The Home Of The Body Repair Industry

Q         What is the Auto Body Professionals Club?

 A         It is a private members only club for bodyshop professionals and other individuals who want to see the body repair industry prosper.

Q         Is it an association?

A         Absolutely not.   It does not claim to have association status, but it will try to influence and work with associations and others connected with the body repair industry on behalf of Club members.

Q         Who are its members?

A         There are two levels of membership for bodyshop professionals – Platinum and Gold.  Up to three senior professionals from each company per subscription are permitted within the membership fee.

ABP Platinum Club Members include:

For details of current members, click the Newsletter section which records new members as they join.

Q         Can non-bodyshop professionals join?

A         Yes they can, as long as they follow the basic aims and objectives of the Club.  There is a separate category of membership to cater for this sector – Club Supporter.  This category is open to senior representatives (up to three per company) of motor insurers, accident management companies, suppliers, motor manufacturers – in fact any senior individuals of companies who want to help to influence the body repair industry.

Q         What are the Club’s aims and objectives?

A         The Aims and objectives of the Club will be to:

• Bring together ‘Board Level’ individuals within the sector

• Provide opportunities for these like-minded individuals to influence the market as a whole

• Share information and stimulate debate with like-minded businessmen and women to create positive change and improvements for the sector

• (Platinum Members only)  Arrange regional forums and seminars including high-level presentations by industry VIPs – work providers, manufacturers, government departments, trade body representatives eg VBRA, RMI, SMMT, ABI, Thatcham, AIRC, industry economists, journalists, suppliers (mixed panel per meeting). 

The meetings will aim to break the complex circle of mistrust, lack of transparency and misunderstanding that currently  prevents the sector from moving forward in a positive way.

They will be moderated professionally and will be conducted in a co-operative, constructive and non-confrontational manner.

• Where required, represent Club members with

 i)                    work providers (collectively and individually)

ii)                  parties such as Thatcham /  suppliers

iii)                government agencies

iv)                trade and industry bodies

• Provide automatic membership to the ABP Club Forum www.abpclub.com together with a dedicated series of exclusive Club pages on the ABP site

• Distribute monthly management digests on body repair industry matters

• Improve the standing of the repair industry by setting the industry agenda:

i)                    Market differentiation and segmentation

ii)                  Legislative issues affecting the sector

iii)                ROI

iv)                Market dynamics (UK and Internationally)

v)                  Anticompetitive behaviour within the sector including fraud, legislative compliance issues, restrictive covenants and practices

vi)                Consumer protection 

• Identify common sources of supply and seek best terms for services to repairers (Board level)

• Launch key industry initiatives and attempt to bring conclusions to such initiatives eg unified CSI, industry standards including IT, market research, industry forum
• Act as an interface for best practice information and relationships across all facets of the body repair sector

Q         What other services are provided?

A         See separate document: “AUTO BODY PROFESSIONALS CLUB LTD  -Membership Categories, Benefits and Services”.

Q         In this document, what are “Approved Services”?

A         “Approved Services” are a range of tried and tested professional services sourced by the Club for the benefit of members. These services may cover Health and Safety, COSHH and EPA, Consumer Law, Insurance, Leasing and Finance, Technical, Recruitment and Training, Pensions, Employment Law, Utility Supplies, Investment Opportunities, Quality Standards, Marketing / PR / Design, Business Planning and Strategy, IT Solutions and Management Consultancy.   Approved service providers will be drawn from a directory of Club Supporters.  We will add to the list of service providers as and when appropriate.

Q         What are the “Approved repairer councils” referred to in this document?

A         Platinum and Gold members will be invited to join an approved repairer council for insurer, accident management company or motor manufacturer approvals held by them.  These councils will communicate through meetings or e-mail to determine how members might best be represented on particular issues with the approvals they hold.

Q         When and where are Club meetings held?

A         Click the Club Events Diary button for details.  We hold approximately 6 national meetings a year together with smaller group meetings where necessary to debate ‘live’ issues.

Q         How much does it cost to be a member?

A         Platinum:      £200 + VAT per month (up to three named senior execs)

            Gold:  £40 per month + VAT (up to three named senior execs)

Club Supporter:  *£40 per month + VAT (up to three named senior execs)

Bronze:  £170 per annum + VAT (in one single annual payment up to 3 named senior execs)

* Club Supporter may also be invited to Platinum member activities by prior agreement.  They may also become Sponsors of Approved Services (see above – What are “Approved Services”?)

Q         Who owns the ABP Club?

A         We do!

The Club has two directors, David Cresswell (Chairman) of Scarthoe Consultancy (right) and Jean Hadfield of Auto Body Projects Ltd (Company Secretary).  Robert Hadfield of Auto Body Projects Ltd (left) has been appointed principal adviser and there will be two non-executive directors drawn from the membership, together with a steering group of members and a nominated President.  The current President is Mick Whitehead of M&M Vehicle Repairs Ltd, Stoke on Trent, England.  his years trustees are Ron Dobson of Lancashire Motor Bodies (Atherton) Ltd, Manchester, England and Dave Shepherd of Deejay Accident Repair Centres, London, England.

Q         How do I join?

A         Click here.  We will either forward an invoice to cover the appropriate annual amount (if preferred) or alternatively, a Standing Order monthly mandate form for your completion and return.

If you require further information on any Club matters, please contact David Cresswell on:

Tel: 01494 817096

Mob: 07977 929756

E-mail: davidcresswell@abpclub.com