Bodyshop distribution network ACIS has secured the exclusive UK rights to Bodyshop Revolution, a ‘game-changing’ continuous workflow technology where the vehicle being repaired moves a minimum of times and key-to-key times are halved.

It costs the insurance industry around £50 per day to have a claim ‘open’ so a faster turnaround of vehicle repairs will dramatically diminish this expense.

This could have a major impact in the fleet and re-fleeting markets where the ‘sweating of assets’ is a major priority from Mondeo makeovers to getting broken refrigerated vehicles back on the road. In addition, the technology will free the equity in used – and often abused - ‘beasts of burden’ by facilitating the rapid turnaround of ex fleet vehicles for sale.

Refurbishment experts C Walton, based at Bruntingthorpe Airfield, Leicestershire, has introduced the technology and processes and has experienced a significant increase in efficiency.

Ian Strong, Operations Manager, says “Using the Greentech gas catalytic robots from Bodyshop Revolution, with a change in process has enabled us to ramp our business up from about 150 vehicles per week to 1000. More importantly, we are able to satisfy fleet owner and vehicle manufacturers with our extremely short cycle times, which is so important when vehicles need to go to auction or back onto the forecourt to realise their value and sustain residuals.”

C Walton also carries out truck and heavy plant repairs which, it is argued required even more expedited turnaround and reduced downtime.

It has therefore introduced a state-of-the-art commercial repair facility with a new booth and the UK’s first giant robot capable of drying 40ft trucks and all associated vehicles, reduce booth cycles by up to three times, and cuts gas costs by up to 90%.

The robotic gas catalytic drying systems can dry primers and fillers in seconds while topcoats are touch dry in under one minute.

Vans, refrigerated trucks, taxis, and other vehicles that earn a living on the road, can also benefit from the reduced time spent in the repair shop because these specialist vehicles are not easily available for hire, so while they are off the road they are not earning.

Bodyshop Revolution creates a new culture of efficiency by completely redesigning the layout of the bodyshop to ensure that the vehicle is moved no more than three times. It not only changes the physical layout of the premises using a proven blueprint, but positively alters the behaviour of staff and the interaction with customers and suppliers.

It achieves this by only having vehicles in the bodyshop that are being worked on as part of its “continuous workflow” approach that also instils a more co-operative work ethic and an ergonomic and uncluttered efficiency.

Jon Parker, CEO of Bodyshop Revolution, said: “We see a number of our facilities around the world using our Greentech robots and unique process to attract other types of customer than the typical insurer driven repairs because of the amazing increase in speed and efficiency of the repair process.”

Graham O’Neill, CEO of ACIS, added: “We wanted to offer Bodyshop Revolution because it worked alongside many of the other solutions we provide for these types of repairer. ACIS is now the exclusive distributor within the UK for the technology and process.”

“We have had our own priority repair programme in place for a number of years which changes the culture of the bodyshop to greatly reduce key-to-key times, but Bodyshop Revolution takes the process and technology to the next level. It is really going to have a dramatically positive impact on the sector as more vehicles can be repaired in less time and investors in the process will see dramatic returns on their profitability.

More articles on: