Cooper Solutions, provider of niche, web-based solutions for franchised dealerships, delivered its 10 millionth insured loan day this month, as it celebrates 15 years of business in the UK automotive retail sector.
The milestone loan was arranged for a service customer by Cotswold BMW Group’s Cheltenham dealership, which uses the entire suite of Cooper Solutions products and has benefitted from the FullCover insurance system since it was launched in August 2004.
Looking back over 15 years of continuous growth, managing director, Barry Cooper, has seen great change in the automotive retail industry. Now employing 35 staff out of its headquarters in Barford, Warwickshire, Cooper Solutions works with more than a third of the UK’s dealer network.
Cooper said: “The greatest lesson we’ve learnt is that adversity and competition are good for our people and the business. Both can be uncomfortable, but it’s how you respond that is key. We go away, dust ourselves off, think about how we can be better and execute a plan, which generally strengthens our position and sees us ahead of where we were initially.
“The company philosophy is that great service is inherently linked to impressing customers with simple, efficient processes that are quick, consistent and managed with the appropriate technology. Our mission is to provide niche, web-based solutions that complement the DMS, enhancing performance, processes and profitability across the business.
Cooper Solutions now works with more than 1700 franchised retailers who use one or more of its seven products. The FullCover insurance solution was developed using feedback from dealers and has been hugely popular; with the underwriter having paid out more than £11 million in insurance claims helping to protect policy premiums. Plus, the online auction platform FullAuction now boasts more than 50,000 vehicles sold since its launch.
Cooper added: “We have enhanced customer perception of the retailers who use our products by helping them to deliver a more efficient customer service. The ability to carry out online driving licence lookups, deliver paperless loan forms and provide electronic vehicle appraisals means that retailers are closer than ever to providing a paperless experience, something which many customers expect.
“FullCover’s licence check facility has been used more than one million times, and we estimate that we have prevented around 10,000 uninsurable drivers from taking a courtesy loan car off a retailer’s forecourt.
“We’re very happy that the 10 millionth loan day was achieved by Cotswold BMW, with whom we have worked so closely since 2001. To highlight the success of our partnership with them, we have donated £250 towards its chosen charity and we look forward to building on our relationship in the future.”
Andrew Hulcoop, managing director at Cotswold Motor Group, added: “We’ve worked with Cooper Solutions for many years now and find its products add considerable value to the efficiency and performance of our group. The team continues to help us enhance our customers’ experience by creating new solutions that use innovative technology and we look forward to future developments.”
Cooper concluded: “At its core, Cooper Solutions is a people company, we employ great people and ensure they buy into our ethos and culture. The relationships with our customers are long term, we listen well, know a good idea when we hear one and will continue to work hard to keep our products at the forefront of the retailer:customer environment. With more years’ combined experience helping retailers than we’d care to admit, plus decades of industry experience on top, we really are dealership people at heart.”