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 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.
Did you know, you can now order and pay for your parts online and collect them from your nearest site?
During the lockdown period, we wanted to take the opportunity to make some improvements for you. Click and collect makes it safer and easier to buy from us at the moment – but it’ll also have lots of benefits going forward.
When using click and collect, you get a quick answer on what we have in stock before you visit us. It also means less waiting time once you arrive! What’s not to like?
Live Chat & automatic Chat Bot
We’ve also launched SYNETIQ Live Chat, available through a link on our website. This is now the way to contact us if you’re looking for parts for your vehicle.
We’ve received a huge response so far – we’re carrying on improvements and training more of our colleagues, so we can answer your queries more quickly. You can use Live Chat for any type of question, whether related to auction, parts or anything else.
As of today, we’ve also switched on a Chat Bot – this aims to automatically respond to your question with a link to our new Knowledge Base. Again, this will make sure your questions get a speedy response – it’ll also be available all around the clock.
We’re hard at work, making sure you have the best experience possible when using SYNETIQ. Hope to see you soon!
Parts: We have reopened our parts, wheels and tyres counters and installed screens for safety. We strongly advise that you order online and use click and collect to make sure you can follow social distancing measures. We also offer delivery on parts through our website and eBay.
Our Doncaster call centre and Huddersfield site remain closed for parts enquiries but you can speak to an adviser by choosing livechat on our website.
Auction: As the government starts to relax some of the lockdown rules we have reviewed how we are running our auction.
Advanced viewings of vehicles remain suspended to minimise the amount of time customers are onsite.
Our shorter opening hours remain in place – core opening hours are 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. Please remember to allow enough time for loading when planning your visit.
Our Huddersfield site has reopened for vehicle collections.
Remember – safety first! High vis vests must be worn on all of our sites, collection won’t be permitted without them. High vis vests are available to buy for £5.00 on our Winsford site – this is non returnable or refundable due to strict COVID guidelines.
If you have a query please contact us on our new live chat facility, which is monitored Monday to Friday, 8.30am to 5pm.
Team BRIT, the all-disabled racing team, have acquired their next racing car from SYNETIQ, meaning even more drivers have the chance to get behind the wheel.
The team have taken delivery of a 2019 BMW M240i, acquired through SYNETIQs market-leading salvage vehicle auction. It will be become their next academy car, providing opportunities for more disabled drivers to enter the world of motorsport.
Team BRIT launched its Racing Academy last year as an extension to its racing team. The Academy supports people with physical and psychological challenges in accessing motorsport, by offering track days and experiences at circuits across the country.
Team BRIT’s world-leading hand control technology will be fitted to the car, allowing disabled drivers to race against able-bodied competitors. This cutting-edge system includes an electronic braking system, making racing easier and safer for drivers who are unable to use their legs. It can also be removed easily if required, with a simple swap of the steering wheel.
Following delivery, the vehicle was inspected at a BMW dealership, who confirmed the engine and mechanical components are in excellent working order. Vehicles sold through SYNETIQs salvage auction have been categorised as safe for repair, following the comprehensive assessment undertaken on damaged vehicles.
Damage to the rear of the vehicle will be comprehensively repaired at BMW, before returning to Team BRIT to be converted into race specification by their own skilled mechanics. Replacement OEM parts have also been supplied by SYNETIQ where necessary.
Before the BMW is ready to race, modifications will be made to take its performance to the next level. Engine upgrades will increase power to 455bhp, reducing its 0-60 time to just 3.6 seconds. Upgraded suspension and brakes will also be installed, along with bucket seats and four-point harnesses to protect the safety of drivers.
Dave Player, Founder of Team BRIT: “Our Racing Academy has gone from strength to strength after our launch last year. We’re seeing a huge demand for these opportunities for disabled drivers, so we need to keep growing.
“Our partnership with SYNETIQ has made it possible for us to acquire this almost-new BMW M240i, which is a perfect track car for our Academy. Nowhere else in the world can a disabled person that needs hand controls experience the amazing adrenaline-fuelled rush one gets from pushing a race car around a racetrack, and this car will be the pride of our fleet. We could not have done this without the generous support of SYNETIQ.”
SYNETIQ became a main sponsor of Team BRIT in February this year, and the two organisations will continue to work together to make the most of a truly meaningful partnership.
To migrate or not to migrate? That’s the question Procurement and Supplier Relationship teams must face at some time or another. When businesses are closely connected through people and process, change can often seem disruptive, risky and difficult to manage.
At SYNETIQ, a smooth transition for new clients is a key part of our offering. At the beginning of the relationship with NFU Mutual, SYNETIQ’s bespoke onboarding process played a major part in assuring teams that the transition would be a smooth one.
The catalyst for change
NFU Mutual was looking to ensure full traceability of its Category B salvage. SYNETIQ’s policy is to break all ABI Category B vehicles inhouse, crushing bodyshells and any structural components on its UK sites. Compliance, safety and social responsibility are always paramount, ensuring severely damaged vehicles can never return to the road.
