The power of partnerships
Many of the challenges facing the automotive aftermarket are larger than any one organisation, and overcoming them will require a willingness to work together that might not come naturally to ambitious and competing businesses.
That was the message from webinARC 3.9 entitled, A joined up approach, which saw panellists Michael Holding, network manager, LV=, and Andrew Walsh, founder and CEO of AW Repair Group, explain how their close partnership has reaped dividends in key areas such as technology, the environment and staffing.
IRS backs Halo
Halo Accident Repair Centre Ltd has been backed by German based IRS Group.
The move continues the IRS Group’s expansion and growth course in Europe. Brands already under its portfolio include Cryns by Damage in Belgium, Dent Wizard in Germany and pierre.dk in Denmark and Sweden.
In a statement, Bradley Hanson, Managing Director and Co-Owner of HALO, said, “The core component of this partnership with the IRS Group is to provide UK motor insurers with the unique and exceptional HALO repair experience for all of their customers in the years to come. UK insurers can rest assured that HALO ‘powered by IRS’ is building its people, sustainability and future accident repair experience at the top of its strategic planning.”
With the new partnership, IRS Group now has 2,500 employees across 170 locations.
Fraud value up, along with detection
Despite a fall in the overall number of insurance frauds detected in 2020, both the value of the average fraud and fraud detection rates increased on 2019.
The number of detected fraudulent claims fell to 96,000 down 10% on 2019 to the lowest since 2007. Their value, at £1.1bn, also fell on the previous year, but at a lower rate of four per cent. This resulted in a rise in the value of the average fraud detected to £12,000, up six per cent on 2019.
Detected motor frauds fell by six per cent to 55,000, while their value fell by only one per cent to £602m. However, detection rates rose – by number up 0.55 percentage points to 2.05% and by value up 1.31 percentage points to six per cent.
S&G rolls out Service WITH Respect
S&G Response has rolled out the ‘Service WITH Respect’ initiative alongside the Institute of Customer Service, adopting a zero tolerance approach to hostility and abuse towards employees.
Headed by Supply Chain Manager, Sean Harper, S&G’s repair network has welcomed the approach.
Managing Director, Jason Gough of D Walton Accident Repair in Manchester, said, “Wellbeing and mental health are as important to us as they are to S&G Response. We know that mental wellbeing has a huge impact on our people and the support from S&G Response in tackling behaviours that may adversely affect the wellbeing of our people is truly invaluable.”
Activate opens site number six
Activate Accident Repair has opened its Newcastle hi-tech bodyshop, strengthening its position in the North East of England.
The new 20,000sqft site – which completed its first job at the end of September – is situated two miles from Newcastle city-centre and, as with all the existing sites, is purpose built.
DeAnna takes top honours
DeAnna Avis, National Customer Experience Lead at Solus Accident Repair has been named Inspiring Automotive Woman of the Year 2021.
Sponsored by Jardine Motors Group for the third year running, the Automotive 30% Club’s Inspiring Automotive Women Awards aim to recognise the incredible female talent within the automotive industry.
DeAnna was recognised ‘For the strength of DeAnna’s commitment to the cause of gender balance and inclusion both in Solus and in the wider sector, and founding the Solus Balance Community’.
Fix Yeovil open for business
Fix Auto Yeovil is fully operational with vehicles being repaired at the West Country repair centre developed over the summer by brothers Terry and Chris Clemens.
Crucially, while the fourth site established by the duo is a major milestone in their continued expansion strategy, it is also a significant development in Fix Auto UK’s ongoing drive for complete national coverage.
The 5,500sqft repair centre situated near to the town’s main arterial road fills a void for the network, sitting perfectly between the Clemens’ existing Fix Auto Portsmouth, Fix Auto Bournemouth and Fix Auto Isle of Wight repair centres and Fix Auto Mid Devon, Fix Auto Newton Abbot and Fix Auto Paignton together with the well-established Franchise Partners in Weston-super-Mare and within the city of Bristol.
