Bodyshop expands to manage increasing calibration work

• Norwich car body repair specialist says investment is vital to secure insurance work

Norwich-based car body repair and paint specialist, EASR Bodyshop, has expanded to a second site to manage the increasing amount of repair jobs that now require calibration.

Owner, Steve Davy, says 65 percent of the bodyshop’s work involves some form of ADAS calibration; a number only set to increase. Also, with insurance companies requiring more paperwork when work is subcontracted, it became the right time to invest.

“We’ve been using A1 ADAS Solutions for mobile ADAS calibrations for a few years, so it made perfect sense to go to its sister company, A1 Diagnostic Solutions, when we needed equipment,” he said.

“The team share the same work ethic as me so I was confident that what they advised would not only be the best investment, but exactly the right fit for EASR’s specific requirements.”

Davy, who began his journey in mobile smart repairs, sought the advice of A1’s national sales manager, Matt Hume, who assessed the 18,000 sq ft workshop.

Maximising the newly acquired space was critical for EASR to bring its vision to life, as well as ensuring the new equipment would quickly provide the best return on investment per square foot.

A1 delivered an equipment package that would enable EASR to bring most of its calibration work in-house, as well as expand into structural bodywork; something that required a vehicle lift.

Hume said: “Steve initially wanted a 4-post lift, but after demonstrating one at our HQ, we advised it would take up valuable space gained from the expansion. We needed to think creatively.

“The EAE 62BE 5-ton 2-post vehicle lift was a better option and would afford EASR the space to also accommodate an Absolute Alignment Bluetooth Pro Wheel Alignment system. Steve had been subcontracting wheel alignment work out, so this was crucial part of the solution to bring everything in-house.

“The best ADAS and diagnostic equipment for EASR was Autel’s IA600 ADAS system with accessories, the MS909 Diagnostic system, and a security gateway unlock for the Autel tablet. This could be integrated into the prep area with the flexibility to be moved if needed.

“We supplemented this ADAS system with the A1 Remote Diagnostics Mega Bundle, meaning A1’s technicians can be dialled in to assist with troublesome jobs.”

Davy added: “I think the A1 ADAS Group is great. Everyone is so knowledgeable. I’d go as far to say it’s the only company I’ve ever worked with where every single person knows exactly what they’re doing.

“We work to the BS 10125 insurance standard so for me, partnering with a company like A1 is crucial to carrying out and securing the insurance work which makes up around 90 percent of my business.”

Davy forecasts that even if EASR only completes two calibrations per day, he’ll see a return on investment from the whole equipment package in as little as two months.

He concluded: “Bringing calibration work in-house via the A1 ADAS Group is a win-win for me.

“EASR is now even more appealing to insurance companies, we’re increasing the bottom line, and are future proofed for increasingly ADAS enabled vehicles.

“The icing on the cake is we still have A1 to support us. There’ll always be calibration jobs that we struggle with, but it’s never a headache with them on hand. There’s nothing they can’t find a solution for, never any excuses, the job just gets done. They make my life so much easier.”