Thatcham celebrating Industry Excellence Award

Thatcham, were celebrating this week after accepting the ‘Industry Excellence’ award at Wednesday’s 2007 Motor Trader Industry Awards ceremony. The award recognised the work of the insurer funded research centre in the introduction of the new Thatcham/BSI Kitemark scheme, which was launched to the UK crash repair industry in February to widespread approval.

The Motor Trader Awards, the biggest awards night in the motor retailing calendar, recognises best practice in 20 categories. The ‘Industry Excellence’ category, was hotly contested, however, the judges felt that the Kitemark scheme, which Thatcham introduced in conjunction with the British Standards Institute BSI, stood out as a mould breaking and sustainable initiative to help Motor Traders conduct their business.

In an industry where rapidly evolving vehicle technology has resulted in serious challenges for crash repairers, the aim of the Thatcham/BSI Kitemark scheme is to provide a robust cross industry standard to ensure the efficient, effective and safe repair of motor vehicles as a platform for business improvement. With an increasing emphasis on duty of care, the Kitemark scheme is now ensuring that insurers, motor traders and fleets have the confidence that a particular repairer has the knowledge, skills and tools to effect this safe, quality repair.

The PAS 125 standard, which formed the basis of the Kitemark scheme, was drawn up by a cross industry group including insurers, vehicle manufacturers, trade bodies and repairers, who have welcomed the opportunity to prove that they are amongst the best. To date the scheme has attracted 501 enquiries and 118 applications. There are currently 52 audits scheduled with 14 completed. So far 8 repairers have successfully gained the Kitemark with 2 more currently pending.

Accepting the award on behalf of crash repair experts Thatcham, Chief Operating Officer, Jason Moseley, said, “The success of this scheme is undoubtedly its practical relevance in an industry keen to improve its image and reconfirm the quality of its work. Increasing complexity in vehicle body design has increased the training needs and competency levels for all involved in body repairs and this technical standard, applicable directly to activity on the workshop floor, benefits all those who demand a safe, quality service from insurers to motorists. It’s a great honour to accept this award on behalf of Thatcham and BSI and all those who were involved in the drawing up of the standard.”

Alastair Trivett, Global Managing Director at BSI was equally delighted, “It is great that the motor retailing industry has awarded the Thatcham BSI Kitemark scheme an industry excellence award. It reflects the core values and benefits that the scheme delivers to the industry, businesses and the end-user.”