Balgores sees Permahyd Hi-TEC results
Balgores Motor Group, which runs 11 approved car body repair centres throughout Essex and Suffolk, introduced the Spies Hecker Permahyd Hi-TEC system into all its bodyshops in 2013 and continues to be ‘delighted with the results’.
Andy Pennell, Balgores’ group operations manager, has been with the company for over 30 years. He believes the secret to its success is providing high standards of care and workmanship while always looking to the future. ‘We have a friendly and hardworking team, and have built a reputation for being at the forefront of repair technology,’ he said. ‘We look for partners on whom we know we can rely and for products with which we will achieve high quality and efficiency in the bodyshop. Spies Hecker and Permahyd Hi-TEC fit these criteria perfectly.’
After many years of using Spies Hecker at the Balgores main site in Romford, the company decided to upgrade to Permahyd Hi-TEC, the next generation waterborne basecoat.
‘Spies Hecker has many manufacturer approvals, which is very important for us,’ continued Pennell, ‘and it made sense to try Permahyd Hi-TEC. The results were truly impressive and continue to amaze us. The coverage is fantastic, which means less product is required; it’s fast, easy to apply and dries quickly. We initially used it for a few months in three of our repair centres, and then rapidly rolled it out into the remaining eight. It has definitely improved efficiency throughout.’
Anthony Cashel, marketing manager for Axalta Coating Systems in the UK and Ireland, said, ‘Balgores has been, and continues to be, a great company to work with. The whole team was keen to learn about the Hi-TEC system and has truly embraced working with it.’
One head refinisher and manager from each of the Balgores sites spent a day at the Spies Hecker Training Academy in Welwyn Garden City, learning about Permahyd Hi-TEC and how to use the Spies Hecker ColorDialog spectrophotometer. The rest of the training was done at the various sites by Spies Hecker technicians.
Andy said, ‘The transition took a week in each location. The old system was taken out on the Thursday and the new one put in on the Friday with onsite training the following week, and a follow up the week after. It was quick and seamless, causing next-to-no disruption to the bodyshops.’
As part of the installation package, Spies Hecker worked closely with Balgores to create a core product list.
Anthony said, ‘This means all the bodyshops now carry the same products and mirror each other. If refinishers move from one Balgores site to another they will be familiar with all the stock and practices. This streamlining adds to the efficiency of the bodyshops and helps the company by simplifying stock control and the ordering process.’
Andy added, ‘The support from the Spies Hecker team has been second to none. They are fantastic – helpful, knowledgeable and friendly. If we need to contact them about something, we know we will get a fast response and effective solution. I can’t speak highly enough of them. The thing we particularly appreciate about Spies Hecker is that the team doesn’t overpromise and under-deliver. They do precisely what they say they’re going to do. It makes a real change to find a company that you can work closely with and rely on 100%. We look forward to a long and fruitful relationship with them.’
