ARC360 news round up – Friday 4 November

HoloLens exclusive set for ARC360 event 

Thatcham Research is set to provide delegates at ARC360’s forthcoming ‘Gaining Ground Together 2022’ event with an exclusive first look at its Microsoft HoloLens technician training capabilities. 

Taking place on Thursday 24 November at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry, the event which is free to access for registered repairers will see Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services, Thatcham Research provide an overview of the latest advances in learning environments including its ‘mixed reality device’ HoloLens. 

MotorAid become Fix franchisee 

Fix Auto UK has announced that MotorAid has joined the network and will now operate as Fix Auto Basildon. 

One of the region’s leading vehicle repairers with a heritage spanning almost three decades, the three-acre site features a workshop space of more than 27,000 sqft that can handle up to 200 car and light commercial vehicle repairs a month. 

Repairify unveils new training initiate

Repairify will launch a new comprehensive technical training programme intended to raise standards and skills among automotive technicians. 

Due to be introduced in 2023, the Repairify Institute will employ innovative training methods such as adaptive learning, which adjusts teachings according to the person’s individual strengths and weaknesses, with additional features including a mentorship support programme and a Proof of Skill concept that enables students to demonstrate their new skills. 

Kennedy wins at WorldSkills finals

UK technician Craig Kenney celebrated a double success at the recent WorldSkills Competition 2022 Special Edition for Car Painting, which took place in Denmark from 18-22 October. 

He won bronze in the Car Painting Skills category, and also picked up second place in the Sustainable Practice Awards. 

The competition, supported by BASF’s premium paint brand Glasurit, replaced the 46th edition WorldSkills that was cancelled in May due to the pandemic. 

FMG sponsors Skills Competition

FMG Repair Services has underlined its commitment to nurturing new talent by announcing that it is sponsoring the IMI Skills Competition finals. 

The two-day final at Cardiff and Vale College will take place in November, when 24 students and apprentices will demonstrate their skills across a range of tasks in four areas: Automotive Technology, Automotive Body Repair, Automotive Refinishing and Heavy Vehicle Technology. 

Komoo cuts ribbon on fifth site

Fleet repair specialists Komoo has opened a new site in Middlesbrough. 

The new single bay repair Qube will provide a convenient and rapid repair solution to fleet and rental customers in the region. 

Certification secured

Service Certainty imageproof has renewed its ISO27001 certification. 

ISO27001 is the world’s most well-established standard for information security management systems (ISMS) and accreditation recognises a company’s commitment to protecting data and information entrusted by third parties. 

Enterprise wins big in Las Vegas

Enterprise Holdings was named CIECA’s 2022 Company of the Year at the Collision Industry Red Carpet Awards in Las Vegas. 

CIECA (Collision Industry Electronic Commerce Association) develops collision industry electronic standards, codes and standard messages and provides implementation guides to make the industry more efficient. 

Maintaining standards 

PK Motors Accident Repair Centre has passed a recently unannounced BSI audit. 

The company said, “This would not be possible without our loyal team of qualified technicians and staff being committed to providing the highest standards of service every single day.”

Premium prices on steady upwards climb

Comprehensive car insurance premiums have increased 14% in the last year to an average price of £586.  

According to the Confused.com Car Insurance Price Index, premiums have risen four quarters in a row with six per cent rises recorded in the last three months.  

Van drivers count the cost

Van drivers are now paying an average of £1,127 per year for motor insurance after policies rose by 18.9% in the last year. This is according to data released by Consumer Intelligence. 

New report highlights mental health challenges

A new report has found that half of workers in the UK have reported worse mental health since the outbreak of Covid-19. 

Nearly half (48%) said they were experiencing ‘burn out’ and more than a third (35%) said they felt depressed. 

People

Shorade has named Stuart Bone as Head of Business, Cannock.  

Mark Toms has started a new position as General Manager at Snows Peugeot Southampton and Romsey. 

National Accident Repair Group has appointed George Georgiou as Network Operations Manager. 

