The inaugural ALLDATA Repair Excellence Event got the series off to a great start, with the takeover of Shaikly Motor Company’s premises in Colchester drawing technicians and workshop owners from across the UK.
The event saw a comprehensive mix of business and technical content, with over 80 attendees treated to talks and tips from leading aftermarket experts. Held in association with Opus IVS, the ALLDATA Repair Excellence Event was deemed a success.
Delegates travelled to Shaikly’s workshop in Colchester, Essex, from as far as Inverness in Scotland, to take advantage of the information on offer.
The ALLDATA Repair Excellence Event started with Mick Shaikly presenting a deep dive into customer profiling, and the benefits to workshops based on first-hand experience. He was followed by Amy Blick from exhilHRate, discussing how to overcome HR challenges in the workshop.
The last speaker before the breakout sessions began was James Dillon, who brought his usual passion and enthusiasm to the event, while discussing diagnostic process training.
Following this, attendees were separated into groups, with further presentations and technical analysis led by industry experts.
Steve Scott from SimplyDiag was on hand to deliver a masterclass on fault inspections, while Darren Quinn of Mechanic Mindset tackled the complexities surrounding wiring diagrams and technical data. Meanwhile, Gary Clayton from HEVRA discussed EV faults and diagnostics, in a popular session.
Ben, the automotive industry charity, was also on hand with the Ben Bus, and received a donation of £300 from ALLDATA Europe in recognition of its outstanding work within the automotive industry.
There were also opportunities for attendees to network with leading aftermarket suppliers, including LKQ Euro Car Parts, ACtronics, and Shell.
Great feedback for ALLDATA Repair Excellence Event
Throughout the day, attendees at the ALLDATA Repair Excellence Event were engaged and active, finding the day useful, both for training and networking purposes. Many praised the balance of business and technical takeaways.
Dean Clark, of West End Garage, Nairn, travelled from the Scottish town to attend, a distance of over 570 miles. “I have been using ALLDATA Europe for several years, mainly for wiring diagrams but also for technical service bulletins,” he commented. “The genuine diagrams make a difference, as they give me confidence and reassurance that they are correct and not altered in any way. So, when I learned that it was launching its own event, I had to come down.
“The event went well and was worth the travel. The opportunity to hear from some of the industry leaders in training, diagnostics and business was invaluable. The networking was a real bonus, and the willingness of everyone to collaborate and help others was amazing.
“We have been able to follow up with several connections since the event, which has put our business in a stronger position as a result. Looking forward to attending similar events in the future.”
Helping the industry
“We are thrilled with how the first ALLDATA Repair Excellence Event has been received,” commented Simon Frost, ALLDATA UK Sales Director. “The reaction has been fantastic, and it is clear that our attendees found value in the combination of content.”
Speaking with Auto Repair Focus at the event, Frost explained why ALLDATA had chosen a workshop takeover, rather than training classrooms or a conference venue. “it is a background that all the technicians and mechanics know and are in every day, so they are really comfortable to be here.
“We are so lucky to have the Shaikly Motor Company venue because it is big, has lots of modern equipment, is nicely set out, and we have space to accommodate all the people who are attending.”
Collaboration key in evolving marketplace
The setup of the ALLDATA Repair Excellence Event also gave technicians access to more than one stream of information. This made it easier for attendees to digest, understand, and come away with thoughts and insights that would be beneficial for their businesses.
“We have tried to ensure this event is not just about one person,” Karl Booth, Sales and Marketing Director at Opus IVS told Auto Repair Focus. “We did not want it to come across as pitching or selling products, but instead it is about giving people some things to take away.
“The garage industry is getting more difficult in terms of being able to repair modern cars. So the idea of bringing multiple businesses together gives the attendees a one-stop place to see different environments, and get answers to common challenges. I believe technicians and workshop owners can get more from bite-size sessions, such as the ones we are hosting as part of the ALLDATA Repair Excellence Event.”
Mick Shaikly, Managing Director at Shaikly Motor Company, added: “It is great seeing people talking and sharing ideas together, it has been a brilliant day. The industry needs to share the good things that it does with garage owners and technicians. Collaboration is more powerful than competition, and I think there are lots of work out there for us all, and we need to be working together to raise standards, and pass that on to the consumer.”
Next event scheduled
The positivity of the inaugural ALLDATA Repair Excellence Event will be carried forward, with the company scheduling its next training and networking session for 26 April. This will take place at DC Lomas in Cheshire. The company aims to continue to deliver an event that provides attendees with practical, take-home insights.
“Seeing so many industry professionals collaborating, and on a Saturday as well, to learn and share experiences shows that we are on the right path,” Frost stated. “We are excited to build on this momentum and bring more insights to the industry in future events, starting with our next one in Cheshire.”
To register a place at the second ALLDATA Repair Excellence Event, follow this link.
