Plans by a Derby body repairer to ‘challenge the image of the franchised dealer and transform the traditional image of the body repair specialist’ have been supported by paint, equipment and bodyshop service suppliers, including Spies Hecker, Junair, 3M, Globaljig, Pro-Align and computer software & support services provider EMACS.

Representatives from these firms were invited to see a new £2.5 million retail environment concept in Derby being developed by Chartwell Bodycraft, and have agreed to work together on a demonstration, training and work familiarisation programme before the new site opens.

Chartwell specialises in repairing marques such as Aston Martin, Jaguar, BMW, Land Rover, Mercedes-Benz and Audi. The new concept has been designed to "establish higher benchmarks in bodyshop customer service, providing customers with the kind of style and comfort that high profile car dealerships will find hard to reproduce".

Chris Brightmore, operations director and project manager for Chartwell Bodycraft says that such collaboration between suppliers breaks new ground: "It provides the opportunity for a complete run through of systems and equipment on the two days before the new site goes ‘live’ in October. The suppliers will be on hand to ensure that we are operating at the necessary levels of efficiency from the word go."