Terms of use

These Terms of Use (“Terms of Use”) govern your use of the Fix Auto (“we,” “us,” and “our”) web sites on which these Terms of Use appear, and your use of the features therein. 

BY USING AND ACCESSING THIS WEB SITE YOU AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THE TERMS OF USE SET FORTH BELOW.  THESE TERMS OF USE ARE ENTERED INTO BY AND BETWEEN YOU AND US AND GOVERN YOUR ACCESS TO, AND USE OF, THIS WEB SITE.   Use of this web site is strictly voluntary. If you do not agree to these Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy, you must immediately log off this web site and may not use this web site.

These Terms of Use apply to your access to and use of this web site and do not alter in any way the terms and conditions of any other agreement you may have with us.  If you breach any of these terms and conditions, your authorization to use this web site automatically terminates and you must immediately discontinue use of this web site.

To access and use certain features of this web site, you may be required to register with us and use a login/registration page and you must agree to be bound by any additional applicable terms and conditions contained there.

Collection of Visitor Information on this web site

Any information collected at this web site and the purposes for which we may use this information are set forth in our Privacy Policy. The terms of our Privacy Policy are incorporated herein by this reference. Please carefully review the information contained in our Privacy Policy. By using this web site, you agree to waive and release us from any claim or liability in connection with the collection, use, or disclosure of information that is consistent with the terms of our Privacy Policy.

Copyright

All content, software, and technology included on this web site or used in the operation of this web site is the owned or licensed property of us or our content, software, and technology suppliers, and is protected by Canadian, U.S. and international copyright laws.  In addition, the compilation (meaning the collection, arrangement, and assembly) of all content on this web site is our exclusive property and is protected by Canadian, U.S. and international copyright laws. We grant you permission to view and use content, software, and technology made available to you on this web site in connection with your own personal, noncommercial use of this web site.  Any other use, including the reproduction, modification, distribution, transmission, republication, display, or performance, of the content, software, and technology on this web site is strictly prohibited without written permission from us.

Trademarks

The trademarks, service marks, trade dress, and “look and feel” (the “Trademarks”) used and displayed on this web site are Trademarks of ours and other parties.  Nothing on this web site shall be construed as granting any license or right to use any Trademark displayed on this web site without the prior written permission of the Trademark owner.  Other product and company names mentioned in this web site may be the Trademarks of their respective owners.

Other Intellectual Property

All other intellectual property rights related to the content, software, and technology included on this web site or used in the operation of this web site, including without limitation, patents, trade secrets, trade dress, publicity rights, character rights, titles, and artistic and moral rights are our owned or licensed property.  Any use of these rights without our prior written permission is strictly prohibited.

Accuracy

Information on this web site may contain typographical errors, inaccuracies, or omissions.  We reserve the right to correct any errors, inaccuracies, or omissions and to change or update information at any time without notice to you.

Disclaimer of Warranties

THIS WEB SITE AND ALL CONTENT, PRODUCTS AND SERVICES AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS WEB SITE ARE PROVIDED ON AN “AS IS, WITH ALL DEFECTS” AND “AS AVAILABLE” BASIS WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR CONDITIONS OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS, IMPLIED, STATUTORY OR OTHERWISE.  TO THE MAXIMUM EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, WE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION, WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF TITLE, NON-INFRINGEMENT, AND IMPLIED WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE, SATISFACTORY QUALITY, ACCURACY OF INFORMATIONAL CONTENT, AND ANY WARRANTIES ARISING OUT OF ANY COURSE OF DEALING OR USAGE OF TRADE.  WE MAKE NO REPRESENTATION THAT THIS WEB SITE IS FREE FROM ERRORS, VIRUSES, BUGS, OR OTHER HARMFUL COMPONENTS.  WE MAKE NO REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY THAT CONTENT PROVIDED ON THIS WEB SITE IS APPLICABLE OR APPROPRIATE FOR USE IN LOCATIONS OUTSIDE OF CANADA.  NOTHING IN THESE TERMS OF USE OR IN ANY ORAL OR WRITTEN DESCRIPTION OF THIS WEB SITE WILL CONSTITUTE A REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY OR CONDITION WITH RESPECT TO THIS WEB SITE.

YOU ACKNOWLEDGE, BY YOUR USE OF THIS WEB SITE, THAT SUCH USE IS AT YOUR SOLE RISK.

