Tom Fleming says taking care of customers has fueled steady growth in referrals without direct repair programs.
Collision shop owner banks on commitment to customers and ongoing tech training
Salem, Ore.—Tom Fleming of Fleming’s Body & Paint is trying a new approach after experiencing how difficult it can be to locate experienced technicians.
OEMs use E-coat tanks such as this one from TKS Industrial Co. to apply primer to all nooks and crannies. Although impossible to duplicate in the aftermarket, collision repairers have a number of products and OEM procedures to restore corrosion resistance post-repair.
Post-repair inspections point to deficiencies in corrosion protection
Returning a vehicle to “pre-loss condition” is the goal of a technician taking pride in his or her work. Restoring corrosion protection is part of that goal.
This screenshot, shown during a webinar on the Toyota “Technical Information System (TIS),” shows the system often indicates procedures that are “required,” not just “recommended.”
Monthly webinars can help collision shops find needed OEM repair information
Alexandria, Va.—Collision industry trainer and consultant Mike Anderson of Collision Advice is passionate about getting the industry to research and follow OEM procedures on every job.
Deery Collision Center Manager Justin Clubb pushes for OEM certifications and the training needed for his technicians to perform OEM repair procedures.
Deery Collision Center meets technology challenge with OEM certifications
Burlington, Iowa—In his five years at Deery Collision Center, Manager Justin Clubb has seen technology rapidly increase to the point that even a once-simple mirror replacement may now require recalibration.
Telematics and connectivity offer an opportunity for dealers to engage with customers throughout a vehicle’s life cycle and provides driver safety mechanisms.
Connectivity paves way for more dealer revenue
Las Vegas—Autonomy is the new buzzword, yet there are more than 250 million licensed vehicles on the road and not one is fully autonomous.
From left: The crew at Royal Auto Group Collision Center includes Manager Tony Rakkar, Office Manager Lanae Cox, Technician Valery Shekhtman, Painter Sang Ly and Technician Roy Zhen.
Royal Auto Group’s collision center flourishes without DRPs
San Francisco—As an expert on the four brands it repairs, Royal Auto Group Collision Center repairs 60 vehicles a month for Mazda, Volkswagen, Volvo and Audi nameplates.
Allen Martinez says facility and equipment upgrades have improved both productivity and culture at Prestige Imports Collision Center.
Dealership collision shop banks OEM certifications, repair procedures
Lakewood, Colo.— If Allen Martinez had a chance to address fellow shop managers and owners at an industry meeting, he’d have a two-part message calling for unity.
Tom Fleming says taking care of customers has fueled steady growth in referrals without direct repair programs.
OEMs use E-coat tanks such as this one from TKS Industrial Co. to apply primer to all nooks and crannies. Although impossible to duplicate in the aftermarket, collision repairers have a number of products and OEM procedures to restore corrosion resistance post-repair.
This screenshot, shown during a webinar on the Toyota “Technical Information System (TIS),” shows the system often indicates procedures that are “required,” not just “recommended.”
Deery Collision Center Manager Justin Clubb pushes for OEM certifications and the training needed for his technicians to perform OEM repair procedures.
Telematics and connectivity offer an opportunity for dealers to engage with customers throughout a vehicle’s life cycle and provides driver safety mechanisms.
From left: The crew at Royal Auto Group Collision Center includes Manager Tony Rakkar, Office Manager Lanae Cox, Technician Valery Shekhtman, Painter Sang Ly and Technician Roy Zhen.
Allen Martinez says facility and equipment upgrades have improved both productivity and culture at Prestige Imports Collision Center.

Rayloc outlines best brake service practices and trends

Atlanta—Brake service is one of the most important repairs a technician can perform, especially from a safety standpoint. Every vehicle isn’t the same, nor is every driver, and shops need to address each vehicle and customer’s needs. Tony McKey, senior manager, marketing operations at Rayloc, a...
Gary Smith, of AutoMaster Training and GSS Enterprises, delivers a passionate keynote address at ATE. He also instructed classes and had a trade booth.

ATE draws capacity crowd to the West Coast’s premier training event

SeaTac, Wash.-The Automotive Training Expo (ATE) held in mid-March surpassed expectations, said Jeff Lovell, AMAM, of ASA-NW, the event producer. “We sold out well in advance and again had a record number of people attending our training sessions. We actually had to turn away a lot of folks because...
St. Louis Chapter of ASA-Midwest President Doug Jacquot shares his experiences and his path from tech school to shop ownership.

ASA-Midwest and industry leaders introduce students to aftermarket careers

St. Louis—The St. Louis Chapter of ASA-Midwest held its second annual Automotive Career Panel and Dinner at St. Louis Community College at Forest Park. The event was mainly for students seeking a career in the automotive service industry and was an introduction to local independent shop owners and...
Allen Martinez says facility and equipment upgrades have improved both productivity and culture at Prestige Imports Collision Center.

Dealership collision shop banks OEM certifications, repair procedures

Lakewood, Colo.— If Allen Martinez had a chance to address fellow shop managers and owners at an industry meeting, he’d have a two-part message calling for unity. “I think we all need to be on the same page as far as repair procedures,” said Martinez, manager of Prestige Imports Collision Center,...
From left: It’s a team effort at Doug’s Northwest Cadillac with Service Manager Wes Forsythe, Parts Manager Phil Dorsett, and Service Director John Melchiode.

Persistence pays dividends at Doug’s

Shoreline, Wash.—For more than 10 years of ownership, Doug’s Northwest Cadillac has had its challenges, said Marc Ikegami who owns the store with his father, Doug Ikegami, who also owns Mazda and Hyundai stores in nearby Lynnwood. “We purchased the struggling store in August 2007 and then in 2008...
Tom Fleming says taking care of customers has fueled steady growth in referrals without direct repair programs.

Collision shop owner banks on commitment to customers and ongoing tech training

Salem, Ore.—Tom Fleming of Fleming’s Body & Paint is trying a new approach after experiencing how difficult it can be to locate experienced technicians. “It’s hard to find them when so many of the full-blown experienced guys are retiring because they are tired of the trade,” Fleming said. “Also...
Parts Manager Brenda Walther says she is excited to bring on Omnicraft, a new aftermarket product line being offered by Ford to dealerships.

Auto Plaza Ford on the move

De Soto, Mo.— Joe Pettus, co-owner of Auto Plaza Ford, says he couldn’t be any more excited. “We have so much happening right now. We’re going to be opening a brand-new Quick Lane facility, remodeling our service area and showroom, as well as bringing on new product lines for our parts and service...
Customer-driven updates are found on the 2019 Buick Envision which features a newly sculpted front and rear, plus a signature grille and new wheel selections.

Auto Notes - May 2018

World car. The Road to World Car journey concluded at April’s New York Auto Show with the Volvo XC60 winning the 2018 World Car of the Year award. The all-new Swedish-built utility vehicle has won numerous major awards worldwide with the World Car award perhaps its crowning glory. The XC60 was one...
 
 

Parts & People

Parts & People is published monthly by Automotive Counseling and Publishing Company, Inc., a Colorado corporation, P.O. Box 18731 Denver, CO 80203, 303-765-4664. President-Lance Buchner. Founded by Lance Buchner and Dave Lucia.

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