Managing Director Michelle Walker said “ The award is recognition of all the teams hard work and determination during what has been a difficult 12 months. Its with great pride and honour that we accept this award for the second year running and I would personally like to thank all the staff for their continued support and dedication. Well done everyone.

CCE / Fix Auto will no doubt be hoping to retain the title of Independent bodyshop training in 2010 but Michelle does explain that this is growing category with some real contenders. They will also endeavour to be finalist in the Commercial Bodyshop category that they have successfully be in for the last 4 years. Phil Ewbank explained that to consistently be a finalist in this category is a true reflection of the excellent service and quality that CCE can provide to their customers.

‘Following the tragic loss of one of our managers, Nick Bradley, I decided to gain something positive from this loss and began the foundation of The CCE Academy ,’ said Phil Ewbank, CCE's Chairman. ‘Michelle Walker, our Managing Director, along with the management team have spearheaded this growth over the last 2 years and I feel is Nick's legacy to us all.’

Phil Ewbank is extremely passionate about the industry and, with the help of his family, runs a well-established bodyshop for cars and commercial vehicles. Michelle was highly commended by the Awards Assessor for her role in the development of training at CCE. ‘The staff have embraced the training in such an inspiring way we have now accepted an idea from one of the staff members to have an award for employee of the year award in memory of Nick,’ said Michelle.

Commercial Contract Engineers/Fix Auto Rochdale fought off tough competition from other bodyshops in the finals for the hotly contested trophy, which was announced and presented by MotoGP star and twice World Superbike Champion James Toseland.

Whilst being runners up in 2006, this nomination demonstrates the consistent high standards of customer service and quality to which CCE operates.

Phil Ewbank, Chairman, Commercial Contract Engineers, commented: “We are delighted to be in the frame again for CV Bodyshop of the year. However, I am particularly thrilled to be nominated in the Training category.

“I cannot repeat often enough how important our staff are to our business. Their continued dedication and commitment to the company are what has made our reputation as one of the national leaders in the field of vehicle maintenance and repair. Whatever the outcome on the night, I would like to take this opportunity to say a big thank you to everyone who has been involved with CCE over the past 27 years!”

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John Matthews, Head of Fix Auto UK, describes the background to how CCE became their partner of choice…

“The Accident Repair Industry is a complex mix of what seem like contradictions between the main stakeholders.

“Repairers are continually trying to find a sustainable way to improve the retained profit from the craft that they love and the Insurers are endlessly seeking new methods of managing their supply chain in order to reduce claims costs.

“Repairers have formed networks, invested in specialist equipment, begun industry campaigns, agreed to demanding insurer contracts and even built state-of-the-art bodyshops but as yet have not found a viable long term partnership with the major supplier to their business – the Insurer.

“Insurers have consolidated, rationalised, restructured, built their own shops and are now exploring other mechanisms including ‘labour only’ remuneration and centralised supply arrangements for their approved networks.

“As a consequence, there are now multi billion pound organisations buying their services from suppliers whose average turnover is around
£1.5 million.

“With around 5000 Repairers and only 10 Insurers controlling 85% of the market, the imbalance of this relationship often creates problems with administration, efficiency and policy holder communication.

“In order to respond and provide a solution, the successful Repairer needs to find a way to evolve and develop more strength and play on the same field as their customer, the Insurer.

“Fix Auto UK is a national Network of hand picked Independent Repairers that together consolidate their sales and marketing efforts using the proven formula and expertise of Fix Auto to provide a complete solution to the Insurance industry.”

“The Network brings the strength of the owner-driver independent business to the insurer negotiating table in a structure that they can trade with efficiently.

“It operates on a franchise basis where each bodyshop manages its own territory under the brand of Fix Auto, adhering to consistent standards and methods which provide the Group with a corporate “feel” and give it the integrity of a National chain.

“Each partner for Fix Auto is chosen based on a clearly defined set of criteria. The purpose of this is to ensure that the standard of shops joining the Network is of the highest standard and can deliver the promise of the Brand.

“Commercial Contract Engineers was selected on this basis and was in many ways the “perfect fit” for Fix Auto.
“The key ingredients are;

Family operated with a successful track record and succession aware, Vision and acute awareness of the market conditions, Passion and enthusiasum for he business, Impeccable customer service ethic, Capability to repair the latest vehicle technology, Intellectual contributor to the group, Honesty and integrity

“When Fix Auto first met Phil Ewbank, Chairman of CCE, it was immediately clear that we had found our ideal partner for the Rochdale and surrounding area.

“The clear thinking and undeniable track record were so refreshing and Phil’s drive and determination to develop the CCE portfolio in the passenger car arena were compelling. As we got to know the team at CCE, it became clear that the fit was perfect and we could both benefit hugely from this partnership.

“CCE meet the Fix Auto criteria in every sense and at every level.”

Phil Ewbank added: “Commercial Contract Engineers is delighted to work in partnership with the internationally recognised network that is Fix Auto. We share similar philosophies of exceptional quality and customer care. We look forward to a mutually beneficial relationship over the years to come.”

Commercial Contract Engineers would like to say a Happy Birthday to Keeley, born to Sarah Stewart and her partner Lee Broderick on the 21 July 2007.

Sarah said a big thank you to everyone for their kind wishes, adding. “Keeley is our first baby and is a real ray of sunshine. Most importantly, she sleeps brilliantly!”

As the receptionist at CCE, Sarah is one of the main points of contact, being the first person customers and colleagues speak to when they visit the site or call in. She also assists in the accounts and service departments.

Sarah knows how important a good telephone manner is and knows many of CCE’s contacts by their voices. She commented: “I enjoyed my job very much because I like talking to people. I am now looking forward to attending a customer service course and a course in Excel spreadsheets in the near future.

Sarah joined CCE nine years ago, immediately after she left school. She finds CCE a happy place to work – especially the Christmas parties!