PPG take us into the new era

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Last week our Managing Director, Andrew Walsh attended the invite-only PPG Refinish UK new product launch event, held in Madrid.

PPG’s latest product, MoonWalk was showcased at the Motor & Sport Institute, Madrid and is set to revolutionise the way we mix paint in bodyshops.

MoonWalk promotes a no waste and mess, automated and accurate process of mixing paint. Reducing human error, the automated procedure increases technician productivity, with less in-can waste and 100% mixing accuracy, it’s a profitable step forward for the modern-day bodyshop.

Andrew Walsh commented, “This bodyshop solution PPG have created over the past 3 years is revolutionary. Being able to reduce or eliminate product waste is a huge step forward. 100% mixing accuracy and no manual mixing, creating greater efficiency, cost savings, increased productivity and speeding up the overall customer repair journey.”

2019 AutoRaise REAL Rally

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The REAL Rally, now named The AutoRaise REAL Rally, this year took the participants up to Scotland, following previous years in Europe and last year in Wales.

The entry criteria for the charity rally stipulates that vehicles must be bought for under £1,000 and each team must raise a minimum of £500 for the charity…challenge accepted!

This is the first time AW Repair Group have joined the rally, however after seeing previous years decided we would accept the challenge and join in to raise funds for the industry charity addressing the skills shortage in the body repair industry, AutoRaise.

After entering two teams, we wanted the cars to be quirky, reliable and fun… after-all we had a 604-mile round trip to complete! Two Toyota Celica’s later and £750 spent on each car, challenge one done & our work was underway to make them rally ready.

Challenge two, raising £500 per team. A huge thank you to our sponsors, PPG Refinish UK, Perrys Motors, Car-O-Liner, Upol UK, Junair Spraybooths, AGM Services & JD Garage Equipment, we raised £2,500 for the charity!

Our apprentices who are following the multi-skilled repair technician programme, which was trailblazed by AutoRaise worked on the cars, ensuring all the mechanical aspects were spot on and prepping and painting the vehicles, under the watchful eye of their mentors. Two slightly different paint designs and two very eye-catching colours later gave us an outstanding finish (and no, they haven’t been wrapped). It was great to see the passion and enthusiasm of our apprentices who were working on the cars, as they were coming on the rally with us. As the only apprentices who were on the rally, they felt extremely proud to have been part of creating the cars great appearance and being able to enjoy the rally and experience what all of the other teams had done.

Cars complete, we set off…

Tuesday 24th June
Team one left a very wet & dreary head office in Sleaford and took off to meet team two at our site in Nottingham. Arriving in an even wetter Nottingham, we got together and headed for the M1, to begin our journey up North to pre-rally meeting point in Durham.

The journey was… interesting!

The cars were perfect, but the weather, not so much. Fog lights illuminated we carried on regardless and made the 150+ mile trip in our two 16+ year old Toyota Celica’s.

Pulling into the Ramside Hotel & Spa in Durham we felt a little like the odd ones out, in our bright Orange & Blue Celica’s.

Not wanting to miss a moment of the culture we jumped back in the cars a few hours later and headed into Durham.

 

Wednesday 25th June

Opening the curtains, I expected much the same weather as the previous day, however was pleasantly surprised when I was met with slightly better weather and just light drizzle!

Dressed in our fancy dress, two Knights due to team name AW Nottingham Knights (and our MD being named as 2018 Industry Knight by ABP Club) and two as pilots as a nod to Lincolnshire HQ’s aviation roots.

 

 

With BBC Look North filming the event our two apprentices were quickly being quizzed and filmed in their car – watch the footage on our YouTube channel, click here.

9:30am we were all on our way to the morning meeting point, Tower Knowe Visitor Centre. We entered Kielder Forster and the roads were brilliant, giving our Celica’s a chance to stretch their legs, plus the sun was shining – why had we all been so worried?!

Pulling into Tower Knowe Visitor Centre we were greeted by some stunning views and of course 70+ other rally cars!

Stopping only once at the Scottish Borders for some photos & a could not miss opportunity to add an extra sticker to the Scottish Border sign, two and a half hours later, great driving roads and glorious weather we arrived at our next stop- Edinburgh Zoo.

On arrival we were challenged to get the best selfie with an animal in the zoo, see our entry… some friendly Lemurs made our job much easier!

 

Clearly taking this challenge extremely seriously, by the time we’d exited the zoo we were about the last of the rally cars left.

Onwards for the final 3 miles we made it into Edinburgh.

The evening meet up point was SKYbar Edinburgh, the views of Edinburgh Castle in the sun were amazing & the photos really don’t do it justice.

