Working Smarter Not Harder
Name: Jerry’s Body Shop Location: DeLand, Fla. Owner: Jerry Doyle Established: 1976 Square Footage: 10,000 Number of Employees: 11 Repair Volume: 60 cars per month Average Repair Cost: $1,500 After 40 years in the collision-repair industry, you’d think a bright guy like Jerry Doyle would’ve learned not to help his competitors. Yet, several evenings a
Working on Alternate Vehicles: Some Solutions
Check out the following technical trouble spots and tips.
Working Magic: Paintless Dent Repair (PDR)
PDR is only as good as the operator on the other end of the pry tool.
Seeds of Success: Redfield Collision Center
Name: Redfield Collision Center Location: Festus, Mo. Owner: Greg Redfield Established: 1976 Square Footage: 18,200 Number of Employees: 27 Repair Volume: 116 cars per month Average Repair Cost: $1,640 The first Harley-Davidson motorcycle was made entirely by hand by four men in a backyard shed. Although it started out simple, the now-mass-produced Iron Horse ended
The Vote is Cast: National Rule Regarding the VOC (Volatile Organic Compound)
In currently regulated areas, many shops had a learning curve with new low-VOC products that will be shortened considerably for the rest of us. What they discovered when they began using high-solids products was that their main problems were getting the finish to lie down smoothly and getting the paint work to dry in the
The CPA Search
One of the greatest challenges you face in running your body shop is sustaining a workable system of financial management.
Creative Recruitment
Your right arm. How important is it to you? An independent body shop owner recently said he would give his to find one good technician. If people are willing to give up body parts, you know things are bad!
Finders Keepers: Qualified Technicians
With a shortage of qualified technicians plaguing the industry, shop owners are asking, “Where’s the best place to find my next employee?” The answer: in your own back yard.
Winona Technical College
Nestled among wooded bluffs surrounding the Mississippi River in Southeastern Minnesota is Red Wing/Winona Technical College. Founded in 1949 as one of the first two technical institutes in the state, the college offers dozens of majors, including autobody
technology.
Get Involved: SAE
A new organization called the Service Technician Society (STS) is being formed for people who make their living fixing and maintaining vehicles.