Breaking the Bottleneck
The collision industry has gone through a gamut of changes in
the last 20 years – most of them due to the constantly changing
automobile industry and the technology required to repair those
vehicles to preaccident condition. Others have been due to EPA
guidelines and the concern for the environment. Along with these
changes, new equipment, materials and procedures have been introduced.
The Powder Paint Project
To create a cleaner, greener automotive paint, the Big Three are collaborating to put powder coatings on cars – and to send solvent clearcoats the way of dinosaurs.
Measuring Basics
The more user dependent the measuring system, the greater the chances of error. For this reason, so-called "simp,tapes and gauges – aren’t simple to use properly.
Purchasing Power
Before you hand over the cash, rattle off your credit card account number or sign the bottom of a check, be sure you can justify the expense of that new piece of equipment.
Advanced Measuring: Part Two
3-D measuring systems can provide the accuracy
necessary to repair today’s vehicles – provided that techs are
trained to accurately operate them.
Under Construction: Remodeling for Optimization
Three shop owners remodeled to optimize their operations. Was it worth the cost and aggravation? Absolutely
Seeing the Light
If you’re not afraid to try, refuse to quit and focus on the positive, you’ll reach the light at the
end of the tunnel, where success will shine on you.
The Two Faces of Japan
From ancient Shinto temples to modern-day skyscrapers, the Japanese relish technology, yet revere tradition. But with Japan’s collision repair industry changing with the times,
will the Japanese people also deviate from tradition to fight for their industry’s autonomy?
Multiple Shops, Multiplied Profits
Name: Alamo Body & Paint, Inc. Location: San Antonio, Texas Owners: Wayne Baker Established: 1973 Square Footage: 80,500 (total of three locations) Number of Employees: 152 (total of three locations) Repair Volume: 1,150 cars per month (total of three locations) Average Repair Ticket: $1,300 They say everything’s bigger in Texas. Take Alamo, for instance. (No,
The Tale of One Shop Continues…
….with Paul and Teresa Slate