Two awards were presented at the SKYbar, one to the best dressed team: well done to ‘Celts on Tour’ (Think we’re all still trying to get Mark Bull’s costume out of our minds) and well done to ‘Gemini Rotherham – Thailand’ for winning best dressed car.

 

Thursday 26th June
The last day of the rally…
We left Edinburgh and made our way to Leith Docks for the morning meet-up point. The sun again was shining and the views of the harbour were stunning, of course we couldn’t miss a photo op with the backdrop and got many honks & sirens by passing rallyers when we pulled off the main road to get some pics.

Onwards to Peebles for the final stop, arriving at 12.30 with lunch being served outside, again with spectacular views over the countryside before being split into our teams for an afternoon activity.

On offer was; Highland Games, Brewery Tour & Afternoon tea.

We opted for the Brewery Tour. On entering the nano brewery we met the brewer, learned about the different hops & barley’s, had a few samples & were gifted a bottle.

Following the tour we had the chance to watch the other teams participating in the Highland Games & reflect on the last few days we’d had.

Being the last night, a Gala Dinner was held and a few more awards presented.

The best selfie with an animal was awarded to me! (See entry above) thanks Lemurs!

The Epic Fail was awarded to the same team, third time in a row, ‘The Tossers’ for arriving in Peebles expecting to go back to Edinburgh and having not checked out or brought any of their luggage… back to Edinburgh they went!

The highest fundraiser within Gemini was announced as Rotherham and the highest fundraiser outside Gemini with a staggering £5,500 was ‘The Proclaimers’ Rye Street Group- well done guys!

With a few drinks down our necks the rodeo bull in the gardens looking appealing, I, of course had to have a go, whilst it felt like I was on there an eternity (after eventually making it on) it turns out I only managed 20 seconds!

 

 

It has been a brilliant trip, organised extremely well & everyone has had a grin since Tuesday, the pre-rally evening.

A huge thank you to Bob, Morag, Emelia & the support team for the AutoRaise REAL Rally for the fantastic job they have done organising such a great event. It’s not easy arranging such a sizable event (and trying to control us rowdy lot) however, everything ran so smoothly & everyone I’ve spoken to have absolutely loved it! 👏

CLICK HERE TO WATCH THE BBC LOOK NORTH FOOTAGE OF THE STARTING GRID OF THE RALLY

Thanks again guys,

Jade

 

AutoRaise REAL Rally

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AW Nottingham Knights & AW 63 Squadron are soon to set off on their voyage to the glorious Scottish Highlands with the AutoRaise REAL Rally.

Inspired by recent events, team name ‘AW Nottingham Knights’ was chosen as Managing Director Andrew Walsh was named 2018 Industry Knight by ABP at their annual Night of Knights event, whilst ‘AW 63 Squadron’ is a nod to the aviation roots and heritage of company HQ in Lincolnshire.

With the first day being compulsory fancy dress, keep your eye out for a social media posting of our teams dressed rather appropriately (and we’re sure you’ll have a laugh too)!

The two eye-catching corporate Blue & Orange painted Toyota Celica’s are setting off on their journey Tuesday lunchtime ahead of meeting the rest of the teams on the starting grid on Wednesday morning at Ramside Hall Hotel, Durham, before heading further up north into Edinburgh over the following days.

Throughout the rally AW will be active on social media and their blog, so make sure you’re following AW on all platforms.

The Rally challenges teams to buy a vehicle for no more than £1,000 and upgrade inhouse to potential winning status. Two of AW’s young apprentices have been involved in preparing the vehicles which will be driven by Ben Hissitt, Jade Johnson and two of the groups apprentices, Will Green and Charlie Marchbank.

So far AW have raised £2,500 for AutoRaise, supporting young people and apprenticeships in the automotive industry.

There’s still time to donate, visit: https://uk.virginmoneygiving.com/AWRepairGroup

Big thank you to our sponsors, PPG Refinish UK, Perrys, JD Garage Equipment, AGM Services, Junair Spraybooths, Car-O-Liner and U-Pol Ltd.

AW Award Apprentice Achievements

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Five talented young AW apprentices were recognised at the ABP Body Repair Industry Apprentice Awards (BRIAA’s) yesterday (Tuesday 18th June).

Twenty-one-year-old Estonian-born Hegert (Nottingham) and the AW Training & Apprenticeship Academy’s first female apprentice 21-year-old Summer (Denaby Fast Finish) jointly received the Best Apprentice Newcomer Award.

AW presented awards in three categories this year with Most Improved also a shared title between 18-year-old Jack (Denaby Main) and Leon (17) from the Markham Vale site.

