PMM catches up with Schaeffler’s Key Accounts Manager Simon Cooper, to discuss the company’s upcoming REPXPERT Academy Live shows.
Hi Simon, for those who don’t already know, could you explain what the aim of Schaeffler’s REPXPERT scheme is?
REPXPERT is Schaeffler’s service brand. It’s the platform we use to deliver all things technical regarding our LuK, INA and FAG brands to workshops – from simple printed materials to live events.
The online portal and app contains everything a professional technician needs to know to fit our products safely and efficiently, from vehicle manufacturer fitting instructions and specifications to example installation videos and service information, so in effect, it’s our fourth brand.
How does the live event transform the online platform?
We utilise the huge REPXPERT and TecAlliance technical library that we have at our disposal, along with all of our OE experience and know-how, to deliver training and technical advice to workshops.
This can be from chatting to technicians at trade events, through to fully IMI-certified one and two day training courses on how to repair the systems we design and supply to VMs. Everything is as hands-on as we can make it, even in COVID times, as the best way to show technicians how things work is to let them get up close to the actual products.
Why is it important to offer training in a live setting? Do you think the pandemic has had a negative effect on training in the aftermarket?
We think an appetite has been building up for live training since the cap was put on a couple of years ago, and it is now time to ‘break the seal’ and get back out there! Schaeffler, along with other quality suppliers, has made a concerted effort to keep training alive in the minds of garage owners and technicians during the restrictions.
Our range of ‘Tea-Break training sessions’, Zoom-based hour-long snippets of high-quality easily-absorbed information, have proved very successful, with over 750 online attendees.
When and where is the next event?
The first event of 2022 will be at Bridgend College on May 21st, which is a fantastic new venue with amazing facilities, with a broad reach to workshops across the whole of South Wales. Bridgend is, of course, Hayley Pells country, and her ‘Pathway to EV’ class will be one of the four training sessions taking place during the day.
There will also be a Schaeffler REPXPERT ‘LuK Double Clutch Systems’ introduction, along with a ‘Timing Belt Workshop’ which promises to save you a lot of time and expense by avoiding unnecessary mistakes!
Academy Live newcomer and experienced garage owner Tim Benson will be also be on hand to present a business-oriented session designed to help workshops optimise the profit opportunities in their area.
The workshop will be the focus for the day, which will feature demonstrations from REPXPERT with its training van, Laser Tools, leading Garage systems supplier TechMan and Bridgend College.
What are most important topics that technicians need to be learning about right now?
The main topic everybody seems to be focusing on right now is EV, and the rush to upskill and upgrade workshops to be ready to repair them. However, combustion engines are going to remain the bread and butter service and repair opportunity for most independent workshops for many years to come. Diesel, petrol, mild, full and plug-in hybrid engines will not start to completely disappear from our roads until 2050, and many of the very latest products and systems being originally installed in them may be new to some mechanics. Yes, EV is coming, but the aftermarket also needs to keep up-to-date with the technology used in vehicles that will be driving into workshops today, tomorrow and in the coming years – most of which will include some form of combustion engine.
How can readers attend the upcoming shows? How much will they cost?
The shows are completely free to attend, will feature four 45-minute training sessions and the workshop hub to explore, with breakfast, lunch and refreshments provided throughout the day. Garage owners and technicians can register their interest at REPXPERT ONLINE Academy Live with more details to follow in the coming weeks.
