Revv identifies every required ADAS calibration with supporting documentation
Revv is an end to end solution for ADAS calibration shops
• Precise Calibration Identification
• Seamless Integration
• Custom Invoicing
MESSAGE PRESIDENT’S RELIGHTING THE SPARK
I’m writing this after just getting home from SEMA. There were plenty of highlights from the week. Personally, it was the busiest SEMA week I have ever experienced. Everything comes together that week. From OEM conferences, the Collision Industry Conference and the industry awards dinner to training classes, student networking and being hands-on with all the new tools… I could go on and on! The most important thing is being present and taking time away from working in your business to working on it. We are all busy, but we make time for what is important.
WMABA OFFICERS
PRESIDENT Kris Burton kris@rosslynautobody.com - 703-820-1800
VICE PRESIDENT Phil Rice phil@ricewoods.com - 540-846-6617
TREASURER John Shoemaker john.a.shoemaker@basf.com - 248-763-4375
SECRETARY Barry Dorn bdorn@dornsbodyandpaint.com - 804-746-3928
IMMEDIATE PAST PRESIDENT Steven Krieps steve@gregclineauto.com 304-755-1146
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Rodney Bolton (boltonconsulting61@gmail.com) 443-386-0086
Tom Brown (thbrown@ppg.com) 703-624-5819
Torchy Chandler (torchy.chandler@gmail.com) 410-309-2242
ADMINISTRATION
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Jordan Hendler (jordanhendler@wmaba.com) 804-789-9649
WMABA CORPORATE OFFICE
P.O. Box 3157 • Mechanicsville, VA 23116
Kris Burton (703)-820-1800
kris@rosslynautobody.com
We are all dealing with many of the same challenges daily, and taking time away from the shop to network and interact with other businesses around the country really gives renewed enthusiasm to tackle everything back home. Sometimes, there is value in just being reminded that you are not the only one, that there is an entire community of businesses working toward the same end goal.
Whether it be rising costs, challenges finding and hiring staff, keeping pace with vehicle technology changes, investing in and upgrading equipment, marketing and educating the consumer and insurance company policies and pressures – it can be a lot. As an owner, it is my responsibility to ensure my team has everything they need to be successful. It’s my job to remain enthusiastic about our mission and to impart that excitement for what we do to those I’ve asked to help deliver on that mission. We are fortunate to have all the training opportunities that are available to us today. There is more OEM training than ever before, available online and in person. Even if you don’t take training directly from the automakers, there are also amazing options from your equipment and paint companies with really exceptional presenters. The more educated and knowledgeable your team is, the better equipped they are to serve the customer.
What we do can
HAMMER & DOLLY STAFF
PUBLISHER Thomas Greco thomas@grecopublishing.com
SALES DIRECTOR Alicia Figurelli alicia@grecopublishing.com
EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Alana Quartuccio alana@grecopublishing.com
SENIOR CONTRIBUTING Chasidy Rae Sisk EDITOR chasidy@grecopublishing.com
continued on pg. 30
Tracy Dombrowski (tracy@collisionadvice.com) 571-458-0648 Bill Hawkins (hawkinswilliamjr@gmail.com) 510-915-2283
OFFICE MANAGER Donna Greco donna@grecopublishing.com
PRODUCTION Joe Greco
COORDINATOR joe@grecopublishing.com
www.grecopublishing.com @grecopublishing
MEMBER
DIRECTOR’S
TODDLER LOGIC: EMPTY THE BUCKET MESSAGE
Rather than doing the same ol’ resolution statements that last as long as new gym memberships – likely falling to the wayside by February - let’s flip it to say we are going to realize the change we want to see. Literally, flip it upside down!
When small children get a bucket of building blocks, train sets or a mix of toys, they’ll naturally find a space to sit, then will heave the bucket over and spill out the contents. They check out each piece and how they envision it going with another. If you are a parent, then you know what it’s like to just pick up the things left in the middle of the floor.
But watch them carefully. Each item is valued and weighed for its functionality or attributes. Does it fit the vision? Does it work well with other pieces? Will it bring joy, even? Or ask yourself this: Have you seen what an uninhibited child does with an unwanted item? They chuck it. Right over the shoulder. Then they move right on!
The bucket is your life. For this thought, let’s just go with work. Envision the carpet you’re squatting down on as the shop.
There are no doubt antiquated pieces of equipment, software, storage areas of unused items, or even people who just aren’t on board with continuing education are “cluttering” the workflow. No different to this are the processes no longer serving efficiency or efficacy. Every piece of the shop is a straight-line equivalent to the space it all takes in your mind. We may not think we “see” those things, but they’re nagging your subconscious.
Another visual that’s been repeated in our office is the proverbial bucket of tasks. It’s overflowing, so you just skim off the top. It looks like only being able to address what’s currently a fire that day but never really getting to the body of the load. I refer to it as living life with a fire extinguisher in your hand. Trust me, my hands know plenty what the feeling is like. I often find myself only responding to emails in an entire day, without having checked off a single item on the to-do list.
A New Year’s coming gives us all the opportunity for reflection and what we want to see in the change categories of our lives. This is easily a personal discussion, because my experience is that all members of our industry could use some individual attention to work life balance, and categories like family, faith, finances, volunteerism AND career. The regret of many is the lack of meaningful accomplishments year over year, which can lead to depression or at least negative attitude.
