AkzoNobel has launched its new corporate brand logo with the message ‘Tomorrow’s Answers Today’. The decision comes after AkzoNobel decided to retain its company name, based on research which concludes that the name was too well-respected to be changed. Therefore, ICI will be discontinued as a corporate name.

Chief Executive, Hans Wijers, said, ‘This is the new AkzoNobel. We are one company, with a powerful mew global brand which will propel us into a new era of competitiveness and opportunity. The new brand is about creating brand equity, not destroying it.

‘Our studies confirmed that there is considerable value in the name of AkzoNobel. It is well respected throughout our industries and synonymous with trust and quality, so there is no need to change it’.
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Audatex UK has announced that it is now offering bodyshops and motor insurers in Ireland its AudaEnterpriseGold estimating and claims management system.

The system is backed by a manufacturers’ times database which covers 98% of the ten year car parc, within which local parts pricing data on nearly 380 models and from 19 motor manufacturers is now available.

Irish body repairers and insurers had asked for more comprehensive vehicle data, in order to support improved accuracy and consistency of repair estimates. The supply of local parts pricing data system will raise the bar in the quality of vehicle damage estimating, benefitting everyone in the motor claims supply chain.

Paul Tucker, Managing Director, Audatex UK, said, ‘We are very serious about the opportunity that exists in Ireland and the specific needs of our customers there. Our crash repair and data teams have adopted a focused approach to obtaining local data.’

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MVRA has announced that it has joined the Helphire’s Premier Trade Partnership (PTP). The PTP is designed to provide support and opportunity for growth and improvement for Helphire’s repairer network by enabling them to access market leading business tools and services.

The MVRA has joined to assist Helphire repairers achieve the Thatcham/BSI Kitemark accreditation through PAS 125. It will be offering the initial gap analysis and its kitemark consultancy services to the Helphire network. It is hoped that the entire network of over 300 Helphire bodyshops will receive full accreditation by June 2010.

Mike Monaghan, MVRA’s Chief Executive, said, ‘One of MVRA’s core aims has always been to help its repairers be the best they can be, and so the fit between us and Helphire is perfect. Schemes like the PTP, which seek to protect the repairer interests and improve skills and processes, are more important than ever. We are delighted that Helphire has chosen us as their consultancy partner.’
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As a result of the credit crunch and a reduced number of repair jobs, many bodyshops are having to cut back on staff. Up to 1,661 jobs could be lost as the UK motor vehicle repair industry consolidates over the next 12 months, according to industry analyst Plimsoll.

The unwelcome news for vehicle repairers coincides with the British Chamber of Commerce survey which suggests unemployment could rise by up to 300,000 over the next 12 months as the UK economy experiences a ‘prolonged and bumpy landing'.

The latest Plimsoll research provides a snapshot of each of the UK’s leading 850 motor vehicle repair companies.
The analysis found that 1,661 jobs could go as companies seek to reduce costs in line with falling sales, and as many as three quarters of the firms assessed will need to reduce their head count. In addition, one of the largest firms could see up to 193 jobs lost.

Of the 850 firms, 176 companies were given a danger rating, with the recommendation that they take drastic action to shrink or consolidate their business. It was estimated that some of these firms could see a 30% reduction in their workforce.

David Pattison, Senior Analyst, said, ‘The 176 companies we have identified as in danger need to act now if they are to survive. It very important they review their entire business cost base and take action now to significantly reduce their outgoings. Whilst job losses are undoubtedly bad news for any company, such decisive action may be called for to guarantee the ultimate survival of the business – even if this means the business is 30 or 50% smaller than it was.’
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Cost-cutting car owners are regularly running out of fuel as they try to economise with fuel prices at record levels, according to a survey by breakdown company Britannia Rescue.

Many motorists are 'driving on empty' with 20% saying they can no longer afford to fill their tank right up, claims the survey.

In the last three months, 340,000 drivers have suffered a breakdown due to running out of fuel - 10% more than the same period last year.

Single parents and young professionals are the ones most likely to avoid completely filling up at the pumps, while in the last three months 59% of drivers have allowed their fuel level to fall so low the warning light has come on.

Around a quarter of the 1,467 drivers polled said they drove their car on hardly any fuel at least once a month and 8% admitted driving close to empty all the time.

Few drivers appeared to have any idea how much fuel it took to run their car, with only 4% correctly estimating that the average car could drive 100-110 miles on £10 worth of fuel.

Also, 21% said they no longer used the car's air conditioning in an effort to save fuel and 38% were driving more slowly.

A Britannia Rescue spokeswoman said: "While it is now more costly to fill up at the pumps, running a car on empty can damage a car's fuel pump - requiring repairs that will make a full tank seem like a bargain.

"Drivers who run their car on empty are also at high risk of breaking down. Not only is this extremely costly if you don't have breakdown cover and also very inconvenient, running out of fuel on the roads that don't have a hard shoulder can create major safety hazards for other drivers."
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