Vehicle Repair Archives - Page 6 of 106

NBRA seeks feedback on EDAM administration

30 January 2025

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

The NBRA is working with the administrators of the EDAM Group, Interpath, to support any bodyshops impacted by the announcement on 6 January that the business is closing.

It has taken legal advice and is now urging any repairers with unpaid invoices, vehicles still on site or repairs that have not yet commenced to contact the NBRA at bodyshops@rmif.co.uk with relevant details.

It has also created a survey https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/8ZPGS67 to assist bodyshops provide the necessary information, and will then collate the details before deciding on the best way to present a coordinated and centralised response.

EDAM Group, which provided drivers with credit hire and post-accident repair services, reported losses of £2.8m for the year ending 31 March 2023.

More Insights

ARC360 Conference 2025: Unpacking the future of claims and collision repair

16-04-2025

Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

14-04-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

11-04-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

Associate Partners

Charles Trent unveils green Parts Portal

30 January 2025

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

Charles Trent has launched its innovative B2B Parts Portal to help businesses source and order high-quality green parts.

The portal provides instant access to Charles Trent’s live database of over 100,000 quality-assured green parts, all available for next-day delivery.

With features such as detailed part images, part number look up and the ability to upload Audatex Reports or Autoflow parts estimates, repairers can now identify and order multiple parts in under 90 seconds.

This seamless process ensures businesses save time and reduce lead times while gaining confidence in the quality and compatibility of the parts ordered.

Jordon Trent, Customer Service Director, said, “We believe repairers shouldn’t have to wait for answers about green parts availability, pricing, or lead times. That’s why we’ve developed a user-friendly platform that gives instant real-time access to our entire stock, allowing repairers to easily find and order green parts.

“Searching for the right parts is simple – search by part number, registration, and part type, or upload an Audatex or Autoflow parts assessment to quickly identify all the parts needed for a repair in one go.

“Our platform lets you browse detailed images to confirm grading and select from available options for added convenience. And the best part? Order before 3 pm and your parts will be delivered the next day.”

More Insights

ARC360 Conference 2025: Unpacking the future of claims and collision repair

16-04-2025

Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

14-04-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

11-04-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

Associate Partners

Apprenticeship Central gears us for National Apprenticeship Week

29 January 2025

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

Apprenticeship Central is urging bodyshops to tackle the skills crisis in the industry by tapping into the apprenticeship talent pipeline.

The industry recruitment specialists focuses on helping repairers fill the skills gaps in key roles, from Paint Technicians, Panel Technicians, MET Technicians, Multi-Skilled Technicians, Vehicle Damage Assessors, and Business Support Administrators.

To inspire the sector to act, it is celebrating Apprenticeship Week from 10-15 February by offering reduced prices on its two core services – RECRUIT and RETAIN.

RECRUIT is a robust candidate search and employment solution, managing multi-channel recruitment campaigns to attract young, local talent both online and through partnerships with local schools and colleges.

RETAIN delivers support for employers in retaining young apprentices by addressing the unique challenges of managing and mentoring the next generation.

The company said, “With the average age of skilled technicians nearing 50, investing in young talent is no longer optional—it’s essential. This National Apprenticeship Week, businesses have the opportunity to strengthen their commitment to apprentices and demonstrate dedication to nurturing the next generation of skilled workers. Whether you need help recruiting new talent or retaining your current apprentices, reach out to the team to discuss how to take advantage of the savings on offer.”

More Insights

ARC360 Conference 2025: Unpacking the future of claims and collision repair

16-04-2025

Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

14-04-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

11-04-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

Associate Partners

ARC360 conference draws leading sector wide interest

29 January 2025

Bodyshop, Environment, Finance, Insurance, Mobility, Supplier, Technology, Vehicle Repair, vehicle sales and Words

More than 20 major insurance brands and over 50 of the sectors leading repairers have already confirmed their support of ARC360’s 2025 conference which takes place on Thursday 22 May at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon.

Set to deliver the most engaging and interactive automotive incident repair/motor insurance claims focused event of the year, ARC360 will discuss the business-critical areas to impact the industry bringing together industry leaders to share experience, insight and knowledge.

