Eliminating Waste for a Lean Body Shop
Why do we all spend ridiculous sums of cash to create low cost? Until all parties involved in the collision repair process start looking at the value stream together, we’ll never realize the potential of what we can provide for the customer and for our organizations.
Diminished Value: Fact or Fiction?
Whether or not you agree with or support the idea that customers’ vehicles lose significant portions of their value after they leave your shops, the market has spoken to the issue, and it appears to be an inescapable fact.
How to Sell Your Body Shop
So you’re thinking about selling your shop. Times are tough, and you’ve had just about enough of this crazy industry. How much is your business worth? How can you maximize its value? Read on and perhaps your retirement can be that much rosier.
Your Guide to Body Shop Safety
Creating a culture of safety in your body shop can increase productivity, make your employees happier and keep you out of trouble. So what are you waiting for?
Tracking Lean Performance and Productivity
Most businesses track performance with accounting system financials. But body shops aren’t typical businesses. For us, the key number to know is the amount of resources required to produce a specific amount of value.
EDITOR’S NOTES: A Training Timeout
The first thing that surprised me as the woman introduced all of us in the room was how many different industries were represented. Here I thought I would be surrounded by collision repairers. It about blew me over that people from the banking, media and recreation industries had come to seek marketing, sales and operation
EDITOR’S NOTES: A Worthwhile Investment
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard a body shop owner complain about spending all this money to train one of his technicians, only to watch the tech take off down the street to a competitor. But never before had I heard what Doug Kielian, owner of Auto Kraft in Lincoln, Neb., told
Body Shop Profit Tips
Five successful collision repair executives share their secrets to success in 2010.
Making the Most of a Body Shop’s Space
Before you add more space to your body shop, ask yourself if you’re making the most of what you have. Eliminate waste first and you’ll soon find out how large your facility actually is or could be.
Featheredge, Prime and Block is Not a Body Procedure
The EPA’s new 6H Rule proves that Featheredge, Prime and Block (FPB) is a paint procedure, not a body procedure. Here’s how the 6H Rule applies to FPB and what the possible penalties are for failing to comply.
Employee Retention is Key to Continued Success
Companies that build and maintain a superior workforce will have a long-term competitive advantage in their marketplaces. Here are some strategies for doing just that.
SHOP PROFILE: Shedding DRPs for Survival
Too many concessions and too few vehicles made profiting from insurer relationships too difficult for this family business. So they concentrated on what they do best: quality repairs, excellent customer service and savvy marketing.
