Summers Motors Ltd are an award-winning accident repair centre based in Biddenden, near Maidstone, Kent. They are authorised by the Volkswagen Group (which includes Audi, SEAT, ŠKODA, Volkswagen and Volkswagen Light Commercial vehicles) alongside Honda, to carry out body repairs. The business has been operating for 70 years and has unrivalled expertise in areas of excellence such as Advance Drive Assist Systems, Four Wheel Alignment, Paintless Dent Repairs and SMART Repairs.
What was the customer’s objective?
The customer has a high volume of client vehicles coming through its repair centre and in the process they use many protective materials which are practical but have to be disposed of. Summers Motors wanted a more robust and hard-wearing product and to stop using plastic materials for their protective covers, as these are hard to dispose of through recycling. They also wanted to be able to better promote their brand to customers and provide a highly professional appearance.
How did Auto Products solve the problem for the customer?
Our range of protective covers can be supplied as disposable items or re-usable items. In this case, Summers Motors used protective seat covers, steering wheel covers, gear knob covers and hand break covers.
We were able to supply the customer with our high quality re-usable nylon covers, which are designed for long term use and can be stored neatly to protect them for this purpose.
What special requirements did the customer have?
The customer had a bespoke request to include the Summers Motors logo on the seat covers, so that they look smart and professional in the body shop, carrying their identity and unique to them.
What comments did the customer make about the service of Auto Products?
This was a relatively high value order for the products in question and the customer was delighted with the end results. They commented that Autoproducts were “Very easy to deal with. Beth asked a couple of questions, asked for my logo to be sent and said that she would do the rest. Other companies wanted me to fill out forms etc. Another factor was that they manufacture their bespoke products in the UK.” By taking our re-usable products, Summers Motors will improve their carbon footprint by reducing the number of plastic materials they dispose of.
What have Autoproducts learned from this order?
It is clear that our customers value the quality and high craftsmanship of our products, particularly the fact that they are manufactured in the UK, which still carries a lot of weight with some customers. We have also confirmed that our bespoke service to personalise vehicle protection covers for the unique use of individual garages, bodyshops and service centres is a highly valued service and something that sets us apart from competitors as an organisation.