Some jurisdictions do not allow the exclusion or limitation of implied warranties, so the above exclusions or limitations may not apply in all cases.

Limitation of Liability

TO THE EXTENT PERMITTED BY APPLICABLE LAW, IN NO EVENT SHALL WE, OUR RELATED ENTITIES, FRANCHISEES, OR AGENTS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DIRECT, INDIRECT, PUNITIVE, INCIDENTAL, SPECIAL OR CONSEQUENTIAL DAMAGES (INCLUDING WITHOUT LIMITATION THOSE RESULTING FROM LOST PROFITS, LOST DATA, LOSS OF GOODWILL OR BUSINESS INTERRUPTION) ARISING OUT OF OR IN ANY WAY CONNECTED WITH YOUR USE OF THIS WEB SITE, WHETHER BASED ON CONTRACT, TORT, WARRANTY, STRICT LIABILITY OR OTHERWISE, EVEN IF ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF ANY SUCH DAMAGES.

Certain laws do not allow the exclusion or limitation of certain damages. If these laws apply to you, some or all of the above disclaimers, exclusions, or limitations may not apply to you, and you may have additional rights.

Under no circumstances whatsoever shall our aggregate liability resulting from or relating to your use of this web site exceed Five Canadian Dollars (CAD $5.00).

Prohibited Activities and Visitor Obligations

As a visitor or user of this web site you shall not:

  • violate any applicable law or regulation;
  • upload, post, use, transmit, or otherwise make available, including by e-mail, (each, a “Post”) any content or information that is false or inaccurate;
  • Post any content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, tortious, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, libelous, invasive of another’s privacy, or could otherwise be considered to be objectionable;
  • Post any content that is subject to any disclosure restrictions;
  • Post any materials, items, information or content that infringes or otherwise violates any patent, copyright, trademark, or any other intellectual property rights;
  • Post any unsolicited or unauthorized advertising or promotional materials, including without limitation, junk mail, spam, chain letters, pyramid schemes, or any other form of solicitation;
  • Post any material that contains software viruses, malware, or any other corrupt computer code, files or programs that impair the use of any computer software or hardware or telecommunications equipment;
  • impersonate or use the identity of another person or organization, or falsely state or otherwise misrepresent your affiliation with a person or organization;
  • engage in any activities or manipulate identifying material to misrepresent the origin of content;
  • use this web site for any activity that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, harassing, stalking, tortious, defamatory, vulgar, obscene, libelous, invasive of another’s privacy, or that could otherwise be considered to be objectionable;
  • interfere with or otherwise limit the use of this web site by other users;
  • collect, compile, or store personal information about other users of this web site;
  • disrupt or interfere with the security of, operation of, or otherwise cause harm to, this web site or the systems resources, accounts, usernames and passwords, servers, or networks connected to or accessible through this web site or any affiliated or linked sites;
  • use any robot, spider, other automatic device, or manual process to “screen scrape,” monitor, “mine,” or copy the web pages on this web site or the content contained therein without our prior, express, and written permission; or
  • use this web site for your own commercial purposes.

You agree that you are solely responsible for the Posting of any content ‎ (e.g., text, images, documents, photographs, videos‎) (“User Content”) that you make available on or send through this web site.  In addition to the rights granted to us elsewhere in these Terms of Use, you hereby grant us the irrevocable right to copy and use User Content in connection with this web site and for the purposes related to your Post of the User Content.  Although we have no obligation to screen, edit or monitor any of the User Content or user conduct on this web site, we reserve the right, and have absolute discretion, to remove, screen or edit any User Content and to monitor any user conduct on this web site at any time and for any reason without notice. You are solely responsible for creating backup copies and replacing any of your User Content at your sole cost and expense.

By the Post of User Content to this web site, you represent and warrant that: (a) you have all necessary rights to Post the User Content to this web site and to grant the rights to us that you grant in these Terms of Use; (b) the User Content is accurate and not misleading or harmful in any manner; and (c) the User Content, and your use and the Post thereof in connection with this web site, does not and will not violate these Terms of Use or any applicable local, provincial, state, national or international statute, regulation, or law.