Meet this year with intention to clean out the playroom, dump the buckets, and promise to refill your spaces with realization to bring renewed life, meaning, improvement and excitement. Make decisions about what you want to keep in your bucket for 2025. Reposition yourself to make space in your bucket for what matters, and chuck the rest right over the shoulder and move forward! H&D
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Audi Silver Spring
Direct: 301-890-3015
Fax: 240-471-6103
Email: wholesaless@mileone.com
Hours: M-F 7:30am - 5:00pm S 8:00am - 3:00pm
Mercedes-Benz Silver Spring
Direct: 301-890-3060
Fax: 301-890-5473
Email: mbsilverspring@mileone.com
Hours: M-F 7:30am - 5:00pm S 8:00am - 3:00pm
Porsche Silver Spring
Direct: 301-890-3015
Fax: 240-471-6103
Email: wholesaless@mileone.com
Hours: M-F 7:30am - 5:00pm S 8:00am - 3:00pm
Sprinter Silver Spring
Direct: 301-890-3060
Fax: 301-890-5473
Email: mbsilverspring@mileone.com
Hours: M-F 7:30am - 5:00pm S 8:00am - 3:00pm
Free delivery on our fleet of 15 GPS-equipped delivery trucks - delivering all Silver Spring brands on the same truck throughout Maryland, D.C. and Virginia
We use IRF automotive systems including CCC, CollisionLink, OPSTrax, partslink24, PartsTrader & RepairLink
Highly knowledgeable, experienced and dedicated wholesale specialist team
Large inventory of OEM parts and tires
Contact our dealers for all your Genuine Parts needs!
BMW of Silver Spring
Direct: 301-890-3015
Fax: 240-471-6103
Email: wholesaless@mileone.com
Hours: M-F 7:30am - 5:00pm S 8:00am - 3:00pm
Herb Gordon Subaru
Direct: 301-890-3065
Fax: 301-847-2239
Email: herbgordonsubaruwholesaleparts@mileone.com
Hours: M-F 7:30am - 5:00pm S 8:00am - 3:00pm
Volvo Cars Silver Spring
Direct: 301-890-5456
Fax: 301-847-2239
Email: herbgordonvolvowholesaleparts@mileone.com
Hours: M-F 7:30am - 5:00pm S 8:00am - 3:00pm
MARK YOUR CALENDARS! CIC & SCC RETURN TO VIRGINIA THIS SPRING
“The promise of spring’s arrival is enough to get anyone through the bitter winter.”
That statement could not be more true in 2025! WMABAregion collision repair professionals in-the-know are well aware that this spring means the return of the Southeast Collision Conference (SCC) to Virginia! SCC moves annually between North Carolina and Virginia in order to serve as many repairers as possible, year after year.
This year, WMABA has once again teamed with the Carolinas Collision Association (CCA) to put on the fourth annual event happening May 2-3, 2025 in Richmond, VA. But that’s not all! The spring Collision Industry Conference (CIC) is also set to take place in Richmond along with the Society of Collision Repair
MAY 2025
Specialists’ (SCRS) Open Board meeting and other can’t-miss events, making for an action-packed Industry Week no serious collision repair professional will want to miss!
Following the success of last year’s event, SCC once again promises an eventful weekend featuring top-of-the-line exhibitors, exciting events and an elite educational experience via WMABA’s Collision P.R.E.P. (Professional Repairer Education Program).
Both WMABA and CCA leaders are excited to continue in this partnership to bring the best resources and information to the masses.
“Our associations working together has been a huge win for the Southeast Collision Conference and all of our area repairers,” continued on pg. 30
"We want the experience to be thought-provoking and inspiring to every individual who participates in the education and tradeshow; we want to see lives and minds changed for the better.”
-WMABA President Kris Burton
THEY’RE CALLED “ORIGINAL BMW PARTS” FOR GOOD REASON. FOR UNCOMPROMISING PRECISION AND INCOMPARABLE QUALITY, YOUR BMW CENTER IS YOUR ONE-STOP SHOP FOR EVERYTHING BMW.
For Original BMW Parts, contact one of these authorized BMW centers:
BMW of Silver Spring 3211 Automobile Blvd
Silver Spring, MD 20904 866-737-8937
Direct: 301-890-3015
Fax: 301-890-3748
Email: wholesaless@mileone.com bmwofsilverspring.com
Passport BMW 5000 Auth Way Marlow Heights, MD 20746
301-423-0733
Fax: 301-423-2717 passportbmw.com
Richmond BMW 8710 West Broad Street Richmond, VA 23294
800-237-0130
Direct: 804-527-6860
Fax: 804-965-6254
Email: tdailey@crownauto.com richmond-bmw.com
BMW of Catonsville 6700 Baltimore National Pike Baltimore, MD 21228
855-996-2906
410-744-2000
Fax: 410-818-2600 bmwofcatonsville.com
FREDERICK COUNTY CAREER & TECHNOLOGY CENTER PROFILE SCHOOL
While some collision repair technology instructors struggle to fill their classrooms, Philip Allen – auto body instructor at Frederick County Career & Technology Center (CTC) in Frederick, MD – laments the inability to accept every student interested in his program!
The two-year program admits 18 new students each year, and when Allen began teaching at CTC in January 2019, “student interest and retention was a problem” with only 22 students filling the 36 available slots. During that year’s Shadowing Program, where ninth and 10th grade students from the county’s 12 high schools “shadow our programs for a class period to see if they’re interested in taking one of the many courses that we
have to offer,” Allen struggled to obtain 18 new applications for the following school year but is “happy to say that interest and retention are no longer an issue.”
In fact, he received 54 applications last year and 81 applications the year before. “The increased interest in my program both excites and saddens me,” Allen says. “I wish there was a way to expand the program so we could accept more students, but staffing and the size of our facility does not allow it.”
