FAQs

Lean-Flow

  

 

 

FAQs

 

Do I have to be a Lean-Flow user to join Bodyshop Alliance? - No it is not mandatory to be a Lean-Flow user. Any bodyshop that can demonstrate that it consistently meets the required performance levels can apply.
Does Bodyshop Alliance mandate the use of any paint or parts? – No, Bodyshop Alliance  believes the bodyshop owners should be allowed to run their own business as they see fit and we will not intervene in the procurement of any consumables.
Does Bodyshop Alliance make any charges for joining? Not necessarily, membership of Bodyshop Alliance is free to Lean-flow users, for successful non-lean-flow customers a monthly fee of £100 will be apply.
Does Bodyshop Alliance charge referral fees? – No, Bodyshop Alliance is committed to putting value into the industry rather than taking it out. Bodyshop Alliance generates its income from the provision of value added products to its customers.
How long does it typically take to implement Lean-Flow? – This depends on how busy the repairer is and how quickly the owners would like to make the transition. Implementation plans are tailored to suit the customer’s requirements. An implementation usually takes between 6 & 13 weeks.
Do I carry on working whilst the implementation is going on? – Yes, Bodyshop Alliance will endeavour to keep business disruption to a minimum. For really busy repairers depending on the time of year we would recommend asking major insurer or accident manager customers for support.  This may require a temporary decrease in the number of referrals allocated.
How long will it be before I start to see any of the benefits? – The Lean-Flow system is as much an organic learning process as it is an improvement product. Realising the true potential will be driven by how the new thinking and acting is embraced by the business and its employees. Whilst certain benefits are almost immediate, reaching the goal can take a little longer.
What will the key benefits be? – Shorter cycle times, greater on time delivery performance and an increase in throughput capability.
Does Bodyshop Alliance change the way that vehicles are repaired? Not at all, Bodyshop Alliance recognises that bodyshops are experts in their field. Our products are geared around assisting the bodyshop in becoming more profitable by creating more productive & efficient environments through better organisation and processing.
How will Lean-Flow increase my profitability? – Reducing your cycle time will have a profound impact on the number of courtesy cars required to service your customers. The average industry cycle time from FNOL to invoice is circa 28 days. If you took this down to 14 days then already your courtesy cars are twice as busy, it also means that money is paid into your bank account 2 weeks earlier, and it means that you are able to repair more cars beyond your recovery point having an exponential effect on available profit per repair. This concept is covered in much greater depth on our Throughput Accounting course.
If I start to process my work much quicker might I run out of work?  - That is always a risk, but the Lean flow system does not directly impact how many referrals you receive from your customers, it does however mean that you are nearly always in a position to accept work and demonstrates to potential customers that you are in full control of your business' operations. In addition, the second part of the Bodyshop Alliance proposition is to help fill the additional capacity created by adopting the Lean-Flow principles and practices. Our 1Day Repair product is designed to fit well with the Lean-Flow system and works to fill available capacity for you. There is a never a bad time to speed up.
Does the Lean-Flow software interface with management systems? – Currently no, but we are more than happy to discuss integration with any systems house. That said, Lean-Flow only uses a low number of data fields so the effort required to double key is minimal.
How many bodyshops will be allowed onto the network? – This is driven by the number of customers we service and their individual requirements. Our target is circa 150 for the UK market.
What geographical area will I be expected to cover? – This is pretty much down to the individual site’s capabilities, however, our contracted response times will be an overriding factor. We will reserve the right to rebalance geographical coverage wherever it is required and we will act in the best interests of the customers and the membership.
Can I have the Lean-Flow product without joining Bodyshop Alliance network? Yes of course, our aim is tailor what we do to fit the needs of the customer and leave them choices.. We know our Lean-Flow bodyshop system will add value on its own or as part of the Bodyshop Alliance proposition.