Bianca Dubiel has been named as Corporate Client Executive at Fix Auto UK.

Silverlake Automotive Recycling has named Greg Rose as Continuous Improvement Manager, a newly created role within the business.   

Register Now!

webinARC – Business development 2022: 30 November 

In this webinARC we offer a host of interviews, comments and insights via recorded interviews focusing on business development opportunities and challenges in 2023 and beyond. 

More Insights

ARC360 News – Friday 6 June 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

06-06-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 30 May 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

SERMI: What does it mean for the UK?

Bodyshop | Insurance | Mobility | People | Supplier | Technology | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

REPAIRIFY

Associate Partners

MotorAid become Fix franchisee

Fix Auto UK has announced that MotorAid has joined the network and will now operate as Fix Auto Basildon.

One of the region’s leading vehicle repairers with a heritage spanning almost three decades, the three-acre site features a workshop space of more than 27,000 sqft that can handle up to 200 car and light commercial vehicle repairs a month.

Owner Steve Abbs said, “We are constantly looking to improve and develop the business. Nearly a year ago we started repairing vehicles for Fix Auto UK and liked the services they provide. We realised early into our relationship there was much more to the network, and we wanted more of it.

“We’ve recognised we needed to future-proof our business, being part of a network, especially one with such a reputation as Fix Auto UK, has to be the future for all repairers and we’re now delighted to be part of it.”

Ian Pugh, Managing Director for Fix Auto UK, said: “These are undoubtedly frenetic times for the industry and we are always striving to strengthen the network but with businesses that sit right for us and, dare I say, we have to be the right fit for them too. Steve and business partner Simon Croft have built up an enviable reputation over the years and have served us well since the start of 2022, stepping up to be a first tier, fully branded, Fix Auto UK repairer was the natural progression and I am delighted to have them on board.”

More Insights

ARC360 News – Friday 6 June 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

06-06-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 30 May 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

SERMI: What does it mean for the UK?

Bodyshop | Insurance | Mobility | People | Supplier | Technology | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

REPAIRIFY

Associate Partners

New report highlights mental health challenges

A new report has found that half of workers in the UK have reported worse mental health since the outbreak of Covid-19.

Nearly half (48%) said they were experiencing ‘burn out’ and more than a third (35%) said they felt depressed.

Despite this, only a third of companies have increased wellbeing support since pandemic.

These were the headline findings of a report, Making Mental Health Top of the Agenda, commissioned by leading digital mental health provider SilverCloud.

It also found that those suffering with poor mental health saw their work performance drop, with lower concentration levels (60%), reduced productivity (56%), reduced quality (40%), and a deterioration in working relationships (26%).

Dr Carolyn Lorian, Head of Clinical Transformation at SilverCloud said,“These findings reinforce the crucial role that businesses can play in supporting their workforces to unlock human and business potential; however, just 28% of employees believe employers are doing enough. This gap between employee reality and employer perception and action needs to be addressed.”

The new research also revealed increases in productivity and profitability are being unlocked by companies who invest in their workforce’s mental health. Over half (55%) of employers have seen an increase in staff productivity, plus increases in profitability (40%) and a reduction in absenteeism.

More Insights

ARC360 News – Friday 6 June 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

06-06-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 30 May 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

SERMI: What does it mean for the UK?

Bodyshop | Insurance | Mobility | People | Supplier | Technology | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

REPAIRIFY

Associate Partners

HoloLens exclusive set for ARC360 event

Thatcham Research is set to provide delegates at ARC360’s forthcoming ‘Gaining Ground Together 2022’ event with an exclusive first look at its Microsoft HoloLens technician training capabilities.

Taking place on Thursday 24 November at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry, the event which is free to access for registered repairers will see Dean Lander, Head of Repair Sector Services, Thatcham Research provide an overview of the latest advances in learning environments including its ‘mixed reality device’ HoloLens.