The leading insurers already confirmed to attend include: Ageas Insurance Ltd, Aioi Nissay Dowa Europe, Allianz, Arch Insurance, Aviva Insurance, Broker Direct plc, Collingwood Insurance Services Ltd, Covéa Insurance, Direct Commercial Ltd, Direct Line Group, esure, First Central Services UK Ltd, Hastings Direct, Inshur Inc, LV= General Insurance, Markerstudy Insurance Services Ltd, NFU Mutual, Sabre Insurance plc, Tesco Underwriting, Trinity Claims and Zurich Insurance.

Some of the leading repairer brands set to attend include: Autocraft Telford Ltd, Castle Coachworks (Northampton) Ltd, Chaplane Accident Repair Centre, ChipsAway, Drive Motor Retail Ltd, Edenbridge Accident Repair Centre Ltd, Evolution Repair Group, Fix Auto UK, Fylde Coast Accident Repair Centre, Halo Accident Repair Centre Ltd, HB Accident Repair Network Ltd, Ipswich Accident Repair Centre, KC Autos, Mustoe’s Specialist Vehicle Body Repairs, Peggs Accident Repair Centre, Rapid Repair Network, Steer Automotive Group Ltd, The Vella Group, and Zeus Accident Repair Centre Ltd.

Titled: A new era – the changing dynamics of a sector, the event will provide attendees with an understanding of the current market dynamics, the impacts they are having and what it means for the future of business; an insight into what is top of insurer priorities and what solutions you can offer; chance to contribute to how we all have a role to play in making the industry ‘future fit’; interaction with industry experts on how their specific sectors are evolving and the opportunities it is creating; and the ability to align with the opportunities the future industry will bring.

The event is supported by ARC360 Corporate Partners: BASF, CAPS, Entegral, Enterprise, NWVA, Mirka, S&G Response and Solera Audatex, along with Partners e2e, Prasco and Repairify, and Vehicle Manufacturer Partner Stellantis. Event sponsors include Activate Group and Thatcham Research.

To find out more about the event – including the sponsorship opportunities available and how to purchase tickets – contact Liane on liane@iloveclaims.com

For a full insight into last year’s occasion, click here to read the Better Tomorrow post-event publication. https://iloveclaims.com/previous_events/arc360-2024-future-technology/

More Insights

ARC360 Conference 2025: Unpacking the future of claims and collision repair

16-04-2025

Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

14-04-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

11-04-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

Associate Partners

ARC360 News – Friday 24 January 2025

24 January 2025

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

Major names revealed for ARC360 conference

Paul Llewellyn, Head of Claims (Motor), Ageas; Peter Randhawa, Director of ESG & Special Projects, Steer Automotive Group; and Victoria Turner, CEO, National Accident Repair Group are three of the major names set for ARC360’s conference agenda in May.

Motofix Exeter is undergoing an £850,000 upgrade with a focus on sustainability. This includes new roofing and cladding to tackle heat loss and improve energy efficiency, LED motion-sensitive lighting and upgraded STL energy-efficient spraybooth technology.

Komoo has announced that the full organisation has achieved carbon neutrality in accordance with PAS 2060.

Mustoe Specialist Vehicle Body Repairs has announced it has become an official Renault/Dacia Approved Accident Repair Centre for the Caldicot, Monmouthshire

Summers Accident Repair Centre has increased its vehicle manufacturer approvals to 12 with Hyundai Motor joining its portfolio.

Gemini ARC has announced thatrecently qualified, Vitaly Simonenko, a past apprentice from Gemini Manchester, has received a Mac Tools toolbox, generously donated by LV= General Insurance through its latest Toolbox Design Competition.

Liam Fussell has started a new position as Group Technical Manager at Page Automotive Group.

ALLDATA Europe will host workshop owners and technicians at Colchester-based Shaikly Motor Company in March to explore repair solutions, share industry expertise and tackle the technical and business challenges shaping the automotive aftermarket.