Indemnification

You agree to indemnify and hold us, our related entities, and our franchisees and our and their respective successors and assigns harmless from and against and in respect of any and all claims, demands, losses, obligations, liabilities, damages, recoveries, deficiencies, costs, and expenses, including reasonable attorneys’ fees, which relate to your use of this web site, your failure to perform any of your obligations under these Terms of Use, or your breach of any of your representations or warranties made under these Terms of Use.

Links to Other Web Sites

This web site may contain links to other web sites.  Additionally, other web sites may contain links to this web site.  We do not review or monitor the web sites linked to this web site and we are not responsible for the content or policies of any other web sites.  Any link established by us does not constitute an endorsement of the other web sites or create a relationship between us and the operators of other web sites.  We disclaim any liability with respect to your use of any other web site, and you release us from any liability related to your use of any link to another web site or your use of any other web site.  Where this web site contains a link to another web site owned and/or operated by us, such web site use may be subject to different and additional terms of use and privacy policy terms and conditions.

Third Party Providers of Functionality

We may have functionality in this web site that is provided, in whole or in part, by a third-party service provider.  You can usually identify such third-party functionality by the ‎use of a trademark not owned by us on or near the functionality.  For such ‎third party functionality, you will need to review the terms of use and privacy policy for ‎that third party, which in some cases may require you to visit that party’s website and ‎locate the terms of use and privacy policy.  Your review should include determining ‎whether such terms and policy are acceptable to you.  If they are not, do not use the ‎associated functionality on this web site.‎

Notice for Claims of Intellectual Property Violations and Agent for Notice

We respect the intellectual property rights of others. It is our policy, in appropriate circumstances and at our discretion, to disable and/or terminate the accounts of users who may infringe or repeatedly infringe the copyrights or other intellectual property rights of others.

Our agent for notice of claims of copyright or other intellectual property infringement can be reached as follows:

By mail:      Mondofix Inc.

99 Émilien-Marcoux, Suite #101

Blainville, Québec J7C 0B4 Canada

Attn: Privacy Officer

By phone:  (450) 433-1414

By e-mail:   privacy@fixnetwork.com

If you believe that your work has been copied in a way that constitutes copyright infringement, or that your intellectual property rights have been otherwise violated, please provide our Copyright Agent with a notice containing the following information:

  • an electronic or physical signature of the person authorized to act on behalf of the owner of the copyright or other intellectual property interest;
  • a description of the copyrighted work or other intellectual property that you claim has been infringed;
  • a description of where the material that you claim is infringing is located on our Web site, with enough detail that we may find it on the Web site;
  • your address, telephone number, and e-mail address;
  • a statement by you that you have a good faith belief that the disputed use is not authorized by the copyright or intellectual property owner, its agent, or the law;
  • a statement by you, made under penalty of perjury, that the above information in your notice is accurate and that you are the copyright or intellectual property owner or authorized to act on the copyright or intellectual property owner’s behalf.

Changes to Terms of Use

We may revise these Terms of Use at any time without providing notice by posting updates to these Terms of Use on this web site.  Any use of this web site following the date on which changes to these Terms of Use or the Privacy Policy are published on this web site shall constitute your acceptance of all such changes. You expressly agree that we shall have no obligation to provide you with any notice of any changes, and you hereby expressly waive any right you may have to receive notice of any changes to these Terms of Use or the Privacy Policy.

Continued Operation, Accessibility, and Maintenance of this web site

We may modify, change, suspend, terminate or discontinue the operation of part or all of this web site without notice to you and we reserve the right to refuse service to anyone at any time, with or without cause.

Methods of Providing Feedback:

The following methods of providing feedback to Fix Network on the provisions of goods and service to people with disabilities are available:

Telephone- Fix Network Head Office: 1-450-433-1414

Email – hr@fixnetwork.com

Fix Network accessibility plans and policies

Ontario has set standards for accessibility under the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act, 2005.

The Integrated Accessibility Standards Regulation (Ontario Regulation 191/11), under the act, includes accessibility standards for Customer Service, Information and Communications, Employment, Transportation and the Design of Public Spaces. These important standards are designed to create a barrier-free and accessible Ontario by 2025.

Learn more about how Fix Network is working to comply with the requirements under each of the standards to remove barriers to our programs and services:

  • Accessibility Multi-Year Plan (to be attached)
  • Accessibility Policy (to be attached)

Formats of Documents

This Policy, and related practices and protocols, shall be made available to any member of the public upon request. Fix Network will provide documents, or the information contained in documents, required to be provided under the Standard, to a person with a disability in a format that takes the person’s disability into account.

