Environment, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology and Words
UK salvage and remarketing experts Copart has completed a six-month trial of FuelActive, a new solution that delivers 92% cleaner fuel to engines.
FuelActive works by drawing fuel from near the surface of the tank, avoiding contamination from water and sediment that settles near the bottom. This reduces fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by as much as five per cent.
Phil Briggs, Director of Operation Centres, Transport & Engineering at Copart, said: “This FuelActive trial is yet another ‘Greenest Fleet on the Street’ initiative we are exploring as part of our Plan-Net-Zero commitment, which is designed to address all aspects of our operations against our ambition of achieving carbon neutrality in the shortest possible timescale.
“We’ve already made significant investment into the latest telematics and camera technology across our transport fleet, providing unique data and insight into driving styles and fuel consumption, and we’re actively exploring the option of hydrogen fuelled vehicles going forwards.
“The initial findings from the trial are very positive and we look forward to sharing the results after further analysis.”
The trial is part of an ongoing strategy of sustainability, which has already seen Copart ensure Euro VI compliancy across its transporter fleet, invest in JCB loaders with lower fuel consumption and emissions, invest in single and three-car transporters to enhance efficiency and partner with HGVC to deliver carbon neutral training to its drivers.
Bodyshop, Environment, Insurance, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, Vehicle Repair and Words
It’s no secret that the automotive aftermarket is facing simultaneous challenges on a scale and of a range never before experienced.
Rising repair costs, steepling energy bills, labour shortages and supply disruptions are just the most obvious issues the industry is now having to navigate.
Added to this, traffic variations and changing driver habits mean once predictable work flows are no longer reliable, while emerging fuel types demand new processes and new skills.
It’s clear then that doing things the way they have always been done is unviable for most businesses.
However, by exploiting existing technologies and embracing further innovation it is possible to introduce game-changing efficiencies that can alter the entire motor claims ecosystem for the better.
At ARC360m, technology has been the underlying theme running through all our output during September.
Here, we have collated insights gleaned from the interviews, webinars and podcasts we have produced, and added further expert analysis from selected partners to reveal how technology is already been deployed to improve service and standards, and what might be coming in the near future.
Estimating systems
GT Motive has made great strides in the UK market since launching its estimating platform, GT Global, in 2020. This year alone it has already been adopted by 500 repairers and the company has also established successful partnerships with insurers and repair networks such as Vizion and NFU Mutual.
Its cloud-based solution is groundbreaking in as much as it delivers a pay-per-use pricing model, meaning bodyshops are not lumbered with fixed costs if volumes fluctuate. This transparent approach enables repairers to manage costs more effectively, while its online data solution means everyone has a view of the same, regularly updated estimate.
Martyn Rowley, GT Motive’s Business Development Manager, said, “We’ve grown exponentially this year. We’ve welcomed repairers across the UK and we’re working with many large insurers and collaborating with a variety of exciting companies to provide the best possible platform for our customers.
Recently enhanced with 29 new models – including the Tesla Model Y – and updates to a further 121, https://arc360.co.uk/solera-audatex-announces-aeg-update/ AEG covers 98% of the car parc with right-first-time estimating, unlimited multi-user access and faster total loss identification using cap hpi valuation data.
Earlier in the summer the solution was developed further to provide estimating data for more peripheral vehicles, such as tractors, scooters, quadbikes and pick-up trucks. Provisions were also made around electric and hybrid vehicles to enable repairers and insurers to track numbers of alternative fuelled vehicles, while more development work is ongoing to enable two-way data updates. This will enable repairers to put information back into the estimate around parts pricing and excess changes.
However, Audatex is not resting on its laurels. While still updating AEG to ensure it remains current, it is also in the process of rolling out what will ultimately be its successor – Qapter.
Based on feedback from the industry, Qapter is being developed with artificial intelligence and image capture at its core.
This will enable the automatic generation of parts lists and retail quotes, which will also enable insurers to triage jobs more effectively and make quicker, more accurate decisions around total losses.
