline to the global shortage of semi-conductors coupled with the impact of the war in Ukraine.
However, the drive towards electrification continued with 26.4% of new cars produced during the month battery-powered, with pure EVs taking a 9.9% market share.
During his 14 years with the company he has overseen growth from a small privately owned group in East Anglia with revenues of £300m to a publicly listed national retailer operating in 37 counties with revenues heading towards £4bn, while headcount has increased 10-fold to more than 5,000 colleagues.
He said, “What’s been achieved with the team has been amazing, however from a personal perspective, I feel the time is now right for me to explore new opportunities.”
Davies warns of e-scooter claims surge
Davies has sounded the alarm following the publication by the Parliamentary Advisory Council for Transport Safety (PACTS) of a new report considering the implications of legalising the use of electric scooters on roads and cycle lanes.
Bodyshop, Insurance, Mobility, People, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair and Words
Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services at Thatcham Research, will provide a keynote address at the forthcoming Motor Claims Showcase Event highlighting the changes technology is having on the sector.
The session, ‘Automotive technology – influences and trends,’ will explore the technology and complexity of modern-day vehicles, highlighting how these advancements will reshape the motor claims supply chain both from a technical and strategic perspective.
In an interview with ARC360 Dean said, “I feel there is an inevitable path to a more automated claims process using vehicle-integrated Artificial Intelligence. It’s conceivable that, not so far into the future, the car will become incumbent in making a claim, using onboard analytics to define the operation and functionality of systems post-accident, and determining the most appropriate steps to take as a result.”
Mark Hadaway, Managing Director of ILC, said, “Having Dean and Thatcham Research onboard to provide a keynote address focusing on vehicle technology and its anticipated impacts helps support the entire motor claims supply chain – the very essence of the Motor Claims Showcase Event.”
The ILC/ARC360 Motor Claims Showcase Event also includes keynote sessions featuring names such as ElectriX – powered by LV= General Insurance; Enterprise; Gemini ARC; Tesla; The AA; The Vella Group; and Trustpilot; a fully immersive exhibition arena; and a Partner Showcase stage with sessions hosted by Enterprise, Innovation Group and Solera Audatex amongst others.
The Motor Showcase Event allows visitors to spend the day as they wish with networking opportunities in plentiful supply.
The event will host more than 400 key persons of influence from across the claims sector representing insurers, claims management companies, repairers, along with a host of product, equipment and service suppliers.
The Vella Group has cut the ribbon on its 10th bodyshop, a 14,000sqft site in Bradford.
Vella Group Bradford, which also becomes the group’s third LV=General Insurance sole supply site, will be managed by Andy Pearson, who joins the group with a team of 12 technicians and three office staff.
Marc Holding, Vella Group Managing Director, said, “Bradford represents a new region for us, and we are really excited to be expanding our footprint and welcoming new colleagues into the team.
“Investing in new sites is a core part of our growth strategy. This is the third new-build bodyshop that we have opened in the last two years, and we are pleased to be able to offer high quality, additional capacity to our customers. We are working on further expansion and will be opening more new sites during the course of the year.”
Michael Golding, LV= General Insurance Network Manager, said, “We are delighted to welcome The Vella Group Bradford onto the LV= General Insurance Sole Supply network. This becomes the 27th Sole Site in the LV= Network, and further cements our excellent partnership with The Vella Group. The site is another high-calibre, future-ready operation that will undoubtedly provide first-class service to LV= customers in the Bradford area.”
Bodyshop, Environment, Insurance, Mobility, People, Supplier, Technology, Vehicle Repair and Words
The latest NBRA Repairer Market Summary has highlighted capacity, cost and consolidation as the three factors impacting the industry most at the moment.
In terms of consolidation, the report found there is more private equity in the sector than ever before, meaning the future of independents is more precarious than ever before.
The report said, “Probably the biggest news of the moment is the growth of one group fuelled by private equity. In time this will only add to the pressures already experienced by many.”
The report also revealed that parts availability remains a dark cloud that is having a significant impact on repair output. It warned that this shortage is set to continue and, like Covid-19, could usher in a ‘new normal’.
“With many raw materials such as lithium, nickel, platinum and even gases used in the production of semi- conductors being largely sourced from either Russia or Ukraine together with logistics problems and plant shutdowns in China, it would seem our parts supply chain issues are set to continue if not worsen for a long time.”
Exacerbating this capacity crisis, the rising value of used cars – up 35% – means many former total losses are now economically repairable; it found that 85% of jobs bodyshops receive are now repairable, up from 75%.
The accumulated effect has seen lead times spiral from 5-15 days to 15-45.