Disclaimer

Please be aware that our efforts to maintain accessibility and usability are ongoing. While we strive to make the website as accessible as possible, some issues can be encountered by different assistive technology as the range of assistive technology is wide and varied. If you do encounter an accessibility issue, please be sure to specify the web page and nature of the issue in your email and/or phone call, and following investigation, we will make all reasonable efforts to ensure that page or the information contained therein is accessible to the standard outlined in the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 AA conformance.

Your Account

If you are a registered user of this web site, you are responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of your account and password and for restricting access to your computer.  You agree to accept responsibility for all activities that occur under your account or password.  We have the right, without notice and in our sole discretion, to suspend or terminate your access to this web site and to refuse or restrict access or service, terminate accounts, and to remove or edit content on this web site.

General Provisions

English has been used in the preparation of these Terms of Use, and English shall be the controlling language with respect to these Terms of Use and their interpretation.  Les Parties aux présentes confirment leur volonté que cette convention, de même que tous les documents, y compris tout avis, qui s’y rattachent, soient rédigés en langue anglaise.

Any failure by us to enforce any provision of these Terms of Use shall not be construed as a waiver of any provision or the right to enforce same.

These Terms of Use shall be governed by the laws of the Province of Ontario, Canada, without giving effect to any principles or conflicts of laws.  For the purpose of resolving conflicts relating to or arising out of these Terms of Use, or arising out of any other dispute or claim associated with us, you irrevocably and unconditionally: (i) consent to submit to the exclusive jurisdiction of the provincial and federal courts located in the Province of Ontario, Canada, (the “Ontario Courts”) for any litigation or dispute arising out of or relating to these Terms of Use; (ii) agree not to commence any litigation arising out of or relating to these Terms of Use except in the Ontario Courts; (iii) agree not to plead or claim that such litigation brought therein has been brought in an inconvenient forum; (iv) agree that any and all disputes, claims, and causes of action arising out of or relating to these Terms of Use shall be resolved individually, without resort to any form of class ‎action or other consolidation or joining of claims of other parties who may have similar claims; and (v) agree the Ontario Courts represent the exclusive jurisdiction for all disputes relating to these Terms of Use.

These Terms of Use do not, and will not be construed to, create any partnership, joint venture, employer-employee, agency or franchisor-franchisee relationship between you and us.

If any portion of these Terms of Use is held to be invalid, such holding shall not invalidate the other provisions of these Terms of Use.

You are responsible for compliance with applicable laws.

Jurisdictional Restrictions

Use of this web site is unauthorized in any jurisdiction that does not give full effect to all provisions of these Terms of Use, including without limitation this paragraph and the warranty disclaimers and liability exclusions above.  Use of this web site is unauthorized in any jurisdiction where all or any portion of this web site may violate any legal requirements and you agree not to access this web site in any such jurisdiction.

Submissions

Any and all questions, comments, suggestions, and similar materials or information that you send or submit to us through this web site (collectively, “Submissions”), shall become our property; and you hereby transfer, sell, and assign to us all of your right, title, and interest in and to any such Submissions, including without limitation, any and all related patent, copyright, moral rights, trademark, and other intellectual property rights. We have no obligation to maintain any confidentiality with respect to any such Submissions.  We shall be free to use them for any purpose whatsoever without providing you notice or receiving your consent, and without restriction or compensation.

Contact

For questions or comments related to this web site or these Terms of Use, please email us at privacy@fixnetwork.com.

Last updated: January 25, 2021

Helen at the Helm Transforming Fix Auto Atherstone

It is fair to say there have been significant changes at Fix Auto Atherstone in its first 12 months since joining the network, most notably the appointment of Managing Director Helen Davis. 

Having built up an enviable reputation as a fine repairer throughout the North Warwickshire community, the business joined the network in January 2022 full of ambition to develop its modest footprint.  

Unfortunately, a change in senior management soon after put the brakes on all developments and investment, but, it is safe to say, the business is back on track with Helen at the helm. Since joining last June and armed only with the support of business owner Garry Wall, who has always acted as a silent partner, and Regional Business Manager Steve Lawrence, Helen has rebuilt the operation with a priority of replacing key productives, putting processes in place to ensure efficiency and fully immersing herself into the Fix Auto UK brand.  

