Revive! – a franchise providing minor damage repair to scuffs and scrapes on vehicles, has won manufacturer approval from the prestigious Ford SMART Repair Programme.Ford is the latest big brand name to endorse Revive! procedures for undertaking minor repairs and repaints after shunts to bumpers, bodywork or alloy wheels.
The fact that Revive! has multiple manufacturer approval within this market is a draw for any potential franchise owner. Revive! Managing Director, Mark Llewellyn, thinks the car repairs industry has not always enjoyed a reputation for professionalism but adds that Revive! wants to turn the stereotype on its head. He says: “We’ve focused on building the credibility of Revive! and professional SMART repairers nationally.”
In 2012 Revive! joined a national focus group run by the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI), the body responsible for national accreditation and maintaining professional repairers’ standards. Since joining, Revive! has focused on accrediting its technicians which, says Mark, has yielded “an improvement in technical standards and consistency” across the Revive! network.The franchise also now has its own Training Academy – an IMI-approved Accreditation centre.Speaking of the IMI partnership, Revive! Operations Director Terry Mullen reiterates: “The technical developments have really driven the business to new standards and it’s great to see there is continual research and development with our supply partners to find faster and better ways of doing things.”
Another key milestone in the franchise’s development is its inclusion in the Tesco Clubcard scheme. Marks enthuses: “It’s full steam ahead with Revive! As well as the developments with national contracts we’ve been excited to join forces with Tesco. It’s early days for that scheme but it all looks very promising.”However, it’s franchise owners that are the key to the franchise. Terry continues: “Our franchisees are the most important part of our business and our work with them is crucial to our success.”
Revive! franchises the business throughout the UK, where the market for these kinds of repairs is significant. The Revive! franchise model can provide a business-minded and customer-focused individual with the opportunity to run their own business. The business has shown significant growth through the recession with year-on-year sales increasing dramatically. Three Revive! franchise owners have registered impressive figures for last year’s trade.
Adam, a franchise owner in Luton for six years, Nathan who operates in Cambridge and West London’s Revive! representative, Russell, each enjoyed annual sales of between £288,000 and £217,000 last year. Revive! is continuing to expand across the country and is looking service-driven individuals who want to grow a significant business.