SYNETIQs Doncaster presence grows with 25 acre expansion

  

SYNETIQ has announced that two of its Doncaster vehicle processing facilities are to be joined with the addition of 25 acres licensed by the Environment Agency. Through the incorporation of an adjacent site, the existing SYNETIQ premises on Planet Road and Church Lane in Doncaster will be integrated into one new industry leading operation.

Planning permission has already been granted for the site’s development, which will allow SYNETIQ to improve and streamline its operations. Cars, motorbikes, HGVs and LCVs will now all be processed together, improving operational efficiencies and creating additional jobs in the local area.

As the UK’s leading vehicle salvage and recycling company, SYNETIQ is investing heavily in its facilities in and around its Doncaster HQ as part of its ongoing commitment to futureproofing its operations. With a strategy to operate from large, well-invested, strategically located sites, SYNETIQ will ensure it has capacity to continue growth in the future, while exceeding its recycling targets through innovative operational processes.

Richard Martin, Managing Director of SYNETIQ commented: “We are delighted to announce the Doncaster expansion just days after SYNETIQ is once again reaffirming its position as an industry leader at a time when the reduction in waste and the reduction in global CO2 production is critical. Through the expansion of our Doncaster operations, we are able to advance and streamline our vehicle processing, while operating our salvage, auction, parts and recycling operations from one single, efficient site.”

He added: “The use of the existing brownfield site will minimise the environmental impact of the expansion, and perfectly aligns with our company ethos of: Reduce, ReUse, Reman and Recycle.  It’s a simple yet effective approach, and we’re repurposing land in the same way that we re-use as many of the components on each vehicle as possible. This is very much how we approach our work, which includes focusing on our social responsibility and leading the industry through innovation.”

SYNETIQ Winsford to be the new centre of excellence for electric vehicle recycling

  

SYNETIQ, the UK’s largest vehicle salvage and recycling company, has announced its intention to expand and invest in its Winsford site, as the UK gears up for a shift to purely electric vehicles from 2035.

The planning of a significant investment is now underway, and will see the Winsford site in Cheshire become the home of SYNETIQ’s new cutting-edge facility for processing electric vehicles (EVs) – the first of its kind in Europe. With the announcement of a ban on all new petrol and diesel cars by 2030, the move will support the company’s ambition to drive sustainability, innovation, compliance and customer experience agendas, whilst delivering great value for clients.

In addition to the bespoke EV Processing capability, there will also be further investment in facilities including concreting, large-scale racking systems, purpose-built depollution facilities, as well as remodelled premium dismantling and parts and EV Battery storage facilities. Winsford will still operate as a premium salvage and online auction site.

SYNETIQ already has specialist equipment and processes in place to handle EVs and hybrids, while maximising safety and compliance. New recycling processes are also in development, alongside additional logistics capabilities to futureproof the business.

Over 50 colleagues are trained to handle EV and Hybrid vehicles safely, and further training and investment is scheduled to upskill SYNETIQs team.
The scope of the development will see the site become the UK’s leader in handling the technically advanced vehicles of tomorrow and follows a £500k investment in EV handling capabilities already completed at Gloucester, SYNETIQs flagship South West site.

As part of changes the company’s Nantwich site will close by Spring 2021, with most employees migrating to the flagship Winsford site. This announcement of SYNETIQs commitment to expansion in the North West is in line with its business strategy, shared earlier this year. Concentrating rising vehicle volumes through fewer, but larger, well-invested and strategically located sites, will provide the capacity for future growth and increase efficiency.

SYNETIQ has already begun the successful implementation of this strategy in Scotland and the South West in 2020, as well as investment into new sites across the South East. Working to an ethos of: Reduce, Reuse, Reman and Recycle, SYNETIQ takes an integrated approach to ensuring how vehicles are assessed and either put back on the road or dismantled for parts. This ensures maximum reuse and minimal environmental impact – and supplies vital, cost effective and environmentally sustainable original components to the repair sector.

John Schofield, Executive Director of SYNETIQ says: “I am so proud of how the business I started back in 1974 has gone from strength to strength. I have always moved with the times and what our clients and customers want: this investment and commitment to our base in Cheshire is the next chapter of a very exciting story for SYNETIQ”.

Planning and consultation with colleagues will continue for the rest of the year before the expansion plans are executed in the new year.

SYNETIQ appoints new Group Inventory, Pricing & Stock Control Manager

  

Gavin Wood has joined UK’s largest salvage and vehicle recycling company, as part of investment in its Green Parts supply capability. 

In this new leadership role, Gavin will work with the Operations Director, supporting the end-to-end Inventory Process departments to ensure the SYNETIQ meets the stringent quality and delivery requirements their clients and customers require. These environmentally friendly Green Parts must be of the right standard, in the right place and at the right time.

