THE POWER OF PROCOLOR COLLISION

Customer satisfaction is key to the success of any business. So, too, is establishing standards to navigate operations, support the customer journey and grow. But it’s also important to stay nimble and respond to change. The automotive aftermarket isn’t excluded from this. But it adds peace of mind to know strong relationships with insurers, suppliers and fleet companies are there when you need them most.

For the customer, it’s witnessing dedication to safety and quality that provides peace of mind. Knowing that each member of a service team is qualified provides peace of mind.

A team’s commitment to continuous learning provides peace of mind. It takes an awareness of these principles and a formula to implement them that drives success.

Being considered a choice establishment is an achievement in any industry. Providing personalized service that exceeds expectations makes a brand stand out. Ensuring work quality through warranties instills the customer with confidence.

ProColor Collision prioritizes customer experience. It strives to be a repairer of choice. Its shops have deep roots in the communities they serve. Dedication to providing the highest standard of safety and quality repair for customer vehicles is a key element of its operations. And to further evaluate the sentiment of those served, the Customer PRO Satisfaction Program helps reinforce its offerings to deliver a high-quality personal experience for customers.

Each member of ProColor Collision goes through rigorous evaluation, and ongoing training is provided to ensure teams deliver quality workmanship on every vehicle. A national lifetime warranty that covers labour and paint gives the customer peace of mind.

But guaranteeing a great customer experience can be difficult for independent shops without adequate resources. Advancements in technology are resulting in fewer vehicle repairs. Rising claims costs, decreasing revenue and a longer repair cycle are putting pressure on body shops. Shop owners want to pursue all business available but are being spread thin. The support of a global network can help shield shops from that pressure and offer relief in a highly competitive market.

For 20 years, ProColor Collision has provided an alternative to independent auto-body shops. Belonging to a global network, it presents the balance of local, personalized service with the support of a large base of resources. Streamlined processes, improving recruitment and retention, marketing support, training opportunities, and guidance on safety standards are just some of the benefits.

Independent shops join ProColor Collision for many other reasons. The partnership helps boost performance, capture more business and improve operational processes. It allows for the transparent relationship with insurers and work providers. Access to newly constructed training facilities and an established training regimen makes it easier for ProColor Collision shops to certify technical staff.

Most ProColor Collision bodyshops have achieved certification from national and international industry bodies like I-CAR. These certifications provide a seal of approval that technicians have the knowledge and training in the most complex mechanical and collision-repair requirements for modern vehicles and based on manufacturer specifications.

Shops within the network are trained on OEM repair methodology. They are provided with support to hold multi-channel local area marketing campaigns. They are part of a consolidated global network that employs best practices from around the world. The brand helps attract, recruit and retain technicians, painters, estimators and other talent.

ProColor Collision shops grow their presence, business and bottom line.

Appreciation for identifying and implementing best practices is a testament to ProColor Collision’s commitment to excellence. Another measure is taking a consultative approach to business processes, operations, procedures and insurer relationships. In a world rife with uncertainty, insurers in particular value transparency, predictability and quality assurance.

ProColor Collision has built a relationship of trust with insurance companies. That relationship means more business is streamlined to the brand’s shops. And because commitment to quality and delivering peace of mind for customers is paramount, insurers refer their clients to ProColor Collision with confidence.

At the end of the day, becoming a franchisee is a smart business decision that can help take independent bodyshops to the next level. Joining a global network means access to a range of benefits that help provide better service to customers, streamline operations and tap into preferred-provider partnerships with insurers.

Ready to drive your business forward? Learn more about becoming a ProColor Collision franchisee by visiting procolor. com/en-ca/franchise-opportunities or by simply scanning the QR code below.

High Tech Task Force

Chaired by top executives from industry leaders like Rivian, Lucid Motors and the Automotive Recyclers Association (ARA), those who choose to join CIECA’s new electric vehicle and battery committee will surely be in good company, as the organization devises its path forward for the emerging field. CIECA says its new committee aims to bring together companies and individuals from all industry segments to discuss how EVs will change the current business workflows and data. “The goal is to create new workflows that will show the lifecycle of an EV and its battery,” said CIECA technical project manager, Paulette Reed. To meet this goal, CIECA has selected Frank Phillips, senior manager of Rivian’s North American collision network, his counterpart at Lucid Motors, repair program operations manager Jake Rodenroth and Ginny Whelan, executive director of ARA’s educational foundation, to serve as chairs of the board. This new CIECA committee is open to all member and non-member industry stakeholders who are interested.

