The Association of Body Repairers is concentrating on cutting costs for its body repair members by acting as a direct supply chain.

ABR has negotiated a number of bulk buying deals with Bodyshop Warehouse in Andover, Hants, and is claiming massive discounts on dry goods such as spray masks and tools.

David Turner, director of ABR, said that many of the larger branded companies, such as 3M, are negotiating direct deals that will potentially halve many repairers monthly invoices for consumables.

“It is difficult to squeeze any more money out of the insurers for hourly labour rates, so we are looking at the other end of the business and reducing costs for bodyshops to help with profitability,” he said. “We hope these buying incentives will attract more members and we are looking to be a truly nationwide operation quite soon.

The association has set up a website for member information - www.theassociationofbodyrepairers.co.uk - and one for the direct supply scheme – www.thebodyshopwarehouse.co.uk