ChipsAway delivers 20000 business leads to franchisees in Q1

Press release date: 8-Apr-2009

Defying the prevailing economic climate, leading SMART (Small to Medium Area Repair Technology) automotive paintwork repair specialist ChipsAway reports a massive 9,000 leads passed onto franchisees in a bumper month of March, described by Chief Executive Lloyd Evans as “Our best month ever for customer leads to our network”.

The company, which has 350 franchisees operating successfully across the UK, has generated approaching 20,000 business leads for its network in the first quarter of this year, which is up by nearly 60% on like for like figures in 2008.

“Despite predictions of doom and gloom, demand for our services is currently going through the roof,” Lloyd confirms. “We believe this is partly due to the effects of the ‘credit crunch’. Our franchisees are telling us that motorists seem to be investing in repairing existing vehicles, either with a view to keeping them on the road for longer or to sell them for a better price in order to take advantage of some of the great deals around on new cars. SMART repair technology keeps a car looking good for longer, extends its life and maintains its value – our customers clearly recognise this and our franchisees are feeling the benefit.” Franchisees around the country have confirmed that business is booming, regardless of recession in other marketplaces. Carrie Blenkinsop, a ChipsAway franchisee based in Coventry, says “We’re experiencing a ‘mini boom’. In ten years, we have never been so busy. It’s weird considering the current market but demand for our services is crazy at present, particularly on used cars.”

Chips Away Franchisees - Anatol and Michelle

Anatol Poyer-Sleeman, a Cambridge based ChipsAway franchisee, says, “Whilst we have recognised the downturn and adapted our marketing strategy accordingly, the phones have not stopped ringing since the beginning of the year. We are booked solidly for three to four weeks ahead on all five of our territories and frankly we’re struggling to keep up with new enquiries.”

Russell Cartlidge, a ChipsAway franchisee in Stoke says, “Obviously the message is reaching people everywhere that keeping your car in good condition means prolonging its life and enhancing its value. When you  can’t afford a new car – or don’t want to splash out while things are so uncertain, then a ChipsAway repair is the obvious solution!”

ChipsAway operates a 24/7 UK Call Centre and last year launched a national advertising campaign, aimed at increasing awareness of the brand and promoting services. Both factors, according to Lloyd Evans, have played a role in the current boom for ChipsAway franchisees.

“We are proud of our strong track record in supporting our franchisees, and are delighted with the dramatically increasing levels of new enquiries, particularly in the current financial environment.”

ChipsAway is one of the most successful franchises in the UK with around 350 franchisees operating nationwide, and a network of master franchises overseas. The ChipsAway system continues to dominate in the ‘on-the-spot’ SMART repair sector. Franchisees operate from professionally liveried vehicles, customised as fully equipped mobile workshops, which means they can remove scratches, bumps and scuffs to car paintwork on a ‘same day’ basis, at a place most convenient to their customer and at a fraction of the price of a traditional body shop repair.