Thatcham Research first deployed HoloLens back in March 2021 as part of its Vehicle Damage Assessor (VDA) apprentice onboarding process. Since this time, the Automotive Academy team has been refining the use cases – advancing its virtual teaching environment capabilities and deploying these within its blended technician learning environment.

Dean said, “Just as vehicle technology continues to become ever more expansive, so too does the role for technology in delivering our training programmes. Working patterns and practices have shifted permanently because of the pandemic and flexibility has come to the fore in a competitive jobs market, where hybrid models continue to challenge conventional ways of working.

“At our Automotive Academy we’re welcoming hundreds of apprentices who will contribute to rebalancing the ageing repair workforce and bring much-needed cutting-edge skills to bodyshops.”

The day – sponsored by GT Motive – will include a host of ‘quickfire’ sessions focused on providing greater insight and context to market conditions including a ‘state of the nation’ look at market data and how it actually translates to everyday operations and future planning; procurement and battling the challenges of rising claims inflation; and the importance and impact of ESG on the supply chain.

ARC360 is supported by Corporate Partners: Solera Audatex; BASF; BMS; CAPS; Copart; EMACS; Entegral; Enterprise; Innovation Group; Mirka; Nationwide Vehicle Recovery Assistance; and S&G; along with Partners: Repairify; The Green Parts Specialists; Indasa; and Prasco UK; and Associate Partners: Gemini ARC; Trend Tracker; and Thatcham Research.

Tickets, sponsorship, and exhibition spaces are all now available for the event – click here for more or contact jonathan@iloveclaims.com.

More Insights

ARC360 News – Friday 6 June 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

06-06-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 30 May 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

SERMI: What does it mean for the UK?

Bodyshop | Insurance | Mobility | People | Supplier | Technology | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

REPAIRIFY

Associate Partners

Conference set to explore ESG

Andrew Hooker, Head of Technical at Solus Accident Repair Centres is set to unravel how and why environmental, social and governance (ESG) is now so vital within the accident repair supply chain at the ARC360 conference in November.

Andrew will provide an insight into how Solus – the 21 site repairer network owned by Aviva – is working to align its ESG practices with those of its insurer parent. From his unique perspective, Andrew will explore the reasons why; how it is achieved; and what a clear ESG strategy means for a sustainable future for all working relationships.

Taking place on Thursday 24 November at the Manufacturing Technology Centre, Coventry the ‘Gaining Ground Together’ themed event is offering free access to repairers who register as it bids to bring the repairer and supply chain communities closer.

Mark Hadaway, co-founder of ARC360, said, “Having the support of Andrew and Solus, with such a wealth of experience and understanding from both insurer and repairer perspectives, is a major coup for the event and aligns perfectly with the ARC360 theme of ‘Gaining Ground Together’.

“With ESG being such a topical subject, the session is sure to provide a great insight into both the realities of ingraining stringent ESG practices but so too the future expectations for supply chain partnerships.”

The event – sponsored by GT Motive – will also feature a host of ‘quickfire’ sessions focused on providing greater insight and context to market conditions via a ‘state of the nation’ look at market data and how it translates to everyday operations and future planning; procurement and battling the challenges of rising claims inflation; and an exclusive look at the latest technology to be deployed within the technician training environment.

The speaker line-up revealed to date includes:

  • Chris Brightmore, CEO, Chartwell
  • Andrew Eade, Head of AD Strategy & Fulfilment at First Central
  • Dawn Marsden, Head of GI Supplier Management, LV= Insurance
  • Nick Sweetman, Head of Vehicle Repair & Service Operations for UK & Ireland, Enterprise Holdings
  • Sharna Thomson, Head of Customer – UK Claims, Zurich Insurance
  • Chris Weeks, Executive Director of the NBRA

Tickets, sponsorship, and exhibition spaces are all now available for the event. Click here to visit the website or contact jonathan@iloveclaims.com for details.

More Insights

ARC360 News – Friday 6 June 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

06-06-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 30 May 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

SERMI: What does it mean for the UK?

