Snap Shop: Auto Body on the Run
1. On the Move No More
For one year, Auto Body On the Run was a mobile repair shop. In 1999, Mike Cupp closed up shop on his mobile shop and moved into an industrial park of Riverside, Mo.
The location is not ideal for passerby traffic but he’s had the challenge of working on both automobiles and heavy-duty vehicles and needed a facility to accommodate both.
In order to accommodate both types of vehicles, the shop is 15,000 square feet with an overflow storage area. One-half of the shop floor is designated for larger vehicles like RVs. The shop has two lifts, and a Chief frame machine.
2. Meeting Dealers Halfway
To combat the loss of potential customers passing by on a highway and noticing the store front, Cupp decided to team up with local dealerships.
He’ll spend Tuesdays and Wednesdays traveling to either Honda of Tiffany Springs in Kansas City, Mo., or Legends Toyota in Kansas City, Kan., and writing estimates for the shops. In return, the dealerships refer business to his shop.
The partnership with dealers has been in addition to Cupp’s marketing strategy. The partnerships have spurred the shop’s OE certifications, he says. Within the next three months (as of the interview in March), the shop will be I-CAR Gold status and Honda certified. He says some shops are holding back money spent on certifications but it’s necessary to invest in the certifications. “
We do have a couple DRPs but mainly we have stood on our own through customer referrals,” Cupp says.
3. Not Shying Away from Technology
Cupp has invested roughly $40,000–$50,000 to keep up to date on new technology. He outfitted his technicians with his LAUNCH tablets that allow the shop to conduct pre- and post-repair scans. The technicians can also scan the vehicle's VIN and input all the customer information in order to send an electronic repair order through the shop’s management system, CCC ONE.
4. More Business, More Business
The shop not only works on vehicle repairs but also works on fleet services and glass repair. In the main office is an office for the shop’s partner in glass repair, Premier Glass. The shop works on fleet services for Enterprise, U-Hauls, Budget fleets and Payless fleets.
Cupp was able to gain experience in both light-vehicle and heavy-duty collision repairs when he worked out of his mobile shop.
SHOP STATS: Auto Body on the Run Location: Riverside, Mo. Operator: Mike Cupp Average Monthly Car Count: 80 Staff Size: 12 Shop Size: 14,500 square feet Annual Revenue: $2 million
