DCR Systems has announced that its Mentor, Ohio location is becoming a Rivian Certified Collision Center.

“It’s really important for our company to stay on the cutting edge of new technology and developments and be prepared to repair electric vehicles properly in the future,” said Michael Giarrizzo, president and CEO of DCR Systems. “Having OEM certifications such as Rivian’s will help us do that.”

Added DCR Systems CFO and Managing Partner Cheryl Boswell, “We are proud to be working with this forward-thinking EV company. Rivian, like DCR, is focused on using technology to launch this industry forward and to improve the life of our mutual consumers.”

“Working with DCR Systems has been a pleasure since the moment we walked into their shop,” said Joey Amodei, the northeast regional manager for the Rivian Certified Collision Network. “Their industry-leading processes and culture made them a no-brainer when considering them for Rivian’s Certified Collision Network. We look forward to the continued partnership with DCR Systems as we continue to grow in the Ohio market.”

DCR Systems is a dealer-based turnkey collision repair model. In addition to opening its own calibration center, Calibration Connection, the company operates nine production cells in four states — Ohio, Massachusetts, New York and North Carolina.

“Part of our business model is ensuring that vehicles are repaired according to the way the auto manufacturer intended following their procedures,” said Mandy Wynn, national training and support manager at DCR Systems. “We are very driven, and part of that is keeping up with the vehicles OEMs are going to be releasing and the technology inside.”

DCR Systems approached Rivian in 2022 to discuss the certification process. After the auto manufacturer visited DCR Systems’ facility, they went through the application process together. Throughout the process, DCR Systems staff has worked closely with the Rivian team to ensure they have the required equipment and are properly trained. In addition to in-person education, Rivian has a dedicated portal with vehicle-specific training videos.

“Rivian has been extremely supportive with the onboarding process and, more importantly, open to feedback provided to make the process smoother for certifying shops in the future,” said Wynn. “DCR is ready to repair Rivian’s fleet of EVs.”

In May 2023, Wynn and DCR Systems team members Carrie Hehr, production lead, and Bill Raikes, master tech, attended the first Rivian Summit in Bloomington, Ill., which included a tour of the OEM’s manufacturing facility.

“It’s exciting to be part of the next generation of luxury EVs,” said Wynn. “This is going to be in the history books one day.”

Wynn said the team is focused on properly repairing all EVs by following OEM procedures.

“There is nothing more important than repairing customers’ vehicles correctly,” she said.

For more information about the DCR System’s Licensing Model, click here or email Michael Giarrizzo at [email protected].