Digital Estimation: For A Smarter Bodyshop
Last month, Axalta, the global coatings leader held its Paintshop Management Tour 2020 seminar in its Dubai training centre. The occasion for the leaders of the automotive industry in the region to reflect on how to adapt to the current challenges they face, with the participation of the renown motivational and business speaker Jeff Smith aka “The KPI Guy”. The Al Mazroui Group was represented by Alexander Bell, General Manager of its Paints Division.
With more than 100,000 customers in above 130 countries, Axalta is a global coatings group with a local focus. Always looking for the best products and services for the Emirati market, Al Mazroui Trading & General Services (MTGS) – Paints Division is the longest standing importer of Axalta’s Spies Hecker brand in the UAE, since 1988.
Adjusting to the Current Market
In the Middle East, thanks to traffic calming measures taken by different governments, the accident rate is decreasing, with a smaller repair demand. Moreover, the local economy is evolving and the competition is tough. To face the current market challenges, bodyshops need to look for innovative ways and opt for more sustainable solutions.
According to Stephen Louis, Key Account Manager for Axalta in the Middle East, the professionals of the industry only have a minimal influence over the situation. Their only full control is on their bodyshop, in terms of technology and personnel. With this market adjustment, bodyshops need to become more efficient and more productive. However, bodyshops managers should not cut costs but manage costs and time more efficiently, with a more rationalised approach.
One of the solutions discussed during the Axalta seminar was to switch to digital.
The Estimator: A Key Actor
Stephen Louis considers that the estimation is “the most important part of the repair process.” If it is wrong from the start, the profitability for the bodyshop will be impacted. The estimators have a key role since they are the first point of contact to the customer. They are responsible for capturing the correct repair methodology and evaluate the costs for the bodyshop.
Participating to the seminar, Ben Barber, Managing Director of Audatex for the Middle East, explained that transitioning from a manual to a digital repair estimation would be beneficial for any bodyshop. Audatex is part of the Solera Group, a global leader in automotive claims processing.
With manual estimations, issues are common and the process is long: two to three days. Moreover, the estimate can be considered as an opinion and therefore might not always be trusted by insurance companies. Besides, the final document does not give a breakdown of the charges and different costs: labour, parts and material.
On the contrary, a digital estimation is more consistent and follows a standardised procedure. It is thus more transparent and inspires trust: from the insurance company and from the customer. Because of its reliability, the digital estimation reduces the negotiation with the insurance company and allows a faster approval of the repairs. As highlighted by Jeff Smith, during the seminar, “trust is essential for a bodyshop to be successful.” To buy, a customer first needs to trust.
The digitalisation of the procedure allows the estimators to identify the correct repair method. Solera has the largest database in the world for car repairs, available in 40 languages. Estimators can use it to find out the time needed to make the repairs and the relevant information on the parts.
Jeff Smith also pointed out the importance of adding high quality pictures to the estimate. They will be used as evidences to obtain the payment of all the hours worked, and not only the ones estimated by the insurance company.
In a highly competitive market, one of the keys to success is to invest in employees, such as the estimators, in terms of training and equipment. Located in Dubai, Axalta’s Training Centre is dedicated to the Middle East and North Africa, to ensure customers are well taken care of. In a bit more than two years, 1,200 people have attended training sessions in this centre. Axalta also offers master classes with Jeff Smith, a certificated two-day bodyshop management course.
With more than 100,000 customers in above 130 countries, Axalta is a global coatings group with a local focus. Always looking for the best products and services for the Emirati market, Al Mazroui Trading & General Services (MTGS) – Paints Division is the longest standing importer of Axalta’s Spies Hecker brand in the UAE, since 1988.
Adjusting to the Current Market
In the Middle East, thanks to traffic calming measures taken by different governments, the accident rate is decreasing, with a smaller repair demand. Moreover, the local economy is evolving and the competition is tough. To face the current market challenges, bodyshops need to look for innovative ways and opt for more sustainable solutions.
According to Stephen Louis, Key Account Manager for Axalta in the Middle East, the professionals of the industry only have a minimal influence over the situation. Their only full control is on their bodyshop, in terms of technology and personnel. With this market adjustment, bodyshops need to become more efficient and more productive. However, bodyshops managers should not cut costs but manage costs and time more efficiently, with a more rationalised approach.
One of the solutions discussed during the Axalta seminar was to switch to digital.
The Estimator: A Key Actor
Stephen Louis considers that the estimation is “the most important part of the repair process.” If it is wrong from the start, the profitability for the bodyshop will be impacted. The estimators have a key role since they are the first point of contact to the customer. They are responsible for capturing the correct repair methodology and evaluate the costs for the bodyshop.
Participating to the seminar, Ben Barber, Managing Director of Audatex for the Middle East, explained that transitioning from a manual to a digital repair estimation would be beneficial for any bodyshop. Audatex is part of the Solera Group, a global leader in automotive claims processing.
With manual estimations, issues are common and the process is long: two to three days. Moreover, the estimate can be considered as an opinion and therefore might not always be trusted by insurance companies. Besides, the final document does not give a breakdown of the charges and different costs: labour, parts and material.
On the contrary, a digital estimation is more consistent and follows a standardised procedure. It is thus more transparent and inspires trust: from the insurance company and from the customer. Because of its reliability, the digital estimation reduces the negotiation with the insurance company and allows a faster approval of the repairs. As highlighted by Jeff Smith, during the seminar, “trust is essential for a bodyshop to be successful.” To buy, a customer first needs to trust.
The digitalisation of the procedure allows the estimators to identify the correct repair method. Solera has the largest database in the world for car repairs, available in 40 languages. Estimators can use it to find out the time needed to make the repairs and the relevant information on the parts.
Jeff Smith also pointed out the importance of adding high quality pictures to the estimate. They will be used as evidences to obtain the payment of all the hours worked, and not only the ones estimated by the insurance company.
In a highly competitive market, one of the keys to success is to invest in employees, such as the estimators, in terms of training and equipment. Located in Dubai, Axalta’s Training Centre is dedicated to the Middle East and North Africa, to ensure customers are well taken care of. In a bit more than two years, 1,200 people have attended training sessions in this centre. Axalta also offers master classes with Jeff Smith, a certificated two-day bodyshop management course.
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