6th December 2007
Vospers Group, one of the largest car dealers in the South West, has recently converted to Sikkens following a new approval form Fiat. Sikkens is the sole approved paint partner for Fiat warranty repairs.
The company has installed Sikkens paint systems across its three main repair facilities in Devon and Cornwall: Plymouth (HQ), Exeter and Roche (near St Austell). So far, Roger Pierce, Vospers Exeter branch Bodyshop Manager, is very pleased with the results.
“The bodyshop business is very competitive, so enhanced productivity and bottom line cost savings are essential to maintaining productivity,” he says. “The Sikkens brand is well-known for its performance characteristics.”
Pierce had used Sikkens products at a previous bodyshop, and is pleased to see the brand upholds its quality commitment, in addition to optimizing work flows.
“This is due to the Akzo Nobel’s focus on innovation,” he explains. “Products like Autoclear UV are at the forefront of paint technology. This sort of innovation gives customers confidence, as its benefits are proven; it’s not innovative for its own sake; it’s value-added, making a real impact on the bottom line.”
In addition to Fiat approval, Vospers boasts Mazda, Ford, Subaru and Isuzu as work providers and as well as most major insurers, including Zurich and Norwich Union, in addition to several accident management companies. Vehicle throughput across all Vospers’ bodyshops totals 250 cars per week.
Vospers celebrated its 60th Anniversary last year and employs around 700 staff in all areas of the business, bodyshop staff accounting for about a third of all employees. In addition to the three main facilities, Vospers has two smaller bodyshops; in Exmouth and Falmouth.