Gemini Accident Repair Centres Ltd unveiled the 32nd site in its expanding network during an official opening ceremony on 17 October in Luton.
Gemini Luton – the networks eighth LV= Sole Site Repairer – is headed up by highly respected industry name Mo Givian. Mo came on board as General Manager in March 2023 and has been instrumental in developing the facility from the ground up.
The opening ceremony was attended by members of the Gemini ARC senior management team, leading representatives from LV=, as well as Gemini supply partners Axalta and Repairify. Brian Hodge, Director of Motor Customer Claims at LV= and Dave Sargeant, Managing Director of Gemini ARC cut the ribbon.
Blueprint
The 8,000 sqft site supported by 17 staff is built on the ‘Gemini blueprint’ model, featuring an array of the latest equipment from partners Axalta, Car-O-Liner, Stanners and is one of several sites across the Gemini network now using an electric powered booth – planned for rollout across the network soon. A dedicated EV repair workspace, EV charge points, and ADAS equipment is all par for the course.
Dave said, “We purchased the site brand new and effectively moved Mo and his team – a previously highly successful repair business in Luton – here. It’s been a roaring success from day one. Mo is a really good operator and the business is already topping the charts for many of LV’s network measures including CSI and key-to-key.”
Focus
For Mo, joining Gemini has allowed him to focus more on the day-to-day running of the business, be part of a wider team – along with its support network – and focus on the people within.
“The prospect of joining a business that is already highly successful was clearly attractive,” explained Mo, who having successfully run his own business for a number of years, felt he had taken it as far as he could, and a change was needed.
He continued, “As a team here in Luton, we’ve been working with LV= since 2017 and by 2020 it was our most valued partner making up around 90% of our work volume. That meant the relationship and the understanding was already in place when it came to establishing this new site. The staff are the same, the customers are the same, the geography is the same – what is new is the business, the excitement I get about this place and the ability to do things the Gemini way.”
Solution
Network Manager for LV= Michael Golding highlighted how having Mo and his team partner with Gemini for the sole site has provided the insurer with an ideal solution.
“Combining our ongoing partnership with Gemini and the success of our Sole Sites with our legacy relationship with Mo and his team ticks all the boxes. We’d always wanted a dedicated site in Luton and this set-up is already proving to be a top performer within the network.”
Gemini Luton also becomes one of the first, and the first within the Gemini business, to become LV= ElectriX – LV=’s specialist EV insurance division – approved. The new standard which sees the EV element within the Green Heart Standard rehoused is aligned with the growth within the EV market and includes aspects around equipment, health and safety and upskilling.
Michael explained, “It’s really the start of the growth of the ElectriX brand and the new standard will support triage and ensure our centres have the equipment, people, processes, and safety standards in place.”
Partner
Also showing support during the day was Mark Andrews, National Sales Manager for Axalta – long-term partner of Gemini.
“We’ve been in partnership with Gemini for around 15 years now,” said Mark. “It’s great to see what they’ve achieved by incrementally growing the business in a really controlled way. And particularly now with the partnership with LV=, it all works so extremely well.
“The standardised approach they adopt throughout the business provides a clear ethos of continuous improvement ensuring we work closely with them to drive sustainability and innovation.”
An area currently under review is one of the first installs of Axalta’s Irus automated mixing scheme within a Gemini site before the end of the year.
“I just love the fact that the innovation is there, and we can continue to make a difference to our partners,” said Mark.
Gemini Luton takes the business further into the South East than it has previously been, and is also the Group’s closest site to London.
Dave said, “The new site might give some indication of our direction of travel, and we certainly see lots of opportunity before us.” Watch this space…
