There have been many articles written in the industry about the concept of "lean processing." Most of those articles explain the ideas behind the "5S" as house-cleaning and organization, the shift to a team concept, and the ongoing search for wasted steps, time, and energy.
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Articles Written By John Yoswick:
What 'lean processing' actually looks like and means for a shop (August 2008)
Getting the OEM collision repair information you need doesn't have to cost a fortune (July 2008)
For the independent collision repair shop trying to equip itself with automaker collision repair information, expenses can very quickly add up. Buying annual access to the OEM service and repair information Web sites is no small proposition, even if you forgo access to the most expensive sites, such as those of BMW ($2,500 a year), Mercedes-Benz ($2,950), Volvo ($2,600), and Porsche ($5,200).
Location, community involvement helping shop build strong, diverse business (July 2008)
Tacoma, Wash.--Scott and Kristi Martinson said the move two years ago to the current location of their collision repair business, 6th Avenue Autobody, was among their best business decisions. "It's a more attractive building than all the others I've been in, and every month we try to make a significant step in improving our image in the community," Scott Martinson said in early June.
Sacramento body shop has had only three owners in its more than 70 years (July 2008)
Sacramento--Carlos Ramirez said his company, Johnnie's Body Shop, has been in business since 1937, which may make it the oldest shop in the Sacramento area. But even if not, he said he doubts there is another 70-year-old autobody business nearby that has only had three owners in its history.
Faith, hard work pay off for family-run, super-sized collision repair shop (June 2008)
San Jose, Calif.--The "American dream" of success despite humble beginnings has become somewhat of a cliché, but it's hard not to realize that it still can be a reality when speaking with Ninos "Nick" Ternian, co-owner of Arseen Auto Body Inc.
Shop owner says building a loyal team of employees is among his best moves (June 2008)
Seattle--When Bill Edleman talks about employees at Big E Auto Rebuild, the company he and his wife, Kathie, have owned for 38 years, he speaks about those who work "with" him, not "for" him.
State Farm announces expansion of parts program; shops give it mixed reviews (June 2008)
As State Farm moves to expand its electronic parts-ordering program from two test markets into all of California and Indiana, shops that have been part of the test have widely differing views of it.
Insurance industry observer sees 'bumpy road' ahead for collision repairers (May 2008)
As an observer of the auto insurance industry, Brian Sullivan offers a unique perspective on what collision repairers can expect in the future. Among his predictions:
- A painful reduction in the number of collision repair shops;
- Continued efforts by insurers to control various aspects of the process; and,
- Changes in various insurers' market share as the "advertising war" continues.
Procedures, loyal employees lead to consistent results for collision repair business (May 2008)
Two Tacoma technicians mark completion of their first year in business together (May 2008)
Tacoma, Wash.--Like a lot of people, Matt Earsley and Brit Balant spent many evenings and weekends talking about opening a business together. But unlike many others, the two collision repair technicians actually turned that dream into a reality when, one year ago this spring, they opened Premier Collision Services in downtown Tacoma.
Supreme Court upholds Texas ban on insurer-owned shops; other states consider options (April 2008)
Bob Redding pulls no punches about the opportunity he sees for the industry in the wake of the U.S. Supreme Court's decision in February not to hear Allstate's appeal of a Texas law banning insurers from owning collision repair shops. Read Full ArticleTeam system helps large collision shop stay organized, productive (April 2008)
Tacoma, Wash.--How do you keep track of the approximately 50 vehicles in for repairs each week when you have 36 employees, more than 30,000 square feet of shop space in several buildings, and a back lot that is larger than most shop's entire footprint? Read Full ArticleUnique name helps fuel shop's core strategy: customer referrals (April 2008)
Berkeley, Calif.--Celebrating its 30th year tucked away on a relatively quiet street in Berkeley is a collision repair shop with an unusual name: Baron Von Frier. "That's actually my great-grandfather's name," said Dave Perry, who along with his wife, Linda, owns and operates the eight-employee company. "My dad and brother and I started the business 36 years ago in Emeryville and thought we'd name it for my great-grandfather who came to the U.S., and it's a name that people don't forget."