While Allen would like to credit the change to “current students telling their friends about what an awesome teacher I am,” he acknowledges that the COVID-19 pandemic had a huge impact on every school nationwide.
During the shutdown, a large number of teachers, parents and students begged to return to in-person instruction, and since teachers of “hands-on” courses were struggling to teach virtually, leading to students not getting the instruction they signed up for, technical education students were one of the first groups to return to in-person instruction.
“Since then, many parents and students seem to be more interested in receiving instruction in the trades that were deemed essential during the shut down. Ever since the pandemic, I’ve
had no problem filling our class.”
Second-year students at CTC attend class for two hours each morning, while first-year students receive instruction in the afternoons. As soon as a student begins the program, they have access to the school’s work-based learning coordinator and career coach who help them prepare for interviews and with job placement. Toward the end of the first year, students with room in their schedule can choose to participate in a work-study or internship program, spending half the day at school and the other half earning a paycheck at a local shop where they further hone their skills.
Prior to becoming a CTC instructor, Allen worked as an insurance appraiser for 15 years, and during that time, he cultivated good relationships with many local repair facilities. “I would get asked on a weekly – and sometimes daily – basis if I knew anyone looking for a job. Building those relationships back then with shop owners and managers has helped me with placing students in a career situation that benefits them and the shop.”
CTC’s auto body program’s success can also be attributed to its active advisory board which consists of local collision repair businesses, insurance industry professionals, a local paint rep and previous program graduates. The board meets two or three times each school year, and Allen leans “heavily on them to support the program with recommendations and advice on curriculum needs, tool and equipment purchases, budget need support and spreading the word about our program. They play a huge role in obtaining and continually meeting the requirements to be an ASE accredited program, which we just renewed this past October.
“My advisory members are also a huge help when it comes to recruitment,” he adds. “Each October, we host an open house for prospective students and their families to come in and see
the school and ask questions. Several of my board members set up tables in our shop and help with this process; it is a huge help to have other professionals here to represent our program. Members of my advisory board also come in each year to judge my local SkillsUSA competition.”
Of course, Allen still faces challenges as an instructor. One of the largest hurdles is adjusting his expectations and teaching style based on the fact that every student learns at a different pace. “Students come from every background imaginable,” he explains. “At one end of the spectrum, you have students who may have a parent in the automobile business, or students who may have helped work on cars in a parent’s or friend’s garage. On the other end of that spectrum is the student who has never held a tool in their hand. As a teacher, you have to figure out how to deliver instruction to all of your students and keep the entire classroom of diverse learners engaged, without letting some students get bored while I spend additional time with others.”
Along those same lines, instructors must figure out how to modify curriculum designed for experienced industry professionals in a way that allows inexperienced high schoolers to comprehend it. “Until this year, our program used I-CAR’s curriculum, which we all know is not designed to entertain and engage a teenager. This past summer, I-CAR released their new I-CAR Academy, which is designed with tech schools in mind. Coursework is chunked up more than in the old curriculum; most courses take less than 40 minutes to work through. While we’ve only had this new I-CAR curriculum for a couple months, it’s showing promise,” Allen praises.
Despite the challenges, Allen feels that his job is very rewarding as he is able to “contribute positively to my students’ growth. My main goal with every one of my students is for them to be successful at something after they graduate. I obviously
continued from pg. 15
push and suggest pretty hard that they enter the collision repair industry, but we all know that it’s difficult to settle on a career when 16 or 17 years old.”
To help students with this, he runs the program like a typical shop where he is the manager and they are his employees. He develops an open and honest relationship with his students, and once that relationship is established, “the real learning begins. Once I get to know my students, I can get
a better idea of their individual needs and understand which direction to take to make them light up. When I see that light come on, it’s the most gratifying part of the job!”
Allen encourages his students to master three things during CTC’s two-year program: “to use all of their resources to solve problems, to safely and efficiently use their hands and tools and to develop a good and solid work ethic aimed at helping themselves and others be successful. I explain that, if they master these three things, they will be successful at whatever they choose to do in life.”
H&D
MADE YOU LOOK.
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For over 30 years, Greco Publishing has partnered with the best of the industry to provide trade associations a voice, and to give advertisers a direct outlet to reach buyers.
Today’s shop is inundated with solicitations; advertising with Greco Publishing breaks through the noise to align your company as an association ally, and get you in front of your next customer.
Here’s to 241 years of combined service excellence
This year, as Albert Kemperle Inc. celebrates its 83rd anniversary, BASF also celebrates its 158th anniversary. We are proud of our decades of partnership with BASF and years of serving the auto paint and body industry together. Kemperle’s founders would be proud of this relationship and the growth their company has experienced because of it.
Today, as we look forward to many more decades of service to our customers, we find ourselves filled with gratitude. The creativity, hard work, and sense of responsibility of the people working for our two companies have made us what we are today.
Thank you for your many years of loyalty.
626 E. Elizabeth Ave., Linden, NJ 07036 Phone: (908) 925-6133
(908) 925-4344 414-416 Madison Ave., Paterson, NJ 07524 Phone: (973) 279-8300
631 Clifton Ave., Toms River, NJ 08753 Phone: (732) 797-3942
(973) 279-9030
(732) 797-0774 100 Melrich Road, Cranbury, NJ 08512 Phone: (609) 860-2800
(609) 860-2801 4 Emery Ave., Randolph, NJ 07869 Phone: (862) 244-4818
(862) 244-4822 www.kemperle.com
InvertaSpot NexGen Spot Welder
The InvertaSpot NexGen, featuring advanced press-and-go technology, is the ideal choice for customers seeking a cutting-edge automated spot-welding solution. Developed to meet car manufacturer specifications, it offers both automatic and manual operation modes.
