Celebrations as Thatcham BSI Kitemark® reaches first year milestone
The Thatcham BSI Kitemark Vehicle Body Repair team marked the first birthday of the scheme by hosting a small party at the Thatcham head office in Berkshire recently.
Since its introduction in February 2007, there has been an impressive level of support for the Kitemark scheme - which sets out rigorous standards for the crash repair process, including the methods and materials used by competent technicians - across the entire UK crash repair industry.
Achievement of the Kitemark certificate ensures motorists that the standard of crash repairs that they receive from the Kitemark-certified bodyshop will restore the vehicle to its pre-accident condition. The Kitemark certificate is the only scheme to recognise and address the complexities of modern vehicle manufacture and repair.
Quentin Wilson, spokesperson for BSI, said; “It’s a proven fact that by putting the measurable systems and processes that the Kitemark certificate requires, forces the bodyshop to do a better job. Therefore the standards rise across the board; the consumer has confidence in the service that the bodyshop delivers and the industry gets the ‘best practice’ performance levels it clearly needs.”
At the time of the scheme’s first birthday, 50 crash repair specialists have received the Kitemark certificate, with another 256 businesses going through the application stage.
The strong interest in the scheme is illustrated by the fact that the UK’s largest automotive insurers, have agreed that their approved bodyshops will embrace the scheme.
Steve Hammond Hamon, general manager – Kitemark Services, said; “With the decision made by insurers that they require their approved repairers to achieve Kitemark, the high standards are set to become the ‘norm’ for the crash repair industry. This decision supported by repairers, will ensure the UK motorist receives safe, quality repairs.”
Jason Moseley, Thatcham’s Chief Operating Officer, added; “2007 was a great foundation year for the Kitemark, in 2008 we will see the scheme coming of age with all major insurers backing Kitemark as the badge of quality repairs for their customers. At Thatcham we are also witnessing a huge enthusiasm from repairers who are embracing the challenges ahead by ensuring their bodyshops are staffed by ATA accredited technicians using the appropriate repair method.”
