Three bodyshop groups are behind an alliance designed to help repairers gain the benefits of scale.

Karl Vella Group, Alton Cars Group and KC Autos Group have created a new company, Synergy Accident Repair Group, aimed at securing work provision and improving the buying power of all three members.

With 12 accident repair centres involved, Synergy has a nominal annual turnover of £30 million.

Synergy aims to expand its membership to provide national coverage for its work providers.

It has already established a call centre at Barnsley at which all work providers’ instructions will be received and allocated to an appropriate bodyshop.

“The intention is to give work providers real alternatives,” said a spokesman.

“The vision of the group is to steadily grow until it is able to offer a national network of Thatcham BSI Kitemark accredited bodyshops.”

It is hoped the venture will allow the businesses to
benefit from increased efficiencies, as repair volumes can be distributed to centres with available capacity as necessary.

Only plcs Nationwide Accident Repair Services and Just Car Clinics have more bodyshop sites.

The three member companies’ directors are all on the board of Synergy.