Although there are daily fluctuations, work volumes across the UK appear to be approaching 80% of pre-pandemic levels. This is according to analysis by CAPS, which presented its findings for May during the second ARC360 on-demand.
Also featured were Steve Thompson and Chris Weeks, who provided an update on AutoRaise, and Axiom managing director Jordan Fisher, who explained how paintless dent removal (PDR) technology has shaped his business.
Volumes
Kevern Thompson, commercial manager, CAPS, explained that May had seen data fluctuate quite wildly from day-to-day. He attributed this to the number Bank Holidays during the month, suggesting these lags had created lulls and surges in claims processing.
Kevern explained, ‘But there has been an increase in the last two weeks and we’re optimistic we may be back to 80% of pre-pandemic volumes. A lot of other people are also talking about that level of return.’
Meanwhile, he said that the number of bodyshops connecting to CAPS has increased by more than 20% during the pandemic, suggesting that owners are now appreciating the value of regular, accurate data.
Long haul
He said, ‘I think they’ve realised this pandemic isn’t a light switch and we know there will be repercussions going forward. We’re in this pandemic scenario for the long-haul, and what that’s done is focus business owner’s attentions to let data do the heavy lifting. That means making sure they’re integrated and that their systems are communicating with supply chain.’
Kevern also revealed a key CAPS development that is on the cards for June, which will enhance its parts quote functionality by allowing two-way communication between bodyshops and parts vendors. Once implemented, bodyshops will be able to send the parts quote to four or five vendors, each of whom can reply independently, enabling the bodyshop to select the vendor most suitable to their needs.
AutoRaise – Mission Possible
Steve Thompson, vice chair of AutoRaise explained how focus is now centring on delivering Mission Possible, which aims to see more people entering the sector than those leaving it.
He said, ‘To do that we need to be placing around 15 apprentices a week into the industry. We’re getting two or three enquiries a week now, so we’re a long way off it. But we have the processes in place to manage that volume so we have to raise our efforts a notch.’
He pointed to greater use of social media platforms to promote the industry beyond its borders, using different platforms to target different demographics, and urged industry stakeholders to share AutoRaise posts to spread the word further.
Attracting repairers
Meanwhile, Chris admitted it is still a challenge attracting repairers willing to take on apprentices.
He said, ‘If you’re a small repairer or an owner/operator, it can be so daunting to take on an apprentice. So we are trying to make sure that all the support they need is there for them. We are ensuring they have the necessary guidance around funding and are able to provide step-by-step assistance. We have to ensure there is support all the way through the process.’
Axiom – getting going
Despite the challenges of the last 14 months, there have still been success stories.
Axiom opened its first site in January 2020, barely a couple of months before Lockdown 1, and after encouraging signs of recovery in the summer it took the plunge by opening a second site in September, only for Lockdown 2 to follow just weeks later.
‘It hasn’t felt like we’ve been able to get going properly,’ said Jordan Fisher, managing director.
Despite these setbacks though, the company’s unique proposition has enabled it to ride these bumps.
Established in America initially to use paintless dent repair (PDR) technology on hail-damaged vehicles, the strategy has since evolved and now employs PDR and Symach drying technology to deliver more comprehensive repairs. However, if the damage can’t be completely repaired this way it is reduced to its smallest size prior to conventional repair.
Method of repair
Jordan explained, ‘Every vehicle that arrives on site gets fully appraised as to what method of repair it will go though, with PDR being the main focus. So it’s about trying to reduce a four-panel repair into a two-panel repair, for example. It’s not a cost-saving exercise. It’s a time-saving exercise, but that will reduce cost in the supply chain eventually.’
This novel approach will be duplicated at multiple sites around the country as Axiom begins an ambitious growth phase from its Peterborough base.
Jordan concluded, ‘We may expand the Peterborough site to allow for a commercial booth in the future, but it’s more about the expansion outside of Peterborough. That’s where the focus will be.’
ARC360, in association with I Love Claims, is supported by corporate partners BASF, BMS, Copart, EMACS, Entegral, Enterprise Rent-a-Car, Mirka, Nationwide Vehicle Recovery Assistance, S&G Response, Sherwin Williams and CAPS; partners asTech, The Green Parts Specialists, Indasa, Innovation Group and Prasco UK.
