DCR Systems announced that Classic Accident Repair Center, one of the company’s nine operations, is now a BMW Certified Collision Repair Center (CCRC).

Located in Mentor, Ohio, and established in 2005, the collision repair facility is one of the first independent repair facilities in the country to earn this designation. It is affiliated with the Classic BMW dealership, which sponsored the body shop during the certification process.

“We’re proud to say that Classic Accident Repair Center has successfully completed the high standards set by BMW of North America to become certified by the auto manufacturer,” said Michael Giarrizzo, CEO of DCR Systems’ dealer-based collision centers. “It’s a great and honorable distinction to receive and really falls in line with our business model, as a network of nine dealer-based collision centers.”

Up until recently, only a BMW dealer-owned body shop could become a CCRC.

“Since DCR Systems was founded in 2004, our focus has been to create exclusive strategic partnerships with dealerships,” said Giarrizzo. “Previously, we did not qualify to become BMW certified based on that technicality.”

In 2018, the auto manufacturer announced that it would begin allowing independent repair facilities sponsored by dealerships to join its Certified Collision Center network.

When DCR systems learned that the program was going to be offered to select independent shops, the team at Classic Accident Repair Center began working toward meeting the auto manufacturer’s rigorous requirements.

“BMW is definitely a leader in connected cars and the cars of the future,” said Giarrizzo. “Being part of the certified repair program is critical for collision repair facilities that are affiliated with BMW dealerships and repair these vehicles.”

With 12 certifications, Giarrizzo and his team are big supporters of the certification process. Over the years, they have found that certification programs are becoming better and more stringent in their requirements.

“Becoming a BMW Certified Collision Repair Center was not an easy certification to obtain,” he said. “However, it is a priority for us to be trained and certified in all brands we represent.”

Since first starting the BMW certification process, Classic Accident Repair Center has focused on specific technician training, the use of original BMW parts and the required tools and equipment to earn its certification.

Mandy Wynn, national training and support manager at DCR Systems, said training was an important component of the process. As a result, the team took many online foundational classes prior to meeting with an instructor at the BMW training facilities in New Jersey and South Carolina.

Much of the instruction took place prior to the pandemic. Since the stay-at-home directives went into effect, technicians have taken additional classes online.

“Everyone on the team went through some type of training,” said Wynn. “The amount of support BMW provided us throughout the process was overwhelming.”

Technicians also spent time learning how to utilize BMW’s procurement portal, BMW DealerSpeed.

“Although we regularly use many manufacturer’s portals, it can be daunting the first time with a lot of detailed information about the vehicles, especially those with so many electronics,” said Wynn. “Our goal was to become familiar with the portal to help us during repair planning as well as the repair process.”

“BMW is very precise and wants to ensure trained technicians are repairing their vehicles properly according to the manufacturer’s specifications the right way the first time,” said Paul Pennington, parts manager of Classic BMW Mini Cooper. “Classic Accident Repair Center worked hard to meet all of BMW’s requirements to become certified.”

Pennington has worked with DCR Systems and Classic Accident Repair Center for many years.

“At DCR Systems, they care an awful lot and run a very clean, organized and professional organization,” said Pennington. “It’s a high-quality, very conscientious company. It’s my pleasure and privilege to work with Michael Giarrizzo, his body shops and BMW to not only make our business grow, but DCR’s and BMW’s businesses grow as well.”

For more information on DCR Systems, visit dcrsystems.com.