As Activate Accident Repair gears up to open its eleventh bodyshop in Nottingham, we caught up with Marita Sullivan, Business & Programme Manager, to find out what goes into creating one of our purpose-built repair centres.
About Marita’s Role
Tell us about your role, and how you got involved in managing the build of our new bodyshops
“My background is in retail in central operations, in my time leading teams we opened many new locations and relocated and refurbished sites. I’ve been involved in over 200 of these projects, leading most of them, so I’m very familiar with what it takes to successfully open a business at a new location.
Now I’ve moved into the vehicle repair industry in a project management role, leading on the opening of new state-of-the-art bodyshops for Activate Accident Repair. It’s a full-on project management role, and I oversee everything from finding the right site to supporting the team when a new bodyshop opens.
I’ve had to get to grips with the industry and learn about the specialist equipment required. I already had lots of relevant skills including commercial expertise, organisational and leadership experience.”
The Growing Bodyshop Network
How many Activate Accident Repair bodyshops have you been involved in building?
“I started with the opening of our Kings Langley centre, where we worked alongside an outsourced fit-out company. After that, I oversaw the build and opening of our repair centre in Hampton, taking full control of appointing and managing suppliers, and agreeing the timeline.
Activate Accident Repair has big ambitions to grow so I know I’ll be kept busy. Recently, I’ve worked on opening a brand-new centre in Nottingham as well as investigating potential locations in other parts of the UK.”
First Steps in Building a New Bodyshop
What are the first steps you take when you get the green light to build a new bodyshop?
“The first thing I focus on is identifying the location. We look at the capacity requirements based on the number and type of vehicles we expect to handle. It’s really important to find a location that has enough internal and external space, but that can be tricky. We often have to consider overflow parking options nearby.
Another big factor is the power supply—whether the site can handle the energy demands or if we’ll need to upgrade, which has a long lead time.”
The Project Timeline
Can you walk us through the typical timeline for a project like this, from conception to completion?
“A good example is our Nottingham site. We started looking for a location in January and found the site in March. Once we’d identified a suitable location, we scoped out the work needed, including forecasting the capital expenditure and drafting a profit and loss statement.
We needed board approval before moving forward with creating the project plan, recruiting the bodyshop manager, and completing the lease. Then we moved to the tender process for the build.
The actual build usually takes around nine weeks, and during that time, we manage everything from state-of-the-art equipment, to uniform and stationery orders. The Nottingham repair centre opened in October 2024.”
Selecting the Best Location
When selecting a location for a new bodyshop, what are the key factors that influence your decision?
“The main factor is capacity—does the site have enough room for the number of vehicles we’ll be servicing? Transport links are also critical to make sure the site is easily accessible for both customers and team members. We look at local competition and, crucially, whether we’ll be able to recruit skilled workers from the area. If we can’t find the right people, the bodyshop won’t succeed, so that’s always a big consideration.”
Coordinating With Key Stakeholders
Who are the key players involved in a project like this, and how do you coordinate with them to keep everything on track?
“There are quite a few people involved, both internally and externally. Internally, I work closely with the people team, IT, operational leaders, and the new bodyshop manager.
Externally, we work with a range of suppliers, including tradespeople, signage companies, and repair equipment specialists. My role is to pull together everyone’s schedules and create a master schedule for the build. I visit the site weekly to meet with the key people and make sure everything’s running smoothly.”
Getting the Bodyshop up and Running
What’s the most rewarding part of your job when it comes to seeing a new bodyshop come to life?
“For me, the most rewarding part is seeing the bodyshop achieve its numbers once it is up and running. I really enjoy seeing it succeed operationally knowing the team has come together and everything is working as it should. “
Emerging Vehicle Repair Technologies
Are there any new trends or innovations in the automotive repair industry that are impacting how you approach building new sites?
“Definitely! Sustainability is a big focus right now. At our Nottingham site, for example, we’ve invested in solvent recycling on-site, a can crusher, and a baler for cardboard to improve recycling and waste management.
We’ve also fitted spray booths with heat recycling technology, which allows us to reuse hot air and reduce energy consumption while managing emissions. These are long-term investments that pay off in terms of both efficiency and environmental impact. We’re constantly reviewing new technology to see how it can make a difference in our builds.”
Staying Ahead of the Curve
Looking ahead, what are some changes or improvements you anticipate in future body shop builds?
“I think it’s about staying aware of what’s happening in the industry. We’re always looking at what other people are doing and working closely with suppliers and partners, like STL and LKQ for equipment and Thatcham for repair methods. It’s about staying ahead of the curve and continually finding ways to make our bodyshops more efficient, sustainable, and innovative.”