Expansion and remodeling give Seattle college collision program a state-of-the-art facility (March 2008)
Seattle--The news about school collision repair training programs all too often is grim: declining enrollments, lack of administrative support, more programs being shuttered. But the news coming from Steve Ford, a collision repair instructor at South Seattle Community College, is decidedly different: full enrollment with a waiting list for the past seven years; good support from the school's administration and from area shops, vendors, and insurers; and the completion of a $1.7 million expansion and remodel of the program's main building.
Shop owner retooling his collision repair business with fewer DRPs (March 2008)
Cathedral City, Calif.--Larry Rogers believes that too many people complain about what's happening in the collision repair industry but don't help do something about it. "If you're not happy with the outcome you're getting, if you're fighting with these insurance companies about labor rates and you don't do anything to change it, then don't complain about it,"
Total losses: Crisis not over, but numbers have leveled off in recent years (March 2008)
The "total-loss crisis" may not be over, but the dramatic growth in the percentage of vehicles being totaled appears to have subsided. That was the message all three of the major estimating-system providers brought to the Collision Industry Conference (CIC) in Palm Springs, Calif., in mid-January.Read Full Article
Manager brings lessons learned at independent shops to new role at dealership collision facility (February 2008)
Two techs bring complementary skills to new roles as shop owners (February 2008)
Bureaucratic hurdles don't stop collision repairer from adding second location (January 2008)
Sparks, Nev.--With a 10,000-square-foot shop running smoothly in Carson City, Nev., Gilbert Dayao and Sonny Cheng jumped at the opportunity about a year ago to add a second location when a building formerly housing an equipment rental company became available 32 miles away in the larger Reno-Sparks market.Gilbert Dayao (l.) and Sonny Cheng say opening a second location of Gilson Autobody in Sparks, Nev., was more expensive than anticipated but should pay off for the company. Read Full ArticleShop owner's daughter learning the challenges, rewards of family collision repair business (January 2008)
Long-time I-CAR instructor sees training as vital in helping his business succeed (December 2007)
Shop owner cites performance '20 group,' loyal employees as keys to his success (December 2007)
Shop owner says management training has proven pivotal for his business (December 2007)
Booths, HVLP, and painter certification mandated under proposed federal refinishing regulations (November 2007)
Proposed air quality rules affecting automotive refinishing that were released by the Environmental Protection Agency this fall are generally being viewed positively by the collision repair industry.
Heavy-duty collision shop continues to expand its offerings (November 2007)
New owners' growing business based on their roots in the company (November 2007)
SCRS state affiliate groups meet to discuss local and national efforts for the industry (November 2007)
Third generation carries on shop's tradition of standing behind quality work (November 2007)
Location in growing area, partnership with paint company, pay off for shop (October 2007)
NACE chairman brings unique career experience to the job (October 2007)
Bloomington, Minn. -- Darrell Amberson said waiting for the start of the International Autobody Congress and Exposition (NACE) feels a bit like sitting in his nitro funny car at the race track, watching the "Christmas tree" for the green light. NACE starts Oct. 31, an event for which Amberson serves as chairman.
Successful partnership gives co-owners ability to keep collision business growing (October 2007)
Verdict's still out on State Farm's Select Service Program (October 2007)
More than a year after State Farm's roll-out of its Select Service program, collision repairers we spoke to are split almost evenly over their enthusiasm for the program. About half of those shops that we spoke to that are on the program view it as positive for their business. And about half (including some on the program but many who are not) hold a more skeptical or negative view.
Collision shops need new approach to recruit, retain Generation-Y workers (September 2007)
Some shop owners have all but given up on hiring anyone under the age of 30.
"In the past two years, we've had four guys in their 20s come to work for us, and none of them lasted more than four months," said one collision repair shop owner from the Midwest who asked that his real name not be used. "We don't have much turnover, generally.
