Call Zebra Management Buyout Complete

The management buyout of forward-thinking accident management firm Call Zebra is complete, it has been confirmed today.

The move, led by managing director Darren Gilling, will see Gilling remain at the helm, with additional industry members joining the business.

It is an exciting time for the firm, with the new structure enabling the brand to expand and progress into the broker and consumer markets.

Peter Harris, of Essex-based Peter James Motor Group is joining Call Zebra as Network Director, whilst new partners Percom Ltd will be providing operational support and additional expertise. The partnership with Percom Ltd will also see Zebra’s network increase to in excess of 200 bodyshops.

Darren Gilling revealed: “I’m delighted with the new team and I have no doubt that with their wealth of experience and passion for the Call Zebra brand, we will exceed the expectations of our repair network and customers. We have many surprises in store for the industry and you can expect to see a lot more of the stripy fella in the coming months.”

Peter Harris added: “I am really excited to be involved with Call Zebra. In my role as network director I will be exploring new customer opportunities and I am particularly looking forward to working on the expansion of the Call Zebra network. As a bodyshop owner myself I’m passionate about helping independent repairers take control of their own businesses.”

Call Zebra, established in April 2008, takes a naturally different approach to accident management, providing 24/7 solutions to the automotive sector. It takes control of the car recovery, car repair, car hire and legal requirements, ensuring motorists get back on the road quickly and safely.

TV motoring personality Mike Brewer, the face of Call Zebra, added: “Darren Gilling took what was a concept and has created a forward-thinking, industry changing business. I feel incredibly proud for Darren for what he has achieved. I am very proud to be associated with Call Zebra.”

In March 2010 Call Zebra became the first accident management company in the UK to join the Institute of Customer Service.

Published:
July 14, 2010 – 9:35 am
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Call Zebra Announces March 2010 Award Winner

We’ve had a great response to the launch of our “Repairer of the Month” awards so be sure to keep your nominations coming in.

Every month we’ll be highlighting the achievements of a U&I network member. Share your news with Zebra HQ to be in with a chance of winning one of our monthly prizes.

autospray-logo

March 2010 Award Winner: Congratulations Autospray!

Darren Gilling, MD of Call Zebra, said: “I am delighted to present the March ‘Repairer of the Month’ award to Autospray. Nigel is a valued member of the U&I network and his forward-thinking, pro-active attitude deserves to be commended.

Not only do these awards highlight the achievements of our members, but enable us to share best practice among the network moving forward.”

Nigel Smith, owner of Autospray, Henstridge, Somerset.

Established in 2004, 3,000 sq ft bodyshop.

Manufacturer success:

Autospray has got off to a flying start in 2010 adding FOUR new manufacturer approvals to its portfolio.

The Somerset-based bodyshop is now an approved repairer for Mitsubishi, Chrysler, Jeep and Dodge – and has no plans to stop there.

Autospray, which also achieved Suzuki approval at the end of 2009, has another approval in the pipeline, and several others on its radar.

Nigel Smith hopes the approvals will bring additional work and more muscle to the small, thriving bodyshop.

Autospray is a member of the MVRA trade body and is also aproved by the Good Accident Repair Scheme.

The majority of Autospray’s customers come via recommendation and referral, and its excellent reputation is particularly prominent among motoring enthusiasts clubs, such as the local BMW car club.

Accepting the award and revealing his plans for the year ahead, Nigel Smith, owner of Autospray, said:

“It’s a fantastic surprise to be ‘Repairer of the Month’. We have had a great start to the year attaining these manufacturer approvals and we have another manufacturer approval in the pipeline – but I’m not going to reveal which it is… just yet!”

“This year I’m focusing on building up the number of manufacturer approvals and maintaining the existing strong relationships we have with both retail customers and dealers. Customer service has and continues to be a top priority for us and we’ll be keeping up the first class service we offer in 2010.”

Every month Call Zebra will be highlighting the achievements of one of our members and sharing their top tips for success.

Winners of Call Zebra’s Repairer of the Month will receive one of a whole host of prizes including shopping vouchers, theatre tickets and complimentary meals.

For more information and regular updates visit www.calluandi.com

Published:
April 13, 2010 – 4:14 pm
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Customer Service is top priority!

My company, Call Zebra, has become the first accident management company in the UK to join the Institute of Customer Service.

The Institute of Customer Service is the independent professional body for customer service, with over 350 organisational members from the private, public and third sectors and some 7,000 individual members.

