{"id":22958,"date":"2024-08-16T16:00:17","date_gmt":"2024-08-16T15:00:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/?p=22958"},"modified":"2024-08-21T07:29:09","modified_gmt":"2024-08-21T06:29:09","slug":"reviving-aberdeens-cars-behind-the-scenes-at-the-citys-mobile-vehicle-repair-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/reviving-aberdeens-cars-behind-the-scenes-at-the-citys-mobile-vehicle-repair-business\/","title":{"rendered":"Reviving Aberdeen\u2019s cars: behind the scenes at the city\u2019s mobile vehicle repair business"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_89 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #101010;color:#101010\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #101010;color:#101010\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 eztoc-toggle-hide-by-default' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/reviving-aberdeens-cars-behind-the-scenes-at-the-citys-mobile-vehicle-repair-business\/#drilling-into-a-new-career\" >Drilling into a new career<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/reviving-aberdeens-cars-behind-the-scenes-at-the-citys-mobile-vehicle-repair-business\/#the-three-cs\" >The three Cs<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/reviving-aberdeens-cars-behind-the-scenes-at-the-citys-mobile-vehicle-repair-business\/#battling-the-elements\" >Battling the elements<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/reviving-aberdeens-cars-behind-the-scenes-at-the-citys-mobile-vehicle-repair-business\/#technician-shortages\" >Technician shortages<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/reviving-aberdeens-cars-behind-the-scenes-at-the-citys-mobile-vehicle-repair-business\/#trade-and-retail-accounts\" >Trade and retail accounts<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"#\" data-href=\"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/reviving-aberdeens-cars-behind-the-scenes-at-the-citys-mobile-vehicle-repair-business\/#the-future\" >The future<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\">Reading Time: <\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 4<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">minutes<\/span><\/span><p>\u200bIn Aberdeen, Scotland, a mobile vehicle repair business is transforming how residents and businesses of \u2018The Granite City\u2019 have their cars serviced. Led by Canadian native Tom Giles, this SMART (small-to-medium-repair-technique) enterprise delivers bodywork and alloy wheel repair services directly at customers&#8217; homes or workplaces, moving away from the traditional bodyshop model.<\/p>\n<p>Just three years after launching, the business &#8211; part of Revive!\u2019s successful nationwide franchise network\u2014is on course to generate close to half a million pounds in revenue this year. Despite its success, the journey has been challenging. Tom and one of his technicians, Dean Paterson, sat down to share the story of Revive! Aberdeen, offering insights into the triumphs and trials of working in the vehicle repair trade.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"drilling-into-a-new-career\"><\/span><strong>Drilling into a new career<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Before launching his Revive! franchise, Tom had a successful 25-year career in the oil and gas sector. However, in April 2020, amid the COVID-19 pandemic, he faced the difficult task of making half of his team of 57 redundant.<\/p>\n<p>Reflecting on this period, Tom said: \u201cI was working long hours and felt stuck on a constant hamster wheel. My work-life balance was poor, and I wasn\u2019t enjoying it &#8211; especially after having to let go of so many people during such a challenging time.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>When the opportunity for voluntary redundancies arose in the summer of 2020, Tom seized it and spent two anxious months awaiting confirmation. Once he received the green light, he set his sights on a career change that offered autonomy and a chance to positively impact his community.<\/p>\n<p>Drawn to the idea of a mobile repair business with Revive!, Tom was attracted to its flexibility and the growing demand for convenience he had observed in England. He believed he could successfully bring this model north of the border. By March 2021, his vision of owning a franchise had become a reality, and he was already on the road.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"the-three-cs\"><\/span><strong>The three Cs<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Revive! Aberdeen\u2019s approach is built on three core principles that Tom champions: Convenience, Cost, and Customer Service\u2014the three Cs.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Convenience:<\/strong> In today\u2019s fast-paced world, customers appreciate the ease of having their vehicles repaired at their own location. This service eliminates the need for time off work and arranging alternative transportation. The rise in remote work has also made this repair model more viable for Aberdonians.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Cost:<\/strong> Economic pressures in the city have heightened customers&#8217; price sensitivity. Tom\u2019s mobile business avoids the high overhead costs of traditional bodyshops, enabling him to offer prices up to 40 per cent lower and often below the cost of an insurance excess.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Customer service:<\/strong> The motor trade industry can sometimes suffer from a poor service reputation. Tom\u2019s business stands out by prioritising punctuality and communication. Technicians are trained to call ahead, set clear arrival expectations, and leave their workspace tidy. This dedication to service excellence has earned the business 442 5-star reviews on Trustpilot.