Volkswagen Passat secures Safety Award victory thanks to well-rounded safety performance

Automotive Risk Intelligence company Thatcham Research is announcing the winner of the What Car? Safety Award 2025. After a rigorous judging process by a panel of experts from Thatcham Research, What Car? and Euro NCAP, the Volkswagen Passat was crowned 2025’s safest car at last night’s What Car? Car of the Year ceremony. Full story

Hyundai Motor Group expands testing and R&D facilities in Europe

Hyundai Motor Group (the Group) is bolstering its leading role as an innovator and driver of change in the automotive industry by expanding its research and development (R&D) facilities in Europe by more than 25,000 sqm. Full story

NIO recognised in Corporate Knights’ 2025 Global 100

On January 22, 2025, Corporate Knights, a renowned independent media and investment research company based in Toronto, Canada, has released its 2025 Global 100, the ranking of the world’s 100 most sustainable corporations. NIO has once again earned a place on this prestigious list, ranking 13th out of 8,359 evaluated companies worldwide. Full story

Suzuki opens doors to new dealership in Cheltenham

Suzuki GB PLC has opened a new dealership in Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, operated by Baylis Group. The dealership offers over 500 used cars and has created up to 15 new jobs. Full story

Jaguar Land Rover to axe up to 200 workers in fresh blow for car giant

Up to 200 workers at Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) Halewood site could be set for redundancy before the end of this financial year, as the company has launched a voluntary redundancy scheme. The Merseyside factory is offering eligible employees the chance to leave, which includes an early retirement programme. Full story

Canoo Inc. Announces Chapter 7 Bankruptcy Filing

Canoo Inc, a high-tech advanced mobility and energy company, has filed a voluntary petition for relief under Chapter 7 of the US Bankruptcy Code. The filing, made with the US Bankruptcy Court for Delaware, will result in the federal appointment of a Bankruptcy Trustee to oversee the liquidation of the Company’s assets and the distribution of proceeds to creditors. Full story

Trump considers 10% tariff on China from February

US President Donald Trump has said he is considering imposing a 10% tariff on imports of Chinese-made goods as soon as 1 February.Trump said discussions with his administration were “based on the fact that they’re sending fentanyl to Mexico and Canada.” Full story

Richard Hammond and The Smallest Cog Team join AutoRaise as Patrons

AutoRaise has welcomed Richard Hammond and his team at The Smallest Cog as Patrons of the charity. This partnership marks a significant step forward in inspiring and supporting young talent in the vehicle repair industry, reinforcing the value of apprenticeships as a sustainable solution to the sector’s skills shortage. Full story

2024 in Motor Claims, and Projections for 2025

With 2024 now behind us, insurers have their sights set firmly on what 2025 will bring for their motor claims supply chains, repair partnerships, and policyholder expectations.

With EVs firmly entering the mainstream, repair capacity challenges easing, and premium prices stabilising, the year ahead will likely bring new challenges, and equally opportunities for insurers and their partners to navigate. Full story

Walking the Sahara Desert for BEN

On 26 February Martyn Rowley, Executive Director, NBRA and VBRA, will walk 100km across the Sahara Desert to raise funds for automotive charity Ben. He will join Karen Jakes, Group Product Manager – Automotive & Repair at Thatcham Research, and nine other automotive industry leaders, on the five-day trek in temperatures likely to exceed 35°C. Full story

Apprenticeship Central unveils exclusive National Apprenticeship Week promotion

This National Apprenticeship Week, Apprenticeship Central is stepping up to encourage businesses to make a meaningful investment in the future of their workforce. From 10-15 February, bodyshops will be able to take advantage of reduced prices on Apprenticeship Central’s core services: RECRUIT and RETAIN. Full story

Admiral data reveals pothole claims in the UK rose by 62% in the past two years

The latest data from our UK business, Admiral Car Insurance, reveals that the number of pothole-related claims continued to climb in 2024 and was 14% higher than 2023 – with a whopping 62% rise in the last two years. Admiral’s data shows pothole related claims have increased by 175% since 2016, and 2024 is set to be a record year for them. Full story

