On the road 44 www.aftermarketonline.net MARCH 2025 New IMI-backed centre opens doors to technicians Aftermarket catches up with mobile tech network franchise Revive! as it celebrates its latest milestone in Chester Founded 22 years ago by business partners Mark Llewellyn and Terry Mullen, Revive! Auto Innovations set its sights on becoming the UK’s leading mobile provider of minor paint and bodywork repairs for vehicles and alloy wheels. Llewellyn and Mullen launched the business, headquartered in Rugby, drawing on their previous experience in the automotive and financial sectors. Now the brand is a thriving nationwide franchise network — and recently opened the doors of its second Institute of the Motor Industry accredited training centre, based at Revive! Chester. The Revive! business model focuses on using highly skilled technicians to carry out high quality, yet cost-effective repairs at a time and place of the customers choosing. Repairs usually cost far less than the average insurance policy excess without the hassle of taking your vehicle to the bodyshop, sorting out lifts or arranging a courtesy car. The Chester centre now supports the company’s nationwide network of over 250 technicians with their IMI accreditation assessments. Director of operations at Revive! Richard Graves said: “This is a massive step forward for Revive! Chichester and cements their status as one of the front runners in our national network, setting the groundwork for others to learn from. “We are always looking to develop and support our UK network wherever possible.” Revive! have worked in partnership with the IMI for many years, even helping to launch the Cosmetic Repair Qualification back in 2011 — the standard the rest of the industry still adheres to. The network currently operates one of the largest IMI accredited nationwide networks of mobile technicians in the UK, supporting dealerships, as well as fleet, lease and insurance companies and the general public with its smart repairs. The brand’s first accreditation centre is based at Rugby, where it also operates its fully equipped training academy and commercial unit. Revive! said Chester was the ideal location for an accreditation centre, being based in the northwest and at the centre of a number of franchisee outlets operating in the region. The centre is now providing additional support to businesses in the north of the country who will no longer have to make the trip down to Rugby for their re-accreditations, minimising their time away from customers. IMI key account manager Michelle Barrett visited the Chester operation to meet owner Mike Haselden and Richard Graves and officially present the prestigious IMI plaque, now proudly on display. Graves said the new development was not only a great step forward for Revive! Chester but also marks the start of a key growth opportunity for the brand as a whole. “Following the success of this IMI approval, we plan to expand this model further, creating regional IMI centres across the country to strengthen our national infrastructure and support technician development across the wider network.” Barrett said: “The Revive! business has demonstrated a significant commitment to setting the highest standards in mobile body and alloys repair which, undoubtedly, has contributed to its success. IMI accreditation awarded to Chester Aim is to support development of technicians across the network
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjQ0NzM=