Said Helen: “I made the jump to here with the promise of being a standalone Bodyshop Manager and, if I’m honest, while I knew of Fix Auto UK, I had no experience of what it brings to a business.  

“While I stand by my belief I was more than ready to run my own bodyshop with the experience gained over the last 10+ years, in reality, and it is largely thanks to the support and guidance provided by Steve (Lawrence), I quickly realised there was more to learn in order to run as smoothly as it is today. To say the last eight months have been a steep learning curve is an understatement. The way a Fix Auto UK repair centre runs is a far cry from what I’ve ever experienced before.” 

The single biggest stumbling block for the business has been replacing key staff who’d left prior to Helen joining. That was finally achieved shortly before Christmas and, with the operation now finally running like Helen wants, talks of expansion and/or developing a secondary site are already being held between Helen and Garry.  

“Garry is a try entrepreneur. He’s a successful businessman and when he was sold the idea of backing the vehicle repair sector, he did his numbers and realised the potential. Despite all the challenges we’ve faced we have been hitting our self-set targets month-on-month now since September.  Despite the slow start, like me, he’s realising there’s far more we can offer the Fix Auto UK network…”   

Fix Auto UK’s Comforting Arms of Support

Having the comforting arm of Fix Auto UK around his shoulders while navigating what he believes to be the toughest time in the vehicle repair industry is how Fix Auto Washington ‘s Bodyshop Manager Marc Madden sums up his first 12 months since joining the network. 

Fuelled by the well-documented pitfalls surrounding parts shortages, staffing and recruitment and courtesy car supplies, Marc is transparently open about the difficulties he’s faced over recent times. In his words and many will certainly agree, “things have never been so difficult in the 23+ plus years I’ve been repairing cars” and yet, he firmly states, “I just don’t know how we would have navigated the last 12 months had we not joined the network.” 

“For us, it was never about joining Fix Auto UK for work provision, it was all about being part of something bigger. It’s a well-used cliché but it was all about joining a family of like-minded businesses that we could call upon for help and support. And we have,” said Marc. 

“For me, having that network support, where you can pick up the phone and speak to fellow Franchise Partners and our Regional Business Manager has been incredible.” 

With reference to Fix Auto Washington’s RBM Marc is referring to Carl Norton who oversees Regions One and Two. “Carl has such a wealth of knowledge. He’s simply been there and done it. I know if I have a question he’ll find me an answer. He has sat with me and analysed various aspects of our operation and critically identified areas in which we can improve things and then helped to come up with plans to rectify them. Despite all the issues surrounding the industry, thanks to Carl’s input our productivity has actually improved.” 

Marc concluded: “I can’t paint a perfect picture of the industry right now because things are far from it because of the supply issues and staffing shortages we are all facing but being part of Fix Auto UK has made things a whole lot better. Having the Fix Auto UK arm around us is comforting for sure.” 

If Carlsberg Did Fix Auto UK Case Studies…

Fix Auto Tewkesbury owner Kevin Dunlop gleefully admits he’s achieved more and progressed his business further in his first 12 months since joining the network than in the previous eight years since taking the boldest of decisions to go it alone and create his company. 

In briefly summing up his vital statistics, Kevin has quite literally doubled the size of his operation. He’s now repairing up to 80 vehicles a month with room to accommodate more, he’s grown from a 5,000 sq ft bodyshop to just over 11,000, he’s doubled his staff to 14 productives and invested significantly by installing state-of-the-art ADAS and alloy wheel refurbishment systems. 

Incredibly, buoyed by so much confidence, he’s in the final talks to take over another unit a fulfil his ambition to move into the realms of being a multi-site operator and he credits his achievement to simply being part of Fix Auto UK. 

“I’m still having to pinch myself,” said Kevin, “I’ve always been driven by the ambition to progress my business but, as I look back, while I am proud of what I achieved on my own, in reality things were stagnant and I really wasn’t progressing at the rate in which I wanted to. 

“Through the help and guidance I’ve received from my RBM (Regional Business Manager Nick Hedges) and Martin (Martin Willis, Fix Auto UK’s Supplier Relations and Business Development Manager), the business has been completely transformed.” 

