With automotive workshops one of the few services seen as essential and therefore allowed to stay open during the COVID-19 outbreak, parts specialist First Line has underlined its commitment to them in these difficult times. To show its support for the important part they play, the company is offering advice as to how technicians can stay safe, as well as standing alongside them with continued essential parts supply.

Fist Line says it’s important for workshops, and their supplying motor factors, to keep staff and customers as safe as possible by keeping their distance, washing their hands regularly and isolating themselves if they, or anyone they come into contact with, is feeling ill and/or showing coronavirus symptoms.

First Line Ltd’s advice to workshops is to consider every possible contact point with their customers and ensure that, where possible, this can be replaced with zero-contact alternative solutions. This will include all habitual exchanges that now need thought and consideration to prevent the virus from spreading, whilst still being able to carry on providing essential repairs and services.

Typical situations where change can benefit will be occurrences such as vehicle handovers, payment exchanges, surface touching, close contact and receiving of goods. Therefore, new processes will need to be put in place to minimise contact, encourage social distancing and maintain a clinical working environment. First Line says the sooner the industry as a whole adheres to the guidelines, the sooner it can get back to normal.

In the meantime, where it’s business as usual for workshops, First Line says it will remain open and operational throughout this pandemic (except for an enforced closure) to provide vital supply chain solutions to its factor customer base and subsequently, on to the workshop. The company will be following both Irish and UK government guidelines by enabling as many staff as possible to work from home, which includes establishing a remote call centre, enabling them to continue to serve customers in a socially isolated environment.

Managing Director, Dan Joyner, said: “Our warehouse continues to operate at optimum performance, ensuring our customers receive above 96% order fill and goods continue to be dispatched on a daily basis. Our business is open as usual, receiving orders and shipping products to our global customer base. From everyone at First Line Ltd, we wish you and your families well and together let’s keep the network moving.”