“We looked at it and we’d made some design changes in the way the buildings were laid out. Operationally and efficiency, everything we created was better,” Nichols said. “This new shop has a bit of presence, better freeway visibility, and its right next door. They can’t miss it.” 

The original location didn’t have the space for another expansion –- it had already had three. Nichols said they didn’t want to raze the building, so they decided to lease it. It was a necessary move to provide technicians with the best possible work experience and to deliver the best repairs for customers. 

“We had made as many modifications as we could have to make it as efficient as we could,” he said. “Techs were squished, which relates to techs being happy at work. Everything can be extra hard when you don’t have enough room.” 

Cascade Collision uses the same design layout for all its shops. It can be adjusted to fit footprints ranging from 16,000 sq. ft. to 34,000 sq. ft. 

“Our greenfields in Utah, we’ve done five of these exact same shops,” Nichols said. “Now we really have a good understanding of costs and those things as well. We can build single or two stories, if they are part of the training space at headquarters.” 

Cascade has blueprinters based out of the facility that can do remote estimates for all Cascade locations. QCG’s Repair Pulse production management software helps the shop streamline production meetings, reporting, and customer communication. Having an in-house program allows QCG to customize it based on feedback from their teams. The facility has the capability to do ADAS calibrations in-house, but they have a third party as well. 

“It was designed to be in-house if in the future that’s where we decide to go. We didn’t want to limit ourselves,” Nichols said. “ADAS is not a total mystery, but it does create a whole bunch of extra learning for a technician. We made a choice that we have techs focus on structure, panel replacement, those types of things, and then have specialists focus on electrical components, ADAS, and other things that can be a big learning curve to some of the techs.” 

The shop has nine OEM certifications and is working toward adding Audi to the list. Its current certifications include Chrysler, Dodge, Fiat, GM Collision Repair Network, Hyundai Recognized Collision Repair Center, Jeep, Kia Certified Collision Repair Center, Ram, and Honda/Acura. 

OEM requirements influence the equipment choices for the shop. It has Global Finishing Solutions XL and XD paint booths, BendPak Two-Post Lift, Car-O-Liner Bench Rack 6300 Frame Rack, GYS Autopulse 220 MIG/MAG welder for steel, silicon bronze, GYSpot BP.LG 220V Resistance Welder, Xpress 800 self-piercing riveter, GYS Expert 200 Steel dent pulling system, GYS Arc Pull 200 aluminum dent repair system, Chief 220 V aluminum welder, and AirPro Diagnostics for all pre-and-post vehicle scans. 

“We choose our brand of equipment based on the OEM requirements, what certifications they qualify for to complete a quality repair,” said Regional Production Manager Clint Little. “There are similarities between shops, but not all shops carry the same certifications, so we have [equipment] variation throughout.”