What’s a Crankshaft Position Sensor?
Back in 1979, I remember attending a Ford training class on the much-awaited EEC III computer system. It was the replacement for EEC II and was loaded with new features including the ability to mate up to the new AOD transmission. Of course, it was heralded by us factory types as the end-all in new
Time: The New Currency
Back in 1964 when the Stones first released “Time Is On My Side,” time was a nice thing to have. We used it freely and pretty much took it for granted. It was a nice way to live. We spent Sundays with family, and vacations were spent visiting relatives and staying in touch. In most
Don’t Get Hung Up
Lessons learned from a successul dry-cleaner.
2011 Industry Profile
The award-winning BodyShop Business Industry Profile is back with a vengeance, offering you a statistical snapshot of what’s going on in the collision repair industry today.
Succession Planning: Where Are You Headed?
I know many of you out there are not going to like the subject of this column because it deals with something you probably don’t want to think too much about. But I believe it’s extremely important, and so I’m going to do my best to try to get those of you who have so
Guest Editorial: Body Shop Licensing Is the Way to Go
I’m a 30-year-old body technician who has been in the collision repair business for about eight years. I consider myself one of the new breed of bodymen in that I’m an educated person who truly wants to fix cars the right way and be proud of what I do. The Atlanta area is infested with
View from the Shop Floor
As many of you probably know, I spent the week of Feb. 14-18 working at Nagy’s Collision Specialists and writing daily about my experiences on the BodyShop Business website. My goal was to get out from behind my desk and jump headfirst into the trenches to see what life at a body shop was really
Back to Basics: Financials
Gross profit percentage, breakeven point, accrual accounting…these are all things you need to understand to get ahead and stay ahead in our rapidly changing industry.
How Cloud Computing Affects Collision Repair
As the use of cloud computing has increased, so too have repairers’ concerns over how their data is being used. So how is it being used? And are repairers’ privacy concerns justified? We try to separate fact from fiction and see if the positives outweigh the negatives.
Back to Basics: Tracking KPIs in Your Auto Body Shop
Improving production is a neverending job for the collision industry. Start by determining where you stand with cycle time, touch time and labor efficiency. Then, look for ways to eliminate the “starting and stopping” of repairs and you’ll be well on your way to a leaner you.
Advice from a New Guy
Happy New Year! I hope 2011 turns into a great year for all of us in the collision repair market. The New Year is an excellent time to evaluate where we’re planning to go and make any adjustments or changes that will help us accomplish our goals. This is the time to think about your
Back to Basics: Selling
In a collision repair center, the most important activity is selling.
