Ga-Rankuwa panelbeater receives highest industry grading

Bernard Coka, owner of Toy Panelbeaters in Ga-Rankuwa, became one of the few black panelbeating operators in South Africa to receive a MSR (Major Structural Repairs) grading from the South African Motor Repairers Association (SAMBRA).

On being presented with South Africa’s top vehicle repair grading certificates an overwhelmed Coka said, “This grading that we’ve worked so long to achieve - and that has cost so much in equipment and resources - will finally allow our business to repair the high quality vehicles insured by South Africa’s major insurance houses.”

As such, Toy Panelbeater’s receipt of this grading marked a significant milestone in Alexander Forbes and Guardrisk’s Adopt a Panel Shop initiative.

The initiative, which started in 2005 following a discussion between Gari Dombo, Managing Director, Alexander Forbes Insurance and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Johannesburg (Nafcoc JCCI), began with an equipment upgrade of Zombodze Panelbeaters in Soweto in 2006.

This pilot project in Soweto was initiated to see how the insurance industry could assist to develop a repair supply chain in disadvantaged communities.

“Since then, working in partnership with relevant industry bodies, we have refined our empowerment model - recognising that the biggest challenge faced by black-owned panelbeaters was a lack of sophisticated equipment and the necessary skills to achieve the correct accreditation as a motor repairer”, said Anton Ossip (pictured) CEO of Alexander Forbes Risk and Insurance Services.

As a result, insurance companies were reluctant to send their clients’ vehicles to these shops meaning that black business would remain at the lower end of the economy with no prospect of accessing mainstream opportunities and preventing business growth.

“We recognized that this part of the industry was caught in a vicious cycle and that as an industry leader Alexander Forbes needed to move this part of the industry forward proactively”, said Ossip.

As such the Adopt a Panel Shop initiative has now expanded to Tshwane with Toy Panelbeaters’ receipt of the repair industry’s highest grading.

This is, however, by no means the end.

Explains Ossip, “We have identified two more black-owned panelbeating businesses for upgrading in Kwa-Zulu Natal and the Eastern Cape. Thereafter we will expand the initiative to the Western Cape.”
Moreover, as Alexander Forbes brings on new partners, some with available funds, others with expertise and access, the plan is to roll the concept out to ever-more black-owned panel shops.

Partnerships are the key to the future. With the right partners, in the industry, in government and amongst the professional associations, the sky is the limit.

To date the Adopt a Panel Shop has grown a number of key stakeholders. All have joined Alexander Forbes’ steering committee and their CEO’s invest their time and expertise to help this initiative expand.

Partners include; The National African Association of Automobile Service Providers (NAAASP), the Retail Motor Industry Organisation (RMI), the South African Motor Body Repair Association (SAMBRA), the Umsobomvu Youth Fund, and the Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Johannesburg (Nafcoc JCCI).

Ossip explains that, “Going forward, and working closely with these partners, we will continue sourcing good black-owned panelbeating businesses at various stages of development - and invest time and money to help each to an appropriate SAMBRA grading level.”

The real proof of the success of this initiative will be the work volumes that these businesses receive going forward.

To this end Alexander Forbes will encourage clients to bring their cars to these panel shops where appropriate.

“If other key players in the insurance industry do the same, black-owned vehicle repair businesses will thrive, employ more local people and grow and transform this industry - and with it our economy”, concludes Ossip.