Now equipped with a lightweight gun for improved handling, the InvertaSpot NG also features trigger controls for seamless operation and an easy-to-navigate touchscreen display that enhances user experience. The new lightweight c-arms upgraded technology ensure precise regulation of pressure, amperage, and timing, delivering optimal performance for a variety of sheet metal configurations.
Photo from Stegmann GmbH
WHY ADAS ELITE?
Exceptional service and expert assistance to surpass your expectations
The competition skips procedures like alignments, test drives and checking all ADAS systems. At ADAS Elite, we run all processes and check all systems to ensure your customers are back on the road quickly and safely, with a focus on transparency and warmth. Our dedicated team offers honest guidance and unwavering support - including free pick-up and delivery.
Services including:
• Electrical diagnostics & repair
• Wiring harness replacement & repair
• Installing, programming & reprogramming computer modules
• Problem car diagnostics & repair
• AND MORE!
At ADAS Elite, we offer more than services; we offer a partnership built on trust, quality, and a commitment to excellence.
ADAS calibration is the precise adjustment of your vehicle’s sensors and cameras, essential for the optimal functioning of advanced safety systems. This process is especially critical following significant repairs, part replacements, collisions, or windshield replacements, as these events can disrupt sensor alignment.
It’s important to avoid driving without proper sensor calibration. Uncalibrated ADAS sensors can compromise your vehicle’s safety features, leading to potential malfunctions and driving hazards.
The calibration of ADAS can be performed in two main ways: static and dynamic. Static calibration takes place in a controlled environment, ensuring accuracy and consistency. Dynamic calibration, on the other hand, involves driving the vehicle under specific conditions to fine-tune the sensors in real-world scenarios. This comprehensive approach ensures that your vehicle’s safety systems are reliable and effective, providing peace of mind on the road.
You’ve got the right tools, staff, technology and procedures to give your customers the best repair possible. The missing piece of the puzzle? Genuine Volkswagen Collision Parts. Contact an authorized dealer today and find your perfect fit.
Fitzgerald Volkswagen of Annapolis 34 Hudson Street Annapolis, MD 21401
Phone: 410-224-4636
e-mail: parts@alexandriavw.com
Karen Radley Volkswagen 14700 Jefferson Davis Hwy. Woodbridge, VA 22191
703-550-0205
Fax: 703-643-0081
Fitzgerald Volkswagen 114 Baughmans Lane Frederick, MD 21702
Toll Free: 800-545-4745
Fax: 877-696-1841
e-mail: parts@fitzmall.com www.fitzparts.com
Fax: 410-224-4264 www.fitzmall.com
Ourisman Volkswagen of Laurel 3371 Ft. Meade Rd. Laurel, MD 20724
Phone: 301-498-6050 Fax: 301-498-0157 www.laurelvolkswagen.com
“Volkswagen“ and the Volkswagen logo are registered trademarks of Volkswagen AG.
(410) 832-3512 adaselitecalibrationrepair.com
Ourisman Volkswagen of Rockville 801 Rockville Pike Rockville, MD 20852
Parts Direct: 301-340-7668
Toll Free: 855-417-4511
Fax: 240-499-2488
e-mail: rockvilleparts@ourismanautomotive.com www.ourismanvolkswagenofrockville.com
Wholesale Parts
STORY BREAKING THE MOLD:
RETHINKING SHOP ROLES
Achieving
There seems to be an unspoken rule that there is only one way to set up an auto body facility. The traditional body shop likely consists of anywhere from one to multiple workers in the following roles: body technician, painter/refinisher, detailer and estimator. Nothing wrong with this set up per se, but in this ever-evolving and challenging world of collision repair, having an “ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality may not go very far. Shop owners who lament about struggles with finding good workers and hope to improve efficiency may need to consider breaking the mold to change things up.
Shop owners in the greater WMABA region are achieving success and improving efficiency through role segmentation – dissecting traditional jobs into specific roles geared toward employees’ strengths.
In this day and age where it is absolutely paramount to fix cars correctly to OEM standards, having certain workers perform specific tasks is crucial toward ensuring repairs are done right.
“It’s completely unfeasible to have one person do a repair from start to finish,” believes Barry Dorn (Dorn’s Body & Paint; Mechanicsville, VA), who started to implement role segmentation in his facility a little more than 15 years ago.
He recognized a need to look past traditional norms when it came to recruiting staff, finding that everyone looked toward the same talent pool. He often found that shops would pay “high wages to folks who may or may not have been what they claimed to be,” so he set out to start an apprenticeship program. Now all these years later, just about every technician on his team has only worked at his facility. “They started out as apprentices, and we trained them up to be full class A techs.”
Taking a close look at other industries, Dorn saw the potential in better isolating tasks. For example, one doctor doesn’t perform an entire operation. It takes a team of physicians, each of whom specialize in a certain area, along with nurses and an anesthesiologist to perform one operation. He also took a good look at the aviation industry, which shares some similarities with the collision industry, such as the use of aluminum – and most importantly, they share the need to protect the lives of consumers.
It all comes down to the fact that one person “can’t be good at every aspect of a repair,” he says of the common misconception. “So, we took those traditional roles and broke them up into four or five different parts.”
Dorn paints a vivid picture of what operations look like at his factory-certified facility, which has a total of 62 employees. “We have technicians who only do structural repairs. We have technicians who only work on aluminum. We have technicians who only perform small repairs. There’s a team of technicians who do certain aspects of the vehicle and another team that only does mechanical repair work, and there are technicians who only perform ADAS work.”