Kevin added: “I did not join the network for the work provision, though it is nice to have, I joined for some much-needed help, support and guidance. That support is literally a phone call away. Being able to bounce ideas off someone gives you so much confidence. I’ve learned I’m not a born bodyshop manager, I’m really at my happiest on-the-tools so having that managerial support, for me, has been invaluable.” 

An element of being part of Fix Auto UK that has taken Kevin by surprise is the ability to network and he’s also witnessed, first hand, the power of the brand. 

He explained: “When you’re a stand-alone independent like I was, I felt as though I really wasn’t being taken seriously. Being able to introduce myself as the owner of Fix Auto Tewkesbury has certainly helped to open doors. Being invited to various industry events because I am now part of Fix Auto UK has opened up a whole new area of networking which has helped both me, personally, and the business no end.  

“It’s also helped when recruiting. One of my new guys admitted when he saw an ad for a job when I was recruiting before joining he questioned whether, as a small business, I could afford to pay his wages and so didn’t apply, a decision I respect. However, that didn’t enter his mind when he came for an interview after we’d transitioned with the new name and branding even though we are essentially the same business.” 

The Rise of Fix Auto Swansea West

“It’s been a complete whirlwind…” is how Matthew Davies summed up his and business partner Paul Gravell’s first year as Fix Auto Swansea West.  

And that a striking statement considering prior to joining the network they’d risen from offering a one-car-in-one-car out proposition during the height of lockdown to employing 13 in a 14,000 sq ft building in just four years. 

“We’ve always had a lot of momentum since the day we repaired our first car from that shed,” said Matthew, “but the last 12 months, since joining Fix Auto UK, it has increased 10 times and taken us to a whole new level.  

“We have been totally amazed. Through the exposure we’ve received since announcing our arrival to the network, the scores of connections we’ve made and the business support we have received and even the networking we have managed to do through our contacts gained by joining the network, our business which we always thought was in a great place, is at a whole new level.” 

Paul added: “We really have had to take a step back and take a moment or two to look at what we’ve achieved in a short amount of time. Even though I say so myself, it has been an incredible rise made easy by those we have had around us. That said, through the help, guidance and support we have received over the last 12 months since being part of Fix Auto UK, we now have a clear vision of where we want to be. Having the right culture here is paramount and we believe we have that.” 

And while Matthew and Paul talk highly about what Fix Auto Swansea West has achieved in just 12 months, their chatter is supported by facts. They’ve increased their workforce to 17 and have all but doubled the number of vehicles they’re now repairing more than 100 vehicles a month. At the time of going to press with this Infofix, the duo were poised to make not one, but two major announcements which could significantly increase those statistics.  

Caption: Whirlwind… that’s how Fix Auto Swansea West owners Matthew Davies (left) and Paul Gravell summarise their first year as part of the network. 

The Rise of Fix Auto Sittingbourne

The transition from a humble retail repairer that handled the occasional fleet vehicle to a business fully immersed within the insurance sector has been somewhat frenetic over the last 12 months, but it is exactly the reason why Fix Auto Sittingbourne owner Lee Cooper signed up to become part of the network. 

Business has accelerated at such a rate that, within the first year since joining Fix Auto UK, the repairer has doubled its staff and increased its working footprint and is now processing more than 60 vehicles a month compared to the 20 or so it has been founded on.  

“I went on record as saying I was joining Fix Auto UK in order to take the business onto another level,” said an ambitious Lee, “and that is exactly what we’ve done! I just never imagined the transition from where we were at to the level in which we’re working to today would be so immediate.” 

He added: “The high level of work out there today is well documented, but you must be in the game of being an insurer-led repairer to have any chance of gaining it. Being part of Fix Auto UK gave us instant access but, as we quickly discovered, it’s not all about the volume, it’s how that volume is processed and that’s where the help, support and guidance we’ve received has been invaluable.” 

Fellow director Chad Bishop, who manages the day-to-day operational side of the business, added: “Being part of Fix Auto UK has been an eye-opener, for sure. We joined with full of ambition and wanted to elevate the business to another level, and I am confident when I say we’ve already achieved that goal but, we’re only really just getting going!” 

