Ni hao China

IBIS participated in a Chinese accident repair forum which took place at the Sofitel Hyland, Shanghai, highlighting the rapidly changing market within the region.

The collision repair industry in China is developing at a great pace, placing challenges on all stakeholders in the supply chain. Now more than ever there is a need for collaboration by all to find robust solutions.

The support given by the delegates attending IBIS China shows real evidence that the leaders in the market are now looking to share this approach. IBIS China has been a catalyst for cross-industry discussions and the sharing of best practice, with more to follow in the coming months.

The event, hosted by AkzoNobel, brought together over 60 key influencers from the collision repair market in China. The conference presentations looked at the various issues and influences affecting the Chinese market. Opening the conference, Anna-Marie Baisden, head of autos analysis at BMI Research, discussed the effect of oil prices on the automotive market as a whole and how global trends could affect the Chinese aftermarket industry.

Keith Malik, director-global accounts for AkzoNobel, highlighted the trends in China and how they are rapidly evolving. He noted that in preparation for IBIS China, he discovered a market conflict between the repair industry attempting to act mature, with a hunger for training and processes seen particularly in 4S style shops, and other industry stakeholders working with handcuffs from a combination of government regulation and lack of industry education resulting in a constant restraint on the industry.

IBIS China took this head on and Keith delivered a vision of the future by looking at the market maturity and possible next steps by key stakeholders to achieve a win-win for all parties.

Insurers and OEM’s alike agreed the industry needs professionalization and it will take all stakeholders, especially government and environmental agencies, to take responsibility for their actions and ensure they act in unison to achieve common goals.

Rachel Ren, VR North Asia Mid-Market Marketing, at AkzoNobel, guided delegates through the matrix workshop, allowing them to map their business’ maturity and implementation policies against both a national and international benchmark. Graham Threlfall, development director at IBIS, discussed the implications of new vehicle technology and promoted IBIS’ global message of the need to raise safety, skills and standards for all industry stakeholders.

Shirley Liu, VR North Asia Premium Marketing at AkzoNobel, and Frankie Lau, Technical Manager, China at AkzoNobel, shared the latest coatings products to conform to government legislation, and the processes that can aid rapid repair, both sessions promoting efficiency and profitability.

Delegates also attended an evening dinner which gave them the opportunity to network and discuss the day’s sessions with their fellow industry colleagues, a first for the Chinese market.

Shelley Cheshire, CEO of IBIS, said: ‘It was a delight to once again be involved with such a successful industry forum, in conjunction with AkzoNobel, to promote the IBIS values of education, collaboration and raising safety, skills and standards. As IBIS continues to make its way across the world, we see an increasing similarity and comparability between markets and the industry on a global scale.’

Keith Malik said: ‘IBIS and AkzoNobel hosted this event, the first of its kind in China, to share their Global knowledge and shape the future of things to come. This was well received by the industry and IBIS has been welcomed back to support the market in 2016 and beyond.’