Mc Bodywork: Three C Body Shop
n on the facility’s management is often monumental. Dumbing Down Our Workforce The expertise required to fix accident-damaged cars has long been the strength of the collision repair profession. It’s a specialty. From the viewpoint of the lay person, there’s still a good deal of magic surrounding the work. But during the ’90s, the industry
The Speed of Change
Plastics, metals – and even concrete – that can heal themselves.
Invoking The “Appraisal” Clause
Scenario: A first-party insured with collision coverage brings his damaged car to you for repairs. Your estimate comes to $3,501. The insurer has “appraised” (a.k.a “estimated”) the cost of repair at $2,255. Reinspections and supplementals have been exhausted, and there’s still a sizeable gap between the actual cost of repair and what the insurer is
Somebody’s Watching Me: “Spy Cam” Teddys
Secret “spy cam” teddys aren’t the answer. Techs produce at least 50 percent more when they know you’re watching them. Implementing a production tracking system – along with productivity bonuses – has saved one shop owner $87,200 per year and increased his net profit by 10 percent. A worker produces at about 50 percent of
Gunning for You: HVLP Gravity-feed Spray
Becoming the industry’s “gun of choice,” HVLP gravity-feed spray guns save you money and do most of the work for you. I recently visited autobody paint shops in far corners of the country. Every single one was using gravity-feed spray guns, most of them high volume, low-pressure (HVLP). How did this style of spray gun
Diversifying Your Repair Busines
If you’re managing your shop effectively, then maybe it’s time to consider broadening your scope from collision repair to cosmetic car care. Diversification can be an excellent source of additional revenue in your collision repair business if it’s done for the proper reasons and with the proper management. For nearly 25 years, I’ve been involved
Sold
Do you ever wonder what happens to body shop owners who sell their businesses? Where do they go? What are they doing now? Perhaps more importantly, what leads these folks to put their shops on the market and are they happy now?
Do You See What I See
Does anyone find it the least bit surprising that the general public doesn’t trust the collision industry?
Stuck: Adhesion
I LOVE GLUE DEAR… I love glue, too… Sounds like a sticky situation to me. When I was assigned the task of reporting on the current state of adhesive use in the vehicle repair process, I had no idea where the story might lead. For the easy, logical side of the story, I talked to
In a State Over Allstate
ermarket parts as possible, and if there’s any question or disagreement, “See us in court!” I have a database of more than 50 insurers that I dealt with last year. We’re near a naval base and get people with insurance companies from every corner of the country. Without a doubt, Allstate is the most difficult
Light Up Your Life: New Technology
I admit it. I’m not a huge fan of new technology. Heck, I only own seven – none which I actually bought. People keep giving them to me, hoping to inspire me to move forward into the new millennium (or at least into the ’90s). So trust me when I say I understand if you’re
4 Generations of Millers
4 Generations of Millers