That was a sentiment echoed by Lee. He concluded: “We had only been going for four years prior to joining the network, looking back we were only playing at things. We’ve had the steepest of learning curves over the last 12 months which really has elevated the entire business and, thankfully, because of the support and guidance we’ve been given, particularly from our RBM Garry Carter, we have managed every challenge that has come our way. Here’s to the next 12 months and beyond.” 

LEICESTER’S LOVING THE LIFE UNDER THE FIX AUTO UK BANNER

“Having someone – or a big entity like Fix Auto UK – in your corner is incredibly reassuring…”  

That is how Fix Auto Leicester Managing Director Kevin Shaw summarised his thoughts on what being part of the network means to him and his business 12 months on from joining. 

The key driver behind signing up to the network for Kevin and co was the business support available to further elevate and develop his operation.  

Just to recap, while January 1 2022 was Fix Auto Leicester’s official joining date, Kevin and his team had waited patiently for seven months prior after relocating their operation to a former farm a proverbial stone’s throw from Fix Auto UK’s head office in Leicester, a move which was the result of a significant investment programme heavily in transforming what was a smallholding including the old farm house, into a flagship repair centre spanning 12,000 sq ft and luxury offices. 

“Like so many who join the network, we already had a solid base of work providers so joining Fix Auto UK was never about work provision, it was all about business support and being part of a larger organisation rather than being stand alone independent repairer.  

“I stand by the decision, it has certainly proved to be great one for us. Having our RBM Steve Lawrence on the end of the phone for help and advice has been superb as is meeting other Franchisees who we can share our struggles with and share information with.” 

By his own admission, soon after joining the network Kevin was introduced to Grove and has since utilised the company’s Health Check digital system. 

Kevin explained: “Prior to joining Fix Auto UK we used paint distributors from our work providers. But, having been introduced to Grove and particularly its Integrum Health Check, we have reduced our costs, improved our efficiencies and, of course, optimise profitability. Had we not been part of the network we would never have talked to Grove let alone work with them and it’s proven hugely beneficial to the business.” 

All Change for Fix Auto Cheltenham as Co-Owner Andrew Emery Bows Out

“The best move we could have made…” is how Andrew Emery, co-director of Fix Auto Cheltenham summed up his, and business partner Kieran Humphries’s, decision to invest heavily in relocating to brand new premises to future proof the operation. 

And just with the passing of their first anniversary of the move to a 15,000 sq ft unit, there was cause to celebrate yet again with Andrew agreeing to sell his majority shares to Fix Auto UK. 

By Andrew’s own honest admission, the past 12 months have been testing but he he unequivocally states it has been a major success. However, with the repair centre in the strongest of positions, he felt it was time for him to step back and concentrate on other business projects and so approached Fix Auto UK to buy his shares. 

“Right from the day I bought into the business my goal was to support Kieran and future proof the whole operation. Today, the business is now sitting in a state-of-the-art repair centre that is a jewel in the Fix Auto UK crown and that makes me extremely proud indeed.” 

“With the new site set up and running seamlessly I really can’t add anything more so now is the right time to bow out. With Kieran as passionate as ever in control of the day-to-day running of the bodyshop and with Fix Auto UK in support, the future for it really does look exciting.” 

Kieran added: “Fix Auto UK buying into the business is yet another exciting new chapter for us. I can’t thank Andrew enough for his help and unwavering support since he joined me. Put simply, we wouldn’t be sitting here in our impressive new repair centre had he not joined the business. I am ambitious, bringing Fix Auto UK on board will help take the business to another level.” 

It is the second repair centre established within the Fix Auto UK network that Fix Auto UK has invested in, having taken a majority share in Fix Auto Goole in August 2018, and in doing so embark on its strategy to develop a portfolio of its own repair centres primarily to ensure and maintain the network presence in areas where it had none. Fix Auto UK’s group of nine wholly owned sites comprises Fix Auto Daventry, Fix Auto Colwyn Bay, Fix Auto Barnsley, Fix Auto Crawley, Fix Auto Paignton, Fix Auto Liverpool South, Fix Auto Castleford, Fix Auto Newport and Fix Auto Henley-on-Thames. 

Ian Pugh, Managing Director for Fix Auto UK, said: “Andrew and Kieran have been an exciting addition to the network since joining us. Together, they’ve transformed the business first established by Kieran and his father and the site they now proudly operate from is one to behold.  

