Nobilas Desk Engineering Services Raise Efficiency and Lower Costs of Vehicle Repairs

Hoofddorp, the Netherlands, June 28, 2007 – Nobilas Claims and Fleet solutions, the Akzo Nobel company specialising in accident management, applies its desk engineering expertise to increase the efficiency of vehicle repairs and reduce costs by as much as 60% in certain cases. The extensive collision repair experience and a proactive approach of the Nobilas desk engineers, combined with Nobilas’ ability to implement repair solutions across an entire fleet, delivers a fast, cost-effective result and can reduce the cost of future damages for its clients.

Preventing Repeat Damage through Exception Management Techniques

Nobilas desk engineers often take a proactive approach to repairs, seeking ways to prevent recurrences and reduce costs for the clients across their entire fleet. When a home shopping delivery vehicle sustained repeated and costly damage to the rear frame section of the box body, Nobilas engineers recognized that this was caused by a low speed impact to the rear bumper bar. Because this bar was mounted directly onto the box body, every time the bumper sustained an impact it resulted in substantial secondary damage to the rear frame and side walls of the body. This situation left the vehicle prone to costly damage when involved in low-speed impacts with stationary objects. In order to reduce the cost of the repair and subsequent repairs in the future, the engineers identified a suitable alternative bumper bar. This could be mounted directly to the chassis and because it was independent of the body, the risk of secondary damage was significantly reduced. Not only did this innovative approach reduce the repair cost by over 60% vs. replacing the original bumper bar, but it also helped prevent the chance of reoccurrence. The solution was implemented across approx. 100 specialised vehicles resulted in a total cost saving of approximately 75.000 pound sterling or 110.625 euro.

Repair management is a core competence of Nobilas. Its qualified engineers play a vital role in securing the most effective and efficient repair techniques for a specific fleet. Moreover, Nobilas has the processes and powerful IT solutions, including Nobilas Connect, in place that enable the desk engineers to remotely assess the damage, avoiding the time and expense of conducting on-site evaluations.

“Our concern for our clients drives Nobilas to look for innovative ways to streamline the accident management process while upholding the highest standards of quality and satisfaction,’” said Nick Williams, Sales & Marketing Manager, Nobilas U.K. “Because our engineers have extensive expertise in vehicle repair, they can identify ways to reduce future

damage costs, such as in the example of the home delivery vehicle. And online management can make a significant difference in the speed and cost control of any repair.”

Finding the Fastest and Most Cost-Effective Solution for clients

One Nobilas client faced tight time constraints when a satellite broadcast vehicle, damaged on a Thursday, needed to be back in operation by the following Monday. To minimize costs while expediting the repair, Nobilas desk engineers reviewed photos of the damage, and contacted a body shop with specialized equipment. By paying this repair facility overtime rates to work on the weekend, Nobilas avoided the cost of a replacement vehicle, and also the need to remove internal equipment from the truck. Overall, repair costs were lowered vs. a conventional approach, and the client got the repaired vehicle back in time for the Monday appointment.

In a similar case, the client’s sustained bumper damage; however, the part was on back order. Nobilas engineers evaluated the damage remotely, and asked the repairer to consider a repair to the bumper (rather than awaiting delivery of the new part from the manufacturer). It was agreed that this would be a viable option. The body shop charged more for the repair, but because the part cost was less, the overall repair was less expensive.

Reader enquiries

Nobilas Claims & Fleet solutions
Taurusavenue 3-5
2132 LS Hoofddorp
Netherlands
+31 23 7990 200
info@​nobilas.com
www.nobilas.com

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Notes for editors

About Nobilas

Nobilas Claims & Fleet solutions, an Akzo Nobel company operating in Europe and North America, is a business-to-business accident management provider combining leading car repair process management skills with first notification of loss, mobility solutions, assessment service, claims management and fleet identity solutions. Its clients are auto insurers, leasing companies, rental companies and corporate fleet owners.

Akzo Nobel, based in the Netherlands, serves clients throughout the world with healthcare products, coatings and chemicals. Listed on both the Euronext and NASDAQ Stock Exchanges, the company is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability Index. The Company currently employs some 62,000 people in more than 80 countries.

For more information about Nobilas, please visit: www.nobilas.com