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"battling-the-elements\"><\/span><strong>Battling the elements<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>One of the biggest challenges technicians like Dean face is the unpredictable weather in northern Scotland. Despite these conditions, Dean\u2019s advanced IMI training, skill, and adaptability allow him to deliver bodyshop-quality results on a mobile basis. Whether it&#8217;s rain, wind, or cold, Dean consistently adapts, often working under temporary shelters or using tarps to protect himself and the vehicle. His resourcefulness and dedication are clear demonstrations of what it takes to excel in this demanding field.<\/p>\n<p>Painting a car outdoors also comes with its own set of unique challenges. Flies and other insects are sometimes attracted to fresh paint and can land on the bodywork, creating imperfections. Dean removes any imperfections with a specialist de-nibbing tool which will remove the contamination leaving the paintwork in faultless condition. This extra vigilance and care taken ensures the paintwork remains pristine despite challenges.<\/p>\n<p>Dean explains: \u201cYou have to be prepared for anything. The weather can change in an instant in Scotland, and you need to have the skills and tools to handle it. Plus, dealing with insects landing on wet paint can make things even tougher.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Due to the increasing demands to tackle larger more complex jobs Tom invested in a Rapid Repair Centre (RRC) in Hillside, just a short drive from the city centre. While primarily remaining a mobile repair business, this strategic move made Revive! Aberdeen the fastest franchise in the network to open its own brick-and-mortar location, enabling them to replicate their summer work during the cold winter months of 2022 and 2023.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"technician-shortages\"><\/span><strong>Technician shortages<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Finding skilled technicians is a significant challenge, Tom and Dean agree. Many in the industry, understandably, prefer the warmth of a bodyshop over working in the field. This challenge is exacerbated by a wider industry shortage, with one-third (35 per cent) of bodyshop managers and owners fearing a skills crisis. A poor return on labour charge-out rates paid by motor insurers is driving skilled technicians to other sectors for better pay.<\/p>\n<p>Tom noted, \u201cAn ageing technician workforce and insufficient investment in training and apprenticeships have led to a shortage of skilled staff. That\u2019s why I\u2019m so pleased to have Dean and three other technicians, who are not only exceptional painters but also have outstanding customer service skills.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Indeed, Dean is Revive!\u2019s top technician across the entire UK, generating tens of thousands in business in a single month. Dean also highlighted the challenges of his craft, which he believes is often overlooked by others: \u201cMechanics have advanced diagnostic tools to identify and fix problems, but bodywork repairs demand a high level of practical skill and attention to detail. People often underestimate the complexity of our work\u2014every detail matters, and there\u2019s no room for error when it comes to restoring a car\u2019s finish.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"trade-and-retail-accounts\"><\/span><strong>Trade and retail accounts<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>In addition to serving the public and retail market, Revive! Aberdeen maintains strong relationships and contracts with trade accounts, including car dealerships, fleets and rental providers. Local dealerships make up 44 per cent of Revive! Aberdeen\u2019s customer base with fleets and rental accounts being 20 per cent and the final 36 per cent made up of retail customers. These partnerships have been crucial to the business&#8217;s success, providing a valuable source of repeat business alongside their retail work.<\/p>\n<p>Tom commented: \u201cCar bodywork repairs aren\u2019t something customers need frequently, so we usually see our retail clients only once. That\u2019s why building strong relationships with local businesses has been so crucial. Our RRC has also played a key role in expanding this market, enabling us to take on larger jobs for bigger vehicles.\u201d<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"the-future\"><\/span><strong>The future<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>As Tom and Dean reflect on their journey, they are optimistic about the future. Tom notes: \u201cThis venture has been incredibly rewarding, both professionally and personally. We have achieved so much in just three years, and I\u2019m excited to see what the next three years and beyond hold for us. With a robust business model and a commitment to excellence, Revive! Aberdeen is well-positioned for continued growth and success.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>\u200bIn Aberdeen, Scotland, a mobile vehicle repair business is transforming how residents and businesses of \u2018The Granite City\u2019 have their cars serviced. Led by Canadian native Tom Giles, this SMART (small-to-medium-repair-technique) enterprise delivers bodywork and alloy wheel repair services directly at customers&#8217; homes or workplaces, moving away from the traditional bodyshop model. Just three years [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":22960,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[97,1509],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22958","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-automotive-franchises","category-revive"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Vehicle-2-scaled.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22958","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22958"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22958\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/22960"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22958"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22958"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.franchiselocal.co.uk\/news\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22958"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}