SMART

BODY magazine has received considerable reaction to its recent article on the SMART sector. The article was headed 'debate' and that's certainly what has started. If you've not yet seen it we suggest you view thw artidle in the February edition or via www.bodymag.co.uk ..

Direct to Europe

VBRA has long been associated with pressuring or helping the 'powers that be' in framing WVTA regulations to best suit its memebrs and, in consequence, to best suit UK industry. Type Approval Manager Ron Cocker is presently in Brussels at the invitation of the commission to give his direct input alongside EU Government representatives in connection with elements of the regs that have still to be resolved - notably on complications on vehicle types...

Toolkit Workshops

The next workshops for toolkit will run in Sutton Coldfield as follows: Manual A 11th May 2010; Manual B 13th May 2010. For details or to register contact Daphne Maclean at VBRA HO or a VBRA Area Mangager...

Toolkit Works

Members working towards WHole VEhicle Type Approval report that following the toolkit program with VBRA is working well and a number have reached the stage at which application for audit to VCA is possible having established their protocols for National Small Series Approval and built up a suitable background history showing that their protocols DO WORK.

Members interested in finding out more about Toolkit should contact Head Office or their VBRA Area Managers. Time is not running out..

Type Approval Toolkit Courses

VBRA has announced the dates of its next courses for adopters of its training toolkit on Whole Vehicle Type Approval. They will be held in the Birmingham area on the 11th and 13th May 2010 for Manuals A and B respectively.

Invitations are being sent to members this week.

Member Services

Pat Wilson and Liz Jackson of VBRA member services department have retired. VBRA wishes them both well in their retirement and thanks them on behalf of the many members they have assisted over the years.

New arrangements for Employment law advice have been instituted and advised to members. Other aspects of their duties are being undertaken by other members of staff and apart from the personell change it is very much business as usual.

All members will have received a new dire..

Employment Advice Line

VBRA has today launched its new Employment Advice Line for members. The service is provided by Peninsula Business Services. Members should refer to information recently provided regarding access to the service. Additional details are available from VBRA head office or Area Managers...

Insurer Coercion

VBRA Director-General, Malcolm Tagg recently wrote to ABI seeking their views on what many members consider to be the unfair practice of insurers inappropriately steering work to designated repair centres.  ABI response can be found on the member only section of the website...

VBRA Technical Tip No 11 (Jan 2010)

Information on the removal of spot welds, drilling procedures, due to the use of UHSS steels can be found on the Member Only area of the website...

WVTA _ Reciprocal Agreements

It was originally suggested there would probably be a reciprocal agreement between the UK and Ireland in terms of acceptability of each others approval regimes. Folllowing a recent enquiry on progress of this by VBRA to the DFT it seems that whilst this remains a medium to long term aim it will certainly not be realised in the short term. The differences between regimes have been identified and, as yet, solutions have not been found. VBRA will continue to pursue this issue in meetings with ..