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BSI
PAS125 KITEMARK AWARDED TO AW REPAIR GROUP'S SOUTH YORKSHIRE BODYSHOP
10th March 2008
 AW
Repair Group's South Yorkshire bodyshop has become the latest to
achieve the BSI PAS125 Kitemark.
Managing Director
Andrew Walsh is delighted the bodyshop, which was purpose built
on a greenfield site only three years ago, has achieved the high
standards set by the accreditation.
"The process
is very rigorous and everyone involved is to be congratulated,"
said Andrew. "Since branch manager Ian Pearson joined us in
September we have been working towards the Kitemark at the South
Yorkshire site. Ian is very focused on all the accreditation stands
for and is justifiably proud of the achievement and his team."
The group's Lincolnshire
site has already had a successful pre-licence visit with BSI and
is in line to also become accredited by late spring.
"I think one
of the best aspects of the accreditation is the constant monitoring,"
continued Andrew. "It is not just a case of achieving the status,
putting up a certificate and then carrying on as before. BSI can
return unannounced at any time to carry out further checks to ensure
those processes and procedures are being adhered to. If not, the
Kitemark can be rescinded."
Branch Manager Ian
Pearson said there had been a positive response from all the staff.
"The Kitemark
has given technicians the opportunity to become officially recognized
for their skills - and learn even more," he said. "In
circumstances where a method of repair is not available from the
manufacturer or Thatcham then the senior ATA technician must write
one. This really makes everyone take a second look at the best way
forward for that particular repair and overall vehicle safety which
can only be a good thing.
"Everyone has
seen this as an opportunity to be acknowledged for their skills
and experience," he added.
Talking about the
procedures to gain the Kitemark Andrew said that a gap analysis
had proven to be invaluable in the first instance.
"Because we
knew little about the actual Kitemark content we had a gap analysis
first at the South Yorkshire site," he said. "We learned
so much that we immediately implemented many of the required procedures
at the Lincolnshire site and went straight for a pre-licence visit.
Asked if he recommended
a gap analysis for first-timers Andrew said: "It depends what
your starting point is but the more informed and prepared you can
be beforehand the better, especially with regard to the ATA training
as courses do get booked up quickly.
"I think that
without a gap analysis in the first place there would be much to
do in the short time frame for corrective action. Then two, or more,
pre-licence visits might be required which would add to the cost."
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