Kitemark® for Garage Services smashes through 100 licensee milestone

At present, the number of licensees stands at 101, with a further 45 garage businesses going through the latter stages of the auditing process to achieve the Kitemark for Garage Services.

BSI believes the number of licensees will more than double by the end of 2007, ahead of the official launch of the scheme to consumers in January at The Aftermarket Show and Autosport International.

Ian Harper, BSI sales and marketing director, said: “We are delighted that we have achieved more than 100 licensees, and the feedback from our Kitemark licensees is that they are experiencing a very positive impact on their businesses – both externally and internally – and the benefits of having the Kitemark are unrivalled. The scheme is moving forward and by January we will have amassed a significant number of licensees, which will be heavily supported through our consumer campaign, designed to encourage motorists to request a Kitemark garage.”

Harper went on to address the confusion that still exists around the scheme, with regards to PAS 80 and mechanic competences. “PAS 80 is the Publicly Available Specification (PAS) base document for this Kitemark scheme. We don’t issue PASs, we issue the Kitemark for Garage Services which is based on the PAS 80 document.  To gain Kitemark certification, garages must undergo thorough assessment,, mystery shops, unannounced audits and high level training requirements.”

Harper added that the Kitemark for Garage Services scheme also contains an extensive technical skills focus, in that garage mechanics must be trained to at least Level 3 NVQ standard in relevant automotive qualifications, in order to achieve the Kitemark.

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NOTES TO EDITORS

For media information:
Mark Field
Chicane
Tel: 01344 844779
Mobile: 07786 021073
Email: mark@chicanemarketing.co.uk