In an exclusive ILC Claims Tech interview https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HXU7-U0kpfQ, Neil Garrett, UK South Africa and Nordic Sales Director, Solera, said, “Post Covid there have been changes in behaviours at repair shops and insurers. We realised the old normal isn’t the new normal and thought the best thing to do was to ask the customers what they wanted. We had a fantastic response around the appetite for AI, but found the main barrier was trust; when can the estimate be trusted and when will a manual estimate also be required?”
Taking these concerns on board, he said AI effectively used will support bodyshops and create new possibilities. For example, accurate and automatic assessments of images can support more effective triage, ensuring bodyshops receive the jobs they want, when they want them. This can free up space and capacity, and will help the repairer to reimagine their workflow.
Neil said, “The landscape is changing very dramatically. Technology can assist that, but we need to link the different systems in the market, from bodyshop management systems, estimating systems, insurance claims systems. With Qapter we’re trying to take an all-encompassing view across the ecosystem, and join the dots.”
Salvage
Vehicle salvage is one area where technology is playing an increasingly pivotal role, not just in helping the industry achieve its sustainability goals, but also, now, in helping to tackle the disruption to parts supply.
However, to make the most of this opportunity repairers need to know what parts are available, and where. That demands widespread system integration – and, according to Jim Loughran, CEO, e2e Total Loss Management, not just on a national scale.
Also operating in this space, Copart is perhaps better equipped than many to push the boundaries of what is possible. With an international footprint and a track-record of digital innovation, the UK’s leading salvage and remarketing company is well-versed at reshaping the landscape.
Already it is delivering a completely digital journey with apps to arrange collections and deliveries, digital vehicle documentation, and online auctions and payment options https://www.copart.co.uk/how-it-works/, while it is also actively pursuing new solutions based on artificial intelligence and augmented reality.
Jane Pocock, Managing Director, Copart UK, said, “Cutting edge technology is at the forefront of everything we do and we are continuously seeking new ways to support both our external customers and internal operations.
“We now have an extensive suite of unique digital services which deliver a truly contactless customer journey, while our innovative data-sharing technology is unique to the motor claims industry. It enables total system integration between our operating system and our customers’ claims systems. This allows us to interact digitally with insurers, from the point where a vehicle is deemed a total loss through every stage of the process until final settlement.
“Customers can also review progress on all their policy holders’ total loss claims through our secure claim settlement portal, and access an expansive reporting suite ‘MiHub’, which provides real-time insights at a case or macro level.”
Jane continued, “But we never stand still. We launch new tech products every year and are always planning new and innovative technology through continuous collaboration with our customers to expand the range of value-added services we offer.”
Connectivity
However, as Neil touched on and as Copart’s solution proves, integration is the telling factor. Data is now being produced at every touch point of a claim, but unless and until that data is transparent, up-to-date, and available to everyone involved, then companies will not be able to use it to improve efficiencies and accelerate the customer journey.
However, with new technologies and solutions being launched all the time, finding those best suited to your needs can feel like trying to fit the right plug into the right socket in the dark.
Understanding your own business is the first step to knowing how and where technology could make a difference, but ultimately every new innovation should be geared towards the customer.
There is a sense that this customer-first approach flourished during Covid-19, but since then the industry has turned inwards again, as Dave said: “We have gone back to telling the customer what they need.”
Fear of change is one thing stunting wider adoption of technology, as well as a lack of education around its potential benefits, but if used intelligently it can be the solution to moving forward through today’s unprecedented headwinds.
Environment, Insurance, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, Vehicle Repair and Words
Copart has announced it has set science-based targets to reduce carbon emissions throughout its operations.
Earlier this year the UK’s leading vehicle salvage and remarking company joined more than 3,000 other businesses that have committed to the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), which has provided it with a clearly defined pathway towards reducing emissions in line with the Paris Agreement.
The SBTi Net-Zero Standard sets a series of robust targets that Copart must meet in the next decade and to achieve these goals, and as part of its own Plan-Net-Zero strategy, the company has already introduced a number of initiatives.
It is continuing to expand its recycling and green parts capabilities, supported by the acquisition of Hills Salvage & Recycling – The Green Parts Specialist. Further, it has introduced a company-wide roll out of the Carbon Literacy Project training programme and introducing smart technologies and green solutions to increase energy efficiency.
