Thatcham Quality Accreditation for Repair Equipment

Thatcham used their annual Triple Focus event last week to announce the launch of a new category within Thatcham Quality Accreditation (TQA®) - ‘Repair Equipment’.

With the demands on repairers to ensure they are utilising the correct tools and equipment and in recognising the potential size of this investment, Thatcham have launched Repair Equipment Accreditation to help bodyshop owners and repair technicians identify robust, quality tools and equipment, suitable to meet their needs and with the build quality to last in daily use within a tough working environment.

Integrated with Thatcham’s established Quality Accreditation Processes, the insurer funded research centre, has initially defined criteria for the accreditation of spot welders, spray guns and hand tools with the option of defining criteria for any further tools and equipment where the need or demand arises. The first three products to satisfy the criteria are Sykes-Pickavant’s Body repair kit, Stanners’ MI100 Spot Welder and Deltalyo’s DL3000WB spraygun.

Presenting certification to these organisations during the Triple Focus show, Thatcham’s Accreditation Manager, Dean Lander said “A need has been identified as repairers are unsure which equipment to invest in. With their requirement to have quality equipment, that meets the demands of PAS125 and is suitably robust to last in the harsh environment of a busy bodyshop, this accreditation has been established to help bodyshop owners and managers to make the best choice for their business. The Thatcham Accredited mark is a recognised mark of quality and gives independent recognition of product performance”.

In accepting certification, Paul Archer, Managing Director of Sykes-Pickavant, said, “Sykes-Pickavant has a tradition of selling quality products and the independent nature of the Thatcham Quality Accreditation Programme has proved this to be true. Quality recognition is a strong product endorsement for our brand. We welcome this scheme as it will only serve to improve the standards of equipment used in our industry. In our opinion the Thatcham TQA® programme will raise standards and will become the benchmark for quality products.”

The new program has also received great support from suppliers and repairers. Mark Baldwin, Partner at Kitemarked bodyshop, East Bilney Coachworks, based in Norfolk, said, “Equipment specification and performance is key to the repair process. Having a recognised “Equipment List” for repairers working towards and retaining the Thatcham/BSI Kitemark is a massive advantage, walking you through the minefield that exists when purchasing equipment. The trade has been crying out for this information to move the accreditation process forward. At last we will have a defined equipment list to get the job done.”