The Birth Of 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 Spray painting 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. 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.

If you own a panel beating business and want your voice to be heard, your business interests 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.

Historical Challenges

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 had been in existence for up to fifty years, to access procurement opportunities.

This system was designed to streamline the industry and ensure that the previously advantaged body shops remain advantaged. It also did not allow for new entrants and the transformation policy of our country to become a reality.

SAARSA’s continued struggle against unfair industry practices and exclusion parameters led to 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 effective solutions to the problems facing the industry.

In addition SAARSA was also instrumental in the formation and implementation of the SAIA Industry Interim Measure to prevent further business casualties whilst changes and improvements were being made in the Insurance Industry.

SAARSA is currently representing in excess of 200 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, Bloemfontein and Port Elizabeth with full time staff to offer assistance with your day-to-day needs.

“Anything For Us, without us, is not for us“

SAARSA has undertaken to create Equal and Fair distribution to all Motor Body Repairer (MBR) Nationally across all regions of South Africa.

This Strategy is based on two fundamental pillars:

• Transformation

• Fair Dispensation

Transformation | Definition – Changing from its current state to an improved or alternate state.

”Effective transformation involves pursuing the organization’s fundamental purpose, within the context of its core values, in ways that effectively and optimally meet and reconcile the current needs of the target market and of key stakeholders.”

Fair Dispensation | Definition – The act of equitable dispensing or dealing out; fair distribution.

SAARSA Goals

To provide the previously/historically disadvantaged/excluded lower-income Panel beating, Auto/Motor repairer, and Body Shop’s the opportunity to enter, exist and grow in a market that has been dominated and reserved for the preferred and selected few.

SAARSA Objectives

To transform the existing Motor Vehicle Auto Body Repairing environment and provide a discrimination-free opportunity to all Motor Body Repairer (MBR) regardless of Race, Color, Creed, Religion, or political association.

SAARSA Strategy

SAARSA remains committed to ensuring the transformation of the Motor Vehicle Auto Body Repairing environment by partnerships and alliances with all major Insurance companies in South Africa. These partnerships would create an inclusive arena where all SAARSA affiliated Small Medium Enterprises (SME’s) are assisted, geared, and mentored to actively participate and be enabled to grow their business and capture their potential market share.

SAARSA Vision

• Driving transformation through innovation

• Creating an Environment where fair Trade and Equitable dispensation is promoted and achieved.

• Being the voice and guardian of the previously discriminated, disadvantaged, excluded minorities.