Sustain to gain 34 www.aftermarketonline.net JUNE 2025 Yeomans, one of the largest dealer groups in the south of England, has introduced a new sustainability initiative that allows aftersales customers to request a tree be planted, in lieu of having their car valeted, whenever they visit for a service, repair or MOT. The scheme is made possible through Tjekvik’s digital self-service solutions, which have now been implemented across eight Yeomans sites. Tjekvik’s technology enables Yeomans’ aftersales customers to securely check their vehicles in and out how, when and where they want – whether it’s at home on their own device, or in the dealership using touchscreen kiosks. The plant a tree campaign proved extremely popular from the very beginning, with 2,378 customers choosing to plant a tree during the first year of the initiative. Yeomans said this represented 24% of those who checked their vehicle in via self-service in 2024. Yeomans partners with Ecologi, an organisation that supports a range of valuable reforestation and ecosystem restoration projects in the UK and around the world. Beccy Atkinson, head of aftersales at Yeomans, said: “As part of our day-to-day business, we’re keen to give something back to society, whether in the UK or further afield.” Christian Mark, CEO and co-founder at Tjekvik, said: “While our technology is primarily designed to cut queues, improve customer service levels, and boost additional revenue, dealers can also leverage it to establish themselves as an environmentally conscious company.” https://www.tjekvik.com Branching out with aftersales Coatings group in £2m green investment Electroplating and coatings expert Anochrome has significantly enhanced its environmental credentials and increased capacity by investing more than £2 million in its Walsall site. The industry-leader has spent £1.3 million on stateof-the-art new plant and more than £600,000 to modernise a large bay. Steve Norman, group UK divisional director, said the new plant will boost production capacity by at least 50%, while the new-look bay will reduce energy costs and provide much-improved working conditions for employees. Meanwhile, the façade of the building has also been revamped for the first time in half-a-century, along with the reception area, making it more welcoming for staff and visitors. The total investment figure is in the region of £2.3 million. Anochrome is one of the largest electroplating and coatings specialists in the UK, processing tens of millions of components every week and dealing predominantly with tier 1 automotive suppliers. Norman said: “The revamped bay was where we kept all our scrap and redundant equipment. That area has been completely overhauled and is now an energy-friendly, modern unit fit for 2025. “The new plant is the most advanced of its kind in the UK and utilises best available techniques to reduce environmental impact. It will help us service all our OEMs’ technical specifications, while minimising our environmental footprint.” All asbestos was stripped from the old bay and replaced with the latest energy-rated cladding. New doors and lights were installed, while the whole unit was re-wired. The improvements will reduce Anochrome carbon footprint by lowering energy consumption and decreasing the amount of carbon being released. Underfloor heating is set to be installed in the loading areas to improve working conditions. As well as being more efficient, the overhaul will allow Anochrome to reduce the chemistry used in its processes, which include zinc, zinc phosphate and zinc nickel plating and cathodic e-coating, as well as powder coating. The existing plant was scheduled to be decommissioned in April as the new one became fully operational. www.anochrome.com
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