Members of the recently launched Independent Garage Cooperative (IGC) network expect a major increase in corporate business after introducing the sophisticated in2-Connect online electronic trading platform for vehicle maintenance transactions.
What’s more, the IGC network has also become the approved fitters of remanufactured car and van engines from leading supplier Ivor Searle with all work being managed through the platform.
Both developments are expected to underpin an acceleration in company car and light commercial vehicle service, maintenance and repair (SMR) work through the national network, which comprises more than 120 high quality independent garages – there are expected to be up to 200 by summer 2015.
in2-Connect provides contract hire and leasing companies and fleet operators and service providers with a simple one-stop-shop for all SMR, tyre, glass and vehicle hire-related transactions.
Meanwhile, Cambridgeshire-based Ivor Searle has been one of the UK’s leading independent producers of remanufactured engines for more than 60 years. A remanufactured engine is one that is built to original equipment specifications using components from core engines. The company also remanufactures cylinder heads, gearboxes and turbochargers.
The in2-Connect platform was developed in conjunction with industry professionals with users paying a single transaction fee per job authorised. There are no set-up costs, no licence fees, no minimum spend fees and no invoice spend percentage mark-ups of any description, for life use of the platform.
IGC Operations Director Dave Poole, who for more than two decades has run independent garage Autolube Ltd in Letchworth, said: “Independent garages have largely steered clear of using online authorisation platforms in the past because of the high cost of entry and significant usage charges which mean profit margins on work undertaken are quickly eroded.
“But now all IGC member garages are being asked to sign up to use the in2-Connect platform and we expect it to be part of the criteria for membership. Usage charges are fair to the trade and will enable garages to reinvest their profits in ensuring they are fitted out with the very latest cutting-edge diagnostic equipment and other machinery.
“Introduction of in2-Connect is a real game-changer for IGC because for many of our members it will be the first time that they will be using electronic SMR authorisation platforms. It will significantly reduce their own administration and save costs and time, which will drive further improvements in business efficiency and productivity.”
in2-Connect launched its platform in January 2015 and Managing Director Aaron Brown said: “It will take time to ramp up platform usage, but industry interest and feedback is phenomenal so we are confident that we will be successful.
“However, we already have a significant number of businesses trading on the platform – garages, leasing and rental companies – and the IGC network is one of them.”
