The Vella Group has officially opened its second LV= Sole Supply Site based in Knowsley, Liverpool.
The LV= Green Heart Standard site has been operating since September 2020 with the official opening ceremony delayed due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The event – held on Thursday 10 March – included demonstrations from a host of business partners including PPG, LKQ Corporation, UPOL, and asTech – Driven by Repairify, as well as members of the Vella Group technical training team on hand to show the complexities of EV management.
The event too provided much chance for informal dialogue on the problems and possible solutions within the industry at this time. Recurring themes centred on the current issues around parts scarcity and how true partnerships, such as this, help eliminate supply chain friction.
Gill Nowell, Head of Electric Vehicle at LV’s ElectriX electric car insurance brand, performed the official ribbon cutting on the day.
Gill said, “It was fantastic to see the LV= Green Heart Standard in action – from all-staff training on electric cars, to fully implemented energy efficiency measures, and electric courtesy cars offered to help increase adoption. It turns the perhaps more traditional view of a repair bodyshop on its head.
“It was an honour to be asked to cut the ribbon.”
Michael Golding, Network Manager at LV said, “The LV= and Vella Group relationship is a demonstration of what is achievable in today’s industry if you share the same joint ambitions and values.”
ILC Business Graduate Harry Kelly who attended the event which also acted as his first insight into the workings of a vehicle repair operation said, “The business model LV= uses with the sole supply sites is fascinating. It’s a relationship built on trust which allows the bodyshop to do what they’re good at and ensures everyone involved is working to maximise efficiency and deliver the best outcome for the customer.”