Effective and efficient management of the goods in, pricing and grading, QC and inventory process is vital in this fast-moving area of the business, which handles thousands of vehicles and parts each week. 

SYNETIQ has invested heavily in its sites and infrastructure this year, implementing harmonised processes and measurements across its locations. The business is working to specific KPIs to meet the expectations of clients and customers. 

To support this, a new Pricing & Factoring Team has been established in Doncaster, led by Gavin to develop operational efficiencies through aligned processes, best practice and continual improvement. 

Gavin brings a wealth of experience in inventory and stock control, having worked in the FMCG industry for over 20 years, and will be based at SYNETIQs Doncaster Head Office.  

Tom Rumboll, Executive Chairman at SYNETIQ, said: 

“Our customers rely on us keeping our promises – whether that customer is a major Insurer or a private individual. Gavin has joined us at an exciting time and is absolutely the right person to support our ambitious growth plans.” 

SYNETIQ achieves the VRA UK Standard for Green Parts

  

The Vehicle Recycler’s Association has awarded SYNETIQ with the Stage 2 UK Standard for Reclaimed Parts from End-Of-Life Vehicles, following a two-part assessment at SYNETIQ’s Doncaster Head Office.

This new industry standard covers the removal, processing, and traceability of parts from damaged vehicles, ensuring they are safe for reuse. SYNETIQ supplies these ‘green parts’ to major fleets, Bodyshops, garages and private customers across the UK.

SYNETIQ sells original equipment (OE) non-safety related parts, such as collision panels, engines and gearboxes, through its parts procurement platform MyGreenFleet. Each part is graded from A to C, with any minor damage clearly highlighted. This quality control process is well established and means customers know exactly what to expect when ordering, with the item condition reflected in the price. The cashable saving from RRP can be as much as 75% when compared to new OE parts.

“We’re right behind this new VRA standard – it is a very positive step,” says Jason Cross, Client Relationship Director at SYNETIQ. ”We see it as being perfectly aligned with our vision: to lead the way in creating a vehicle recycling industry we can all be proud of. New, robust industry standards create a benchmark and inspire trust in the use of Green OE Parts. This can only help us and the insurance and fleet clients we serve.”

While reusing vehicle parts was traditionally a price-led decision, more information is being revealed about the environmental benefits of use. Last month, SYNETIQ reported it has helped British Gas to save 120,000kg of CO2, simply by using recycled replacement doors instead of comparable brand-new OE.

Jason added: “We’ve been supplying green parts to the fleet industry since 2010, and we’re now undertaking several trials with major UK insurers for use in insurer funded repair. Attitudes are changing towards green parts, and we’re grateful to the VRA for their efforts to raise the standards further.”

SYNETIQ achieves ISO 45001

  

SYNETIQ, the UK’s leading salvage and vehicle recycling company, has been externally verified with the International Standard ISO 45001.

The new accreditation is a welcome reminder that health, safety, and welfare remain at the heart of SYNETIQs operations. Colleagues continue to work together to ensure the business remains proactive in its approach to health and safety, striving to continuously improve together.

ISO 45001 has helped SYNETIQ focus on the minimisation and, where possible, elimination of risk. The business already operates an integrated management system which includes ISO 9001, 14001 and 27001; this has proved to be an effective way of achieving standardisation across sites.

SYNETIQ strives for excellence both for its colleagues and customers, and this accreditation further demonstrates the robust health and safety processes which are in place.

“I am proud and delighted that SYNETIQ has been awarded the ISO45001 accreditation. It is a testament to the hard work of all colleagues; especially the HSEQ Team and a real signal of our commitment to putting the Health and Safety of our colleagues at the forefront of our business. It reflects and recognises our investment and significant progress in this area since SYNETIQ was created.  The focus now must be on ensuring we maintain the level of quality, focus, discipline and improvement to retain this year after year.”

Tom Rumboll, Executive Chairman, SYNETIQ

“2020 continues to be a challenging year for all due to the Coronavirus pandemic, we all continue to pull together to work through the challenges we face. Achieving ISO45001 accreditation despite these additional challenges gives us a great sense of pride and further demonstrates our commitment to putting health and safety first in all that we do as an organization.”

Mark Harrison, Head of Health, Safety, Environment & Quality, SYNETIQ

SYNETIQ IT Team grows to support focus on innovation

  

SYNETIQ, the UK’s largest salvage and vehicle recycling company, has welcomed three new additions to its IT team – a mark of its commitment to investment and innovation.