SYNETIQ agreed to handle the whole salvage process for NFU Mutual, from the point of vehicle uplift and transportation, through to free storage and compliant disposal. SYNETIQ handles all logistics inhouse, with dedicated teams and its own fleet of vehicle transporters. This process eliminates insurer risk by preventing the leakage of ABI Category A and B salvage to the market.
Managing the switch
Once SYNETIQ fully understood NFU Mutual’s needs and expectations, the migration could begin. A specific SYNETIQ team was set up to manage the transition, with a dedicated phone line and client contact. SYNETIQ organised a conference for NFU Mutual Engineers, with staged vehicle scenes for salvage evaluation and categorisation training.
All NFU Mutual’s Regional Claims Centres were visited by Steve Dodson, SYNETIQ’s Business Development and Client Relationship Director, who personally managed the onboarding process. “We were able to reassure NFU Mutual that this transition was something we’d done many times before. We agreed measures, controls and scheduled communication to make sure the switch caused as little disruption as possible. We can even underwrite any financial cost involved to give total peace of mind.”
Thorough training was also provided on SYNETIQ’s industry-leading VISTA salvage management portal. Together with ongoing support from a dedicated Client Support Manager, the team is always ready to offer advice and guidance on case referrals.
Smooth IT integration was vital, allowing NFU Mutual to use the systems to their full capabilities as early as possible. VISTA allows the upload of vehicle photos at the point of collection, meaning NFU Mutual engineers can begin cases as soon as SYNETIQ uplifts the vehicle. Insurer handlers and engineers input pre-accident value and vehicle category, before the salvage is cleared and processed through the correct channel – whether auction, dismantling or recycling. The payment to NFU Mutual is automatically generated by the system and integrated into their Claims system.
“SYNETIQ provided NFU Mutual a seamless transition with a well thought through and supportive strategy, their IT compliments the service offering perfectly, and was intuitive for our handlers to use, the relationship has developed into a value expanding agreement from the outset” – Dale Kirkton, NFU Mutual
Surpassing expectations
SYNETIQ has surpassed expectations for salvage returns and are constantly working with NFU Mutual to explore new ways to enhance the relationship and add value.
SYNETIQ also handles NFU Mutual’s Third Party salvage requirements, offering the same competitive rates and compliant disposal model.
A guaranteed “Auto Bridge” agreement has also been set up, catering for exceptional cases. In events where vehicle write-off status is marginal or there are difficulties with parts availability or repair time, SYNETIQ can provide a payment to NFU Mutual to bridge the gap. The agreement avoids other costly measures too, such as the extended loan of a courtesy car provision.
This week, SYNETIQ has
opened a new site in Charlton, making it the only business in its industry with
a site in Central London. The new location is the second that SYNETIQ has
opened in the last month, following the successful launch in Aldershot,
Hampshire in late March.
Located next to the
Metropolitan Police compound, the Charlton site is designed to increase SYNETIQs
ability to support key workers even further – throughout the COVID-19 pandemic
and beyond. SYNETIQ works with many of the UKs Police forces, handling the
compliant disposal of vehicles on their behalf.
The business was recently praised for its efforts to support clients, many of which play a vital role in society. A spokesperson from the Metropolitan Police described SYNETIQ as a “business-critical operation with paramount importance to us.” Mike Carey, Deputy Head of Vehicle Recovery & Examination Services at Metropolitan Police, went on to say: “We cannot underplay the importance of SYNETIQs work and the impact this has on our operational capabilities.
Continued investment and
growth have been at the top of SYNETIQs agenda since the business was born in
March 2019. The new half-acre site will offer increased storage and processing
capacity, and opportunities for more efficient delivery routes, strengthening
SYNETIQs total UK coverage.
Richard Martin, Managing Director of SYNETIQ said:“We’re really happy with the new premises that we have negotiated. This will help us to be even more efficient and make sure we can not only exceed our client SLAs but create room for our business to continue to grow.”
Activate Group Ltd (AGL) is partnering with leading provider of vehicle salvage
services, SYNETIQ Ltd, to build an even stronger supply chain and increase their combined
ability to support key workers during the coronavirus outbreak.
AGL specialises in technology-led accident
management services and partners with some of the best-known fleet providers
and insurers to service hundreds of thousands of claims a year.
It operates a network of more than 250 body
shops and its own body shop division, Activate Accident Repair, that have all
responded swiftly to changes to ensure they can remain operational and provide
essential services that keep corporate fleets and other key workers mobile.
Building
on its existing capability, the new partnership will see SYNETIQ exclusively
handle AGL’s total loss salvage, facilitating in-house logistics and compliant
dismantling of all Category A and B vehicles.
The
new partnership also includes a green parts pilot with AGL’s subsidiary Sopp
Parts, which is already underway. Where contracts allow, the use of green parts
helps reduce repair time and supports the offering of fast-track services for
NHS and fleet delivery drivers.
