• Ben and Wellonomics partner to produce pioneering wellbeing app and web portal
• BenWell enables employees to measure their wellbeing in real-time and gives employers timely insight into mental and physical health of their team
• Personalised resources are provided to each individual, tailored to their wellbeing needs

To mark the beginning of World Wellbeing Week, Ben, the automotive industry charity, is proud to announce the nationwide launch of BenWell – its pioneering new wellbeing platform, developed specifically for the automotive industry in partnership with Wellonomics.

Underpinning BenWell is an insight-led app and web portal which automotive businesses can use to take the emotional and physical temperature of their team, enabling companies to better support their employees with their wellbeing.

Each month, employees spend less than 10 minutes answering questions across six key personal wellbeing areas, and five management areas. Once completed, their personal dashboard gives a real-time view of their wellbeing and offers tailored support and guidance from experts in each area, accessed via mobile, tablet or desktop.

From an employer perspective, individual survey results are anonymised but, by tracking key wellbeing indicators via the dashboard, employers get a real time overview of how their employees are feeling about life at home and work, taking the guesswork out of wellbeing and enabling them to be proactive in their response.

If any potential wellbeing issues are identified, employers can create targeted solutions that address their people’s needs, building greater employee satisfaction, retention and productivity for the business.

Ben has been working on the development of this platform since 2021 with wellbeing data specialists Wellonomics, and the new BenWell platform will now be rolled out to automotive businesses across the UK.

In addition to the app and web portal, the complete BenWell package also includes:

• Access to printed wellbeing documentation on a wide range of topics for use around the workplace
• Access to HR Manager Lite from Lawgistics – a HR and compliance platform designed for automotive employers that might not have their own HR function
• Access to a portfolio of Ben Training courses to help teams build self-awareness and good habits that promote resilient mental health

Matt Wigginton, Director of Partnerships, Engagement & Income at Ben, said: “For over 115 years, Ben has been on the front line of the automotive industry, supporting members of our automotive family through the toughest times of their lives. And in 2022, we know that this support is needed more than ever before.

“Our most recent industry survey showed us that 94% of automotive workers have been personally affected by a health and wellbeing issue in the last 12 months. That figure is astonishing. Not only does this mean our automotive colleagues have been struggling, it also means that businesses are suffering too. Employee absence, reductions in productivity, low team morale – all of these things are caused by wellbeing issues and ultimately affect the health of your business.

“By partnering with data specialists Wellonomics, we have combined our unique insight into the automotive community with industry-leading technology to produce a platform that we truly believe will help to improve the wellbeing of the automotive family as a whole. We encourage employers to find out more about BenWell and explore the many ways it can help the people in your business who most need it.”

Glen Thurgood, CEO at Wellonomics shared: “It is a real honour to partner with Ben and the product of our successful collaboration is BenWell.  We are enormously excited as BenWell is officially launched today and sincerely look forward to being of service to all businesses and people within the automotive family.”

For more information about BenWell click here.

And remember, if you or someone you know is struggling - you can chat with us online, or call our free and confidential helpline on 08081 311 333 (Mon- Fri 8am - 8pm).

When any member of our automotive family is struggling or in crisis, we all rally to support them.

About Ben:
Ben is the charity dedicated to supporting the people of the automotive industry, providing support for life for them and their family dependents.

Ben supports individuals to navigate through life’s challenges, empowering them to make positive, lasting change. Ben works with people to improve their lives by enhancing their health and wellbeing through its free and confidential online self-help, helpline and support services. 

Ben also operates continuing care and support for those in later life, which isn’t dependent on an automotive industry connection, via its residential care centres, day centre and retirement village. www.ben.org.uk. 

Indian Motorcycle has launched an initiative aimed at incentivising owners to get out and ride more this summer, with the introduction of the Indian Motorcycle Rally programme.

