Toyota's Bodyshop Champions Rewarded With Japan Trip

EPSOM, UNITED KINGDOM – Dec 18, 2013: Worldwide Toyota invests in the skills of its people through its training and career development programmes, and with competitions that encourage and reward excellence. In the UK, the Toyota and Lexus Academy in Nottingham hosted the 2013 national competition, which focused on the talents of body and paint technicians

With a strong entry and keen rivalry, the contest was divided into separate sections for body repair technicians and paint technicians who hold a Senior ATA licence. Four finalists in each category competed in the final, after making their way through an initial online multiple choice test and, at regional level, an invigilated written exam.

The final tested both practical skills and the ability of the technicians to interpret and follow technical methods and instruction.

The competition enjoys generous support from a number of Toyota supplier partners, including 3M, Akzo Nobel, Axalta Coating Systems and Car-O-Liner. Their generous contribution helps ensure the competition can fully test the competitors’ body and paint shop abilities.

The 2013 champions were body technician Daniel Barlow, from RRG ARC Bolton, and paint technician Tony Glover, of Parklands Toyota, Helston.

As part of their prize package, Daniel and Tony attended Toyota’s 23rd Annual Assembly of International Customer Service Champions in Japan. They were joined on the week-long trip by the UK’s Lexus Technician Champion 2013, Tony Simmons, from Lexus Norwich. As guests of Toyota Motor Corporation, they were able to experience all aspects of Japanese culture, from the modern bullet train to traditional temples and ceremonies. They also visited the home of Toyota and learned more about the theories and practice of the Toyota Production System.

The October trip culminated in the awards ceremony, with 161 champions honoured from more than 50 countries.

Steve Settle, Director Customer Services, Toyota GB said: “The annual customer service champions competition is one of the ways in which we invest in the skills of the men and women working in our Centre Network. With the focus this year on our body and paint, we have helped our technicians develop their abilities through friendly – but hard-fought – competition.

“The talents shown by everyone taking part play an important part in helping ensure we can continue to deliver the best possible quality to our customers.”