Judy Folk, Sherwin-Williams Collision Repair Design Service Group marketing manager, says something as simple as an inefficiently designed shop floor can hinder touch time. Folk worked with Montrose Auto Group, in Fairlawn, Ohio, and helped design the collision repair facility to include an express scratch repair lane. Now, the shop has technicians and booths only designated to fixing scratches on a vehicle.
At the Montrose Auto Group Fairlawn location, the shop has increased from only roughly $500,000 in 2006 to a $10 million annual revenue in 2017.
Folk and Tim Schmidt, capital equipment consultant for Sherwin-Williams, share tips to improve efficiency in the repair process. Folk and Schmidt have spent time helping collision repair facilities and dealerships work more efficiently within an existing footprint.
1. Utilize Different Types of Paint
A shop can simply integrate a different type of paint into the repair process, Schmidt says. A fast-drying primer on top of a fast-drying base coat will get vehicles through the line much faster. Since the paint can air dry, the shop will ultimately save money on energy bills from booths used to dry the paint.
2. Incorporate Damage Analysis into Estimating Process
Schmidt recommends that shops incorporate damage analysis instead of issuing a quick estimate. The benefits of damage analysis include the vehicle being broken down for repairs and scheduled without any supplements. The shop is able to order parts and and mirror-match parts to save time in the repair.