And the title of AW’s 2019 Apprentice of the Year was awarded to Joshua (18) from the Newark site.

AW’s Training & Apprenticeship academy has grown and developed significantly over the past two years, recruiting 20 young people into the business.

Ian Pearson, Technical & Training Academy Manager commented: “It was extremely difficult to choose one apprentice per category so we had to jointly award Best Newcomer and Most Improved. We chose to reward the two apprentices who have really shone due to their attitude, commitment and progression for our Best Apprentice Newcomer award and we wanted to recognise two individuals who due to their hard work and persistence have really turned their career journey around for our Most Improved award.

“Then we had the tough decision of naming our 2019 Apprentice of the Year. Again it was very close so we took into consideration college reports and their work both in the classroom and the workplace. They’re all doing so well, it was hard to single anyone out.”

Added Jade Johnson, Business Relations & Marketing Manager, “The BRIAA’s were another great event by ABP this year. Seeing so many apprentices in our industry being awarded and recognised for what they are doing is fantastic. I’m glad AutoRaise is raising the profile that there really are some fantastic career opportunities in the body repair industry.”

AW Repair Group are looking forward to commencing on the AutoRaise REAL Rally next week with two of the group’s apprentices, who have worked to prepare the rally vehicles, taking part.

Best Newcomer joint winner Summer was also recently featured in a three minute documentary by Telegraph Newspaper Media Group about AW Repair Group’s commitment to the future of the industry.
Click here to view: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/business-club/business/car-accident-repairs/

£1,000 donation to industry charity, Ben

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AW Repair Group and Enterprise Rent-A-Car have teamed up to give the automotive charity Ben a £1,000 boost.

ERAC asked AW to nominate a worthy charity to be this year’s recipient of the annual community donation. Last year’s beneficiary was a Nottinghamshire food bank charity.

Pictured above is ERAC East Midlands Area Manager, Tom Hinton, AW Repair Group’s Business Relations Manager, Jade Johnson and Ben’s Partnership Development Manager, Glyn Fisher.

Jade commented, “We’ve been promoting Ben’s services within AW Repair Group for the last 12 months, particularly now mental health is so openly discussed and the feedback we’ve had from our staff has been brilliant.”

The donation will help Ben continue its life-changing work helping automotive industry people and their family dependents through life’s toughest challenges.

Details on Ben’s next flagship event, Ben Ball, can be found here: https://ben.org.uk/ben-for-business/backing-ben/find-an-event/flagship-events/benball-2019/

NBRA Membership

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AW Repair Group and The National Body Repair Association (NBRA) have now held final discussions at AW’s Prestige HQ in Sleaford, Lincolnshire regarding their newly announced membership.

Andrew Walsh, AW Repair Group’s Managing Director and James Dunn, AW’s Group Operations Manager met with Chris Weeks, NBRA Director and Michael Wicks, NBRA National Business Development Manager to finalise the membership details and confirm support of NBRA’s vision to become a single voice for the body repair industry.

“I feel we are at a time when constructive discussions that arise from the many forums and events within the body repair industry can be taken that step further by an acknowledged members association. It’s great that the NBRA members will have one consolidated voice to help shape the future of this industry.” Commented Andrew.

Chris Weeks, NBRA Director, added: “For years I have admired the way Andrew and his whole team at AW work – long before my role here. Attracting highly evolved groups like AW into membership strengthens our voice when addressing the key issues that affect the body repair industry. As repairers become more united by the NBRA, industry decision makers are increasingly more willing to listen to us.”

Telegraph newspaper film AW documentary

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A W repair group is honoured to have been selected as one of 12 businesses to be featured in the prestigious Telegraph Newspaper Business Club’s profiles for 2019.

The acclaimed daily newspaper approached AW after a string of awards and successes in 2018 to put together a short documentary about the growing crash repair group.

In partnership with the Telegraph’s video production company Tracc, the four minute film shows how AW Repair Group continues to “push the boundaries” and is preparing for a future with high tech and electric vehicles being a significant part of the car market.

The slick film also includes interviews with two apprentices and LV= Insurance network manager Michael Golding.

Managing Director Andrew Walsh is delighted with the end result which went live on the Telegraph’s website yesterday (May 7).

“The film is fantastic and not only shows what AW Repair Group is doing but is a focus on the skill, technology and investment required in the accident repair sector,” said Andrew.

“The whole process took more than three months from initial interviews to detailed plans of how visuals and voiceover would work together to convey the message before the cameras even started to roll.”

The film starts with aerial footage over a dusk-lit AW headquarters in Sleaford, Lincolnshire, and features four of the company’s eight sites.

