Garage visit 45 www.aftermarketonline.net OCTOBER 2024 can sometimes suffer from a poor reputation. His business prioritises punctuality and communication. Technicians are trained to call ahead, set clear arrival expectations, and leave their workspace tidy. This dedication to service excellence has earned the business 442 5-star reviews on Trustpilot. IMI training One of the biggest challenges technicians like Dean face is northern Scotland’s unpredictable weather. Despite this, Dean’s advanced IMI training, skill, and adaptability allow him to deliver bodyshop-quality results on a mobile basis. Whether it’s rain, wind, or cold, Dean consistently adapts, often working under temporary shelters or using tarps to protect himself and the vehicle. Painting a car outdoors also comes with its own unique challenges. Flies and other insects are sometimes attracted to fresh paint and can land on the bodywork, creating imperfections. Dean removes any imperfections with a specialist de-nibbing tool to remove the contamination leaving the paintwork in faultless condition. This extra vigilance and care taken ensures the paintwork remains pristine despite challenges. “You have to be prepared for anything,” Dean said. “The weather can change in an instant in Scotland, and you need to have the skills and tools to handle it. Dealing with insects landing on wet paint can make things even tougher.” Tom has also invested in a rapid repair centre in Hillside to tackle increasing demands for more complex jobs. He said this move has made Revive! Aberdeen the fastest franchise in the network to open its own brick-andmortar location — enabling them to replicate their summer work during the cold winter months of 2022 and 2023 — while primarily remaining a mobile repair business. Challenge Both Tom and Dean say finding skilled technicians is a significant challenge, noting that many in the industry understandably, prefer the warmth of a bodyshop over working in the field. This challenge is exacerbated by a wider industry shortage, with 35% of bodyshop managers and owners fearing a skills crisis. A poor return on labour charge-out rates paid by motor insurers is driving skilled technicians to other sectors for better pay. Tom said: “An ageing technician workforce and insufficient investment in training and apprenticeships have led to a shortage of skilled staff. That’s why I’m so pleased to have Dean and three other technicians, who are not only exceptional painters but also have outstanding customer service skills.” Dean, who is Revive!’s top technician across the entire UK, generating tens of thousands of pounds in business in a single month, said: “Mechanics have advanced diagnostic tools to identify and fix problems, but bodywork repairs demand a high level of practical skill and attention to detail. People often underestimate the complexity of our work — every detail matters, and there’s no room for error when it comes to restoring a car’s finish.” In addition to serving the public and retail market, Revive! Aberdeen maintains strong relationships and contracts with trade accounts. Local dealerships make up 44% of Revive! Aberdeen’s customer base with fleets and rental accounts accounting for 20% and the remainder made up of retail customers. “We have achieved so much in just three years, and I’m excited to see what the next three years and beyond hold for us,” Tom said. In today’s fast-paced world, customers appreciate the convenience of having vehicles repaired at their own location
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