AARN has announced that the network is to be wound up.
The Australian Accident Repair Network's board presented a bold new vision of how the network should progress in April this year which included co-branding, national standards and systems and work provision.
Too few of the 80 members agreed to the new direction, which called for a substantial investment per shop, to make it financially viable. The board had made it clear in April that it was 'change or die' and that if the new model wasn't adopted that the 20-year old association would fold.
The board's letter to suppliers and members said: 'The Board of AARN accepts the decision of members and shareholders and so it is with deep regret that AARN advises after 20 years in the industry it will now cease trading.
'AARN firmly believed in the co-operative model which was created to assist independent repairers face the current instability of the industry being encountered by consolidation of repair facilities and work providers requiring greater capacity and governance by repairers.
AARN's proposed model included:
- Co-branding to increase both B2B and public awareness of the group
- Governance – implement and strengthen the required governance within the network to ensure viability of all concerned.
- Procurement – included managed procurement to increase cost effectiveness of the independent repairer
- Work provision – increase the likely hood of work provision by implementing all of the above.
AARN will be appointing a liquidator to finalise its affairs.
"The AARN Board would like to take this opportunity to thank all of its repairer members and corporate partners for their participation in the past 20 years. Whilst being at the forefront of industry relationships for a substantial time, we also feel the viability for a network not providing the above services is limited.' the letter continues.
'We wish all of our counterparts well in their endeavours to assist in securing a long term future for automotive repair independent operators.'
Paint & Panel Magazine would like to wish AARN managers Suellen Peterson and Di Rawlings all the best for the future.