It is also delivering carbon neutral training through its partnership with HGVC, and is carrying out an ongoing sustainability refurbishment programme of its offices.
Copart is also evolving its fleet with to provide Euro VI compliancy, and has introduced more green spaces around sits to improve air quality.
Meanwhile, Copart is also part of the ‘Business Ambition for 1.5°C’ campaign, a conglomerate of companies aiming to help halve global emissions by 2030.
The company said, “We’re excited about making further meaningful and measurable changes as we continue on our Plan-Net-Zero journey towards a greener future.”
The new scheme, which follows the £150bn plan for households, will take affect from 1 October and remain in place for six months, although it could be extended for vulnerable businesses.
As part of the plan, wholesale prices will be fixed at £211 per MWh for electricity and £75 per MWh for gas.
Prime Minister Liz Truss said, “As we are doing for consumers, our new scheme will keep their energy bills down from October, providing certainty and peace of mind. At the same time, we are boosting Britain’s homegrown energy supply so we fix the root cause of the issues we are facing and ensure greater energy security for us all.”
Bodyshop, Car Rental, Environment, Insurance, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology and Words
As more and more technology comes into the industry, so more and more data is being generated. Collecting, collating and sharing that data in a seamless yet safe manner is now fundamental to business operations.
The Common Automotive Platform Standard (CAPS) provides seamless interconnectivity between sectors and systems, increasing efficiencies and decreasing costs.
Here, we speak to Kevern Thompson, Commercial Manager, to find out a little more about where CAPS is now, and where it is going.
Firstly, can you give us a brief insight into CAPS; where you’ve come from and where you are now?
The CAPS customer base has grown from only 285 bodyshops connected in 2015 to nearly 1,400 bodyshops today, exchanging more than 1.1 million unique claims per year and connecting with more than 95 data-consuming clients.
Sitting at the technological heart of the sector, you have seen adoption escalate exponentially since the pandemic. But are we still just touching the surface of what tech can offer?
Every new CAPS customer and data user that connects to the platform finds new potential for how technology and better access to data can improve quality across all aspects of the collision repair sector.
We’re just starting to understand how technology can streamline operations, deliver an even better customer journey, and improve the quality of service across the whole motor claims ecosystem.
Technology is helping each player in the collision repair supply chain to focus on their expertise and deliver more value. This is essential right now as the motor sector as a whole evolves to embrace EVs, sustainability, decarbonisation and vehicles with more onboard technology than anyone could have imagined even a few years ago.
This is why we see more and more businesses automating communication exchange with CAPS, driven by an increase in systems development – everyone from bodyshops to parts suppliers through to insurers is now seeing the benefit of automated data exchange as a facilitator.
How does the convoluted nature of the claims journey, both in terms of the number of touch points and parties involved, create inefficiencies?
There are still too many manual processes, and this creates bottlenecks and ultimately holds back the industry. This is partly driven by how users interact but also because systems can’t communicate with each other.
This leads to siloed operations up and down the claims journey. It means recovery does not link with the bodyshop, and the customer is still the default project manager when dealing with their claim, from the first notification of loss to the repair.
Siloes within a single business, such as an insurance firm where the engineering department works on a separate system to that of the claims handler, mean they then both interact with different people within a bodyshop as well as their respective systems. There is a lack of system connectivity and transparency throughout, and this is what CAPS is quickly helping to address.
The beauty of CAPS is that it’s an open architecture that can interact with everyone, a safe and secure encrypted system that allows data to flow smoothly and only to nominated partners.
The connectivity is a vital piece of the jigsaw that helps to drive performance and efficiencies, as it enables more fluid collaboration between all of the businesses focused on delivering the claim as quickly as possible.
What are the consequences of these inefficiencies to insurers, suppliers, repairers and drivers?
The interdependence of all parties in the claims process means inefficiencies spread incrementally across the whole chain.
Decisions take longer when someone is waiting for resources to communicate, as they are usually handling more than one claim at a time. Mistakes occur because data is double keyed from one system to another. The customer may be left with mixed messages and updates and not know who to turn to within the supply chain to get the accurate answer.
These inefficiencies lead to cost creeping up throughout the entire supply chain.