50% Increase in drug driver deaths – AA Charitable Trust

There has been a 50% jump in drivers killed in collisions where the driver was under the influence of drugs, according to The AA Charitable Trust. Between 2022 and 2023 drivers killed under the influence of drugs increased from 96 to 144 – the highest for five years. Full story

The IMI celebrates automotive excellence as it announces shortlist for Annual Awards

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has announced the shortlist for its Annual Awards, with winners to be announced at the IMI Annual Dinner held at the Intercontinental Hotel on Park Lane on 12th March 2025. This highly anticipated industry event celebrates excellence and honours the talented individuals and influential organisations shaping the future of the automotive sector. Full story

Defaqto names Admiral a ‘Trailblazer’ for innovation in electric vehicle cover

With an increasing number of consumers looking to insure electric cars, the insurance market is responding with many providing specific benefits that relate to these vehicles. Now a pioneer of this market has been identified by Defaqto. Full story

German courts dismiss Stellantis appeal around access to vehicle data

Courts in Germany have dismissed an appeal by Stellantis against a ruling that said barriers imposed by vehicle manufacturers on access to vehicle repair data is illegal. The Higher Regional Court of Cologne (HRCC) found in favour of Belron company Carglass last May when it ruled that independent repairers should have access to essential OEM repair data. Full story

Adrian Serjeant has been appointed Commercial Manager at Auto Plas Bumper Recycling.

James Daye has been named CV & LIC Business Development Manager at LKQ Bodyshop Division.

More Insights

ARC360 Conference 2025: Unpacking the future of claims and collision repair

16-04-2025

Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

14-04-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

11-04-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

Associate Partners

Apprenticeship Central unveils exclusive National Apprenticeship Week promotion

22 January 2025

Mobility, People, Supplier, Technology, Training, Vehicle Repair and Words

This National Apprenticeship Week, Apprenticeship Central is stepping up to encourage businesses to make a meaningful investment in the future of their workforce.

From 10-15 February, bodyshops will be able to take advantage of reduced prices on Apprenticeship Central’s core services: RECRUIT and RETAIN.

RECRUIT delivers a robust candidate search and employment solution, managing multi-channel recruitment campaigns to attract young, local talent both online and through partnerships with local schools and colleges. This service is designed to streamline the hiring process and connect businesses with enthusiastic, qualified apprentices ready to contribute to the industry.

RETAIN supports the long term success of apprenticeships by acting as a vital link between apprentices, bodyshop contacts and training providers. It ensures that progress is monitored, challenges are addressed and communication remains open across all stakeholders. Through regular reviews, the service provides apprentices with a trusted outlet to raise personal or workplace concerns and for the team to manage any safeguarding issues. The goal is to develop highly skilled, valued team members who are ready to make meaningful contributions upon completion of their apprenticeship.

This week-long promotion is a prime opportunity for businesses to strengthen their commitment to apprentices and demonstrate dedication to nurturing the next generation of skilled workers.

More Insights

ARC360 Conference 2025: Unpacking the future of claims and collision repair

16-04-2025

Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

14-04-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

11-04-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

Associate Partners

Richard Hammond and The Smallest Cog Team join AutoRaise as Patrons

22 January 2025

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

AutoRaise has welcomed Richard Hammond and his team at The Smallest Cog as Patrons of the charity.

This partnership marks a significant step forward in inspiring and supporting young talent in the vehicle repair industry, reinforcing the value of apprenticeships as a sustainable solution to the sector’s skills shortage.

As Patrons, The Smallest Cog team will bring their expertise, influence, and passion for craftsmanship to elevate AutoRaise’s mission of securing the future of the industry.

This collaboration will highlight the importance of technical apprenticeships as a pathway to meaningful careers, engage with industry stakeholders to foster innovation and opportunities for young talent, and promote diversity and inclusion within the vehicle repair sector.

A shared mission

AutoRaise connects apprentices with training providers, bodyshops, and industry mentors to ensure every apprentice receives the support they need to succeed.