Employees will cross-train on different tasks as well, but the idea of mastering one skill ensures they are the right person for that job role.
OFFICERS
PRESIDENT: Kris Burton kris@Rosslynautobody.com 703-820-1800
SECRETARY: Barry Dorn bdorn@dornsbodyandpaint. com
804-746-3928
VICE PRESIDENT:
Phil Rice phil@ricewoods.com 540-846-6617
TREASURER John Shoemaker john.a.shoemaker@basf.com 248-763-4375
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR: Jordan Hendler 804-789-9649 jordanhendler@wmaba.com
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
PAST PRESIDENT: Steven Krieps srkrieps@live.com 304-755-1146
Torchy Chandler
torchy.chandler@gmail.com 410-309-2242
Rodney Bolton rbolton@aacps.org 443-386-0066
Tracy Dombrowkski tracy@collisionadvice.com 571-458-0648
An association fostering the exchange of ideas and providing a voice and support for the collision repair professional.
Position Your Business as
a LEADER !
Just like equipment and training, WMABA membership is not only a commitment to excellence, but also a valuable investment.
WMABA is recognized both regionally and nationally as the key forum for the exchange of ideas concerning the D.C., MD, VA and WV collision repair industry. It is the venue to discuss, learn about and impact evolving standards and policies in the technical, administrative and legislative fronts of our industry. Shops and industry supporters can best develop themselves and their employees by actively engaging in the association and its activities.
Tom Brown thbrown@ppg.com 703-624-5819
Bill Hawkins hawkinswilliamjr@gmail.com 510-915-2283
Automotive collision repair facilities in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia and Washington, D.C. who are willing to adopt WMABA’s Standards of Membership and offer a guarantee to their consumers are encouraged to engage their business as an active member of the association. For over 40 years, the WMABA membership of professional collision repair businesses and affiliates have committed to operating at a higher standard on behalf of their industry and their consumers. Over the years, WMABA has proudly represented the collision repair industry at hearings on Capitol Hill, in Annapolis, MD, and Richmond, VA as well as almost every national collision repair event. While WMABA has a rich history of dedicated men and women serving the local collision repair community, WMABA also boasts numerous past and current accomplished Board members who represent our membership at the national level.
WMABA offers current and dynamic discussion forums on topics facing collision repairers, technical information and educational seminars, opportunities to network and discuss pressing topics with leaders of the collision repair industry, an arbitration program that works with consumers to help resolve issues they might have, apprenticeship programs, legislative representation and the ability to receive and contribute to one of the nation’s leading collision repair magazines, Hammer & Dolly
Contact Executive Director
Jordan Hendler to find out how WMABA can amplify YOUR voice in the collision repair industry.
continued from pg. 25
K&M Collision of Hickory, NC began implementing role segmentation when the business was just starting to build up. “We were a super small facility at the time, and it just seemed like training someone to specialize in one role was an easier way to fill roles as we grew versus searching for an individual who had a wide range of skill sets,” shares Michael Bradshaw of K&M Collision.
“It can be pretty easy to bring someone in who has never worked on a car before and teach them how to change a mirror by the end of a work day, but it’s impossible to teach that same person how to change and weld a new quarter panel on a vehicle. That’s the thought process we looked at. The majority of collision work is non-structural; there’s far more cosmetic work, so structural was one of the first areas we looked at when we focused on segmentation because we realize the critical nature of structural work and the skill set required for it versus changing mirrors and doors and similar tasks. Having a dedicated structural technician allowed us to change our hiring practices, and it really opened things up.”
In addition to a dedicated structural technician, Bradshaw’s 18-person team consists of a dedicated mechanical technician, two detail technicians and specialized disassembly and reassembly crews who are devoted to certain manufacturers.
“We have repair planners and technicians who only work on certain OEMs. Then depending on the material makeup of the vehicle, it will go to a certain group of techs who specialize in steel or aluminum to do their portion of the repair, another may work on the disassembly and blueprinting side, and one tech will do the structural aspect while another group will put the vehicle back together, another performs mechanical repairs and then another for ADAS.”
Having employees dedicated to certain OEMs and certain roles has not only helped to create efficiency, but it’s also made for happier employees.
“We all like certain aspects of a role, and then there are roles that we don’t like, so we always like to have folks doing what they want to do because putting people in roles they don’t like will clearly make them not proficient at all,” Dorn points out, reminding others, “These are ongoing conversations that you have to have with your employees.”
It’s a constant process. “Once someone gets good at a role, the first thing we want them to do is to start to train their replacement before they move up. In some cases, people do stay in one role, but some like to move up, and if it’s feasible from an operations side, then clearly we would want them to remain in that position.”
“We all like certain aspects of a role, and then there are roles that we don’t like, so we always like to have folks doing what they want to do because putting people in roles they don’t like will clearly make them not proficient at all.” - Barry Dorn
According to Dorn and Bradshaw, role segmentation leads to increased efficiency at their facilities. But it most certainly didn’t happen overnight. Shop owners and managers need to be involved in the process and will need to seek out solutions, whether that be with tooling, training or mentorship, stresses Dorn. “You have to go through that process, and you’ll quickly see what strengths that apprentice or technician has, and you’ll also very quickly see what weaknesses they have,” he advises.
Bradshaw believes having manufacturer certification is another key factor. Having his disassembly and reassembly teams dedicated to certain manufacturers allows the technicians an opportunity to truly master those brands. “We’ll have a technician work on no more than three to four brands, so their familiarity with those brands, along with the repetition, helps improve efficiency within those brands.”