Two new Senior Developers have joined to strengthen the team’s capacity, as the business prepares for the next chapter of its capabilities.

Sean Maller is the latest addition to the .Net Team, and will focus on software improvement, ensuring SYNETIQ remains a market leader in innovation and process.

Robert Ralston is the latest addition to the AWS development team and brings his experience gained in the Fleet Management industry, making him ideally placed for the role. SYNETIQ is a leading provider of Green Parts and Mechanical Solutions to fleets across the UK; Robert’s knowledge of CRM system development will enhance client and customer experience.

Navya Areti joins as Amazon Web Services (AWS) DevOps Engineer, and will be working closely with SYNETIQ’s IT development teams. Navya’s background is in the creation of cloud infrastructure – she will help the team move projects into the cloud, reduce cost, improve reliability, and continue to plan for the future.

Dave Harcourt, IT Director at SYNETIQ, said: “Investment in our team will help us offer the best possible experience to our clients and customers. I’m excited for what’s in store over the coming months and confident we’re set up to drive our industry forward through investment and innovation.”

SYNETIQ secures contract with Stocalfe Response

  

The UK’s largest salvage and vehicle recycling company has announced a new partnership with Stocalfe Response, a provider of accident and fleet management services.

As part of the relationship, SYNETIQ will exclusively handle salvage vehicles involved in motor claims on behalf of Stocalfe Response. This agreement will provide Stocalfe Response with unrivalled returns for its total loss vehicles.

Steve Dodson, Client Relationship & Business Development Director, said: “I’m pleased to welcome Stocalfe Response as our newest client. We’ve worked closely with their team to make sure the transition was a smooth one and I’m delighted to report that everything’s working really well.”

Stocalfe Response is based in Warrington and offers a full management service, including credit hire and intervention hire. It works with a wide range of clients and customers; handling claims on vehicles ranging from small cars to HGVs.

Bromley Beacon Academy receives support from SYNETIQ and Metropolitan Police

  

Students at the Bromley Beacon Academy have received a donation of motorbikes from SYNETIQ, the UK’s largest salvage and vehicle recycling company.

The academy is based in South East London, and supports young people with social, emotional, and mental health (SEMH) needs around the borough. The donated bikes will play a key role in the delivery Level 1 & 2 Motor Mechanics courses, where students can develop their practical skills and technical knowledge.

Bromley Beacon’s state of the art centre is equipped to the same standard as a professional garage, including all the relevant tools and safety equipment. Courses are designed to set students up for their working life, leading to a career in mechanics or engineering. As well as a donation of motorbikes, Bromley Beacon’s motorbike department has also received support from the Metropolitan Police service. The force’s own Motorbike Police team recently joined students at the school to share stories, vital information on keeping safe on the road, and their own experiences with motorbikes. All students reacted positively, helping to forge positive relationships between students and the Police.

SYNETIQ make moves to create a flagship site in the South West

  

SYNETIQ has announced its intention to expand its Gloucester site after sharing the news with its clients and colleagues last week. 

A multi-million-pound investment is already underway that will deliver new concrete works, large-scale racking systems, more purpose-built depollution facilities, and remodelled premium breaking and parts storage facilities. 

The changes will mean the closure of the long established Cinderford site by the end of September, with the migration of most of its employees, capabilities and processes transferring to the new flagship SYNETIQ site. 

This announcement of SYNETIQs commitment to expansion in the South West follows shortly behind a similar strategy and show of commitment to expanding its operations in Scotland to provide national coverage for clients and customers. 

Jason Cross, Client Director of SYNETIQ said:

“The investment in the expansion of our Gloucester site is exciting, driven by our aspiration to lead the industry whilst delivering an exceptional, compliant and innovative service to our clients. This move is testament to our confidence in our business and our people, who will have the chance to develop and grow within our ambitious and scalable organisation.”

As Coronavirus caused unprecedented disruption to businesses across the UK, SYNETIQ, as a DEFRA-classified key service, continued to support its key worker clients, including Insurers, Ambulance services, Police forces and supermarket delivery vehicles, providing salvage and dismantling services, green parts and Mechanical Solutions and this investment is continued evidence of that commitment.

SYNETIQ invests in new 11-acre Glasgow site

  

SYNETIQ has successfully begun relocating to its new Glasgow site, marking further investment in its vehicle processing capacity.

The new Torrance premises is significantly larger than the outgoing Alexandria location and retains Julie Hubbard as Manager. The site has extensive concrete storage areas, large workshops, storage and office areas, meaning its suitable for many client services – including salvage, vehicle recycling, green parts and mechanical solutions.