“Andrew approached us several months ago with a proposition to buy his shares in order to continue to maintain the growth and development of the business and we are delighted to be in a position to do so. Having Kieran, who is so passionate about the industry and the business, on board is a major boost.” 

BRAINTREE AND TAYSIDE TICKING ALONG JUST NICELEY…

“It’s purring along just nicely” was how Andy O’Hare described his Dundee operation one year on from opening Fix Auto Tayside. 

And Andy’s words have been echoed by Danny Ashwell who opened the doors to Fix Auto Braintree, his second site, shortly before Christmas 2022. 

Exactly 12 months on from when Andy celebrated opening his fourth Fix Auto UK-branded repair centre making the family run business arguably the most prolific repairer in Scotland, and he couldn’t be happier with the way the new operation has seamlessly slipped into the operation. 

What makes Fix Auto Tayside stand out, and not just within those repair centres north of the border, but as a unique site within the 118 Fix Auto UK sites that make us the UK-wide network is the fact it holds the equipment needed to repair commercial vehicles, double decker buses and HGVs alongside family cars. 

Just to reflect, centrepiece within the multi-million investment that includes a 18,000 sq ft workshop, offices and nearly a quarter of an acre of secured vehicle parking, is a colossal spraybooth capable of hosting double-decker buses.  To ensure no vehicle is too big or small, the biggest jig believed to be available with a 25-tonne pulling power has been cleverly sunk to ground level. There is also a 10-metre long spraybooth designated solely for LCVs and cars that effectively makes the site a three-booth venture. 

With regards to Fix Auto Braintree, the 10,000 sq ft repair centre was officially opened to a civic reception two weeks before the festive break but that didn’t deter the team there from showing their true intentions for the year ahead. 

“The Braintree team have been absolutely tremendous,” said Danny, “they’ve knocked all the targets we set for the site right out of the park. We had hoped to be repairing up to 20 cars a week, possibly edging up to 25 but in all reality they’ve been hitting more than 35 vehicles since Easter. We’ve had to take on two additional team members in the office two additional productives. I really couldn’t have wished for a better start to the site.” 

Andy added: “Fix Auto Tayside has been the perfect addition to our portfolio of repair centres,” said Andy, “we’ve long been an established car and LCV repairer through our sites in Aberdeen, Elgin and Inverness, Tayside puts us in the unique and fortunate position where we are able to repair any vehicle on our roads. We set ambitious targets and goals which, I am delighted to say, as we look towards the end of the year we’re close on achieving so I couldn’t be happier.”  

FIX AUTO BASILDON CHALKS UP FIRST YEAR WITH THE NETWORK

Security, knowledge and experience were three deciding factors behind Fix Auto Basildon director Steve Abbs joining the network – and one year on he freely admits his decision was one that has paid off.      

Having established his mechanical repair and servicing business during the mid 1990’s, it is fair to say Steve has all the knowledge and experience in that area of the vehicle repair sector but, by his own admission, he realised he lacked a little when it comes to bodyshop repairs. His business was bitten hard when, without any prior warning, a key work provider pulled away and left him quite dumbfounded.  

Fortunately, his company’s reputation had grown to a point where work still flowed in but, as Steve stresses, it was a lesson well learned and that’s when he sought out Fix Auto UK, the key reasons being to shore up an area and having access to the network’s highly experienced team of Regional Business Managers who, via the popular Regional Business Manager Garry Carter, he has access to. 

“Has joining Fix Auto UK been beneficial, absolutely!” said Steve, “while we established the bodyshop side of the business in 2016, in reality I know we still have a lot to learn. We had our fingers burnt when a work provider simply pulled away from us without any prior warning which was a hard pill to swallow, especially as the standard of our repairs were not questioned. In fact, they have always been exemplary.” 

“Securing an area by taking on the Fix Auto UK franchise was key to us, as was having access to the knowledge, experience and support provided by our Regional Business Manager. Garry has been so supportive and, true to the promises we were given from the outset, he’s helped to transform our productivity.” 

Fix Auto Basildon commands a three-acre site in the heart of the famed town of Basildon and workshop space spanning more than 27,000 sq ft encompassing several buildings cleverly positioned to ensure a seamless workflow. Steve runs the business alongside partner Simon Croft. The site currently processes up to 160 vehicles cars and LCVs monthly but has scope to increase that to more than 200.   
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