Thatcham is launching a new annual event which will bring together insurers, repairers and vehicle manufacturers. The three-day Triple Focus, running from June 29 to July 1, combines security and insurer elements from previous successful events with an all-new repairer focus.

The research organisation is hoping to attract managers, purchasers, influencers and decision makers from across the automotive industry.

“We are going to open up the centre to those who are interested in what we are doing,” says Lesley Upham, director of communications at Thatcham.

“We have sent out 26,000 invites and it promises to be a fantastic, focused event. We expect it to be very fruitful for everyone attending.”

Repairer Focus, the newest element of the event, is set to provide an opportunity for industry figures to meet and network but also to catch up with the latest products and equipment on offer, which are contributing to more efficient and profitable bodyshops and repair facilities.

“We are aiming to cover all the different aspects that the industry want to know about. What we have to do is to make certain that when a new car is launched, the technicians know how that car is constructed and how to repair it correctly,” says Upham.

The event incorporates Security and Insurer Focus, which will be combined with the British Insurance Car Security Awards that recognise exceptional security performances of vehicles in different classes.

“We do several events at Thatcham and we also have a responsibility to insurers and repairers to provide them with information, and that can be a difficult task at times. Triple Focus allows everyone to get behind the scenes at the organisation, which is not always easy to organise,” Upham adds.

Meanwhile the organisation is planning to begin testing the compatibility of vehicle bumpers of different manufacturer makes and models later this year. The exercise is designed to assess the damage aspect of underriding or overriding bumpers in a rear end collision.