The move is the next step in a strategic 5-year growth plan, where the business invests in new sites to strengthen its total UK coverage. So far this year, SYNETIQ has also opened two others – in Aldershot and in South London, the latter being the first of its kind in the industry.

SYNETIQ Torrance has plenty of space for further growth; an important consideration when choosing the site. By reinforcing its strong presence in the North, SYNETIQ can deliver the best possible experience to its clients – including Insurers, Police forces nationwide.

The business is now increasing efficiency through standardised ways of working, with the same high standards of compliance, safety, and efficiency across all its locations.

British Gas reduces environmental impact of fleet with SYNETIQ

  

British Gas is one of the UK’s best-known companies, with a history stretching back over 200 years. Its iconic bright blue vans are a regular sight on the road, carrying thousands of Engineers between homes and businesses across the country.

The British Gas fleet is made up of around 11,400 vehicles, making it one of the largest in the country. Managing a fleet of this size comes with significant responsibilities – from environmental performance to the practicalities of vehicle downtime and cost reduction. Steve Winter, Head of Fleet at British Gas, says the business is always open to exploring new, innovative ways of working.

“We’re constantly considering new initiatives to keep our engineer’s mobile whilst doing right by our customers, employees and the environment,” says Steve. In March 2020, the business was named as Fleet of the Year at the Fleet News’ Awards, for its range of initiatives concerning vehicle downtime, driver welfare and environmental performance.

British Gas is in partnership with MyGreenFleet, a service provided by SYNETIQ, the UK’s largest salvage and vehicle recycling company. SYNETIQ prides itself on intelligent solutions and provides the compliant handling of British Gas salvage vehicles. No salvage vehicles are resold, with the shells crushed and recycled on site, ensuring they can never return to the road.

Some vehicles still contain perfectly good, non-safety-related parts – known as green parts – and these are sold back to British Gas repair partners (Hitachi and SOPP+SOPP) for re-use on its own vehicles. This simple yet incredibly effective process has helped British Gas save millions of pounds since it began in 2012.

“What surprises me is the number of fleets which aren’t considering the use of green parts,” says Steve. “The cost savings and environmental benefits are clearly visible in the data provided by SYNETIQ, and we’re happy with the service provided.”

SYNETIQ green parts are OEM, non-safety critical, quality-controlled parts, such as doors, bumpers, and lights, and are perfect for reuse on damaged repairable British Gas vehicles. Parts are often already painted and stickered to match and are delivered to British Gas accident/fleet management partners using SYNETIQ MyGreenFleet inhouse logistics, within 48 hours. This means Engineers can get back on the road more quickly, and unnecessary manufacturing of new parts is reduced.

Since 2012, SYNETIQ MyGreenFleet have supplied over 1200 doors alone, for use on British Gas vehicles – saving more than 120,000kg of CO2 against comparable new doors. Over 6500 non-safety related green parts have been supplied in total, generating a truly significant saving.

Green parts are up to 70% cheaper when compared with new, OEM parts, and act as a like for like replacement. Accurate data is available to British Gas within MyGreenFleet, providing insight on cost savings, units, and performance against agreed service level agreements – such as delivery time. Use of green parts often reduces vehicle downtime, meaning Engineers can get back on the road more quickly.

Jason Cross, Client Relationship Director at SYNETIQ, says the business is proud to be trusted by British Gas. “We like saying yes,” says Jason. “We pride ourselves on removing the barriers or problems that crop up when operating such a vast fleet.”

SYNETIQ also provides ‘waste and destock’ services, where a SYNETIQ employee can empty vans of equipment and personal belongings and securely return them, disposing of any waste.

Technical equipment used by Engineers can also be transferred from one vehicle to another in the event of it switching drivers. Ladders and scales are stored securely on SYNETIQ sites, and either returned to British Gas or transferred to another vehicle. This protects valuable equipment from theft and further reduces ‘vehicle of road’ (VOR) time.

“We’re very proud to be trusted by British Gas – it means a lot to our business,” says Jason. “I’m pleased to share that Steve recently awarded us a score of ‘10’ in our recent client satisfaction survey. We’re looking forward to working with them to provide more intelligent solutions for the future.”

Insurance Tomorrow Podcast: Jason Cross talks sustainable claims

  

The latest Insurance Tomorrow podcast is now available to listen to – featuring our Client Relationship Director, Jason Cross.

The podcast is created by Allianz UK; during each episode, an expert panel discuss major global business trends, their impacts on the insurance industry and the challenges they pose to insurance brokers.

This time, Steph McGovern speaks to Jason Cross, alongside experts from Allianz , Climate Wise and Plastic Surgeon – discussing the future of sustainable claims in the insurance industry.

Podcast link: https://lnkd.in/gPp6NhZ