With entry available to any existing Indian Motorcycle owner, and as part of the brand’s Indian Motorcycle Riders Group, owners who participate are challenged to visit all 20 UK and Eire dealerships up until Nov 30, gaining stamps on their unique Indian Motorcycle Rally Passport, recording their journey mileage with a national ranking to reward the highest number of stages and miles completed.

Claire D’auria of Indian Motorcycle UK announced the UK’s inclusion in the programme, commenting, “The Indian Motorcycle Rally programme is running right across Europe, and so we are delighted to offer our UK and Eire customers the chance to participate.

“Ultimately, it’s an excuse to get out and ride, but it’s a great way for the IMR community to come together and visit different parts of the country. Riders can even get in touch with the local IMRG before their ride to find out about places of interest and great roads along the way.”

Indian Motorcycle owners interested in participating can register for free on https://indianmotorcyclerally.eu/UK/discover.php, then log each of their journeys after receiving their Indian Motorcycle Rally passport (provided by the local Indian Motorcycle dealer) via a stamp at each dealership visit.

The Rally is open to owners of all Indian Motorcycle models who are also registered with Indian Motorcycle Riders (IMR) and runs until the 30th November 2022.

• Ducati presents new product lines of technical base layer garments designed in collaboration with Aquafil, a leading company in the sector
• The garments are made with Dryarn®, an innovative microfibre that guarantees optimal breathability and keeps the body always dry and at the correct temperature in both the hottest and the most rigid climates
• The Ducati Apparel collection is available at dealerships in the Ducati network and on the Shop.Ducati.com website

Borgo Panigale (Bologna, Italy), 23 June 2022 - Ducati presents the new Cool Down 2 and Warm Up 2 technical base layer product lines. Created in collaboration with Aquafil, a global leader in the production of synthetic fibres, the lines consist of products designed to be worn under jackets, trousers or helmets to increase the rider's thermal comfort. The garments of the Ducati technical base layer collection are made of lightweight fabric and created without seams in order to eliminate irritation and discomfort from rubbing.

The products of the Cool Down 2 and Warm Up 2 lines are made with Dryarn®, an innovative microfibre born from the tradition and experience of Aquafil. In addition to being the lightest fibre existing in nature, Dryarn® is water repellent, breathable, bacteriostatic and dermatologically tested. Thanks to its low specific weight, this microfibre makes it possible to produce extremely light garments, while maintaining the thermal insulation capacity. The same product made of Dryarn® can weigh -32% compared to the wool equivalent and -34% compared to the equivalent polyester garment.

As the latest generation Activewear garments, the new Ducati collection stands out for its breathability and thermoregulation. Excellent breathability is guaranteed by the differentiated fabric structure, which absorbs excess moisture, prevents sweat from flowing and causes it to evaporate, eliminating it completely, to always leave the skin dry. Thermoregulation is ensured by the Dryarn® microfibre structure, which creates a breathable barrier while maintaining the correct microclimate of the body.

The Cool Down 2 line, designed for sporty use on the track or on the road, includes items which have cooling, anti-sweat and anti-odour properties. The Cool Down 2 line is made up of garments designed specifically for motorcycle use, ideal for enjoying every curve even on the hottest days. Among the items in the line are technical t-shirts (long, short or sleeveless), balaclavas and technical socks.

The technical t-shirts, designed by Drudi Performance, combine an attractive design with excellent performance in terms of lightness, elasticity and breathability. They are equipped with areas with a new large-mesh construction to optimize body transpiration and eliminate excess heat in the areas of greatest perspiration.

The new Cool Down 2 balaclava by Drudi Performance is ideal for hot climates and summer seasons. It is equipped with highly breathable micro-mesh zones that regulate the temperature and allow you to stay dry while guaranteeing excellent technical comfort and high breathability.

The tech socks make breathability and freshness their strong points. The selected materials, in addition to ensuring good thermal comfort and perfect expulsion of sweat even on the hottest days, ensure comfort and feeling while riding, thanks to the reinforced areas with a specific design for motorcycle use.

