MEETING MINUTES

CCCR discusses time study and in-person meeting

The Canadian Council of Collision Repairers (CCCR) recently held a virtual meeting discussing the group’s ongoing time study, its plans for the first in-person meeting, and nationwide profitability.

The CCCR is a group of collision repairers working together to improve their businesses and the entire collision repair ecosystem. The meeting aimed to emphasize the organization’s commitment to upholding professional standards, providing advocacy and support, and fostering progress and efficiency for collision repair shops to thrive.

Co-Chair Kelvin Campbell of Halifax, Nova Scotia, opened the meeting with a reminder that the goal of the CCCR is to work in harmony with other components of the collision repair economy, such as vendors, paint companies, insurance companies, and suppliers.

“This is all about how we can make and improve our businesses. This is not a vendor bash show,” said Campbell. “We are focusing on being data-driven and we’re going to be able to put our minds together to help improve profitability across the board.”

Shawn Stenson of Kingston, Ontario, introduced the lineup of speakers, each of whom had the floor for approximately five minutes to share their insights and recommendations on various topics.

One crucial aspect highlighted during the meeting was the provision of certain services for free or without consideration of their actual cost. While the intention might be to provide exceptional customer service, participants were urged to be aware of the potential financial losses incurred. Specific examples, such as pre-washing, washing upon arrival, and detailing at the end, were cited as services that are currently offered for free.

Job costing emerged as a recurring topic of discussion. Participants were reminded that failing to properly cost each repair order could lead to missed revenue. Emphasis was placed on the importance of job costing for every single repair order to ensure profitability.

Kevin Carlaw of Peterborough, Ontario, addressed the challenges and issues related to estimating tables, such as discrepancies, inaccuracies, and inconsistencies. He opened the floor for suggestions and potential solutions from other members.

Wade Bartok of Vancouver, British Columbia, gave a progress report on the CCCR’s ongoing time study project that aims to measure the actual time required for various repair tasks and compare them with the industry standards. He also sought new volunteers to participate in the project and discussed future guidelines for data collection and analysis.

Dustin Hutten from Fergus, Ontario, spoke about the challenges and opportunities facing the collision industry. He expressed his excitement about working together with other repairers to promote positive change and improve their businesses. He highlighted one of the major issues in the industry: the technician shortage. He said that this was affecting their capacity and productivity, and suggested some ways to attract more people to the collision repair career path.

“We need to make sure that the salaries are competitive to other trades,” said Hutton. “We need to get into the local high schools and show them what the collision shops today look like and why it is a good career path. We have cleaned up and evolved from the old traditional bodyshop.”

Shawn Stenson presented an overview of the Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) study findings on full refinish blend time in the United States. He explored how these findings may apply to the Canadian context and how they could help Canadian repairers get fair compensation for their work.

Education and data-driven decision-making were key themes throughout the meeting. Participants acknowledged that the collision repair industry is rapidly evolving due to technological advancements. To stay ahead, they stressed the need for continuous education and access to good, clean data. Gaining insights into industry trends and best practices will enable businesses to make informed decisions and improve their overall operations. Staying updated on proper repair procedures and evolving technologies is crucial to meeting customer demands and ensuring quality repairs.

Nadia Mamone of Waterdown, Ontario, shared her insights on invoicing practices for paint materials and ground coats. She highlighted the importance of documenting and charging for all materials used in the repair process. She also offered some best practices and recommendations for invoicing paint materials and ground coats.

Jeff Pabst of Toronto, Ontario, discussed the latest trends and developments in EV repair procedures. He shared some tips on how to maintain and charge EV batteries safely and efficiently. He also talked about how to research OEM procedures, set up benches, and measure vehicles.

The meeting concluded with a Q&A session where members asked questions and shared their feedback on the topics covered. The CCCR also announced its plans for holding its first in-person meeting later this year. Tentative date is October 14, 2023, in Toronto, Ontario.

The CCCR’s mission is rooted in reflecting the highest professional standards within the industry. To achieve this, the group offers advocacy, inspiration, knowledge, and the necessary tools to enable progressive shops to succeed. The organization is keen on identifying and prioritizing business concerns and issues, facilitating education and information sharing, and providing constructive solutions for its members.

Overall, the CCCR’s approach to progress and respect was emphasized as a core value. The organization aims to build a strong foundation, fostering trust among business partners and consumers. The meeting’s participants, representing some of the top-performing shops in the industry, demonstrated their dedication to promoting professionalism, education, and progress within the Canadian collision repair industry.