Adding to the pressures experienced by bodyshops, inflation across all areas of business is a growing concern, with wages driving the increases in many cases. It revealed that hourly rates pre and post Covid have escalated by 20% (MET), 12.5% (paint), 17% (panel), VDA (20%), and 18% (office).
“Bodyshops are having daily conversations with technicians leaving for other repairers or industries requiring similar skills.”
To combat this, the NBRA is urging the sector to support its petition to add technician roles to the UK Government Shortage Occupations List.
Mobility is another rising cost (£134pm to £247pm), with parts supply issues resulting in some bodyshops providing mobility for 120 days in some instances.
“This is totally unacceptable and completely flies in the face of what a courtesy car was ever intended to be.”
Meanwhile, mobility costs could rise again if bodyshops are pressed to adopt EV fleets, which many believe is a matter of when not if. This is being driven by a concerted drive towards carbon zero, with the NBRA asking members for their opinion on the introduction of a ‘standard industry approach’ to achieving this. Nearly two thirds (63%) supported the idea, with only 13% against.
Bodyshop, Environment, Insurance, People, Supplier, Technology and Words
Sue Whyte, Founder of Clayms Ltd and Chris Payne, Head of Networks and Engineering – Home and Motor at LV= General Insurance are supporting ILC’s new ‘next generation’ meet and greet at the Motor Claims Showcase Event.
Taking place on Wednesday 29 June at the CBS Arena, Coventry the ILC/ARC360 Motor Claims Showcase Event – headline sponsored by Enterprise – includes a ‘next generation’ meet and greet session designed to support demographic diversity across the sector.
The informal session will provide attendees with the opportunity to network with peers as well as hear insights from and quiz two highly aspirational figures within the sector.
Sue founded Clayms Ltd management consultancy in 2022 having been a director of Action 365 for the previous 8.5 years, the last three as managing director. Chris has been head of networks and engineering at LV= General Insurance for the past five years, with a career history in insurance supply chain management and engineering.
Mark Hadaway, managing director of ILC said, “We are delighted to have the support of Sue and Chris for our new next generation initiative which aims to support demographic diversity across the sector – something we are extremely keen to encourage.”
The ILC/ARC360 Motor Claims Showcase Event also includes a keynote presentation stage featuring names such as ElectriX – powered by LV= General Insurance, Enterprise, Gemini ARC, Thatcham Research, The AA, The Vella Group, and Trustpilot; a fully immersive exhibition arena; and a Partner Showcase stage with sessions hosted by Enterprise, Innovation Group and Solera Audatex amongst others.
The Motor Showcase Event allows visitors to spend the day as they wish with networking opportunity in plentiful supply.
The event will host more than 400 key persons of influence from across the claims sector representing insurers, claims management companies, repairers, along with a host of product, equipment and service suppliers.
Tesla’s business operations manager – EMEA Body Repair, Craig Plant is the latest addition to the speaker line-up for the ILC/ARC360 Motor Claims Showcase event taking place on 29 June at the CBS Arena, Coventry.
The inaugural showcase event – headline sponsored by Enterprise – will see Craig join fellow panellists: Neil Bayton, head of partnerships – UK, Trustpilot; Gill Nowell, head of Electric Vehicles, ElectriX; Natalie Spurrier, technical claims director, The AA; and Dave Sargeant, managing director, Gemini Accident Repair Centres.
Gemini celebrates class of 2022
Gemini Accident Repair Group has announced that its first group of 17 Level 3 apprentices have completed their end-point assessments.
They will now take up various multiskilled positions throughout the company.
Gemini introduced its apprenticeship programme in 2017, covering MET, panel and paint, as well as a raft of additional qualifications around electric vehicles, ADAS, BS weld testing, and refrigerant handling.
iRG enhances sustainability solution with BASF partnership
Following a successful trial, its Pontypridd repair centre will now adopt the R-M Agilis waterborne basecoat system.
Audatex enhances Agile collaboration
Audatex has announced that automotive insurtech Agile Developments is launching a new app that will use Audatex data to help determine at FNOL if a vehicle is repairable or a total loss.
The app is being launched to identify total losses earlier in the process and therefore reduce the number of vehicles going into the repair network. By capturing the relevant data and claims information quickly and easily, it is expected to speed up the claim, mitigate losses while also helping to reduce fraud.
Price index reveals premiums increase
The latest Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index produced in association with WTW has found that car insurance prices rose for the second quarter in a row. Its data revealed that average prices rose by 3.8% in the first quarter of 2022 – and 2.2% over the last 12 months.
Average prices by the end of March were up to £550, with every age group apart from 17-year-olds seeing premiums increase.