Call Zebra joins Enterprise

Customer Service is top priority

I think it’s fair to say the accident management industry is not renowned for its attention to customer service but we at Call Zebra are working really hard to change this perception.

There’s lots of exciting developments taking place at Zebra HQ.  Watch this space for regular updates!

Published:
March 12, 2010 – 4:17 pm
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Call Zebra joins forces with Enterprise

Breaking business news!

My company, Call Zebra has signed a three-year deal with international hire car provider Enterprise Rent-A-Car.

Call Zebra joins Enterprise

Call Zebra joins Enterprise

The new partnership went live on February 1st and will see Enterprise provide replacement vehicles for Call Zebra customers across the UK mainland.

Call Zebra is an accident management company with a difference and we hope the partnership with Enterprise will enable us to reach our customers even quicker.

Check out the full story here.

Published:
February 3, 2010 – 9:52 am
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Calls for Anti-Steering Law

It’s great to see to see that a petition lodged with No.10 to introduce Anti Steering legislation here in the UK is being supported.

The petition, which went live in January 2010, calls for the Prime Minister to introduce new laws to prevent motor vehicle insurance companies and fleet management companies from pressuring policy holders into one of their chosen repair centres. http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Anti-Steering/

Downing Street

Downing Street

However, I can’t help feeling this is only partly the issue.

Although it is a sign that repairers are becoming more proactive and trying to raise concerns, I also believe there needs to be more dialogue between repairers and insurers.

There has to be a new approach and maybe the way forward is to reduce the duration of repairs and concentrate on the reduction of credit hire rather than trying to chip away at the labour rate.

Published:
February 3, 2010 – 9:36 am
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Happy New Year to everyone!

Who would have thought we’d kick-start 2010 with some of the worst weather this country has seen in decades? I’ve had to cancel meetings in London because of the snow.

Britain's Frozen Roads

Britain's Frozen Roads

Looking past the weather, 2010 is going to be a record year for my company, Call Zebra.

There’s a lot of exciting developments going on at Zebra HQ so watch this space and the news sections of the Zebra websites (www.callzebra.co.uk and www.calluandi.com) for announcements.

I’ve only been back at the helm a few days and already there’s been an influx of new repairers wanting to join Call Zebra’s national network so we look forward to welcoming some new shops on board soon.

Published:
January 7, 2010 – 4:34 pm
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Premier Coachworks

Check out the latest news from Premier Coachworks Ltd, Call Zebra’s newest U&I network member. They’re launching a specialist automatic car sales centre in Huddersfield the New Year.
Well done Peter and Andrew.

Click here to read the full story

Published:
December 21, 2009 – 9:01 am
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Mike Brewer’s Christmas Message

Mike Brewer presents Call Zebra’s Christmas message.

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Published:
November 27, 2009 – 9:32 am
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Call Zebra goes Stateside!

I’ve had an amazing time in the States attending the NACE International Autobody Congress & Exposition, Las Vegas.

NACE is described as “the world’s collision repair event” and attracted a 20,000-strong crowd.

It was a great opportunity to meet some really senior figures from the automotive industry – and squeeze in a few tours of US bodyshops!

Like the UK accident repair industry, the US market is also suffering, so I was keen to see how they operate Stateside. Some bodyshops turn over in excess of $1M a month and the average repair value is far higher than in the UK. But on the down side I also met some independent Californian repairers who reported a 70% reduction in work volume.

When I explained the intermediary service Call Zebra offers between the motorist, repairer and insurer, they were all intrigued to learn more as there is nothing like that in the US body repair market.

Here’s a few facts I discovered on my travels:

  • There’s approximately 20 million auto accidents in the USA each year
  • Total repair revenue $30.3B.
  • As of 2008 there were 41,500 collision repair shops in the US
  • It’s expected 1,500 shops will close by the end of 2009
  • Number of average repairs a week down from 14 2008 to 12.1 in 2009

In the US it’s not the responsibility of the bodyshop to provide replacement vehicles and they get a much bigger parts discount (up to 30%).

stateside

Here’s a picture of me with Kyle Harris, the managing director of Britannia Accident Assist and Gary Wano, Vice President of GW & Son Autobody in Oklahoma.

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Published:
November 24, 2009 – 11:46 am
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Mike Brewer talks Call Zebra

I’m delighted that Mike Brewer is the face of my company. Click here to listen to his reasons for fronting Call Zebra.

This is the first of many video blogs Mike will be submitting for my website so be sure to visit again soon!

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Published:
November 13, 2009 – 9:37 am
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