By joining as Patrons, The Smallest Cog will participate in initiatives that raise awareness about the transformative power of apprenticeships, contribute to the development of structured training programmes that prepare apprentices for the evolving demands of the industry, and inspire the next generation by showcasing the craftsmanship and career potential within the sector.

Director of the Smallest Cog, Richard Hammond, said, “The future of the vehicle repair industry depends on the passion and skills of the next generation. AutoRaise is doing incredible work to pave the way for young people to join this trade, and I’m proud to be part of their evolving journey. Together, we can ensure this industry remains vibrant, innovative, and accessible for years to come.”

AutoRaise MD Emma Speed added, “Having The Smallest Cog team as Patrons is a tremendous step forward for AutoRaise. Their influence and dedication to craftsmanship align perfectly with our vision of fostering young talent and securing the future of the automotive repair industry.”

Dave Sargeant, Chair of AutoRaise added, “Welcoming Richard Hammond and The Smallest Cog as Patrons amplifies our message and brings invaluable support to our mission.”

More Insights

ARC360 Conference 2025: Unpacking the future of claims and collision repair

16-04-2025

Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

14-04-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

11-04-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

Associate Partners

Major names revealed for ARC360 conference

22 January 2025

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

Taking place on Thursday 22 May at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon – the conference is again set to deliver the most engaging and interactive automotive incident repair/motor insurance claims focused event of the year. Discussing the business-critical areas to impact the industry, ARC360 will bring together industry leaders to share experience, insight and knowledge to align with ARC360’s ethos of ‘gaining ground together’.

Key industry influencers already confirmed to attend include:

Leading insurers: Ageas, ANDE, Allianz, Arch, Aviva, Broker Direct, Collingwood, Covea, Direct Commercial, Direct Line Group, esure, First Central, Hastings Direct, Inshur, LV=, NFU Mutual, Sabre, Tesco Underwriting and Zurich Insurance

Key repairers such as: Brian Robson Coachworks, Castle Coachworks (Northampton) Ltd, Chaplane Accident Repair Centre, Devonshire Motors Accident Repair Centre, Drive Motor Retail Ltd, Fix Auto UK, Fylde Coast Accident Repair Centre, Halo Accident Repair Centre Ltd, KC Autos, Peggs Accident Repair Centre, Rapid Repair Network, Steer Automotive Group Ltd, The Vella Group and Vizion Network Ltd

To find out more about the event – including the sponsorship opportunities available and how to purchase tickets – contact Liane on liane@iloveclaims.com

For a full insight into last year’s occasion, click here to read the Better Tomorrow post-event publication.

More Insights

ARC360 Conference 2025: Unpacking the future of claims and collision repair

16-04-2025

Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

14-04-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

11-04-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

Associate Partners

ARC360 News – Friday 17 January 2025

17 January 2025

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

Leading repairers set for ARC360 2025

Many of the UK’s leading repairers have already confirmed their support of ARC360’s 2025 conference which takes place on Thursday 22 May at the British Motor Museum, Gaydon.

Titled ‘A new era – the changing dynamics of a sector’, the event will deliver the most engaging and interactive automotive incident repair/motor insurance claims focused event of the year. Full story

Repairer News

Gemini ARC has celebrated the loyalty of its team with an impressive 21.5% of its workforce earning long-service awards for over 10 or 20 years of dedication.

Turners Accident Repair has unveiled its seventh site in Chester-Le-Street, Durham. The 16,000 sqft repair centre follows an investment of more than £700,000. Full story

Fix Auto UK has announced that the group has reached a remarkable milestone after recording £1bn in deployed sales into the ever-growing franchised network as it continues its upward trajectory. Full story

Fix Auto Caldicot has officially got Renault/ Dacia to join our manufacturer approvals alongside Stellantis & Suzuki.

Dave Willett has left M&M Vehicle Repairs after 37 years.

