CLEVELAND, Ohio — Mentor, Ohio-based DCR Systems ( www.DCRsystems.net) has signed an agreement to design and operate a world-class collision repair facility for Mike Johnson’s Hickory Toyota (www.hickorytoyota.com), a single-location dealer in Hickory, North Carolina. Under the co-branding agreement with Mike Johnson’s Hickory Toyota, DCR Systems will construct a state-of-the-art, 12,000-square-foot accident repair center near the Toyota/Scion dealership, which presently does not house a body shop. When the build-out is complete in Feb. 2008, Mike Johnson’s Hickory Toyota Accident Repair Center will be the first to house DCR’s proprietary refinish system and will have the capacity to facilitate up to 200 cars per month using DCR’s patent-pending process, which utilizes “lean manufacturing” principles in its approach to collision repair. Said DCR Systems President and CEO Michael Giarrizzo, Jr.: “Mike Johnson’s Hickory Toyota is an exciting group of out-of-the-box thinkers who understand the importance of the complete offering, so the relationship was a natural fit. A world-class collision repair offering is such an integral part of the ‘customer-for-life’ customer service loop, and they recognize that.” The DCR process employs task-specific, highly trained technicians using the latest advancements in collision repair techniques, tooling, equipment and process-driven design to streamline workflow and create consistency in guaranteed quality and vehicle delivery. Upon completion of the new accident repair center, DCR Systems will be responsible for supplying equipment, tooling, staffing, technician training and certification, while managing day-to-day operations. Jay McFarland, Chief Financial Officer for Mike Johnson’s Hickory Toyota, noted that the partnership with DCR will enable the dealership to “close the customer service loop” to create customers for life. “We’re excited about DCR’s process and quality; it’s going to give our customers exactly what they’re looking for and will allow us to continue to take care of our customers at a very high level,” said McFarland. DCR Systems continues to execute an aggressive program to supply turn-key collision repair facilities to auto dealerships nationwide. The agreement with Mike Johnson’s Hickory Toyota marks the seventh dealer-based operating cell for DCR Systems and the second such agreement announced by DCR Systems in less than 60 days. Since DCR Systems’ launch of its first dealer-based accident repair center in early 2005, a large number of dealer owners and fixed ops managers have re-examined their current operations, realized the revenue potential of a lean-based collision repair facility, and are showing tremendous interest in DCR’s repair process and business model.
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