Dire Predictions

A study backed by electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers Polestar and Rivian warns that the automotive industry will likely miss climate goals by 75 percent, further highlighting that targets would be missed even if all cars sold tomorrow were electric. According to Reuters, the pathway report provides three recommendations to achieve climate targets by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to limit global warming to 1.5 Celsius by 2050: a firm end date on the sale of fossil-fuel cars, investing more in EV production and creating more renewable energy sources and more sustainable supply chains. The report agrees with Greenpeace’s analysis of the auto industry, which warns that auto sales of combustion engine vehicles are on track to jeopardize the 1.5 Celsius by 2050 target. “Leading auto manufacturers, including Toyota, Volkswagen, and Hyundai, are transitioning far too slowly to zero-emission vehicles, which has dangerous consequences for our planet. As the climate crisis intensifies, governments are enacting stricter bans on diesel and petrol vehicles,” said Benjamin Stephan, climate campaigner at Greenpeace Germany. “If traditional automakers fail to electrify, they will lose out to newer, all-electric competitors and risk stranded assets.”

Blend Brief

The Society of Collision Repair Specialists’ (SCRS) recent blend study is making estimating system providers “reevaluate” the numbers they’ve been reporting, SCRS executive director Aaron Schulenberg told attendees at last week’s board meeting. The study results, first released November 1, showed blending took 31.59 percent longer than a full refinish—not 50 percent less time, as reported by three estimating platform providers. The study involved five primary North American coatings companies, who were not identified, and a full week of blend tests on 45 2018 Ford F-150 parts: 15 RT front door shells, 15 RT fenders and 15 hoods. Both CCC/Motor and Mitchell told Repairer Driven News in November they were reviewing the results of the SCRS’s audited blend study, in collaboration with five primary North American coatings companies. Mitchell told the outlet it was “always open to discussions with SCRS on the subject,” while CCC is working to “review observations, including scope, conditions, techniques and materials used.” The latter said it would share more once its review is concluded.

School In Session

Axalta Coatings and SATA have announced a new training partnership, replacing the Axalta Training Center in Ajax, Ontario, with Axalta Training at SATA Canada. According to a press release, this partnership will provide Axalta and its refinishing customers access to the new SATA Ontario location. Axalta refinish customers will have access to paint technician courses including tri-coat colour application, matte finishing, micro repair and more classes using Axalta tools. This new location features two spray booths, a classroom, a lunchroom and a fully equipped work area.

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TESLA TAKESIES-BACKSIES

The U.S.’s National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) decided Thursday that they have finally had enough when it comes to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving software, ordering a recall of 362,000 from U.S. roads, which covers 2016 to 2023 Model S and Model X, 2017 to 2023 Model 3 and 2020 to 2023 Model Y vehicles. The call was made to address the potential for the technology to infringe upon local traffic laws, increasing the risk of crashes. The NHTSA said Tesla’s FSD allows its vehicles to “exceed speed limits or travel through intersections in an unlawful or unpredictable manner increases the risk of a crash.”

Calibration Confusion

A recent report from the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS), entitled “Consumer experiences with crash avoidance feature repairs”, sheds light on the increased prevalence of post-repair issues on components like front crash prevention tech, blind spot detection and cameras, being experienced by drivers today. Of those who responded to the institute’s survey, more than half of those who sought repairs for one of those three components experienced post-repair issues that required a follow-up visit, with blind spot detection being the most frequent offender, requiring a second repair for 62 percent of respondents. Perhaps most interesting to repairers is the finding that despite the majority of drivers reporting that calibrations were performed on their vehicle as part of the repair, those who did not receive calibrations reported fewer post-repair issues with their safety systems. The report suggests this may stem from a common complaint among repairers that access to OEM repair and calibration information is updated extremely frequently, and the cost to access it is often prohibitive for smaller independent repair businesses, therefore forcing some facilities to use outdated scanning equipment.

