Pentagon has highlighted a rise of almost 4% in its profits before tax to £4.2 million in 2015 despite incurring losses of over £600,000 integrating two new businesses into the group during the...

The concept of parts wholesaling is nothing new. The average franchise dealer will supply a certain amount of parts to the independent sector as and when they are needed and there’s profit to be made...

Winter is one of the busiest times of year for bodyshops, as poor weather and long, dark nights take their toll. Invariably the insurance claims rate is higher in the first and last quarters of the...

Return on investment within bodyshops has been falling since 2005 and is now at “an unsustainable” 5% and still dropping, according to research organisation ICDP. According to ICDP, average bodyshop...

Two high profile prosecutions in Bolton and Derby, for failing to prevent the risks to employees associated with Hand Arm Vibration Syndrome have, once again, raised the issue of statutory compliance...

A poll of repairers nationwide is reporting growth in incremental retail business by up to 30% year-on-year  The survey, conducted by iris, indicated that for an initial outlay of around...

The theory says you can. You already have a great database, customers who trust you and who use you regularly, a method of communicating with them and sufficient expertise to satisfy all of their...

While the chart below might suggest we are, once again, delving into the vagaries of the new and used car markets – we are not. No, the subject this month is bodyshops. Having just started work...

A year after Mazda UK launched Call Mazda First, its free-of-charge accident aftercare service, dealers are reporting a jump in bodyshop work. Work generated by Call Mazda First has more than doubled...

Dagenham-based body repair centre AJC Wilson has won the Train to Gain Small Employer of the Year award for 2009. Since its inception in 2000, the company’s vision has been to set an example...

by Peter Purdom If, like most business leaders, you believe people are your most important asset, health and safety has to be a top priority. However, familiarity can breed complacency and in a busy...

by Fiona Bodell Health & Safety Executive staff can make unannounced visits on premises using isocyanate-based paints. Make sure you are prepared by consulting the following checklist and taking...

When Colchester Audi opens this month, it will be Hodgson Automotive Group’s seventh Audi dealership and, like the others, a haven for best practice accident management. One of the key elements...

Some decisions in business resolve themselves. The business reasoning behind our decision to introduce an accident management scheme was that it would contribute significantly to our offer of a...

My 26 staff carry out around 220 repairs a month at Glasgow Audi and about 10% of these come to us as a direct result of the group’s accident management scheme. With our four dealerships –...

Analyse the customers using your service department on a daily basis. If they bought from you in the last two years, it’s unlikely they will be thinking of changing again and contacting them may...

If you look at the whole process of accident repair, the biggest waste is all the stopping and starting. The average cycle time in the USA is 15 days, with only around 700 minutes spent actually...

Aftersales marketing is often neglected because it is wrongly regarded as a dull area of business. The thrill of capturing the customer has passed and complacency can set in, tempting retailers to let...

With an average repair cost of £1,800, handling accident claims is serious business for vehicle repairers. It also presents an opportunity for dealers to interact and build valuable dialogue...

Courtesy cars, in the Bodyshop and Service Department, are a major monthly expense. That’s why it’s important to nominate a member of staff with specific responsibility for courtesy car...