SMR forum

“SMR” is industry shorthand for “Service, Maintenance and Repair” - an increasingly important area for leasing and fleet management companies wanting to maximise future vehicle re-sale values.

In these increasingly complex and turbulent economic times, however, it is important for fleets to be aware that responsibility for service, maintenance and repair means more than demanding the highest quality repairs at the most competitive prices. It is also about helping ensure driver and pedestrian safety. Inadequate or poor maintenance routines can significantly impact the driving performance of vehicles and increase levels of risk for member companies and their clients.

The SMR forum exists to encourage discussion and debate on general issues of vehicle, service and repair and to share information data and best practice. Forum members include BVRLA members, vehicle manufacturers, suppliers and service providers.

The SMR forum is directed by a steering committee made up from BVRLA membership.

Objectives

The aims and objectives of SMR forum are to:

• Stimulate discussion and debate on general issues of vehicle, service and repair, as well as vehicle and contract administration
• Encourage sharing of information and data for the benefit of all forum members
• Improve communications between vehicle manufacturers, suppliers, service providers and forum members
• Reduce costs and simplify the administration of SMR wherever possible
• Promote practices and administration improvements to provide added protection for member's companies under their Duty of Care responsibilities
• Stimulate discussion and engender practices to minimise the impact of member fleets on the environment
• Discuss and debate new technology and new added value services
• Raise the profile of both SMR issues and SMR forum itself through selective use of PR
• From 1 January 2010 the BVRLA SMR forum will qualify for continuous professional development credits for members of the Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) and ATA Technical Services. Qualifying participants will be able to have their IMI-issued CPD vouchers validated on the day of the form to make self-submission of professional learning a simple process. The SMR forum will qualify as a structured learning activity.

Attendance at the SMR forum meetings in 2010 will require an extra subscription of £150 plus VAT. This entitles members to send two representatives to each forum meeting.If you would like to become a member of this forum, download the membership form and send completed to steph@bvrla.co.uk or fax to 01494 434499.

Previous forum summaries

If you missed a forum, you can catch up for the next event by reading through our summary reports.

30th June 2010
Hosted by the Motor Insurance Repair Research Centre at Thatcham in Berkshire, featuring debate on vehicle telematics.

11th March 2010
Hosted by BMW, featuring presentations on BMW's future product offering, vehicle recall, tyres and online compliance management.

25th November 2009
Hosted by Toyota, featuring manufacturers versus independent programmes.

17th June 2009
Held at Company Car in Action, featuring Steve Harris of Allied Vehicles presenting on ZEV Electric Vehicles .
To view Steve's subsequent electric vehicle question and answer session with Lloyds TSB autolease click here. 

11th March 2009
Hosted by Peugeot, featuring B30 lend bio-fuels.

Contact:

If you have an interest in service, repair and maintenance matters and would like to attend the next forum, contact Nora Leggett on nora@bvrla.co.uk or 01494 545713.