65 to 70 paint jobs per week. A Sikkens customer for 14 years, its work is mainly on cars (80%) but it also deals with light commercial vehicles. Insurance work makes up 70% of the business, with motor manufacturer approvals - Ford, Renault, Dacia and Land Rover - contributing 20%. Retail repairs are only 10% but this figure is rising. The premises are equipped with three spray booths, a Sikkens Automatchic 3, a Sikkens ColorScala Pro, a UV lamp and other portable drying systems including infrared lamps. Owner Nigel Drake feels Waldemar Ciesiółka workshops, as well as the emergence of low-cost repair networks. He believes the focus on quality, speed, service and courtesy will be essential in continuing to differentiate the company, while innovations from Sikkens are key to maximizing competitiveness through lower consumption and faster throughput. As the automotive industry in Poland is still growing, he feels confident that there is much potential to be tapped if he plans well for the future. He confirms: “Sustainability for the business will mean continually seeking new solutions, products and services tailored to the needs of the market.” Happy to have switched Drakes of Shiptonthorpe, UK Drakes’ site in the East Riding of Yorkshire handles around The human touch HOB Repair Group, Germany With eight sites, each painting 25 to 30 vehicles per week, HOB Repair Group is another business that insists on using only Sikkens products – along with Sikkens mixing machines which ensure standardized processes. Around half of its business relates to insurance claims and fleets while the rest covers ‘walk-in’ customers with cars and trucks, as well as two coach companies. Managing Director Reinhard Beyer is one of several respondents who warn that the lack of apprentices and qualified staff of all types poses a problem for the industry’s future. Promoting bodyshop work as an attractive career is a key challenge for the whole industry. However, he is impressed by Sikkens’ extensive seminar program and he notes with pride that his own daughter recently completed the Junior Business Program. One thing he particularly likes about Sikkens is its ‘human touch’, which feels very personal and gives a sense of always being in good hands. When it comes to the services and innovations available from AkzoNonel and Sikkens, he Steve Keene (Sales Manager Central Region) and Nigel Drake that changes in the world of insurance, along with the potential for new vehicle technology to reduce the number of claims, will require bodyshops to adapt more rapidly in future. Meeting increased customer expectations are another major challenge. Of the help provided by AkzoNobel and Sikkens, he says: “I can honestly say that AkzoNobel has been very supportive on a commercial and technical level from the day we switched paint brands, always willing to help and support me and my business. I believe the products, systems and support ensure we have consistency, that we are profitable and that there are no major issues.” 6 Sikkens - Latest news Pagina 5
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