Bodyshop | Insurance | Mobility | People | Supplier | Technology | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

REPAIRIFY

Associate Partners

ARC360 set to explore practical impacts of industry challenges

Customer satisfaction, reshaping supply chain relationships and having the ‘why’ in your business are just some of the key topics set for November’s ARC360 ‘Gaining Ground Together’ event.

Taking place on Thursday 24 November at the Manufacturing Technology Centre (MTC), Coventry the event will kick-off with a ‘state of the nation’ round-up of the latest data and hot topics of the day, followed by a host of sessions focusing on the implications of the current challenging socio-economic factors.

With well-documented challenges around areas such as inflation, parts availability and talent pool the event will bring into focus just what this means for general business practices and processes, and discuss how optimising such areas can provide significant benefit now and into the future.

Taking to the stage to help explore these three key areas are:

  • Chris Brightmore, CEO, Chartwell
  • Dawn Marsden, Head of GI Supplier Management, LV= Insurance
  • Sharna Thomson, Head of Customer – UK Claims, Zurich Insurance

They join the previously announced speakers:

  • Andrew Eade, Head of AD Strategy & Fulfilment at First Central
  • Nick Sweetman, Head of Vehicle Repair & Service Operations for UK & Ireland, Enterprise Holdings
  • Chris Weeks, Executive Director of the NBRA

More names are set to be announced in the coming weeks.

The day – sponsored by GT Motive and free to attend for registered repairers – will include a host of ‘quickfire’ sessions focused on providing greater insight and context to market conditions. It will deliver a ‘state of the nation’ look at market data and how it actually translates to everyday operations and future planning; explore procurement and battling the challenges of rising claims inflation; and the importance and impact of ESG on the supply chain.

The day will also feature an exclusive look at the latest technology to be deployed within the technician training environment.

ARC360 is supported by Corporate Partners: Solera Audatex; BASF; BMS; CAPS; Copart; EMACS; Entegral; Enterprise; Innovation Group; Mirka; Nationwide Vehicle Recovery Assistance; and S&G; along with Partners: Repairify; The Green Parts Specialists; Indasa; and Prasco UK; and Associate Partners: Gemini ARC; Trend Tracker; and Thatcham Research.

Tickets, sponsorship and exhibition spaces are all now available for the event. Contact jonathan@iloveclaims.com for details or click here.

More Insights

ARC360 News – Friday 6 June 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

06-06-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 30 May 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

SERMI: What does it mean for the UK?

Bodyshop | Insurance | Mobility | People | Supplier | Technology | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

REPAIRIFY

Associate Partners

CMA urges government to replace MVBER

The CMA is recommending that the government replace the Motor Vehicle Block Exemption (MVBER) with a UK Motor Vehicle Block Exemption Order (MVBEO).

The existing MVBER, which provides a block exemption for vertical agreements relating to the purchase, sale or resale of spare parts for motor vehicles and to the provision of repair and maintenance services for motor vehicles, expires on 31 May, 2023.

The CMA (Competitions & Market Authority) will now ask the government to replace it with a new order that is more suitable to British businesses and customers, which would be in place until 31 May, 2029.

This follows consultation with the industry, including respected bodies such as the ABI and Thatcham Research, the SMMT, the Independent Garage Association, the RAC and UKAFCAR.

The CMA said, “Given the strong evidence and views in favour of a block exemption for motor vehicle aftermarket agreements, the CMA is recommending that there should continue to be a block exemption and that letting the retained MVBER expire without providing for replacement is not currently appropriate in the UK.

“However, the evidence we have seen also indicates that the retained MVBER regime should be revised in certain respects.”

This includes issues relating to the definition of ‘spare parts’ and access to technical and vehicle information.

The CMA added, “The CMA is conscious that there may be advantages in divergence from the EU in certain circumstances – for example to address features specific to UK markets and better protect UK consumers.

