Heavy vehicle repairers get organised

The new Australian Heavy Vehicle Repairers Association (AHVRA) addresses key industry issues for heavy vehicle repairers.

Heavy vehicle repairers get organised

The new Australian Heavy Vehicle Repairers Association (AHVRA) addresses key industry issues for heavy vehicle repairers.

Industry groups have come together to establish the Australian Heavy Vehicle Repair Association (AHVRA) to address key industry issues unique to the heavy vehicle repair industry.

The AHVRA will work as a representative body in conjunction with the Australian Automotive Industry Association (AAIA), member businesses, state automotive industry associations and other relevant groups.

The national body was formed to represent and assist business owners of the heavy vehicle repair industry. Its objectives include:

1.  Establish conduits for the consideration and resolution of problems affecting the industry and all stakeholders.

2.  Liaising with government departments to improve industry standards and practices

3.  Apply the principles of the Motor Vehicle Insurance and Repair Industry (MVIRI) Code of Conduct.

In one of its first acts since forming, the AHVRA will be reviewing written-off
vehicles and how that relates to heavy vehicle repairers.

Current members of the AHVRA include Nathan’s Smash Repairs, Mulgrave, NSW; Re-Car, which has operations at Nobel Park and Mulgrave in Victoria, and Archerfield and Townsville in Queensland; and Wales Truck Repairs of Smithfield, NSW.

The AAIA assisted in establishing the new organisation, which is expected to become the new national representative body for heavy vehicle repairs in the automotive trade.

The AHVRA aims to become the national network of leading heavy vehicle repairers whose business principles are based upon the MVIRI Code of Conduct as the cornerstone for all transactions with stakeholders throughout the repair process.

A strategic plan has been formulated outlining avenues for development as a business model which the executive committee has agreed to review as opportunities for medium to long-term goals.

A revised version of the formulation of the AHVRA into the current workings
of MTA NSW as a separate entity was presented to the executive committee
and endorsed.

The committee agreed to adopt the new proposal as outlined in the AHVRA policy document. This new entity with separate membership fees and charges has now been set up, as agreed to by the executive committee.

All members must be a member of their respective state-based associations, being MTAQ, MTANSW, VACC/TAS, MTA SA, MTA WA and MTA NT where required. The application form includes minimum standards for equipment and environmental compliance.

It was also agreed that business owners or principal managers be the requirements for executive committee membership.

Formal letters have been supplied to the Insurance Council of Australia and will also be forwarded to other entities advising of the AHVRA goals. A website is being developed for membership enquiries, marketing and promotion purposes.

Heavy vehicle repairers who wish to apply for membership may now download and complete a membership form from www.ahvra.com.au.