Midlands Enterprise Awards 2020

51 | Midlands Enterprise Awards 2020 Best Vehicle Accident Repair Service - West Midlands & Customer Service Excellence Award - West Midlands Rhodes Accident Repair Group (PJ Rhodes Ltd) operate out of multiple branches across the Midlands. They have a long history of exemplary customer service, proven by their impressive client list. Terry Monaghan, the Managing Director, has been leading Rhodes Group since it was founded. He took five years out from 2007 to 2012, when he temporarily relocated to Australia with his family. Since returning and taking back the reigns, he has led Rhodes Group to incredible growth and ensured that the company stays true to its values of great customer service. Following his return, Terry bought a garage in Sutton Coldfield from a local Ford dealer, and in 2018, added a third branch in Rugby to the group. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he made the decision to build a new Walsall branch, designed for commercial repairs. This newest addition stands out from the rest of the branches and hugely increases the company’s scope. It has a large spray booth, jig and other facilities that can accommodate light commercial vehicles and motorhomes. This is hugely beneficial to the group, as Rhodes have a very important client. They are the vehicle repairers of choice for the Midlands NHS Ambulance service. Terry said: “We were really proud to have won the tender to repair West Midlands Ambulances a few years ago and Rhodes Group continue to work really hard to keep them on the road whilst ensuring we maintain tight control on costs.” Sep20512 Cost control is an aspect that PJ Rhodes have to be constantly aware of. “We realise that our insurance customers also have to make an honest living,” Terry explained. “For the last 20 years, we have worked very closely with Ageas Insurance, the best insurer by far, in my opinion. We form part of their steering group bringing new ideas to the industry, such as the use of recycled ‘Green’ parts. Not only innovative, but environmentally friendly.” Expanding so much has meant that Terry has had to build a good team. Primarily, the company is a family-run business, and all four of his children are involved in running the show. As such, honesty and integrity remain at the core of the way the entire company operates. This is shown through their great customer service; PJ Rhodes receive 50-60 positive reviews every month. “We make a good return without it costing our customers more than it should by using recycled parts, and, repairing parts where is correct and safe to do so. We adopt all the latest smart repair tooling, such as nitrogen plastic welders.” Alongside opening a new branch, during the coronavirus lockdown, PJ Rhodes upgraded all of their sites. Overall, the upgrades cost £450,000, introducing the latest environmentally friendly spray booths, nitrogen paint systems and robotic paint curing to their repertoire of services. All of these help to reduce waste and cost dramatically. The upgrades also included refurbishing offices and communal spaces to protect staff from the ongoing virus. The auto-repair industry is constantly evolving, so Rhodes Group have to make moves like this in order to stay ahead. With new safety features being introduced in vehicles, different materials used in manufacturing, and hybrid and electrification booming, it is a constantly shifting business. Going forward, Rhodes Group will continue to expand. Although the industry has its ups and downs, the level of skill that is required to put a modern car, ambulance, or commercial vehicle back on the road in pre-accident condition, has to be appreciated. Rhodes Group are always looking for new business from insurers or fleet companies in order to expand, offering them their fabulous service and of course cost control. Contact: Terry Monaghan Website: www.pjrhodes.co.uk Rhodes Accident Repair Group (PJ Rhodes Ltd) have been getting vehicles back on the road since 1996. The group is able to repair vehicles after crashes, scuffs and scrapes, and they have multiple branches across the Midlands. With the team’s commitment to first-rate workmanship and their excellent customer service, Rhodes Group offer the helping hand you need to get your vehicle road-worthy again. Take a peep into what we do https://vimeo.com/491080391/f43757a1e3