Fix Auto UK’s Managing Director Ian Pugh has been appointed as Group Managing Director to the newly formed Advantage Group of Companies. The UK-based group encompasses Fix Auto UK, Advantage Parts Solutions UK, and Fix Auto UK’s division of owned repair centres. Full story

VM News

Implementation of ADAS technology continues to improve, as Thatcham Research announces safest car of the year shortlist

Automotive Risk Intelligence company Thatcham Research has revealed the contenders for the 2025 What Car? Safety Award, with this year’s shortlist representing the safest vehicles available on UK roads. The vehicles were chosen by Thatcham Research, Euro NCAP and What Car? judges based on Euro NCAP safety test scores alongside other criteria such as expected market volume. Full story

Euro NCAP boosts capacity with approval of DEKRA and TRANSPOLIS test centres

Euro NCAP has announced that DEKRA and TRANSPOLIS have been accredited for Euro NCAP active safety testing, formally joining its network of approved testing facilities around Europe. These facilities will build on existing expertise to successfully deliver consumer testing of passenger cars, vans, and trucks. Full story

JLR and Tata Communications to deliver smarter, data-driven connected cars

JLR has announced an enhanced partnership with Tata Communications to improve its connected vehicle ecosystem through the Tata Communications MOVE platform. The collaboration will empower JLR’s next-generation software-defined vehicles with continuous connectivity and access to intelligent services even in the remotest locations across 120 countries. Full story

BMW Group scores circular economy win with high-voltage batteries

The BMW Group has launched a pan-European partnership with SK tes, a leading provider of innovative technology lifecycle solutions. The special recycling process recovers cobalt, nickel and lithium from used batteries before returning them to the value chain to make new batteries. This closed-loop system is set to expand to the US-Mexico-Canada region as early as 2026. Full story

Polestar targets profitability in 2025; Polestar 7 will be a premium compact SUV from Europe

Polestar has unveiled an updated strategy, targeting compound annual retail sales volume growth of 30-35% for 2025 to 2027 and a positive adjusted EBITDA in 2025. Gaining commercial and operational momentum, further margin, fixed costs and working capital improvements are expected from 2026 onwards, with a positive free cash flow after investments expected in 2027. Full story

Industry News

NWVA introduces new Stolen Vehicle Recovery division

ARC360 Corporate Partner, NWVA (Nationwide Assistance Group) has introduced a new Stolen Vehicle Recovery division to tackle the rapidly increasing levels of vehicle theft across the UK. Having successfully supported police forces across the country for a number of years in the recovery of stolen vehicles, NWVA has now introduced its own all-encompassing service. Full story

Drivers neglecting basic vehicle checks

Research from eBay has revealed a significant number of drivers are neglecting basic car maintenance tasks. The data found that one in four (25%) drivers only checked their tyre pressure on a quarterly basis, while 11% admitted to only checking their tyre tread on a yearly basis. Full story

Trend Tracker – trends to look out for in 2025

Following on from the publication of its The UK Motor Claims and Body Repair Report 2024-25, Trend Tracker has been sharing predictions for 2025, a year that will deliver a raft of changes, some challenges but, promisingly, several opportunities for those willing to embrace the changes. So, what’s on the horizon for 2025 in the vehicle repair and motor claims sector? Full story

Ben shares ways for automotive people to improve wellbeing

With Blue Monday approaching on 20 January, Ben is sharing ways it can help automotive people improve their health and wellbeing in 2025. January is also a time when people consider setting new goals, and Ben’s free Life Coaching service supports automotive people to make positive changes, whether at work or home. Full story

Zenzic and IMI launch CAM skills survey

Zenzic has launched a new Connected and Automated Mobility (CAM) Skills Survey to better understand the recruitment and skills challenges facing the sector. The survey, which is being run in partnership with the Institute of the Motor Industry, is divided into four categories: current pain points, sources of hiring, activities for skills scouting, and company values and culture. Full story

Apprenticeship Central publishes white paper on apprenticeship reforms

Apprenticeship Central has published a white paper highlighting the reforms taking place within UK apprenticeships, and considering what they mean for automotive employers. Work and Pensions Secretary Liz Kendall initiated the reforms last November with the publication of the ‘Get Britain Working’ white paper. Full story

