Sherwin-Williams Honors Three Shops for Improved Business in ’08
While 2008 was a difficult year for some collision repairers, others continued to grow their business and improve their financial performance, including three Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp. (SWAFC) A-Plus Network members. As a result, the company announced the recipients of its annual A-Plus Vision Group Collision Center of the Year: Jim Thompson, Bob Mickey Collision,
Overcoming Resistance to Change in a Lean Environment
With change comes resistance and pushback. But here are some ways, when implementing lean, to get everyone to trust that what you’re
doing is a better way.
CCAR Announces Election of Officers, Board Members
The Coordinating Committee For Automotive Repair (CCAR) has announced the members of its executive committee and board of directors for 2009-2010. Executive Committee members are: • Chairman – Lin Peacock, National Automobile Dealers Association • Vice Chairman – Charles E. Ayers, Midas International Corporation • Secretary – Bill Mayer, Insurance Auto Auctions, Inc. • Treasurer
DCR Systems Granted First-of-Its-Kind U.S. Patent on Lean-Based Vehicle Collision Repair Process and System
Following an extensive review by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, Ohio-based DCR Systems has been granted a full U.S. Patent on its vehicle collision repair process and system. This patent is the first of its kind, validating the innovation of DCR’s lean-based process and confirming that a collision repair system can be so
Auto Dealerships Suffered Largest Decline In 18 Years In 2008
A record number of automotive dealerships closed in the United States during 2008, and Detroit Three dealerships took the biggest hit, research and analysis firm Urban Science reported. The company’s Franchise Activity Report showed that the nationwide dealership count for 2008 fell by 881, or 4.2 percent, to 20,084 last year. The decline was the
I-CAR Education Foundation Announces 2009 Board of Trustees
The I-CAR Education Foundation announced the slate of trustees and executive committee for 2009. The following are members of the 2009 executive committee: • Chairman: Chris Evans, State Farm Insurance • Vice Chairman: Doug Webb, CSi Complete • Secretary: Bill Daly, Allstate Insurance Company • Treasurer: Chris Northup • Member-At-Large: Steve Seidner, Seidner’s Collision Centers
Hybrid Design Drives Up Repair Costs
Design changes by manufacturers of hybrid vehicles have driven up repair costs, according to the Winter 2009 edition of Audatex Directions, the industry trends publication released by Audatex North America Inc. Audatex vehicle and repair data shows that, on average in 2008, the Toyota Prius cost 8.4 percent more to repair than gasoline-powered economy
No Magic Here
I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again: There’s no one magic answer to how to ‘do’ lean, and no right way to do anything. Start by understanding what you need to improve and the rest will follow.
DCR Systems Partners with Gallery Automotive Group
Mentor, Ohio-based DCR Systems (www.dcrsystems.net) has reached an agreement with Gallery Automotive Group (www.gallerygroup.com) in Norwood, Mass., to convert its existing body shop to DCR’s patent-pending, lean-based collision repair process. This agreement preceded DCR’s exclusive arrangement with Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A. DCR took over operations of Gallery’s existing shop on Jan. 6, 2009 – becoming
I-CAR Education Foundation’s Golf Outing Slated for July
The I-CAR Education Foundation’s Eighth Annual Golf Tournament, sponsored by Toyota Motor Sales, U.S.A., Inc., will be held July 30 in Washington, D.C., at the Langston Golf Course. Industry professionals attending the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) and the I-CAR Annual Meeting are encouraged to participate. “This year’s I-CAR Education Foundation Golf Tournament will help support