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
Viva Las Vegas
The 24th annual NACE show brings an opportunity to explore 2,000 trade show booths, further your education, hang out with friends and maybe wake up with an empty wallet and an unwanted tattoo.
Repairing Hybrid Electric Vehicles
Question answered by: Mike West Recently, the Sierra Club — the environmental organization that acts as the world’s conscience when it comes to issues like protecting the spotted owl, old growth forests and, of course, global warming — weighed in with a press release titled, “The Next Big Thing From Detroit.” No, it wasn’t about
Standard Operating Procedures – Working Smarter, Not Harder
Maximize productivity by standardizing “best practices” across your organization. “Since we started truly implementing standard operating procedures, it’s a statistical fact that I only spend two hours a week in three locations and that we grew from five employees to 50 in a four-year time period,” says Troy Gates, owner of a three-shop operation called Gates
(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
Determined to Make a Difference: Jon Owens is the New Publisher of Bodyshop Business Magazine
Welcome to my tenure as publisher of BodyShop Business magazine. I must say it’s an honor to serve this tremendous industry. While I may be new to the collision repair industry, I’m a lifelong automotive aftermarketer, having spent the last 20 years of my life in various sales and marketing positions, mostly on the aftermarket
It’s Show Time!
Place Your Bets on NACE 2004.
Paint Predictions & Amp; Educated Guesses
Which way is the wind blowing auto paint these days? I recently asked the major paint manufacturers what trends they saw on our near and far horizons. And because refinish paint technology tends to follow original equipment technology by several years and at a lower level of sophistication, they were able to make some pretty
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