How does CAPS simplify and accelerate the claims process?
Facilitating the safe exchange of claims data between businesses that have agreed to share this data is the vital ‘oil’ that streamlines many of the processes.
CAPS connects systems. It allows users to continue to operate within their existing data input system and allows their partners to receive updates and communication automatically and securely.
It eliminates the need for manual processes such as emails, spreadsheets and telephone calls, and ensures that, all-importantly, everyone connected gets the same update at the same time.
What impact has the pandemic had on CAPS in terms of uptake?
We’ve seen an increase in CAPS adoption as businesses use our platform to create or improve their digital journey and increase automation. The motor claims and collision repair sector trusts CAPS to deliver. Bodyshops now choose work providers based on CAPS connectivity and insurers choose their networks around CAPS capability.
Do you think CAPS will become even more intrinsic as data security and regulation becomes more business critical?
We are already seeing increased demand for on-time repair progress updates. This is being driven from lots of angles. Customers want their vehicles repaired as quickly as possible, while bodyshops want to increase capacity through their repair bays so they want visibility of timings from new claims and from suppliers.
We’re also seeing an increase in businesses wanting larger amounts of data for the future and long-term data analytics to enhance their digital capabilities.
How does CAPS stay ahead of the technology curve, and can you tell us about the National Advisory Council?
Industry insight is vital, and this is where the CAPS National Advisory Council (NAC), created in 2017, plays a huge role.
The NAC was created by a group of operators in the motor claims and repair sector who shared a passion for technology and saw the potential of digitising claims and removing frictional cost.
Once a quarter, NAC members meet to discuss emerging connectivity issues and provide insight on new areas needing support and connectivity, as well as connecting with wider industry suppliers such as salvage, recovery and parts procurement.
You mentioned the imminent launch of a new platform. How does it move the CAPS solution forward?
We’ve listened to the challenges that the entire industry faces and where we can add efficiency and remove friction. One of the main factors we’re addressing is that historically, CAPS connected the insurer to its supply chain supporting the deployment of a claim. A different approach is required as claims deployment becomes more targeted and the need to speed up administrative processes increases.
This means enabling much greater communication and information to be exchanged between partners in the claims process, which does not always need to rely on communication between insurer and bodyshop.
How do you see the claims journey evolving, and what does the future hold for CAPS?
We can see the importance of data and the need to speed up administration processes. CAPS facilitates this, enabling businesses to lead from the front and take advantage of innovation faster.
All parties have a deep focus on customer service. Immediate connectivity to accurate data supports the whole supply chain by ensuing transparency of information.
The sector also wants innovation. Bodyshops are already requesting system providers to focus development on further efficiency gains. Insurers are building their ability to communicate, and they are now taking advantage of mass data for future analytics.
CAPS is also driving innovation, and this will require some legacy systems to evolve their technologies in order to take advantage of some of the future automated features offered by the platform.
Bodyshop, Environment, Finance, Insurance, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, Vehicle Repair and Words
Connectivity and integration are the keys to bringing the disparate technologies within automotive claims together and making them work for repairers, insurers and customers alike.
Taking part were Claire Hart, National Sales Manager, Entegral; Jim Loughran, CEO, e2e; and Dave Shepherd, Director, Shepherd Advisory Services.
Connectivity
Claire said, “It’s all about connectivity. We need to make sure everyone has access to everything so they don’t have to log into different portals and different systems. We have a lot of disjointed parts to the repair journey at the moment and a large responsibility for keeping everything updated is still manual. That means the data is only really as good as the person inputting it.
“We need to make this process quicker and easier so the data is accurate and up to date and there is only ever one version of the truth. We need a single solution that binds everyone together.”
Dave agreed, saying that integration must be one of the fundamental objectives of good technology.
“There should be no reason why one business can’t plug into other systems and platforms when necessary,” he said. “The end user, the motorist, is all our customer. We’re all connected in the supply chain so integration is a vital and I actually think it can be done quite quickly.”
Evolution
For many, joining up different systems from different sectors can seem like too great a challenge, and individual businesses cannot be expected to do this in silo. Instead, solutions needed to be created that are integrated as a matter of course, removing the problem at concept.