AGL’s
Director of Network and Engineering Peter McAninch said: “This is a welcome
piece of good news in challenging times and we are pleased to be able to bring
the benefits of this partnership to our operations today and in the future,
ensuring that there is increased access to green parts wherever they are
permitted to be used.
“SYNETIQ
will work with Sopp Parts, our specialist parts supply division, to will
increase the reach of our supply chain and help us prioritise supply to our
250-strong network or repairers, many of whom are carrying out vital works for
key workers.”
Peter
added: “Green parts are OEM, non-safety critical parts, such as doors,
tailgates, lights, bumpers and major mechanical items such as engines and
gearboxes. All are quality controlled via SYNETIQs efficient quality process.”
Peter
concluded: “As well as reducing the time vehicles spend off the road, the use
of green parts is also kinder to the environment, through the reduction of
manufacturing, transportation and material wastage.”
Steve Dodson, Business Development and Client
Relationship Director at SYNETIQ, said: “We’ve seen huge growth in the use of
green parts in the vehicle repair industry, as Insurers, Bodyshops and drivers
understand the many benefits; that growth is set to increase significantly. We’re
looking forward to exploring the benefits of green parts with AGL during the
pilot and would like to welcome the group on board.”
SYNETIQ has secured a two-year contract extension with NFU Mutual, further cementing a relationship which began in April 2017.
NFU Mutual signed the previous three-year contract with Motorhog – one of the four businesses which merged to create SYNETIQ last year. The news is an additional reason for celebration at SYNETIQ, as the business marked a successful first year of trading last month.
Surpassing expectations
SYNETIQ has surpassed expectations for salvage returns and are constantly working with NFU Mutual to explore new ways to enhance the relationship and add value; great news for the insurer and it’s 900,000+ members.
The whole salvage process is handled by SYNETIQ, from the point of vehicle uplift and transportation through to auction or dismantling. Logistics are dealt with inhouse, thanks to SYNETIQ’s dedicated team and fleet of vehicle transporters. This process not only limits insurer liability, it also goes one step further to prevent the leakage of Category A and B salvage.
Compliant breaking
NFU Mutual has complete peace of mind that no Category A or B salvage will ever return to the road. Such vehicles are processed within SYNETIQ’s UK sites and never auctioned. Category B salvage is dismantled, and all shells are crushed on site; Category A vehicles are also crushed on site.
NFU Mutual have the option to no longer be involved in the recovery or processing of third-party salvage; the third party can be paid out directly by SYNETIQ once the vehicle details have been received.
Dale Kirkton, Claims Supply Manager at NFU Mutual, said: “SYNETIQ provided NFU Mutual a seamless transition with a well thought through and supportive strategy. Their IT compliments the service offering perfectly and was intuitive for our handlers to use. The relationship has developed into a value expanding agreement from the outset.”
During its first year of trading, SYNETIQ is proud to have retained all existing contracts. The business is now extending its new range of services to existing clients, including green parts, software solutions and vehicle registration mark data.
Following the outbreak of COVID-19, SYNETIQ has been classed as a key worker by DEFRA. The business has adjusted accordingly, with many of its services continuing safely behind closed doors to support clients, including Police, Insurance and Fleet customers during this challenging time.
SYNETIQ has successfully launched
an online Live Chat facility – one of the first of its kind in the industry. Still
at an early development stage, it has arrived just in time to help customers
contact the business quickly and easily during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Private individuals and
small businesses from all over the world use SYNETIQ products and services
every week – purchasing from its online auction, finding matching vehicle parts,
replacement wheels and tyres and much more. SYNETIQ Live Chat has transformed the
way the business can communicate with these customers, particularly as
Coronavirus continues to cause disruption.
The new tool has been
implemented by SYNETIQs Edinburgh-based developers, although the launch wasn’t
planned for some time. As the threat of COVID-19 became clear, the team
adjusted priorities to get the tool up and running ahead of schedule. SYNETIQs
Web Developers will now continue to refine and improve its operation further.
SYNETIQ Live Chat has been
incredibly well received after its first two weeks, with over 2000 customers
using the tool to get in touch with SYNETIQ teams at based across the UK.
Steve Robbins, Head of Web
and AWS, said: “We recognised we could improve our online experience with live
chat, and the development has been in the pipeline for some time. The
current situation meant that we have brought forward the development and
launched it almost overnight. We have many improvements planned for the
online chat experience and we are working towards our goal of a unified online
customer communication platform built right into all our websites.”
Adapting to a changing
situation is now the agenda for many businesses, and SYNETIQ is no different. All
colleagues able to work from home are now doing so – managing online activity
remotely and safely. The Auction team has introduced new opening hours and has suspended
vehicle viewings and storage fees until the end of the lockdown period.
SYNETIQ has been classed
as a key worker by DEFRA, so many B2B services are continuing safely behind
closed doors to support key Police, Insurance and Fleet customers during this
challenging time.
