THATCHAM QUALITY ACCREDITATION FOR REPAIR EQUIPMENT

Thatcham used their annual Triple Focus event last week to announce the launch of a new category within Thatcham Quality Accreditation (TQA®) - ‘Repair Equipment’.

With the demands on repairers to ensure they are utilising the correct tools and equipment and in recognising the potential size of this investment, Thatcham have launched Repair Equipment Accreditation to help bodyshop owners and repair technicians identify robust, quality tools and equipment, suitable to meet their needs and with the build quality to last in daily use within a tough working environment.

Integrated with Thatcham’s established Quality Accreditation Processes, the insurer funded research centre, has initially defined criteria for the accreditation of spot welders, spray guns and hand tools with the option of defining criteria for any further tools and equipment where the need or demand arises. The first three products to satisfy the criteria are Sykes-Pickavant’s Body repair kit, Stanners’ MI100 Spot Welder and Deltalyo’s DL3000WB spraygun.

Presenting certification to these organisations during the Triple Focus show, Thatcham’s Accreditation Manager, Dean Lander said “A need has been identified as repairers are unsure which equipment to invest in. With their requirement to have quality equipment, that meets the demands of PAS125 and is suitably robust to last in the harsh environment of a busy bodyshop, this accreditation has been established to help bodyshop owners and managers to make the best choice for their business. The Thatcham Accredited mark is a recognised mark of quality and gives independent recognition of product performance”.

In accepting certification, Paul Archer, Managing Director of Sykes-Pickavant, said, “Sykes-Pickavant has a tradition of selling quality products and the independent nature of the Thatcham Quality Accreditation Programme has proved this to be true. Quality recognition is a strong product endorsement for our brand. We welcome this scheme as it will only serve to improve the standards of equipment used in our industry. In our opinion the Thatcham TQA® programme will raise standards and will become the benchmark for quality products.”

The new program has also received great support from suppliers and repairers. Mark Baldwin, Partner at Kitemarked bodyshop, East Bilney Coachworks, based in Norfolk, said, “Equipment specification and performance is key to the repair process. Having a recognised “Equipment List” for repairers working towards and retaining the Thatcham/BSI Kitemark is a massive advantage, walking you through the minefield that exists when purchasing equipment. The trade has been crying out for this information to move the accreditation process forward. At last we will have a defined equipment list to get the job done.” 

 

Sykes Pickavant proudly announces the accreditation of their ‘13 piece Body Tool Repair Kit’ by the Motor Industry Research Centre at Thatcham.
Sykes Pickavant is the first ever hand tool company to receive a Thatcham accreditation for one if its products

For Sykes Pickavant, Thatcham Accreditation is a recognition of both the quality of the tools and the manufacturing processes involved. Thatcham reinforces ‘safety and security’, which fits well because all Sykes-Pickavant tools are designed with safety and ease of use in mind. The new 13 piece Body Tool Repair Kit is a leading example from their range of Workshop Solutions.

Paul Archer, Managing Director of Sykes Pickavant commented “We are very proud that we are the very first hand tool company to achieve the Thatcham Accreditation, this confirms our position as a quality supplier of tools and sets a new benchmark for bodyshop tools”. He added, “The market has already responded positively to the product and hopefully every technician will see the benefits of using this kit in the future”.

Sykes Pickavant’s 13 Piece Tool Kit contains: 1 x Thin Convex Curved Dolly, 1 x Thin Toe Dolly, 1 x Utility Dolly, 1x Curved Pein & Crown Faced Beating hammer, 1 x Pick & Flat Faced Beating Hammer, 1 x Straight Pein & Flat Faced Beating Hammer, 1 x Shrinking Flat Faced Beating Hammer, 1 x Pry Spoon, 1 x Bumping Tool , 1 x Adjustable Body File Blade holder with three Body Bades – 1x6TPI, 1 x 9TPI, and 1 x 12 TPI.

Features for the hammers include – ‘High’ quality forged alloy steel heads with hardened striking surfaces, as well as Octagonal hickory shafts, secured with unique double-wedge system - wood & steel. The Dollies and spoons are a range of high quality Craftsman’s dollies, for shaping and forming body panels. They are Drop forged from alloy carbon steel, hand ground and polished, and zinc plated.

For further information please contact Customer services on 01922 222222

Photograph - Paul Archer - Sykes-Pickavant Managing Director (left) with Dean Lander - Accreditation Manager (right)

 

• Compatible with latest CAN vehicles
• Enable & Disable SBC systems for safe working practices
• Updateable (return back to SP)
• Clear Errors from the SBC system after carrying out service and repairs

 

For some years now, Sykes-Pickavant has provided Technical Helpline Support, for both our Diagnostics Equipment programme, and for Vehicle Technical Support help.

However, as both the Equipment technology, and the Vehicle technology continue to develop at an increasingly fast pace, so we must continue to improve the service we offer to our customers.