Dave continued, “The challenge is taking a holistic view to the entire claims journey. Too often software and solutions are developed for a single person or function. Developers need to understand the whole workflow and design solutions for the whole supply chain.”
Parts
But while that may be a long-term objective, technology can and is being used to address immediate challenges. The pandemic sparked great strides in both innovation and adoption, but it has also left a long tail of disruption.
Disruption to parts supply is arguably the most significant, and new technologies are going some way to addressing this. For example, the widespread use of image capture to accelerate estimating and parts ordering has underlined the potential gains to be made.
“It’s a quick win,” said Claire, “and most of the time bodyshops get a good estimate of what they’ll need to repair the vehicle.”
However, more still can be achieved by using technology intelligently to capture the correct information at the earliest possible stage to support accurate triage and set in motion the processes that are appropriate for each individual job.
Importance
Dave said, “The importance of technology is growing and, at the moment, is being driven by the challenges to parts supply. We need good tech at the front end to ensure accurate triage. This is critical to repairers so they know what is coming into the shop and when. We also need to get the information early so we can change the process according to what is required in the repair, and what the customer needs.”
Recycled parts can also play a role here, and Jim advocates spreading the net wider to ensure a steady supply.
He said, “We’re very UK-centric in our approach, and technology can change that with the flick of a switch. We can solve a lot of our supply problems by sharing car parts and recycled and reclaimed parts across markets. We should think broader. We should think globally.”
Momentum
However, there is a feeling that since the world has emerged on the other side of the pandemic and returned to something like normal again, the momentum gained during the last three years has been lost and in too many cases people have slipped back into old habits.
Dave said, “I think our processes are designed to help us and not the customer. We need to redesign them – we started doing that during Covid but have gone back to telling the customer what they need.”
Jim agreed, and said that before any business thinks about adopting new technology it should consider what problem that technology will solve, and who, ultimately, it will benefit.
He said, “Business is about making the right decisions at the right time. The companies that do that are the ones that will win. There is a lot of data out there and we need to know what data to collect.
“We have to keep the end-user in mind at all times. The customer journey needs to be seamless and I think we’ve got some way to go to getting there. But that’s about process as much as it is about technology – we need to be more joined up.”
Future
There is, unfortunately, no single solution that will meet everyone’s needs. Each business is different and finding the right technology and maximising it can be a daunting prospect.
Claire said, “We don’t want to over-complicate things. We just need to give repairers the opportunity to pick the solutions that work for them.”
Of course, there is a danger of adopting new technology for technology’s sake, but the first rule is understanding your own business; by knowing where your own bottlenecks are you can begin to zero in on the solutions that will best suit your needs.
Dave said, “Education is the key to understanding how to use the technology better. People think they need to change everything, and in some cases they do. But actually by knowing your own business and understanding the workflow you will understand where there are inefficiencies and how technology can reduce the touchpoints and increase profits.”
ARC360 is supported by Corporate Partners Solera Audatex, BASF, BMS, CAPS, Copart, Emacs, Entegral, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Innovation Group, Mirka, Nationwide Vehicle Recovery Assistance, S&G Response, and Sherwin Williams as well as Partners asTech, The Green Parts Specialist, Indasa and Prasco UK, and Associate Partners Gemini, Thatcham Research and Trend Tracker.
Bodyshop, Car Rental, Environment, Finance, Insurance, Mobility, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales and Words
ARC360 has revealed the first insight into the agenda for its ‘Gaining Ground Together’ themed event taking place on Thursday 24 November at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry.
Included in the line-up is Andrew Eade, Head of AD Strategy & Fulfilment at First Central; Nick Sweetman, Head of Vehicle Repair & Service Operations for UK & Ireland, Enterprise Holdings; and Chris Weeks, Executive Director of the NBRA.
The day will include a host of ‘quickfire’ sessions focused on providing greater insight and context to current market conditions. It will provide 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 discuss the importance and impact of ESG on the supply chain.
Mark Hadaway, co-founder of ARC360 said, “The Gaining Ground Together mantra of ARC360 is, arguably, even more pertinent for this event.
