Revolution and risk was the theme of the IBIS Conference held in Dublin in early July, which attracted many of the most influential people involved in the accident repair industry in Ireland. The International Bodyshop Industry Symposium is a global conference and networking provider for collision industry leaders and influencers and its first ever event in Ireland attracted repairers, industry suppliers, insurance providers and motoring organisations.

Held at the Hilton Hotel, Claremont Place, the conference was supported by Headline Partners AkzoNobel and Audatex as well as Partners Enterprise Rent-A-Car and FastCare. The agenda was designed to explore issues affecting the accident repair industry both globally and locally and to provide strategic insight into how developments will impact on all sides of the business.

There was an impressive line-up of speakers introduced by IBIS Conference Director Jason Moseley. Anna-Marie Baisden, Head of Autos Analysis at BMI Research gave an overview of developments in the global automotive sector. This included how SUV’s and Crossover sales were outperforming the slowing global market and how digitally based car sharing and ride sharing services ,were likely to cause a change of thinking and a decrease in car ownership. With regards to Ireland she predicted a fall in the importance of diesel cars and the continued strong performance of SUV’s and crossovers amid a positive sales outlook. She also said there was huge potential for Irish technology companies in the connected car field. 

Trevor Lee, Group Body & Paint Business Manager at VW Group Ireland demonstrated the importance of correct repair methods and high quality parts. He pointed out that currently some 84% of vehicles are repaired without access to manufacturers methods or recommended equipment. He then demonstrated through videos of testing how a Golf repaired with appropriate methods would retain its Five Star Euro NCAP rating. However an inappropriately repaired vehicle would receive zero starts in a Euro NCAP test and have a hugely increased risk of fatalities or serious injuries. He also demonstrated how cars that had not used original equipment parts in repairs would perform badly if involved in another crash and cost some three times more to repair.

Steve Plunkett, Body & Paint Programme Development Manager for Volvo UK gave a presentation on developments in accident avoidance systems and autonomous driving. He reiterated Volvo’s objective that by 2020 "nobody shall be seriously injured or killed in a new Volvo” and showed how Volvo was using developing technology and materials to achieve this. 

Andrew Marsh, Engineering Director, Auto Industry Consulting spoke about the challenges of vehicle material constructions. He pointed out that cars had moved from 100% mild steel construction in the 70’s to a point where only around 35% is steel today. He also highlighted how high strength steels aluminium and plastic will continue to play a more important role in vehicle construction with carbon fibre impacting at the luxury end of the market.

In the afternoon session there was an insight into the Dutch Bodyshop Market from industry expert Paul Dingemans who showed how major groups had come to dominate the sector. He also demonstrated how profit margins on accident repair were only 0-5% and how bodyshops needed to find alternative income streams.

Paul Davies, Head of Business Diversification at Audatex then looked at digitisation and Gen Y consumer expectations. He highlighted how those born between 1981 and 2000 will account for a huge proportion of business in the near future and how there life revolves around digital communication meaning that repairers and insurers have to reflect this in their customer service. 

Dylan Setterfield, ‎Senior Editor of forecasting, CAP Automotive rounded off the presentations by looking at ownership and relationships with vehicles.  He too saw a future with greater car Sharing, mobility packages and ride sharing schemes but said these would complement rather than replace car ownership.

The presentations were followed by an industry panel discussion on subjects such as training, repair methods and future expectations. As well as the excellent information in the presentations and panel discussion, the event also provided a good opportunity for networking. Feedback from attendees was very positive and IBIS hope to put more Irish events on their calendar in the future.