We are, therefore, pleased to announce, two new improved Helpline Services to support both our Diagnostics Equipment, and to provide Vehicle Technical Support where needed.

a) Diagnostics Equipment Support ( ie ACR4 / iMAP / iKEYS / SMART etc )

         New Helpline Number : 0844 561 7861 – available now !

This service will be live from Monday 14th April 2008, and will replace the previous service which is now no longer available.

This new service is provided FREE to all our end-user customers, in order to ensure they get the maximum usage and support for the Sykes-Pickavant equipment they have purchased.
This service exists to provide end-user help with operational problems, software updates, applications questions, and general technical support for Sykes-Pickavant diagnostic products, and is available from 8.30am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

This service is provided by the Sykes-Pickavant Research and Development team

 

b) Vehicle Technical Support

                  New Helpline Number : 0871 871 1365 – available now !

This service will also be live from Monday 14th April, and will replace the previous service which is now no longer available.

This new service is a Subscription service, and exists to provide support and help when customers are having Vehicle related problems.  All current and new models are covered, and help can be provided for all typical issues encountered in Independent Workshops – Servicing, Diagnostics, Mechanical Repairs etc, regardless of the make or type of equipment being used.

The service is provided by a specialist team of highly experienced Automotive Technicians, and is available from 8.00am to 6.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Customers interested in subscribing to the Vehicle Technical Support service, should contact our Customer Service Team ( 01922 – 702222 ) who can provide further information, and enable registration to the new service.

Sykes-Pickavant values the support we receive from our customers, and is continually seeking to improve the products and services which we provide.  We are always pleased to hear from our customers, and if you are not able to get through to us by phone, you can always reach us via our support web-site www.spsupport.com, where you can find additional support information, or leave questions on our ‘bulletin board’ which are answered on a daily basis.

Best regards

David Mekie
Marketing Director
Sykes-Pickavant Ltd

 

 

3 x Leg - 125mm (5”)

2” Extension

Can be used with 2 / 3 Legs

 

Product's Accuracy:	+/- 3%
Operates between:	370 - 1100 lbf.ft 500 - 1500 N.m

• Length: 1570 mm
• Length (inc. Ext. Handle): 2070 mm
• Ratchet Teeth: 60
• Ratchet Type: push-through
• Square Size: 1"
• Torque Radius: 1423 mm
• Weight: 6.7 Kg

• Accuracy of +/-3% of reading.
• Fine 60 tooth ratchet allows the wrench to be used in confined areas.
• Long scale length in N.m and lbf.ft allows error free setting.
• Low weight - Model 1000 just 5.8 kg.
• Non length dependent. Extension handle can be used to reduce operator effort.
• Positive 'click' can be heard seen and felt.
• Traceable calibration certificate supplied.

 

Welcome to the new Sykes-Pickavant Website..

Please check back as we continue to update the site.

 

Sykes-Pickavant team up with Gear Wrench

From July 2nd, Sykes-Pickavant will be distributing the GearWrench hand tool products in the automotive sector.  Gear-Wrench is part of the professional division of the American Danaher Tool Group, and their tool products embrace a large range of ratcheting tools including wrenches, screwdrivers, taps & dies as well as standard sockets, pliers and wrenches.

The patented GearWrench is in fact the original ratchet wrench, and with various styles having evolved from the original product, the range is now comprehensive and provides technicians with an exceptional choice as well as a lifetime guarantee. Also within the GearWrench range is the new X-BeamTM  wrench which, due to the construction, places the wider surface of the wrench into the palm of a hand instead of the edge of the wrench; this then allows more force to be applied with less stress on the hand.

Peter Coombes (Chairman of SP) says: Sykes-Pickavant was in the past a major hand tool supplier, and by now offering the “GearWrench” products, it gives SP customers the opportunity to once again acquire a leading quality brand of tools from Sykes-Pickavant. All of us at SP are very pleased to be able to continue to grow the range of products available from Sykes-Pickavant, and adopting the GearWrench products within the SP product range, is further testimony that Sykes-Pickavant is again a very significant supplier of tools as well as diagnostic products”.

Jon Fraser Managing Director of Danaher Tool Group's European operations said "I am delighted that such an established and well respected automotive company as Sykes- Pickavant will be working with us to promote GearWrench in the UK market as a premium hand tool brand for the professional user"

Coombes goes on to say that: since the acquisition of Sykes-Pickavant last year, much has been achieved to make the business more efficient. Therefore, to cope with the obvious increase in business due to sales of GearWrench products, staff levels have been increased accordingly along with investment in other areas to ensure that SP continues to provide improved service to its customers and distributors.

Gear Wrench products from Sykes-Pickavant will be available from a number of distributors and, with competitive pricing allied to product quality, Sykes-Pickavant is increasingly able to offer the repair industry a more complete and desirable range of hand tools as well as specialist tools.