Dorn also segments roles by OEM certification. “We do higher-end certified repairs. We don’t have any DRPs, and we follow the OEM procedures to the letter. They must be done, and they must be paid for, or we cannot repair the vehicle.
Bradshaw says the willingness to continuously seek improvement is part of the K&M Collision culture.
“The fact that we’ve implemented role segmentation and continue to refine it speaks to the continuous improvement culture that we have as well,” he says. “That leads to the staff being engaged and understanding that we’re not just setting up one way to do things. We’re constantly looking to evolve and improve, and that helps foster those ideas from our staff. Many businesses are not willing to listen to employees’ ideas and ways to improve and are very slow to make changes. We’re willing to listen, and if it makes sense, we implement it. We won’t think about something and not act on it.”
At Dorn’s Body & Paint, turnover is very low which is a good thing, but as Dorn points out, growing one’s own team is not immediate. “The person you hire today is not going to be a Class A tech here for a timeframe of four to eight years.” It’s also important to find people who fit into the business’ culture. He likes to look for those who believe in being “a perpetual student. You can never stop learning because you’re always behind. I don’t care how good
you are; you are always behind.” Dorn himself continues to take part in training alongside his employees.
WMABA President Kris Burton (Rosslyn Auto Body; Alexandria, VA) has shared SEMA and Southeast Collision Conference (SCC) stages with Bradshaw and Dorn on the topic of role segmentation and the importance of valuing one’s employees.
“Our ADAS technician is 19 years old. I’ve been sending him to training. Invest in your staff, and they will trust you and know that you have their best interests at heart,” Burton told the SCC audience last spring.
“From an efficiency standpoint, yes, I can certainly tell you that when folks are proficient at what they’re doing, they are much, much faster. Period,” exclaims Dorn. “Years ago, the average body tech did most of the repair with the exception of painting. If you go back even further, you would have what’s known as a ‘combo tech’ who would literally do the entire car from start to finish, including painting and washing the vehicle. Well, those days are long gone.
“We’ve evolved from being a body shop/paint shop,” he continues. “There’s a bunch of operations that fall under that, so we segregated it down to eight different departments with certain folks involved in the process who may have the car for an hour or maybe three to four hours. The car moves through the production sequence similarly to how it was built.”
Shops considering taking on role segmentation should start by looking at what type of work they have and examining the volume to see what roles could be segmented, Bradshaw suggests. “The industry tends to have us believing we need to hire a body man who can do it all – metal work and structural – and I think that [mentality] is what leads to some of the labor shortage claims in the industry.”
get there.”
Bradshaw agrees that it takes commitment. “A lot of people who come to my shop look at the size of the facility we are in and the way we do things and say, ‘We could never do that, because we’re not like you,’ and that bothers me because when I started, we had three employees including myself. It’s a progression. It doesn’t happen overnight, and I think anybody can do it. You have to get the ball rolling and understand that there will be some growing pains. You’ll come out on the other side and find that people will feel a lot better about the job they are doing and the quality of the repair they are performing once you get this process implemented.”
H&D
Executive Director’s Thoughts
With the complexities of repairing vehicles today, as the article suggests, it is far more beneficial to “choose a lane” and have success. Every shop would look different, especially based on size and volume. No doubt many techs get downhearted from overwhelm and have a mental check-out. There’s too much to grasp onto, to do it all. Specializing is all about efficiency and morale; everyone wants to feel like they’re doing it well! Bonus, it makes for team players! - Jordan Hendler
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“Don’t give up,” Dorn directs anyone considering moving to this format. “It’s going to fail one, two, maybe three or four times, but keep trying. You will find the correct balance for the team, your customers and your business, but you’ve got to keep trying. Many may have different historical views of how things are done, but just because it fails once or twice does not mean the process is a failure. It may not be with the same group you have now, but you’ll
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Why Join WIN?
WIN offers education, mentoring and leadership development opportunities to build critical skills for success in the collision repair market.
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states away telling you that you are not “market competitive” when they just click a button saying they found a headlamp across the country for a thousand dollars less than the OEM (with no OEM warranty, no defined return process and cash on delivery, etc.). The business we are in is not an easy one, and it’s not for the faint of heart. But we have chosen to put the customer first in our facility, and I take a lot of comfort in knowing that’s the reason why we do the things we do. It makes those conversations easier to overcome when we know our purpose. We work with the customer and will not deviate from that. Not every repair fits here; it is okay to say NO, and we’ve learned – through our interactions with others and our training – how to make qualifying our culture with
NATIONAL NEWS
continued from pg. 10
states CCA President Kyle Bradshaw (K&M Collision; Hickory, NC). “The endeavor is to focus on opportunities for shops to grow their insights, education and connections. I’m proud to be a part of the group putting together this amazing tradeshow and education program for 2025!”
our customers’ expectations part of our intake process. This is not a sales pitch, but joining WMABA and being an active member is step one. Being an active member who participates is such an opportunity for growth. That then leads to the ability to give back to your community. Every Board member is passionate about this industry and pushing it forward for everyone involved in the repair community. We all volunteer our time to advance the industry, and we are constantly looking for others with the interest to do the same. There are also 20 groups that can help you analyze your business and compare to others who will hold you accountable to improvement, and if you are interested in growing even more, consider joining the Society of Collision Repair Specialists as the national association is pushing our industry forward.
“WMABA is perpetually grateful to be part of the SCC,” shares WMABA President Kris Burton (Rosslyn Auto Body; Alexandria, VA) “The partnership continues to exceed our expectations. I know we continue to say this, but we want the experience to be thoughtprovoking and inspiring to every individual who participates in the education and tradeshow; we want to see lives and minds changed for the better.”
