Nottingham site exceeds all expectations!

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A year has already passed since AW opened its Nottingham site and what a year it’s been!

January 2017 saw AW Repair Group grow its turnover and geographical coverage again following the Nottingham site opening, being just three miles from the city centre, on the tram route and just 20 minutes to the M1 for easy access to Derby and Leicester.

Within its first month of opening the site had gained the BSI accreditation and had tripled its budgeted first month turnover, with this successful trend mirrored throughout the year to follow.

The 13,300sq ft site thrives with efficiency: SmartAir, a highly effective skate and rail system, Junair’s double-length downdraught booth with QUAD drying technology and PPG refinishing systems all help towards painting a minimum 13 vehicles per day.

The site is now managed by Ben Hissitt, who took the reins from James Dunn who was promoted to Group Operations Manager in March.

The experienced hand-picked team work together effectively and cohesively and  the branch is also delighted to now have on board two multi-skilled apprentices who are following the AutoRaise path and training at EMTEC in Nottingham along with four other apprentices in the group.

Managing Director Andrew Walsh commented: “The Nottingham site simply took off straight away. There was clearly a need for a quality bodyshop in this area and I’m very proud of the way the team have all worked together to make this site a success. Ben is extremely forward thinking and everyone has embraced new equipment and processes designed to maximise throughput which has succeeded. Some of the new processes we trialled at this site have already been rolled out across the group further improving group efficiency and capacity and we look forward to introducing these from the outset at our forthcoming sites soon to be announced in 2018.”

AW convoy Tower donations to homeless Trust

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After opening their doors as a collection point for donations following the devastating Grenfell Tower tragedy, AW Repair Group have this week transported three vehicle loads to The Nomad Trust.

The overwhelming national support for Grenfell survivors meant that AW’s collections could be diverted to another needy charity.

“We had a fantastic response from the communities local to our 5 sites with donations of curtains & bedding,” said Jade Johnson, AW Repair Group Business Development & Marketing.

“But as Grenfell was overcome with donations we waited for further instructions from charities on the ground trying to deal with the massive influx and then had to decide what to do when donations were being turned away.”

AW Repair Group had limited donations to soft furnishings so that in the event of not being required for Grenfell could be sold by weight to material recyclers.

“But we since approached several other charities and The Nomad Trust, which provides welfare services for the homeless, will now receive the items in time to help those in need this Christmastime.”

The Nomad Trust is a Christian based registered charity initially Launched in 1984 as a day centre offering food and basic shelter. With the help of national lottery funding it now offers 21 beds a night and has supported more than 5000 people with basic necessities and companionship. 

 

    

You’re hired!

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SIX new apprentices are geared up and ready to launch their new career with AW Repair Group this month.

In partnership with AutoRaise and Emtec Training, the engaging and inspired youngsters will be donning their corporate blue and orange uniform across the group’s five sites.

Harvey, Charlie, Jack, Ryan, Joshua and Leon follow in the footsteps of Georgie, Kane and Joe who are now Year Two and Three apprentices with AW Repair Group.

The 16-19 year olds will be training in a variety of panel, paint and MET roles as well as the new multi-skilled apprenticeship trailblazed by AutoRaise and now government approved.

AutoRaise are a charity dedicated to improving the industry skills shortage and have a single, focused purpose: to promote the industry as a sustainable, attractive and rewarding place to work. They aim to bring new blood into the industry, specifically engaging young people aged between 13 and 24, and to help employers nurture their Apprentices into qualified talent – the future owners, managers and leaders in our industry.

Bob Linwood, CEO of AutoRaise, said “Andrew, James, Jade and the AW team have really grabbed hold of the whole apprenticeship opportunity and it feels great that AutoRaise helped stimulate some of this initiative. We all felt that an Autumn Showcase Event would be good but as it turns out, AW have been able to create a fresh cohort of motivated young people to join the group as apprentices. It’s the latest indication of the impact AutoRaise are having on the industry’s skills shortage”.

The apprentices will receive a branded roll cabinet and top box starter pack including essential beginner tools, certification folder, personnel handbook, USB drive and an AW notepad within a satchel during their induction at AW.

Following a minimum 4 weeks employment, an Emtec assessor will visit the site and meet the manager and apprentice ahead of college training dates being confirmed.

Jade Johnson, AW Repair Group’s Business Development, Marketing and Communications said: “We have formed relationships with schools and colleges across the regions ready for next year’s intake with a growing list of interested young people.

“As we have already filled our available places this year we will be working with AutoRaise to hold an event in March 2018.”

AW Training & Apprenticeship Academy

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Seven young apprentices joining AW Repair Group’s Training & Apprenticeship Academy this month recently enjoyed a welcome & introduction day.

Along with their supportive parents, the group of trainee technicians visited the group’s newest site in Beeston, Nottingham, to get to know each other, a tour of the premises and equipment and an introductory presentation & slideshow by Managing Director Andrew Walsh.

Andrew explained the company history, ethos, employee and customer care, expected work ethic and  potential career paths.

Encouraging dads led the way on the workshop tour, eagle-eyed at the panel repair demonstration and mums were first in line at the mixing room surprised to learn almost all the car colours in the world could be mixed with the paint in that room!

After an enjoyable morning tour, talking to staff and management the day continued with a buffet lunch and then a visit to EMTEC technical training College Nottingham, where the apprentices looked around the workshop space and classrooms where they will be training together on block courses in the months ahead.

BMW/MINI appoint AW’s Prestige Site to Approval Programme

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AW Repair Group is delighted to formally announce its appointment to the BMW/MINI Approved Bodyshop Programme.

Working in partnership with Soper of Lincoln, AW’s prestige repair centre at Sleaford, Lincolnshire, will be the only fully compliant independent BMW & MINI approved repairer in the county having invested in the brand’s paint colour system.

The addition of BMW and MINI brand approval takes the site’s prestige manufacturer portfolio to seven joining Jaguar, Land Rover, VW, Audi and Lexus as well as structural aluminium accreditation.

AW Repair Group’s Managing Director Andrew Walsh said: “Having a recommendation from such a long standing and reputable franchised dealer like Soper is a great accolade for AW, in the local community and the wider crash repair industry.”

The additional approvals were a strategic move for AW Repair Group.

“And the relationship is strong from both sides,” added Andrew. “BMW and MINI car sales were among the best throughout 2016, selling 170,000 cars in the UK and representing a record 9.6% of the UK car park.”

Andrew Tullie, Managing Director, Soper of Lincoln commented: “I’m very pleased to be working with AW Repair Group in this mutually proactive relationship. BMW/MINI is a leader in advanced technologies and we need a trusted skilled and responsive bodyshop to ensure our customers are fully reassured in the event of an accident.

Steve Hoe, AW’s Group Manager of Manufacturer Approvals, and Jade Johnson, Business Development, Marketing & Communication have been actively managing the pre-audit process to ensure personnel across the whole business are involved and prepared.

Added Steve: “Our aim is to ensure the business can repair modern day vehicles of all technologies and our technicians have already completed many of the BMW/MINI compliancy training programmes which are extremely comprehensive and advanced including BMW/MINI Steering & Chassis Technology Training, BMW/MINI Bodyshop Electrical Principles, BMW/MINI Bodyshop Passive Active Safety Systems, Advanced Vehicle Construction & Repair Training.”