“Equally, the CMA recognises that, all things being equal, there can also be benefits in consistency between the EU and the UK block exemptions, particularly for the various businesses with activities in both the UK and the EU (eg by reducing administrative burdens and compliance costs).

“When deciding about how to best address the various substantive issues at play we have sought to be guided by what is best for UK consumers and businesses when balancing these considerations.”

More Insights

ARC360 News – Friday 6 June 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

06-06-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 30 May 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

SERMI: What does it mean for the UK?

Bodyshop | Insurance | Mobility | People | Supplier | Technology | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

REPAIRIFY

Associate Partners

Mercedes sets new Assisted Driving standard

The Mercedes-EQ EQE achieved the highest ever score in Assisted Driving Gradings in the latest round of Euro NCAP testing.

The Gradings measure not just the safety systems in place, but the clarity of the marketing around them.

The EQE’s overall Assisted Driving rating of ‘very good’ was the best ever achieved, with an Assistance Competence score of 85%. The model also became the first to achieve a perfect Safety Back-Up result of 100%.

Matthew Avery, Chief Research Strategy Officer, Thatcham Research, said, “Mercedes is a brand that appears to be getting Assisted Driving right. Driver expectations are managed successfully thanks to appropriate naming conventions and marketing that clearly positions system function as ‘assisted’.

“The driver is encouraged to understand that it’s a team effort involving cooperative driving between motorist and machine, as opposed to becoming convinced that they can check-out completely.”

The Mercedes-EQ EQE was one of seven vehicles that went through rigorous impact protection and crash avoidance testing and a separate Assisted Driving Grading.

The Atto 3 from Chinese manufacturer BYD received a five-star rating, as did the BMW 2 Series Active Tourer, BMW X1, SEAT Ibiza and VW Golf, while the Citroën C5 X and Mobilize Limo were given four-star ratings.

More Insights

ARC360 News – Friday 6 June 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

06-06-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 30 May 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

SERMI: What does it mean for the UK?

Bodyshop | Insurance | Mobility | People | Supplier | Technology | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

REPAIRIFY

Associate Partners

Solera updates paint material prices

Solera Audatex updated its paint materials table on Thursday, 13 October, for its Irish customers.

The updates were made to bring the table into line with recent paint manufacturer price changes, which shows an indicative average increase of 19% on the calculated paint and materials.

The company said, “These calculations are based upon updated paint material tables represented by the basket of paint brands used in our system. Please note that this is an indicative percentage for guidance purposes only, as the actual increase per job will depend on a number of factors including the specific paint operations (new part, surface, repair), paint type, and the surface to be prepared/painted (metal versus plastic).”

More Insights

ARC360 News – Friday 6 June 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

06-06-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 30 May 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

SERMI: What does it mean for the UK?

Bodyshop | Insurance | Mobility | People | Supplier | Technology | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

REPAIRIFY

Associate Partners

RWC secures Ford training contract

Milton Keynes-based training provider RWC Training has announced a new partnership with Skillnet to deliver Ford’s Body and Paint Apprenticeship programme.

Apprentices have already embarked on their training at RWC’s state-of-the-art facilities.

The national programme will deliver a continued pipeline of qualified level 3 Vehicle Paint technicians for the UK Ford Collision Centre Network (FCCN), and open the door to many more would-be technicians.

The announcement compliments the training RWC already delivers for Ford at its Dagenham factory and at the Henry Ford Academy.

RWC founder and director Rob Ward said, “The team at RWC are extremely proud to have been appointed by Skillnet to deliver the apprenticeship scheme and develop the skills and knowledge of many young people employed across the Ford network.”

More Insights

ARC360 News – Friday 6 June 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

06-06-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 30 May 2025

Bodyshop | Environment | Finance | Insurance | Mobility | People | Salvage | Supplier | Technology | Training | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

SERMI: What does it mean for the UK?

Bodyshop | Insurance | Mobility | People | Supplier | Technology | Vehicle Repair | vehicle sales | Words

30-05-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

REPAIRIFY

Associate Partners