The documentary on the Telegraph Business Club website is accompanied by a detailed article in which journalists Steve Hemsley concludes: “Expect more glowing tributes for a company which has no plans to stop doing things differently.”

View the full article and film:

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/business-club/business/car-accident-repairs/

LV= GI Award Win for AW Repair Group

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Proud winners at this years’ LV= GI Claims Partner Awards is AW Repair Group, just eight months after opening its first LV= Sole Supply site.

Scooping the award for Best at Living LV= Values demonstrates the true partnership between the two entities committed to providing a seamless service for motor policy holders.

Managing Director Andrew Walsh commented: “We have been working with LV= for many years but opening the sole supply site has allowed everyone at the Derby branch to focus wholeheartedly on the values and service this particular insurer strives to promote. This is another fabulous achievement for AW Repair Group.”

The award criteria was looking for supply partners across all sectors of their insurance portfolio (car, home, pet, travel) who demonstrated that they “Inspire Trust by being honest, credible and reliable; Be Brave by doing what’s right rather than what’s easy; With Heart by being passionate and proud and Nurturing by working together to achieve more.”

Branch Manager of the Derby Site Wayne Oakes was delighted. “This is a great accolade for the whole group and particularly here at Derby where the team really does work together as one to ensure we are an extension of the LV= brand to our mutual customer.”

Added Group Operations Manager James Dunn: “I’m very proud to be at the forefront of this relationship and we are looking forward to taking this winning formula forward even further.”

The Best at Living LV= Value Award comes just a year after AW Repair Group won LV= GI Community Award at the 2018 ceremony.

Watch AW Repair Group’s recently released dynamic video celebrating their exclusive arrangement with Liverpool Victoria General Insurance (LV=GI)

AW Video Boasts LV= Dual Brand

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AW Repair Group have released a dynamic video celebrating their exclusive arrangement with Liverpool Victoria General Insurance (LV=GI).

The group’s Derby location opened six months ago and repairs 35 vehicles a week solely for LV=GI customers at the dual branded site.

In the video, which features LV=GI’s Director of Motor Claims Brian Hodge and Network Manager Michael Golding, along with key AW personnel, Michael comments: “This is very unique to AW and I believe the industry as a whole. I believe it’s the dedication to the customer and the quality of work that they provide – that for us stands out from what we see in the industry. The good brand AW have been able to build over the years supports the LV= values very well.”

The dual-branded purpose designed bodyshop has the latest technological advances including skate & rail vehicle transfer system, PPG refinishing system, 10m drive-through Junair booth with QAD drying technology and full downdraught eliminating cross contamination, allowing multiple vehicles and off-panels to be painted different colours simultaneously optimising efficiency.

Commenting on the dual branding Managing Director Andrew Walsh said: “From a customer point of view they definitely see the claim and repair journey as a true extension of their insurance purchase and insurer relationship. And by carrying out our part of the process efficiently this of course leads to brand loyalty.”

Since opening, the site has employed three multi-skilled apprentices to join seven more in the second intake for AW’s Training & Apprenticeship Academy. The academy now has 19 recruits across the group.

The addition of the Derby LV= Solus site boosted AW Repair Group’s annualised turnover to £17m.

AW Support National Apprenticeship Week

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This week is National Apprenticeship Week and what better way to recognise our commitment to developing and investing in young talent than introducing you to the latest intake into our Training & Apprenticeship Academy and sharing what they have been up to since joining AW Repair Group.

These ten students joined us in January, following the successful Showcase Event held at our purpose designed LV= solus site in Derby in November 2018. Their multiskilled college course is due to commence in two weeks at Emtec College, Nottingham.

The year one apprentices have been partnered with a skilled technician mentor and have had a rounded view of the whole repair process ahead of attending college. Each apprentice has been stripping cars ready for repair, removing items such as bumpers, interior trims, diagnostic sweep, wheel alignment and some light panel work.

The youngest apprentice in this year’s intake is 17 year old Thomas and the oldest is 23 year old Jamie. We also have 19 year old Artur, whose native tongue is Polish and 21 year old female apprentice technician Summer.

It’s an absolute pleasure speaking with our latest apprentices who are all grasping the opportunities before them and enjoying being part of the AW team.

One commented: “I’ve never felt like I ever fitted in anywhere. That made school difficult. But already I feel like I have a purpose here at AW and part of a team where I can make a difference and feel valued.”

Our year two students are also becoming an integral part of the AW team carrying out moderate repairs independently such as doorskin and quarter panel replacement. All eight passed their year one with flying colours and and are looking forward to the next stage in their career development.