Discussion forums are one area of bodyshop industry growth. In addition to the ABP Club there is now the RMI’s Accident Repair Industry Forum and the Audatex Industry Forum. <>P The RMI claims “nearly 70” representatives from vehicle manufacturers, work providers and repairers attended the first ARI meeting. “We are very encouraged by the response, particularly from the insurance industry,” says Jeff Mack, RMI head of bodyshops, who refers to the ABP Club as “a very small vested interest group”.

Robert Cresswell, chairman of the ABP Club, comments: “The ARI attendee list we were given had 79 people on it. However there were 54 delegates plus four RMI staff (there).”

Cresswell and Mack, and representatives of other industry organisations like the MVRA, BRIC and the VBRA, will attend the Audatex Industry Forum on April 27.

The Audatex estimating system is coming under increasing criticism from repairers for alleged inaccuracies.

A spokeswoman for Audatex says the forum will consider operational matters, “rather than just the strategic focus of the Advisory Board”.