Automotive industry leaders set for Ben’s Sahara Desert Trek

A total of 11 automotive leaders will feel the heat next month in Ben’s Industry Leader Challenge Sahara Desert Trek, which is taking place from 26 February to 5 March. Divided into five teams, they will spend five days trekking across the Sahara Desert in Morocco to raise a minimum of £20,000 per team for Ben. Full story

BASF Coatings enters into a strategic partnership for the aftersales market

BASF’s Coatings division announces that BMW Group has selected the premium refinish brands Glasurit and R-M among their preferred paint brands for its aftersales network. This strategic partnership includes 50 markets where BMW Group is not present with its private label. Full story

IMI launches employment engagement survey to drive automotive talent forward

The Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) has launched a new Employment Engagement Survey to gather critical insights that will help tackle the growing skills gap in the automotive sector. This 15-minute survey invites input from employers, educators, and industry professionals to identify recruitment challenges, highlight essential skills, and improve training and education. Full story

Copart’s 2024 ESG Report highlights sustainability progress

Copart has revealed it has avoided more than 12 million metric tons of CO2e during the past financial year. Its 2024 ESG Report has revealed that the company’s global operations achieved the figure by extending the lifecycle of vehicles and harvesting green parts. Full story

People

Eddie Longworth, Founder and Director of JEL Consulting Ltd, has been named CEO of e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management.

SYNETIQ, an IAA company and one of the UK’s leading vehicle salvage, dismantling and recycling companies, has appointed Jonathan Pervin as Managing Director.

Stellantis has announced a number of key changes to its UK management team. Nicola Dobson has been appointed as Peugeot Managing Director, Giuseppe Cava as Managing Director for Fiat, Fiat Professional & Abarth, Nick Richards as Pre-Owned Vehicles Director and Tom Ray as B2B Director.

National Windscreens has appointed James Reynolds as Director of Commercial and Finance for all Cary/National Windscreens sales and revenue interests in the UK.

Auto Windscreens has appointed Mima Rybanska as new Head of Strategic Partnerships.

Garage Hive has announced the appointment of Tom Langridge as Head of Training.

More Insights

ARC360 Conference 2025: Unpacking the future of claims and collision repair

16-04-2025

Repair sector urged to act now to secure apprenticeship talents

14-04-2025

ARC360 News – Friday 11 April 2025

11-04-2025

Corporate Partners

Partners

Associate Partners

Ian Pugh appointed Group Managing Director of Advantage Group of Companies

17 January 2025

Bodyshop, People, Supplier, Vehicle Repair and Words

Fix Auto UK’s Managing Director Ian Pugh has been appointed as Group Managing Director to the newly formed Advantage Group of Companies.

The UK-based group encompasses Fix Auto UK, Advantage Parts Solutions UK, and Fix Auto UK’s division of owned repair centres, and this appointment brings together key elements of the businesses under unified leadership to drive greater synergy, efficiency, and innovation.

While Fix Auto UK and Advantage Parts Solutions will maintain their individual identities, the Advantage Group of Companies will collectively deliver value to the sector as a multi-faceted operation pairing relatable entities, parts and repairs, into a combined unique solution for the industry and other repair groups in the UK.

Fix Auto UK’s Operations Director Mark Hutchins and Commercial Director Rob Pugh will continue to report to Ian as will Andy Smith, Managing Director of Advantage Parts Solutions, and Earle Avann, who heads up the group of corporately owned repair centres.

Advantage Parts Solutions founder Bob Kirstiuk said, “Ian has successfully led Fix Auto UK for more than 13 years and during that time he has transformed the business into the UK’s leading brand of repair centres. This synergy between the three organisations will enable us to deliver exceptional value and innovation across the UK marketplace, and I’m confident that his strategic acumen and collaborative mindset will guide our teams to long-term success.”

Ian added, “As ever, my focus is to bring unified success across all of the businesses within the Advantage Group of Companies. I welcome the challenge that Bob and Tim have entrusted me with and I look forward to this new chapter for the group ensuring these businesses work collaboratively to deliver exceptional value to the marketplace.”