SHOP TALK
Page 45
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• What levels of change can be expected in servicing and repairs by 1992? Considerable, we suggest, and the Number 1 factor involved will be quality. This is a view shared by Bosch, which had sales totalling £220 million in Britain last year and expects to double these by 1992, with the creation of the European Community's single market.
While Bosch is a giant — it reckons to invest RI million a day in research and development — the attainment of higher quality work is going to be equally important in workshops and by, we must add, small accessory firms. Those that are awake are aware they are sitting on a potential gold mine; the automotive after-market, again according to Bosch, is calculated to be worth £6 billion (parts and labour) in the UK annually.
Bosch has a 320-strong UK service network specialising in auto electrical, electronics, petrol injection, diesel and ABS braking systems — a network that is being expanded.
Bosch recently made a quality check — what it calls "self-policing" action — on its network, in view, it says, of trade and consumer press criticism of the ability of garages and workshops to handle complex systems. Two employees, incognito, visited a 10% sample of agents. Unfortunately we can't say much more other than that we assume nothing too horrible was discovered, since a filmed report, while not shown to us, was shoWn to a conference of 400 service delegates.
• You know a young unemployed, cynical of Thatcher; but could perhaps persuade him to join a YTS in the motor industry. How confident are you that it won't end in tears? Says Len Minns, senior instructor at the Cannock Training Centre of Lloyds Training Services: "Yes, there is some cynicism around and some young people unfortunately take it all in, but the facts are that YTS has a lot to offer and at the end of the twoyear course here, the young people are quite likely to secure full-time employment in the field of their choice and to have certification." The company is based at Atlas House, 4/6 Belwell Lane, Sutton Coldfield, West Midlands B74 4AB.