CIC will be spread out over the course of two days beginning
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I am looking forward to seeing everyone at the Southeast Collision
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on Wednesday, April 30 at 12:30pm to 5:30pm and continuing on held on Wednesday, April 30 at 6:30pm. SCRS plans to conduct closed Board meetings on Tuesday, April 29 from 12pm to 5pm and Wednesday, April 30 from 8am to 12pm, and they will hold their annual Board election between 5:30pm and 6:30pm on April 30. SCRS’ Open Board meeting will be held on Thursday, May 1 from 2pm to 5pm.
For your Volvo parts needs, please
As is tradition, SCC always gets things rolling with an amazing celebration honoring those for their commitments to the industry with its Kick-off Awards Dinner set for Thursday, May 1. Attendees won’t want to miss this great night of networking and fun!
The trade show will get underway Friday, May 2 – Collision P.R.E.P. classes will take place between 8:30am and 5pm, and the trade show floor will be open from 10am until 5pm. On Saturday, May 2, attendees can walk the exhibitor floor between 9am and 3pm and attend classes between 8:30am and 3:30pm.
Details are still rolling in for WMABA’s Collision P.R.E.P. and CIC, but a can’t-miss experience is surely guaranteed, so start making plans today and be sure to register for your attendee’s badge via carolinascollisionassociation.com/scc-home
To learn more about CIC, visit ciclink.com, and obtain information on SCRS at scrs.com H&D
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INDUSTRY UPDATE
Automated Spot Welding Solutions with RAE’s NEW InvertaSpot NexGen
Optimal performance, accessibility and cutting-edge precision come standard with the NEW InvertaSpot NexGen Spot Welder.
The InvertaSpot NG has been developed to meet car manufacturer specifications and offers both automatic and manual operation modes for ease of use. Among its many standout features is an intuitive digital interface, including Bluetooth trigger controls for seamless operation and an easy-tonavigate touchscreen display that enhances each user’s experience. The lightweight gun and c-arms combine with upgraded technology to ensure improved handling as well as precise pressure regulation, amperage, and timing for top-notch performance with a variety of sheet metal configurations.
The InvertaSpot NG’s inverter technology ensures consistent welds every time and helps to minimize energy consumption, keeping
operational costs down and efficiency high. Its compact, portable design allows repairers to position the welder wherever needed, enabling it to take on projects of any size.
The InvertaSpot NG is perfect for both entry-level and expert welders, with pre-set parameters for a variety of materials and thicknesses. Repairers can begin working quickly without having to spend time on complex adjustments; more experienced users can manually fine-tune settings, allowing for precise welds to meet industry standards. Whatever a repairer’s skill level and scope of repair job, the InvertaSpot NG will help in streamlining the repair process and furthering productivity.
To learn more about the InvertaSpot NG or to view Reliable Automotive Equipment’s full offering of products, services and support, visit raeservice.com
The RAE InvertaSpot NG combines accuracy with a user-friendly interface for increased efficiency and precise welding solutions.
Designed specifically for Mazda vehicles We’re an accurate, trusted resource as close as your phone
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Ourisman Mazda of Rockville 801 Rockville Pike
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Fitzgerald Mazda of Annapolis 1930 West Street Annapolis, MD 21401
Toll Free: 866-280-8022
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Conquest your Mitsubishi parts needs!
Mitsubishi now offers Genuine OEM parts through our new “Opt-OE” parts program at discounted prices. See Mitsubishi’s Ultra-Conquest parts and prices in the Optional OEM Suppliers category of popular collision estimating systems.
Ultra-Conquest Collision Parts Program Highlights:
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Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists –a “One-Stop Shop”
No matter how you spin it, there really is no competition when it comes to wheel repair and replacement outside of Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists. Thousands of body shops all around the country call on them for everything related to wheel repair and replacement as they are the world’s largest wheel repair, manufacturing and replacement provider.
The company has grown substantially since its early roots were first planted in 2001, growing from one shop to more than 100 today. According to CEO Rob Wheeley, who assures he did not change his
name, quipping “It must have been in the stars,” the company began as a licensee company which moved to franchising. Wheeley was a franchise owner in Baltimore at the time when he was approached by a private equity company looking to create a corporate market alongside the franchise market. “Baltimore was the first acquisition in November 2015, and we started rolling out the corporate network we have now.”
Their large network allows them to serve clients in many different ways. The operation consists of over 400 mobile repair facilities that can go directly to their customers. They also have 50 manufacturing plants.
“Our mobile remanufacturing facilities are full wheel repair mobile units that go on site to the customer to perform wheel repairs, wheel straightening, recoloring or whatever a body shop, dealership or tire store needs. These units are the equivalent of a mini body shop. They are OSHA and EPA compliant. They have a wheel straightener on board, a separate room to prep the wheel and an enclosed downdraft paint booth –a mini version of what you’d see in the
body shop. This enables us to provide the workmanship that one would expect from a company like ours.
“We work for thousands, if not tens of thousands, of body shops around the country,” adds Wheeley. “We adhere to safety standards. If a mobile unit on the road encounters a wheel with heavy damage, we’ll take it back to our manufacturing unit where we usually repair and turn it around in about 24 hours. If a wheel cannot be repaired, we provide them with a replacement with OEM inventory at a fraction of the cost.”
Aside from the quality of service they provide, what really sets Alloy Wheels apart is that they have the largest footprint across the United States. Others may provide one or two of these services, but they are the only company to provide all three – repair, re-manufacturing and replacement.
