Devon-based Exway Coachworks Group, the independent collision repair specialists, has become the first British company to receive Thatcham BSI Kitemark (PAS 125) certification for all of its sites.

A Kitemark licence has now been awarded to all seven of Exway’s accident repair centres across the south west peninsular in Plymouth, Newton Abbot, Kingsteignton, Barnstaple, Paignton and Exeter.

Trevor Barefoot, managing director of Exway Coachworks Group, said: "Being able to display the Kitemark at every one of our sites is a tangible reminder for customers and insurers that they can be confident that our personnel, repair methods, materials, equipment and management processes are of the highest standard."

Scott Hanney of BSI’s Kitemark Services division, said: "To achieve the Kitemark standard across all sites is a real achievement and one that shows Exway are serious about safety. The Kitemark will surely benefit both the company and their customers."

Barefoot said his local teams had worked for 10 months alongside Duncan Harris of Duncan Harris Consulting to get through the Kitemark assessment process.

He adds: "Joining the Thatcham BSI Kitemark scheme is not cheap, but we’re already seeing tangible benefits in terms of our relationship with insurance companies and other work providers – and staff morale at all of our sites couldn't be higher."

Trevor Barefoot, Exway Coachworks MD.