3 minute read
Crown Collision Solutions
As its name implies, Crown Collision Solutions is dedicated to providing the body shop industry with solutions, specifically for the challenges caused by ADAS calibrations.
The new company (launched earlier this year) is the brainchild of Mike Johnson, a veteran of the Massachusetts collision repair industry. Over the course of his 37-year career, he worked his way up from technician to manager and then shop owner. Now, he has partnered with his son Tom to launch a business devoted to performing ADAS calibrations for body shops without the means to do so in-house. Crown Collision Solutions also provides consulting and training services in the areas of office support and estimating.
The idea for the Bridgewater-based business was born when Mike saw more and more ADAS technology being used in modern vehicles.
“We will never get away from ADAS now that it’s been integrated into the automobile. By 2022, every [new] vehicle will have some sort of ADAS technology,” Mike believes. “I think it’s the greatest thing to happen to the automobile by far. This technology makes cars safer for the driver and passengers, so it’s well worth the additional effort from the shops.”
Just four years ago, there was a lot of confusion about ADAS; even while perusing the SEMA Show floor in 2017, Mike noticed gaps in industry professionals’ knowledge about what was needed and why calibrations were required; however, there was a definitive difference in attitudes about ADAS during his last SEMA visit in 2019:
“I saw a transition – the equipment had improved, and more people better understood what the calibrations meant for the automobile. Everyone was starting to use the same jargon and beginning to play on the same field.”
Soon after, he approached his son, “a newbie to the auto world” with a teaching and technology background. More importantly, Tom had a strong desire to be involved in something that would positively impact the future. That’s when Crown Collision Solutions was born!
Having been a collision repairman for nearly four decades, Mike realizes that most body shop environments are unable to accommodate all of the steps needed to correctly perform calibrations: Some calibrations require 33 feet of unobstructed space in front of the vehicle. Due to the presence of other large equipment, many shops just don’t have room to meet these specifications.
“There are mobile companies out there trying to perform calibrations for shops, and if there is no room inside, they do it in the parking lots, and that presents major challenges due to natural daylight, rain or snow, which prevent the calibration from being performed correctly. Also, most parking lots are uneven, and you need a flat surface in order to perform these calibrations correctly.”
Ensuring the sensors fit well and are accurately positioned is critical to ADAS performing as intended by the manufacturer:
“There’s a reason they have to be set at certain degrees and angles. A lot of old-time body shops think they can manipulate parts on cars, but they don’t realize that affects the calibrations. Sensors should fit like a glove without manipulation.”
Seeking to be part of a bigger solution for repairers, Crown Collision Solutions recently signed on as a Silver-level participant in AASP/MA’s Vendor Affinity Program. The father-and-son team believe it’s important to be involved and stay active in an organization that truly is a driving force in protecting the industry.
“You can sit on the sidelines and watch others do the work all you want, but you might have been able to propel yourself further by getting involved. Get your marching orders, and do a little something for the common goal to make the industry better.”