“We’re all acutely aware of the many challenges currently faced by the sector. By late November we may have greater insight into how they are evolving, what the true impact is on businesses throughout the supply chain and how we can try to support positive outcomes for all.”
ARC360 is supported by Corporate Partners: Solera Audatex; BASF; BMS; CAPS; Copart; EMACS; Entegral; Enterprise; Innovation Group; Mirka; Nationwide Vehicle Recovery Assistance; S&G; and Sherwin Williams; along with Partners: Repairify; The Green Parts Specialists; Indasa; and Prasco UK; and Associate Partners: Gemini ARC; Trend Tracker; and Thatcham Research.
More details of the event, along with further names on the agenda will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Tickets, sponsorship and exhibition spaces are all now available for the event.
Environment, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, vehicle sales and Words
Copart UK is opening new CashForCars headquarters in the Fife area, creating a raft of new jobs.
CashForCars is Copart’s sister company which buys directly from customers and re-sells them through Copart’s patented online auction platform.
Since launching in the UK and Ireland last year, it has experienced rapid expansion and as a result has invested into new executive offices in Kirkcaldy, Fife.
Its team includes specialist vehicle buyers and customer sales advisors, as well as technologists and marketeers. The company is already anticipating further job opportunities and is now actively recruiting customer sales representatives.
Mark Godfrey, director of strategy, marketing, Copart, said: “As we continue to increase our footprint in Scotland, we’re delighted to announce significant investment into the Fife area with the opening of our new headquarters.
“As CashForCars.co.uk continues to grow, supported by Copart’s extensive operational capabilities, we fully expect to bring further expansion and job opportunities to this area of Scotland.”
Bodyshop, People, Salvage, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair and Words
UK salvage, dismantling and vehicle recycling company Synetiq has joined the NBRA in a bid to raise awareness and uptake of green parts.
Research has found that nearly 30% of bodyshops do not use green parts in repairs, although most say this is down to resistance among customers and work providers.
The NBRA and Synetiq argue this proves that more needs to be done raise the economic and environmental benefits of using green parts in repair.
David Bradley, Head of Green Parts at Synetiq, said, “We’re proud to become a member of the NBRA and to have the chance to engage and listen to their members across the UK. One of the main reasons for our collaboration is that we share such similar values, and we exist for the same purpose – to transform our industry for the better. We can only do this by working together, particularly to raise the awareness of green parts and the benefits they bring.
“We’re already seeing the tide of change in opinions of using green parts and collaboratively we aim to keep this momentum going by listening and acting on feedback. We want members to help shape the future of green parts and I believe that together, we are a powerful voice that can make an impactful difference to our industry, our customers and in the global efforts of reducing carbon emissions.”
Chris Weeks, Director at NBRA, said, “NBRA have been pushing the environmental message for many years now and in October this year will host our third Greener Bodyshop Awards. However, profitability, parts delays and speed of repair is almost a more immediate challenge for repairers, one which can be significantly counteracted with intelligent use of recycled parts.
“Synetiq are incredibly proactive in this space and very keen to work more closely with the NBRA and to understand what more can be done to assist the sustainability of both repairers and the environment. We are very pleased to announce this collaboration.”
Environment, Insurance, Salvage, Supplier, Technology and Words
Copart is continuing its commitment to its Plan-Net-Zero strategy with major infrastructure upgrades underway at its Colchester Operation Centre.
In line with the sustainability blueprint established at the recently refurbished Bristol Operation Centre, Copart’s Colchester site is following a programme of upgrades that will include state-of-the-art insulation, low energy LED lighting, and new onsite waste treatment facilities to filter and clean water.
As the demand for electric vehicles escalates, the redevelopment at the Colchester site will also introduce dedicated EV areas as well as charging facilities. Plans also include new areas for vehicle preparation and processing, valeting, and 360° imaging.
The company said, “As the partner of choice for most major insurers, alongside our continued efforts to expand and improve our range of customer services, we have a responsibility to operate sustainably and ethically.
“Our programme to upgrade and replace offices at our nationwide Operation Centres will ensure that going forward our offices are always inclusive, energy efficient, and constructed in an environmentally friendly way.”
All upgrades are expected to be completed this year.
