WHO IS SAARSA?
In April of 2004, the Association was formed by a few concerned Panel Beating Entrepreneurs in the Western Cape in an attempt to eradicate all the barriers that prevent the small business to freely participate in the mainstream economy, in this way supporting small and medium enterprises in the Motor Body Repairer Industry (i.e. Panel Beating and Spraypainting Industry)
Since then we have established a national footprint representing most provinces.
These barriers present itself in the form of a grading system that gave rise to a Preferred Insurance Service Provider System and ultimately a Motor Manufacturer Factory Approved System, which limited small and medium-size body shops that’s been in existence for up to fifty years, to access procurement opportunities. This system is designed to streamline the industry and ensure that the previously advantaged body shops remain advantaged. It also does not allow for new entrants and the transformation policy of our country to become a reality.
This particular business model was replicated from the UK by the sole industry association which existed in the past and was widely sold to Insurance Companies and Motor Manufacturers who embraced it, knowing full well that the system failed in the UK and resulted in the closure of 50% of the shops in the UK. One can only assume that if you implement a failed model, that your intention is to achieve exactly what the model achieved elsewhere, which is to corner the market to ensure that the status quo of old remains.
The devastating impact on most small shops and the potential to destroy these longstanding businesses prompted a few to establish their own association [SAARSA] to represent them and take back ownership of our Industry.
It is clear from our mission statement that SAARSA wants to add value to the industry. SAARSA championed the formation of the MITF [Motor Industry Transformation Forum] by engaging the government in the form of the Department of Trade and Industry to facilitate the forum to find constructive and permanent resolves to the problems facing the industry. SAARSA was also instrumental in the formation of an Industry Interim Measure to prevent further business casualties whilst we seek a permanent solution.
We are currently representing in excess of 300 body shops nationally and growing daily. We are a non-racial organization, but understand that race too needs to be addressed to truly transform all industries. Our main aim is however to narrow the gap between Big and Small businesses by creating a free and fair business environment in which to trade.
If you own a panel beating business and want your voice to be heard, your business interest taken care of, SAARSA is the home for you. We currently have our head office in Cape Town and a regional office in Durban, Johannesburg, and Bloemfontein with full-time staff to offer assistance with your day-to-day needs. You are encouraged to contact us.
Posted on Aug 02, 2023 by Panel Beater Directory
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