The Warm Up 2 line, designed for sport-touring and road use, includes items that are the ideal allies for enjoying every ride to the fullest and not giving up on fun and riding pleasure even when the temperatures get colder. The collection includes long-sleeve thermal t-shirt and pants, balaclava and thermal socks.

The long-sleeve technical t-shirt and thermal pants, by Drudi Performance, represent an ideal combination of comfort, elasticity and breathability. They are equipped with areas with a new large-mesh construction, which optimize body transpiration and eliminate excess heat in the areas of greatest perspiration. The high-quality fibres of these garments guarantee thermal insulation towards the outside, absorbing moisture and sweat before they touch the skin.

The modern and functional Warm Up 2 balaclava is a perfect travel companion on the coldest days. The optimized design protects the neck, temples and chin from the wind and, combined with the performance of the Dryarn® fibre, hinders the dispersion of heat and insulates from the outside.

The tech socks are designed to guarantee the best thermal comfort even at the coldest temperatures. The composition of the foot in merino wool guarantees warmth and breathability. The optimized design features strengthened zones, with a specific design for motorcycle use.

The Ducati Apparel collection is available at the dealership network of the Borgo Panigale company and on the Shop.Ducati.com website.

#DucatiApparel #Ducati2022

SR75 World Team Suzuki has pulled the covers off a special V-Strom 650XT project, a build that sees the multiple Arenacross title-winning outfit inject a supercross twist into the middleweight adventure machine.

Unveiled today at the Adventure Bike Rider Festival, the team has taken the standard V-Strom and stripped it back to its component parts, before modifying and replacing a number of elements to boost its off-road capabilities and performance.

The standard 19” and 17” wheels have been replaced with 21” and 18” rims with bespoke Envy hubs, shod with Pirelli tyres. The whole chassis has been raised with in-house suspension mods and upgraded springs.

Ergonomics are changed with handlebar risers housing RM-Z450 Renthal ‘bars, protected by genuine Suzuki hand guards. Modified-to-fit RM-Z450 footpegs give an assured, planted feel off-road. California-based Motoseat took the standard V-Strom seat base and provided custom seat foam and ribbed cover to create the perfect shape and riding position in more challenging conditions.

Mated to SR75 modified headers, a custom FMF titanium pipe sits higher than the original and gives a racier exhaust note. There’s also a heavy duty sump guard and a lighter battery, while the aesthetic is completed with restyled bodywork to slim down the rear end and create a lighter, stripped-back aesthetic. A bespoke GP Grafix kit completes the unique look and mimics the team’s RM-Z race bikes.

SR75 team owner, Geoff Walker, “Getting to grips with the V-Strom was really exciting and it made an interesting project. Away from the race bikes we’ve turned our hands to a few projects in the past, but normally they’re older RM and RM-Z models, so this was something a bit different. The standard bike is obviously a very good, very capable mile-munching middleweight adventure bike, but we’ve just improved it in certain areas and given it a more off-road focus through our expertise. The Envy wheel set is a work of art, truly, and are absolutely bespoke to this build, and the whole look is only completed through the fine work of the crew at GP Grafix who have done an amazing job. It’s been a real team effort by our team and all of our technical partners.

“With the taller, tougher stance, the modifications to the seat, pegs, and ‘bars and heavy duty crash protection, it’s going to be a proper thing off-road, and we’ve got some big plans to do some cool things with it this summer. And for any V-Strom owners looking to recreate or take inspiration, we’d be happy to help with parts and share our knowhow.”

SR75 World Team Suzuki competes across the globe, attending events – and achieving success – in the US and Europe, and can lay claim to five Arenacross rider titles in the UK, plus multiple team championships and titles in Denmark and France.

The V-Strom 650XT is currently available with 2.9% APR over a three-year Hire Purchase or PCP agreement, with no deposit required.