Meet the e2e Network Members
Silverlake Automotive Recycling
The e2e Total Loss Vehicle Management Network is made up of a diverse range of independent, innovative vehicle recycling and salvage firms, operating collaboratively and united behind market leading service standards against which they are audited. 11 collecting members represent nationwide coverage with a further 14 non-collecting members competing to become active in the event additional capacity is required. The ‘Meet the e2e Network Members’ blog has been developed to shine a light on the infrastructure, operational capabilities, knowledge and expertise embedded in the network and demonstrate the progressive culture inherent in its members.
Silverlake Automotive Recycling provides recovery, salvage and auction services for e2e clients throughout the South East of England and contributes to the network’s 500,000+ inventory of quality graded, warranty assured, provenance tested, OEM reclaimed parts. The business has been established for 77 years and remains family owned and run by Allen Prebble, son of the founder Norman Prebble, and his senior management team comprising Nick Brown, Commercial and Compliance; Tom Harvey, Organisational Development; Denise Small, Finance; and Steve Diaper, Operations.
Silverlake has expanded significantly in recent years with continuous investment in people, infrastructure and facilities at its 10-acre site in Shedfield, Hampshire, which holds over 3,500 vehicles. As an Authorised Treatment Facility, the company exceeds Environment Agency targets, recycling 96.6% of the 30,000+ end-of-life vehicles its processes annually at Shedfield. A second company site in nearby Botley handles HGVs. Its fleet of 25 multi-vehicle transporters enable Silverlake to collect vehicles of all sizes and conditions and it has nine parts delivery vans operating nationwide. Recent investment in facilities has included additional warehousing for its stocks of reclaimed parts, updating of carbon neutral plant and equipment supporting the drive to reduce CO2 emissions, and a new depollution workshop for the safe and separate management of electric and hybrid vehicles.
Silverlake offers a wide range of services to its customers, which include public sector organisations, fleet management, insurers, bodyshops, garages, MOT centres and the general public. These include salvage; auctions; a self-service auto parts facility, U-Pick-It; a full-service facility for buying dismantled, quality graded, warranty assured, OEM reclaimed car and motorcycle parts; and a tyre bay selling and fitting new and part worn tyres. The company buys vehicles in any condition; providing a competitive price, handling all the necessary paperwork and collecting the vehicle for free.
Professional standards and the delivery of continuously exceptional customer service are top of Silverlake’s agenda and the management team recognises it must ensure its people are given every opportunity to grow and excel in the work environment, to realise this business goal. Regular assessment and training of the company’s 140+ staff is a strategic priority with recent training programmes including electric vehicle collection, handling and parts removal. Staff on the fast-track development programme are flown out to the USA annually to attend the Automotive Recycling Association [ARA] Conference to learn from the expert presentations at the event. The company is a member of the Vehicle Recyclers Association and staff are trained to the VRA UK Standard for Reclaimed Parts against which the business is certified. The business also holds ISO certification to standards 9001, 27001 and 14001.
Silverlake is the only member of the e2e network to offer a self-service facility, U-Pick-It, for reclaimed parts, alongside its sale of full-service dismantled parts. Holding over 350 vehicles and updated with new breakers weekly, regional customers visit the Shedfield U-Pick-It yard to safely dismantle parts for themselves. The service sees strong repeat business as a trusted and popular way for customers to cost effectively repair and maintain their vehicles; it continues to be used by multiple generations as local families grow and age.
The company is also raising awareness and confidence in reclaimed parts within the motorsports industry. The case for motorsports teams to use reclaimed parts to cut their repair and maintenance costs and reduce their carbon footprint is compelling. The nature of the sport means parts wear and get damaged and must be replaced frequently. This is costly both for motorsport team bank balances and the environment. Increasing upkeep costs and delays in being able to source parts present race teams with challenges, especially with a short-lived racing series and season. Silverlake sponsors the C1 Racing Series and leading by example, its own race cars are maintained and repaired using reclaimed parts. Most recently, the company has partnered with the BRSCC to raise awareness of the opportunity presented by reclaimed parts and to offer member discounts.
Giving back to the community that has supported its growth is a priority for Silverlake which sponsors the Eastleigh Football Club Stadium and supports the Bobby Scheme, from the regional Blue Lamp Trust, to visit the homes of the elderly and vulnerable and provide security advice and free installation of security equipment. The Shedfield site is used by the Hampshire and IOW Fire and Rescue Service as a safe environment to train fire-fighters in response to vehicle collisions and extraction of injured motorists. The company supports local colleges with the supply of salvage vehicles for mechanical training courses and gives talks at careers events on automotive recycling. ‘U Donate A Car’ is an award winning charity scheme set up by Silverlake to enable people to easily make a charitable donation, of any size, from the sale of their car to the company, to charity. 100% of donations go to the scheme’s charity partner, Global’s Make Some Noise, and see the initiative supporting small community charities through grants; enabling them to continue to really make a difference to peoples’ lives. In 2022 the scheme raised £20,000.
Silverlake believes the e2e network brings a unique service proposition to the salvage and vehicle recycling market, with members representing centres of excellence and deep market knowledge in their regions. The collective expertise and innovation available from the independent businesses that make up the network cannot be matched by single entity service providers and the flexibility and agility inherent in the network model make it a powerful, resilient partner for insurers. The continual growth and strength of the nationwide network, powered by significant member investment for the future, make it the optimal, sustainable choice for existing and future insurer clients.