Copart introduces new wellness initiative
Copart marked Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 by announcing the launch of a new Mental Health First Aider programme.
The initiative is being launched in partnership with St John Ambulance, and will see one teammate from each of the company’s 19 UK locations attend a two-day course in recognising and supporting colleagues with mental health issues.
It found that the average premium dropped five per cent in the first quarter of 2022 to £416, the lowest average price since the third quarter of 2015.
Fix Auto UK launches mental health support initiative
Fix Auto UK has launched a major new initiative to support colleagues overcome mental health challenges.
To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, Fix Auto announced that every repair centre in its network will train at least one person to be a qualified mental health first aider.
BASF announces return of paint finals
BASF’s premium automotive refinish paint brand R-M will host the International Best Painter Contest Final at its Refinish Competence Centre in France from 28-30 June. Ten national winners from around the world will take part in the competition, which is being held for the first time since 2016.
Meanwhile, BMW has become the first vehicle manufacturer to select BASF’s sustainable systems, the CathoGuard 800 ReSource e-coat and the iGloss matt ReSource clearcoat. It will use CathoGurad at its plants in Leipzig, Germany, and Rosslyn, South Africa and the iGloss solution throughout Europe.
AW releases docuseries double-bill
AW Repair Group has released a new double-bill feature as part of its Career for Life docuseries, which celebrates mentoring, development and engagement within its workforce.
Motorcare off to a flying start
Motorcare North West has celebrated a successful first month in business, with vibrant work volumes marking a successful start to operations. The business is also continuing the process of rebranding and recruitment, with vacancies in management and on the shopfloor.
Operations, Sales and Marketing Manager Jason Donohoe said, “It’s already been some ride and I can’t wait to see how we shape up next month.”
Qashqai tops latest safety ratings
The Nissan Qashqai scored highest in the latest round of Euro NCAP testing, which assessed four new models with ‘Level 2’ assisted driving systems.
It scored 74% for assistance competence and 93% for safety back-up to achieve a ‘very good’ result overall.
Used car market rallies after 2021
The UK’s used car market increased 5.1% in the first quarter of 2022, according to the Society of Motor Manufacturers and Traders (SMMT). It recorded 1,774,351 transactions in the first three months of the year, up 86,596 on the same period in 2021.
The rise was driven by a buoyant market in January and February, when used car sales rose 17.7% and 7.4% respectively before a 6.8% decline in March.
Cazoo continues European expansion
Cazoo has followed recent launches in France and Germany by introducing its services to Spain. The online retailer was founded in 2018 and after selling more than 65,000 cars in the UK has embarked on a large-scale expansion throughout Europe.
Alex Chesterman, Founder and CEO of Cazoo, said,“We have a great team in Spain and look forward to delivering the best car buying experience to consumers across the Spanish market.”
webinARC – products, equipment & services: 1.30pm Wednesday 25 May
In this webinARC we explore the latest developments in repair products, equipment and services and ask our bodyshop representatives just what makes their businesses ‘tick’.
Featuring some of the UK’s fastest growing and leading bodyshops.
Bodyshop, Car Rental, Environment, Finance, Insurance, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, Training and Words
Tesla’s business operations manager – EMEA Body Repair, Craig Plant is the latest addition to the speaker line-up for the ILC/ARC360 Motor Claims Showcase event taking place on 29 June at the CBS Arena, Coventry.
The inaugural showcase event – headline sponsored by Enterprise – will see Craig join fellow panellists:
Neil Bayton, head of partnerships – UK, Trustpilot
Gill Nowell, head of electric vehicles, LV= General Insurance & ElectriX
Natalie Spurrier, technical claims director, The AA
Dave Sargeant, managing director, Gemini Accident Repair Centres
to discuss the future of motor claims from FNOL to fulfillment. The session will explore a multitude of factors already and increasingly set to influence the sector such as social trends; technological advancements; environmental commitments; people requirements and much more.
Mark Hadaway, managing director of ILC and co-founder of ARC360 said, “We are thrilled to have such an influential and diverse line-up of businesses committed to this session exploring the future of motor claims.
“It serves to highlight just how rapidly the motor claims sector is evolving influenced by household brands alongside names more familiar to our sector.”
The full day’s agenda includes a host of other keynote sessions; a Partner Showcase stage with sessions hosted by Enterprise, Innovation Group and Solera Audatex amongst others; an ILC first ‘next generation’ meet and greet session; as well as a fully immersive exhibition arena.
Visitors can choose to spend the day as they wish with networking opportunity also in plentiful supply.
The event will host more than 400 key persons of influence from across the claims sector representing insurers, claims management companies, repairers, along with a host of product, equipment and service suppliers.