Read Full ArticleDeaf community one of several niche markets collision shop taps into (September 2007)
Government and fleet work form the basis for small shop's success (September 2007)
Collision shop looks to turn 'lean production' theories into practice (August 2007)
Experience running a shop helps new owner overcome hurdles of opening her own (August 2007)
Three shop management processes seen as increasingly useful for collision repairers (August 2007)
As the business of collision repair continues to evolve, shop owners and industry consultants cite a number of management trends and techniques they see as keys to success in the coming years. Read Full ArticleCareer stability attracts engineer to shop ownership; customer service helps him succeed (July 2007)
Most see a viable future for the single-shop collision repair operation (July 2007)
Matt Ohrnstein is certainly among those most versed in the "MSO value proposition," or what it is that multishop operators (MSOs) in the collision repair business believe they can offer that a single-location repairer may not. Read Full ArticleShop owners place emphasis on uncompromising repair quality and quality of life (July 2007)
Keeping up to date on equipment and training helps shop succeed (June 2007)
New facility part of shop's effort to keep repair business in the community (June 2007)
Women's Industry Network draws collision leaders to conference (June 2007)
What do 100 women who are involved in the collision repair industry talk about when they gather for a conference of their own? 
The technician shortage. Leadership skills. Customer service. Industry trends.
In other words, many of the same subjects discussed at other industry gatherings, but often from a slightly different perspective.
"It's long overdue that the women in this industry had a professional forum to get together to develop ideas, build camaraderie, get to know one another, and walk away with a new sense of confidence and awareness that they're not 'the only one,'" said Gigi Walker, a California shop owner and secretary of the Women's Industry Network (WIN), which recently held its first conference.
Read Full ArticleChanges make I-CAR training, Gold Class designation more within reach (May 2007)
As the CEO of I-CAR, Tom McGee has overseen a number of changes within the organization, particularly within the past year, designed to make it easier for shop owners to get the training for their employees to qualify for the Gold Class designation.
Parts & People recently sat down with McGee to ask him how the changes will benefit the industry.
Read Full ArticleShop among the first in the country to switch to waterborne basecoats (May 2007)
Shop owner likes the personal touch of operating the company's office himself (May 2007)
Growing market for custom work offers collision repairers new profit center (April 2007)
As someone who grew up in the collision repair business, Randy Cremeans said he remembers when most shops always had at least one or two custom or restoration jobs in the shop."Back in my dad's shop in the 1960s and 1970s, a lot of shops would take in that type of work as well as collision because it really wasn't bad money," said Cremeans, collision segment manager for PPG Automotive Refinish, which offers the Vibrance Collection line of custom colors and special effect finishes.
Read Full ArticlePuyallup shop succeeds by focusing on the customer, remaining independent (April 2007)
Reno shop owner sees new State Farm program as positive for the industry (April 2007)
Estimating-system providers continue to expand training opportunities for shops (March 2007)
You've just hired an estimator who looks as if he will be a terrific addition to your office staff. He's bright and hard-working, great with people, and knows how to write accurate and complete estimates.
There's only one problem: He has years of experience using one particular estimating system, and your shop uses a different one. What are your options to most efficiently help him get the training he needs?
Quality work, service give shop 10-month string of 100 percent ratings from customers (March 2007)
Sherwin-Williams training center ready to help launch shift to waterborne (March 2007)
Common estimating mistakes could be costing your shop money (February 2007)
Steve Feltovich said he recalled walking into a large shop for which he was going to be doing some consulting work some years ago. Feltovich, who conducts estimating and other training as the manager of business consulting services for Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes, said the manager of the shop wanted a few minutes to finish up some projects but told Feltovich to feel free to walk around and check out the shop. Read Full Article
Attorney discusses how some collision shops view claimants differently than insureds (January 2007)
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Copyright © 2007 Parts and People
Copyright | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy