Industrialization of the Industry
You don’t have to manufacture automobiles, guns or hamburgers to take advantage of the industrialized process. Such assembly-line concepts can be applied to vehicle repairs, too. Some shops have gone so far as to specialize in departments — paint, metal, mechanical — but they could go even further.
Salvaging the Salvage-Parts Market
Collision repairers agree: Used parts are a viable alternative to new OE crash parts. They also agree that the lack of compensation they’re given for making used parts usable isn’t doable. Their solution? Insurers need to scrap their current way of thinking and recognize what repairers have to do to save them money.
In September’s article, "Repairing the Crash-Parts Market" (pg. 44), we took a closer look at the manufacturing of aftermarket crash parts, the problems repairers have with their use and the solutions raised by industry leaders. This month, we’ll examine the salvage-parts market in much the same way.
Plastic Fasteners, Clips, and Auto Body Rivets
Items such as fasteners, clips and rivets may be small, but their impact on profits can be huge. Invest in too many, and you’ll end up with stuff you’ll never use. Invest in too few, and you’ll end up not having stuff on hand that you need.
The Science of Paint
Ever wonder about the people formulating today’s paint products — and if they have any clue how their creations affect refinishers? Wonder no more. Some of the industry’s leading paint chemists answer the questions on everyone’s minds.
Finding Your Niche
What’s had the living daylights kicked out of it and smells like a herd of horses? It could be your next job. Repairing horse trailers, offering rental cars or spraying on bed liners are just some insurer-free services that can boost your bottom line.
Use It – Or Lose It: New Technology
If you’re not fully utilizing today’s technology — if your shop’s full of “toys” that no one uses — then you’re not fully utilizing your shop’s potential for profits.
Window of Opportunity? Glass Installation…
If you thought glass installation would be a simple, trouble-free profit center, think again. Properly replacing glass is just as complicated as properly repairing collision
damage.
Insurers: Cowboys At Heart?
Some insurers are rounding up consumers and steering them out of shops like herds of cattle – leaving many shop owners to ask: “Where’s the beef?”
How Much Training Is Enough?
Too much is never enough. The key is to not waste your time. Just because your techs return from a class with a certificate and a smile doesn’t mean they learned anything.
Buying Power: Downdraft Spraybooths
Thinking about purchasing a new downdraft spraybooth or prep station? If you’ve got questions, we’ve got answers.