Wanted: Bigger Phone Booth
Look, above the shop, it’s a franchiser … it’s a consolidator … no, it’s something in between. It’s a … what exactly is that thing?
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?”
The Inventory Ate My Profits
When you stack inventory on your shelves, you might as well be stacking dollar bills. The key is to control your inventory – instead of letting it control you.
The Aftermarket Parts War
Don’t surrender in defeat. If your business has suffered because of imitation-parts usage, consider these strategies to help heal your battle wounds.
The Necessary Equipment
If your shop were simply painting used cars,
you could do an adequate job with a bare minimum of equipment.
A paint gun, a random orbit sander and a masking machine would
get most of the work done. If you intend to do productive collision
repair, however, much more equipment is necessary.
Which Benefits Are Beneficial
For most collision repair shop owners, devising
an effective employee benefit plan is a guessing game at best.
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.
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?
Among the Elite
Name: Elite Auto Painting and Body Repair Location: Modesto, Calif. Owner: Moises Martinez Established: 1994 Square Footage: 18,000 Number of Employees: 16 Repair Volume: 120 to 140 vehicles per month Average Repair Ticket: $2,100 Making good decisions has become a habit for Moises Martinez. Start with the 34-year-old’s decision to open his own shop after