CarComm Coachworks has established an outstanding reputation in the market. The company was taken over in 1999 by Jason Mole, the current Managing Director, who has grown the business from just 9 employees to 80 members of staff and the workshop from 3,500 square feet to 55,000 square feet today.
Today, CarComm is one of the largest independent single-site commercial vehicle repair specialists in London and the surrounding counties, based at an excellent location between two major motorways and close to Heathrow Airport.
Its bespoke workshop in Ashford, Middlesex is a fully equipped commercial accident repair centre. The previously smaller premises were significantly expanded in 2021, now offering two brand new Stanner Quick Jigs for vans, alongside its existing HGV Josam Cab and Chassis Alignment Jig, as well as a much larger area to store new parts and maintain a stock of fast-moving parts, and a large additional secure storage compound for safe vehicle storage.
“We continuously invest in equipment and facility enhancement, with a view to installing technology that uses less energy, increases productivity and is time-efficient,” affirmed Jason Mole.
The company can repair all types of commercial vehicles – vans, lorries, coaches, tankers, waste removal trucks, mixers, tippers, sweepers and many more. “Whether it’s a single vehicle accident repair, a rebrand or the refurbishment of an entire fleet, we can offer complete body repair, vehicle colour change, specialist decal, air conditioning, windscreen replacement, curtain repair and replacement, shot-blasting and tail-lift works. Our aim is to return any vehicle back to its original factory condition and back on the road without any sign of damage,” said Jason Mole.
Right place, right people
Although affected by supply chain disruptions and spare parts shortages, the company strives to maintain levels of quality and reliability. “We are always trying to get around this challenge, trying to find different suppliers or even fabricating the missing part ourselves. We order well in advance and strive to have all parts and components on-site before a vehicle arrives for repair.”
CarComm has recently won important recognition for its quality of work – in 2022 the company became only the second commercial body repair workshop in the country to achieve VBRA (Vehicle Builders and Repairers Association) Elite Truck & Van Body Repair standard (structural with Cab and Chassis) that was launched to ensure the bodyshop has the correct certified repair equipment and correctly trained technicians in the repair sector.
Jason Mole, who in May 2023 joined the VBRA board as Chairman, commented: “Our technicians all complete rigorous specialist training and the work that we do is audited regularly to ensure we maintain the highest standard of repair possible. For example, we have maintained the ‘Mercedes Benz approved’ status for 18 years now – quite an achievement, demonstrating the quality of our work.”
He points out that CarComm strives to have all the required skills in-house, so that all tasks from scratch to finish can be accomplished in-house, with full control of the quality of work. “We have a highly skilled team, and provide regular training to all our employees, including training in hybrid electric vehicle maintenance and repairs – skills that will be much more important in the near future as the number of electric vehicles increases.”
Speaking about labour shortages in the industry, Mr Mole noted that the company supports the development of young technicians in the automotive industry through its partnership with AutoRaise, the leading organisation for promoting technical apprenticeships. There are currently 6 apprentices working at CarComm.
“Losing much of the skilled workforce due to Brexit and Covid, employers have an obligation to provide appropriate training opportunities and to train up the younger generation so that they can be empowered to hold the fort in the future.”
Investing in people, adopting apprenticeship schemes and encouraging employee wellbeing are just some of the ways CarComm Coachworks look after their people and the low staff turnover rates are a testament to their efforts. But the company also supports the wider community, actively supporting a Berkshire-based charity, The Cowshed, that has been providing support to people who are going through a time of crisis.
Greener future
As for most companies across all sectors, sustainability is a key topic for CarComm. The company installed 600 solar panels in its facility as early as 2015, way before others, switched to LED lightbulbs and introduced electric vehicle charging points, uses water-based and extra-high solid paint. CarComm also recycles as much paint as possible, along with all other waste – including card, aerosol cans, sealer tubes and metal. Even its tyres are recycled into play equipment and football pitches by a local firm!
The company also encourages the use of environmentally-friendly and affordable green vehicle parts (undamaged and reusable parts of end-of-life and written-off vehicles) to reduce its carbon footprint and to help save money for its customers.
As a recognition of its sustainability efforts, in March the company achieved a major milestone – the BSI’s PAS2060 Carbon Neutrality status, as verified by ECA Business Energy. This means that CarComm is recognised for its contributions to global decarbonisation by reducing its emissions & supporting high quality environmental projects.
Jason Mole acknowledged that this recognition is a significant achievement for the company and the commercial vehicle repair industry, and affirmed that CarComm plans to invest in greener energy supply contracts and continue its commitment to reducing emissions.
“Actively reducing our carbon footprint has been and is our priority. Our efforts received recognition last year at the Greener Bodyshop Awards, organised by the National Body Repair Association (NBRA), & becoming Carbon Neutral earlier this year means we are moving in the right direction,” he concluded.
