Page 38 - Australasian Paint & Panel Magazine Sep-Oct 2018

IBIS GLOBAL FOCUS UK
UK FOCUS
Mark Hadaway, editor of bodyshop magazine sets the scene for the mature UK collision marketplace.
THE UK AS a mature market is at the forefront of technological change, yet faces similar challenges afflicting other markets around the world.
A lack of skills is a key concern, with an ageing workforce. The industry is being far more proactive now with a number of businesses promoting themselves to a non-industry audience and committing far more resources to upskilling existing talent. However, the deficit is broadening, and is exacerbated by technologies such as ADAS and EVs. Potential disruption from EVs has led the Institute of the Motor Industry to lobby government to introduce EV repair and technician standards to ensure safety of both the technician and the driver going forward.
Although insurers continue to dominate the market, with the traditional approach of operating approved repair networks in return for agreed work volumes, connected cars are the ‘hot topic’. Many reflective questions are being posed as to the future role of insurers in the claims supply chain. With an ongoing debate surrounding access to data, increasingly some insurers are expressing their interest in working more closely with the vehicle manufacturers. Others however remain diametrically opposed. It
38 PAINT&PANEL September / October 2018 www.paintandpanel.com.au