Call Zebra goes Stateside

Forward-thinking UK accident management company Call Zebra has made a great first impression within the USA’s collision repair industry.

Forward-thinking UK accident management company Call Zebra has made a great first impression within the USA’s collision repair industry.

Managing director Darren Gilling has just returned from a week-long visit to the NACE International Autobody Congress & Exposition in Las Vegas, where he met with senior professionals from across the automotive industry and squeezed in a tour of some US bodyshops.

The visit proved the perfect opportunity to learn more about the industry issues faced by international counterparts, and share examples of best practice.

There are around 20 million auto accidents in the USA each year, with a total repair revenue of $30.3B. As of 2008 there were 41,500 collision repair shops in the US, compared to 50,000 in 2000, and it’s expected a further 1,500 shops will close by the end of 2009. 1

The fall in bodyshop numbers is also being witnessed here in the UK. Automotive industry research and consultancy organisation Trend Tracker Ltd, in its 2008 UK Car Body Repair Market report, said it expected the number of primary bodyshops operating in the UK car body market to decline by 21% between 2008 and 2013, from 4,010 to 3,160.2

The number of average repairs per week is also down in the USA, from 14 in 2007 and 2008, to 12.1 in 2009, with non-DRP (Direct Repair Programme) centres heavily reliant on business from word of mouth. 3

Darren Gilling, managing director of Call Zebra, said: “Like the UK accident repair industry, the US market is also suffering, so it was interesting to learn more about the workings of their collision repair market. Some bodyshops turn over in excess of $1M a month and the average repair value is far higher than in the UK. But on the down side I also met some independent Californian repairers who reported a 70% reduction in work volume. I was fortunate enough to meet with leading figures in the US autobody repair industry and when I explained the intermediary service Call Zebra offers between the motorist, repairer and insurer, they were all intrigued to learn more as there is nothing like that in the US body repair market.”

Kyle Harris, managing director of UK firm Britannia Accident Assist, also attended the NACE Expo in Las Vegas. He said: “The fundamental differences between bodyshops here and in the US are threefold. In the US the onus of replacement vehicles is not put on the bodyshop, the average repair revenue is higher at $2,400, compared to £1,035 in the UK (around $1,700) and thirdly, the bodyshops over there enjoy a much bigger parts discount, on average up to 30%. In the USA they don’t use waterborne paints or have kitemark accredited repair schemes.”

Greg Horn, Vice President Industry Relations at US company Mitchell International Inc, said: “NACE is a truly global collision event and reminds us that the collision industry faces similar challenges around the world. I find it very valuable to learn how different countries are tackling tough issues like the increasing number of write offs and more complex vehicle repair procedures. Having worked in the insurance industry for twenty years, I am always interested in the ‘value added’ collision services provided in the UK and Europe.”

Established in April 2008, Call Zebra was born out of the need for a sensible and transparent approach to accident management. It has a dedicated “U&I” network of over 70 repairers which provide quick turnarounds, greater consumer choice and reduced credit hire costs for insurers. The Call Zebra model is committed to keeping motorists moving and making the whole claims process as simple as possible.

Call Zebra, which currently operates across the UK mainland, has received an increasing number of international enquiries in recent months, from as far afield as America and the West Indies.

Darren Gilling added: “The visit to the USA was a fantastic opportunity to raise the profile of Call Zebra and its ethos to an international audience. In 2010 I’m looking forward to building relationships with automotive professionals across the world and sharing best practice, to benefit our industries moving forward.”

TV motoring personality Mike Brewer, the face of Call Zebra, added: “I’ve said right from the start that Call Zebra is offering something completely different and it’s great to see the Zebra brand was so well received at the NACE Expo.”

As a result of the visit Darren Gilling and Kyle Harris have already been invited to attend further automotive events in the USA in the New Year.

For more information about Call Zebra and its range of services www.calluandi.com or call 08000 932 727