Legislative Lowdown
Federal – The U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs held a hearing on “The State of the Insurance Industry: Examining the Current Regulatory and Oversight Structure.” U.S. Sen. Tim Johnson (D-South Dakota) addressed the need for modernization of the insurance regulatory structure into an optional federal charter (OFC) to establish the United
Driving Down Nearly 2 Percent Compared to Last Year
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) reported people drove 2 billion fewer miles in April 2008 (245.9 billion) than in April 2007 (247.9 billion), a 1.8-percent decrease. From March 2008 to April, driving dropped by 400 million miles, the FHWA reported, pointing to rising fuel costs as the cause in reduced driving. Consumers are also favoring
A Supplement-Free World: Just a Dream?
Many shops say much of their inefficiency comes from having to write and request supplement after supplement. Is there another way?
PPG Launches CertifiedFirst Network Webinar Series
PPG Automotive Refinish today announced that the CertifiedFirst Network will launch a series of monthly Webinars to support collision center owners in their efforts to successfully market their shops to consumers and insurers. The Webinars will cover a wide range of topics designed to help develop business and customer relationships and capitalize on insurance company
Stand Out from the Competition – Gates Auto Body
Gates Auto Body believes that standard operating practices allow companies to do what their competition doesn’t – turn their employees into top performers and maximize results.
DRPs Key Part of Puzzle
Over the past few months, the Research Department here at BodyShop Business has been busy gathering input and data for an upcoming, comprehensive all-industry report that we’ll be publishing soon. In reviewing some of the initial tabulations, we’re noticing some interesting trends out in the market and gaining a better understanding of how shops are
(Bed)Line up for Profits: Spraying Bedliners Is a Way to Boost Your Bottom Line
Spraying bedliners is a way to boost your bottom line — and is strictly a customer-pay upgrade (read: no insurer involvement). It’s not easy owning a collision repair shop these days. Business is down, costs are up (and continue going up), customers are pickier than ever, insurers are cheaper than ever … Bet you could
There’s Money In the Details
If you were asked what business you’re in, you’d probably say the collision repair business. But the truth is, the business you’re really in is the “cosmetic car care business,” which is probably bigger than collision repair and detailing put together. Many of you, however, aren’t taking advantage of it. What do I mean by
Globe Trotting: Collision Repair in 16 Countries
Despite the miles – and oceans – separating them, collision repair markets around the world aren’t as unique as you might think. In fact, a developing market will likely experience the same growing pains and challenges as did its more developed counterparts on the other side of the world. Collision repair shop owners experience similar
Market Pricing: Examining the Forces Behind It
independently of recessions and bear markets? Some industry leaders would say yes, they do. The reality is that body shop sales tend to follow meteorological trends rather than economic indicators. Hail storms and the shellacking of ice that some cities get in the winter do more to drive markets for body work than does the