3M Shows Support of Collision Repair Industry During Pandemic by Stacey Phillips
When reports were first coming from China in early January regarding the coronavirus, Dave Gunderson, vice president of 3M’s Automotive Aftermarket Division (AAD), said the company saw the writing on the wall. Having been through previous pandemics, such as SARs, 3M executives realized the need to take action. “Every day at 3M, we think about improving lives,” said Gunderson. “Those of us working in the automotive aftermarket have been thinking about ways to support collision repairers during the pandemic.” Operating in more than 240 countries, the company manufactures and sells 52,000 different products and has more than 96,000 employees. Autobody News recently talked to Gunderson about the state of the industry during COVID-19 and what 3M has been doing over these past few months to show its support. “We realized that we needed a new operating rhythm and it had to
be simple, yet effective,” said Gunderson. “It came down to three overarching guidelines: people, prioritization and rebound.”
physically do their jobs from home. We also created new rules and training for employees. For anyone who travels and meets with customers, we’re going through How has 3M protected peo- another level of training to ensure emple during the COVID-19 re- ployees know how to properly use a strictions? respirator or face covering. It’s called fit testing. Sometimes, you see peoFirst and foremost, the top ple with a face covering over their priority is to make sure that mouths but not their noses. That’s our teams and customers are staying not effective or the proper way to safe. We have stay informed about the wear a face covering. If you wear a guidelines from the Centers respirator, it’s essential that for Disease Control and Preit fits correctly. If you have vention (CDC) and the World a beard, a respirator will not Health Organization (WHO). fit properly because the air We took action to limcan come around the sides. it any exposure and ensure In our industry, it’s not just our teams have the right important during COVID-19. measures in place. We also Dave Gunderson, If you are working with any vice president of converted all of our support to industrial application, cer3M’s Automotive be handled remotely. Customtain respirators are required. Aftermarket Division We are reinforcing that with er support is key for us, but (AAD) employees. we need to do it in the safest possible way. From a customer standpoint, Since June 4, we started bring- we’re learning how to reengage and ing 3M employees back to the 3M “ask before going.” In the past, 3M Center campus who aren’t able to representatives stopped by multiple
Q:
A:
THE FOUNDATION OF OUR SUCCESS IS YOUR LOYALTY. Highly Trained and Experienced Team of BMW Parts Advisors. Extensive Inventory Updated Daily to Meet Your Demands. All Original BMW Parts Carry a 2-year Limited Warranty.
847.605.4055
Q:
In terms of prioritization, what prompted 3M to focus on training, and what training is available?
A:
Early on, we confronted the reality that we can’t do it all. Purposeful prioritization is more important than ever before and has been based on customer needs. We heard from the market about the need for training and have worked very hard to accelerate hands-on training. With the COVID-19 situation, we pivoted our strategy and amplified and stepped up our education, especially in the area of virtual training.
CHOOSE ORIGINAL MINI PARTS. Our parts department is always ready to help. We offer shipping to Michigan, Indiana, Ohio and Illinois*.
Patrick BMW
700 E Golf Rd. Schaumburg, IL 60173 www.patrickbmw.com
body shops on their regular routes. That has changed since COVID-19. Now, we call first and ask how the shop owners and managers want to be served. We’re finding that some request training over the phone while others prefer someone to come in person. Rather than showing up and assuming that’s OK, we are asking their preference. Our customers are very appreciative of this.
Parts: M-F 7:30am - 5pm
847.619.4511 Fax
Patrick MINI 700 E. Golf Rd., Schaumburg, IL 60173 Parts: M-F 7:30am - 5pm 847.605.4055 847.619.4511 Fax patrickMINI.com
jconnelly@patrickcars.com
*Free local delivery in Illinois; low-cost, next day delivery to Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.
©2020 BMW of North America, LLC. The BMW name, model names and logo are registered trademarks.
* Free local delivery in Illinois; low-cost, next day delivery to Michigan, Indiana and Ohio.
©2020 MINI USA, a division of BMW of North America, LLC. The MINI name, model names and logo are registered trademarks.
autobodynews.com / AUGUST 2020 AUTOBODY NEWS 37
Midwest_Issue_0820.indd 37
7/20/2020 5:57:13 PM