The company has truly achieved substantial success and growth over these past 25 years as the need for repair grew and grew. “Prior to twenty-five years ago, they weren’t repairing wheels or windshields and fixing dents in bumpers. They began to repair these components in the late 90s and early 2000s, and that’s how this franchise was born.”
Growth continues in many forms. They are also working to publish their repairs to estimating platforms –another easy button for shops. Also, working closely with local auto body associations is a great way to partner with their customers and get the word out.
“We are a one-stop shop, offering world class wheel repair and firstclass customer service,” Wheeley boasts.
Alloy Wheel Repair Specialists
CEO, Rob Wheeley
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ADVICE INDUSTRY ASK MIKE:
What Is the Industry Getting Right –and Doing Wrong – These Days?
This month, we “ASK MIKE” to share his thoughts on what the industry is doing well – and where it’s falling short – as we enter a new year. We at Hammer & Dolly hope you find the following exchange useful, and we encourage you to reach out to us if you have a question for Mike on this or any industryrelated matter that he can answer in a future issue.
Hammer & Dolly: As we enter a new year, what are a few things about the current state of this industry that inspire and encourage you as we head into 2025? What is the industry doing RIGHT at this point in time?
Mike Anderson: First, capture rate is the number one KPI that the industry needs to focus on. No other KPI matters if you don’t have vehicles to repair. A high capture rate ensures that shops are consistently bringing in vehicles. Without that, even the best operational efficiencies and customer satisfaction metrics won’t make a difference. While I recognize that most shops are quite slow right now, the industry is experiencing many positives. There’s a growing emphasis on technology to streamline operations and improve repair accuracy. Additionally, more
consumers are prioritizing quality repairs and are willing to pay for services without a third party, which bodes well for us moving forward.
In 2024, I observed our industry adapt to change and embrace software designed to improve business processes. When I spoke with friends in other industries, I realized ours had been lagging in this area. On an encouraging note, paint companies have been introducing software that streamlines paint matching, tinting and similar tasks. We’re seeing new software used to capture not-included operations, manage production and handle invoicing for seam sealer, double-sided tape and other durable items. CCC and AkzoNobel have been especially active with new production software. It’s exciting that the industry is looking to new software for solutions as we begin 2025. I’m really looking forward to what the future holds.
Traditionally, recruiting has been challenging for our industry due to a lack of robust benefit packages. The Society of Collision Repair Specialists (SCRS) strengthening its 401(k) and health insurance programs is a huge positive for us entering the new year. The average shop can now offer a strong benefits package to its team members. Kudos to SCRS for providing this to the industry! I’m eager to see what additional benefits the association will come up with. The SCRS blend study was another highlight. It received positive feedback within the industry – even if insurers have yet to fully embrace it. The study was a win for us, and it’s always interesting to see what SCRS does next.
While we often hear about high school collision repair programs shutting down, 2024 saw many post-secondary schools thriving, largely due to Enterprise’s investment in collision engineering programs. This may provide us with new options to tackle the training challenges we’ve faced in the past. Additionally, 3M launched its entry-level training to help fast-track preppers into painter roles, and BETAG Innovations developed more entry-level training as well. BMW also announced restricted parts sales for steel in 2024, which is another positive step forward.
I understand there’s a debate over using AI to write estimates, but we’ve seen advancements in using AI to handle scheduling requests, online reviews and other tasks along those lines. Software will always be at its worst when it’s first rolled out, so things are only going to get better from here. Updates, improvements and bug fixes will enhance this software’s performance over time.
Some states, including Montana and Rhode Island, are making progress on the legislative front, with Texas also starting to gain traction. Other regions are set to duplicate these advancements. There’s a lot of positivity to be found in various places across the country.
H&D: In your opinion, what is the biggest area for improvement that shops need to focus on in 2025?
MA: Back to a point I made earlier about consumers paying independently to get their vehicle fixed, Repairer Driven News recently published an intriguing article (bit.ly/OOP40) stating that about 40 percent of consumers now prefer to pay out of pocket rather than going through insurance. Too often, during the busy times of the past two years, body shops became ‘order-takers.’ They neglected to focus on sales, didn’t pay enough attention to customer relationships and didn’t develop or implement long-term growth strategies. When a consumer calls a shop, the person answering the phone will ask, “Have you filed a claim with your insurance company yet?” or “Have you had an estimate done yet?” We need to shift our approach and start asking, “Have you filed a claim with your insurance company, or are you paying out of pocket?” It’s essential to educate consumers about the benefits of paying out of pocket instead of automatically filing an insurance claim. Paying out of pocket also allows consumers to have more control over the repair process, from choosing the shop and parts to ensuring the quality of the work. Additionally, shops should consider offering financing options for consumers who choose to pay for their repairs themselves. That would be another opportunity for them to increase the capture rates I mentioned
before. Best of all, having the consumer pay out of pocket puts them in direct contact with the shop throughout the entire repair process, which is always a great thing.
Mike Anderson is an Accredited Automotive Manager (AAM) and the former owner of Wagonwork Collision Centers, two highly acclaimed shops located in Alexandria, VA. He has served as a member of many industry organizations throughout his career, including the WMABA Board of Directors, the Mitchell Advisory Board, the MOTOR Advisory Board, the ASE Test Review Committee, the National Auto Body Council, the Collision Industry Conference and the Society of Collision Repair Specialists. Additionally, he is a past Virginia SkillsUSA chairman, serves as a facilitator for Axalta Coating Systems’ highly recognized Business Council 20 Groups in both the US and Canada and facilitates numerous courses for Axalta Coating Systems’ Educational Series. He currently offers expert industry consulting via his latest venture, Collision Advice (collisionadvice.com). H&D
