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.

    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?

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.

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.

Sottsdale, Ariz.--After a three-year absence from discussions at the Collision Industry Conference (CIC), the use of nondeployed salvage airbags once again this summer was the focus of a committee's presentation at CIC in Scottsdale.

Roseville, Calif.--Like most collision repair shops, Fratcher Auto Body has not been immune to the state's and nation's economic slowdown.  "We're down roughly 30 percent from where we used to be in 2005, 2006, even 2007, when things were really hopping," Owner Jerry Fratcher said of his business, now in its 21st year.

Sandy, Ore.--John Kallen said he opened his new shop, Champion Collision, in February 2007, with a "grand marketing plan" in place. That plan has pretty much gathered dust ever since.  "Essentially, all we've done is get the building done and fix cars," Kallen said inside the new building's 13,000-square-foot production area. "We haven't really had time to do anything else."

With higher prices curtailing driving (and thus accidents) and tighter household budgets leading some vehicle owners to leave damage unrepaired, some collision repair shops are reporting 10, 20, or even 30 percent drops in sales.  Whether hit hard or moderately, most shop owners are looking for ways to keep their businesses moving during the slowdown. Here are 15 things some shop owners--particularly those who have experienced similar economic situations in earlier decades-–are doing to respond.

Bothell, Wash.–-Like most collision repair shop owners, Jim O'Neill doesn't find himself with a lot of idle time at work. The owner of O'Neill's Custom & Collision said he has a crew of four technicians to oversee in addition to the day-to-day responsibilities of running the shop's front office.  But despite the full workload, O'Neill said he also volunteers as the chairman for I-CAR's Sno/King District, spending several hours most weeks helping coordinate classes and registration for the training organization. He said his motivation for doing so comes down to one simple fact.

Chicago--Representatives from 15 states and the District of Columbia--all affiliates of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS)--gathered in Chicago in late September to share ideas, discuss state legislative successes and efforts, and exchange information with SCRS national board members.

Tacoma, Wash.–-Like many collision repair shop owners, Mike Columbo said he spent years of his career working in other people's shops before giving up a six-figure job as a technician to open his own business, Columbo's Collision.  But what may set him apart in the future is that Columbo made that move just this past March, launching a business in a year when Americans are driving less, when the economy is struggling, and when, he said, at least a half-dozen shops in his area have closed their doors.

Peoria Heights, Ill.-–Like many entrepreneurs, Denny Boulton freely admits he's more visionary than detail-oriented.  "One of the biggest things that has helped me tremendously is surrounding myself with good people," said Boulton, founder and owner of D's Paint & Body Shop, which will celebrate its 30th anniversary next spring.

Longview, Wash.--Gene Teeters said he knew from his first job, detailing cars at a small body shop one summer during high school, that he wanted to make a career in the industry.  "I just fell in love with it right away and had a passion for it," said Teeters, who in 2005 opened GT Collision Center. "By the time I was 18 or 19 years old, I started telling myself that I wanted my own shop. I used to tell my older sister that my goal was to have my own shop by the time I was 30. I opened this shop at age 36.

Longview, Wash.--Gene Teeters said he knew from his first job, detailing cars at a small body shop one summer during high school, that he wanted to make a career in the industry.  "I just fell in love with it right away and had a passion for it," said Teeters, who in 2005 opened GT Collision Center. "By the time I was 18 or 19 years old, I started telling myself that I wanted my own shop. I used to tell my older sister that my goal was to have my own shop by the time I was 30. I opened this shop at age 36.

Longview, Wash.--Gene Teeters said he knew from his first job, detailing cars at a small body shop one summer during high school, that he wanted to make a career in the industry.  "I just fell in love with it right away and had a passion for it," said Teeters, who in 2005 opened GT Collision Center. "By the time I was 18 or 19 years old, I started telling myself that I wanted my own shop. I used to tell my older sister that my goal was to have my own shop by the time I was 30. I opened this shop at age 36.

Longview, Wash.--Gene Teeters said he knew from his first job, detailing cars at a small body shop one summer during high school, that he wanted to make a career in the industry.  "I just fell in love with it right away and had a passion for it," said Teeters, who in 2005 opened GT Collision Center. "By the time I was 18 or 19 years old, I started telling myself that I wanted my own shop. I used to tell my older sister that my goal was to have my own shop by the time I was 30. I opened this shop at age 36.

Longview, Wash.--Gene Teeters said he knew from his first job, detailing cars at a small body shop one summer during high school, that he wanted to make a career in the industry.  "I just fell in love with it right away and had a passion for it," said Teeters, who in 2005 opened GT Collision Center. "By the time I was 18 or 19 years old, I started telling myself that I wanted my own shop. I used to tell my older sister that my goal was to have my own shop by the time I was 30. I opened this shop at age 36.