Flash Sale

Few things are bad enough to be called a burning wreck. Unfortunately for one man in Cambridge, Ontario, his 2015 Hyundai Sonata turned into one when his car burst into flames right as he pulled into the driveway. In an interview with the CBC, Mike Tennant described how a “large flame came up over the hood,” warning his wife that his car was on fire. According to the CBC, it was only 15 minutes since he picked up the car from a dealership after service on November 9, 2021. More than a year later, there remains no official cause or agreement over who or what was responsible.

The IIHS also found a majority of frequently faulty calibrations are performed on vehicles for crash damage or windshield repair, as opposed to those brought in on the advisement of a recall order or personal recommendation, meaning that many vehicles damaged in collisions are not being adequately restored to preaccident safety levels.

Synthesized Scans

Autel and Repairify announced an exclusive collaboration agreement on March 1, with Repairify’s diagnostic, allowing calibration and programming solutions to be exclusively offered through Autel’s remote capable products across North America. According to a company press release, Repairify will integrate its diagnostic, calibration, and programming solutions into a revised version of Autel’s Remote Expert platform. Additionally, customers will have the choice of using certified OEM remote solutions from Repairify or independent remote experts currently on the platform.

AKZO’S ASCENSION

AkzoNobel reported its Q4 2022 and full-year 2022 financial results in early February, reporting increased revenues driven by price increases. The company reported a 13 percent revenue increase for 2022, compared to 2021. Pricing was up 14 percent. Operating income for the year was reported at €708 million (2021: €1,118 million), resulting from lower volumes, higher raw material and freight costs, inflation on operating expenses and €46 million negative impact from hyperinflation accounting. Adjusted EBITDA was €1,157 million (2021: €1,436 million) For Q4 2022, revenue was up eight percent and nine percent higher in constant currencies; pricing was up 11 percent through the quarter. AkzoNobel also noted the completion of wheel liquid coatings business Lankwitzer Lackfabrik in December 2022; it also finalized a €500 million share buyback.

Up At Axalta

Axalta Coatings posted earnings of 20 cents per share (U.S. dollars) in Q4 2022, compared with 23 cents per share in Q4 2021. In the company’s overall results for 2022, revenues were up nine percent year-over-year to US$1,236.7 million, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimates of US$1,216.6 million. According to the press release, Axalta benefited from higher average price and product mix, as well as improved volumes from 2021.

Ppg Profits

As with the other big automotive coatings players, PPG also reported increased sales—record-breaking full-year results, in fact. Sales for 2022 were reported at US$17.7 billion, aided by eight percent organic growth, said PPG. Meanwhile, overall sales volumes fell by five percent year-over-year. The company also delivered record net sales for Q4 2022 in the automotive refinish and PPG Comex coatings businesses, said Tim Knavish, PPG president and chief executive officer. PPG said Q4 2022 automotive refinish coatings organic sales grew by “a low double-digit percentage” driven by both higher selling prices and sales volumes.

Shining At Sherwin

Sherwin Williams reported 11.1 percent growth in consolidated sales for 2022, while net sales from retail stores opened for more than 12 months in the U.S. and Canada increased by 11.7 percent through the year. The company said consolidated net sales increased primarily due to selling price increases in all segments, as well as higher sales volumes in the Americas Group. “These factors were partially offset by higher raw material costs across all three segments [in which the company operates],” said Sherwin Williams in a press release.

Diy Days

Canadian Tire shares grew nearly 12 percent from January 1, 2023, through February 14, 2023, largely thanks to recent inflation and consumers’ cautious spending habits. Analysts from the Motley Fool expect inflation control to result in further growth for Canadian Tire stocks, the stocks site wrote on Monday, pointing out that the retail giant provides “a top choice for Canadians seeking auto parts” during an economic downturn.

MAGNA’S MARGINS

Magna International shares dropped more than 17 percent after announcing lower-than-expected results for 2022. The company said it earned US$95 million (33 cents per share) in Q4 2022, down from US$464 million (US$1.54 per diluted share) in Q4 2021. Analysts had expected profits of US$1.02 per share, according to Refinitiv. Shares dropped 15 percent in the immediate hours following the news.