On behalf of the bodyshop, FOCWA and BOVAG sound the alarm about the sharp rise in costs for bodyshops, as a result of which they will no longer be able to continue to carry out bodywork properly and safely. Unless these increased costs are compensated by clients. Earlier this year, a study commissioned by FOCWA and BOVAG provided insight into the major impact of increased energy costs on the non-life industry. Many clients have subsequently decided to grant an energy surcharge to bodyshops for each completed order during current agreements. It now appears that energy prices have again risen sharply in the past two months, by another 70 percent.
Other costs are also rising sharply
The current collective labor agreement ensures an increase in wages by 2,75 percent in 2022 and 3,25 percent in 2023, in addition to some fixed benefits to employees from July 2022. In addition, the current staff shortage means that many companies are forced to pay well above the collective labor agreement to keep or get staff in. Otherwise, excellently trained claims personnel will be bought away by other (technical) branches. The sharp rise in fuel costs means that often offered services such as replacement transport and a pick-up and delivery service are becoming an increasing cost item.
Due to, among other things, corona and the war in Ukraine, there is a shortage of parts, which means that vehicles have to remain in the bodyshop for longer and can therefore not be repaired efficiently. Moreover, raw materials and components have often become more expensive as a result of the crises mentioned. Due to the increase in EV vehicles and cars with ADAS (active driver assistance systems), more knowledge and expertise is required to be able to properly carry out damage repairs. To this end, bodyshops are increasingly investing in employee training. That costs working time and extra money.
All non-life sectors affected
These developments have a major impact on all sectors within the car body repair industry. In addition to car body repair shops, caravan and motor home body repair companies, car glass repair companies and truck body repair companies are also affected.
Reset needed
FOCWA and BOVAG call on all parties to throw 25-year-old paradigms overboard and to cooperate in a reset of agreements between damage repairers and clients. Because the non-life industry has been hit hard by the various crises. This requires a different view of the contracts of the future, with more flexibility and, where possible, extra space within current contracts. In short, a reset of the agreements in the sector. It goes without saying that it is ultimately up to entrepreneurs themselves to determine their own commercial policy and to reach appropriate agreements. branch organization.
