Straighten the rail and your bottom line
This month for our feature on chassis straightening, we thought we’d share with you some ways of making your chassis straightner straighten out some profit issues at your shop.
Ah, you want to read about that now don’t you ?
It’s a common thought in the industry that ‘big hits’ don’t actually make money. Director of technical services and training for Car O Liner Timothy Morgan disagrees.
It is possible to make money on ‘big hits’, you just have to know how to do it. Of course, the bulk of business in your shop is probably small stuff, repairs to the tune of a few grand. These come in frequently – well, more frequently than the big hits anyway – so naturally you repair them. They’re quick and easy cash turnover right ?
Well, yes, but then a big hit can be too. It requires efficiency, but it can be done. So how do you make structural repairs efficient ?
There are 7 basic steps to efficiency in the panelshop – mounting, measuring, pulling, computerisation, training, equipment and going by the book. Let’s take a look at those elements of panelshop efficiency:
Ensuring that the vehicle is rack or bench-mounted correctly can save a great deal of time, effort and rework. A vehicle that moves once work has started is not going to enable correct repairs and could jeopardise vehicle structure and safety. Specialised equipment is becoming more and more common in automotive body repair. You have to have accurate data and a good, reliable bench or rack.
Following on from the mounting of the vehicle is the importance of measuring.
Vehicle manufacturers require a three-dimensional measuring system to properly repair the vehicle back to pre-accident condition.
Three-dimensional measuring systems do require some basic training in order to make the system work properly.
Tram gauges and tape measures do not give accurate enough information to repair today’s vehicles. Measuring during the repair with the proper measuring system and data insures final fit up of exterior panels is kept to a minimum increasing productivity.
How can pulling processes increase productivity ? First, move as much damage out at the same time. Remember it all went in at the same time!
The Americans have a term for this – conjunctive pulling, whereby a chassis rail is pulled and that – at the same time – begins to straighten a connected quarter panel.
Computerised measuring can help with some of the time factors. If the vehicle was measured during the estimating process the whole repair process could change! Measure the vehicle during the estimate. Additional damage could then be noted and documented. The process, if performed electronically, could require minimal time and improve shop efficiency level.
Hidden damage - also known as inertia - would be apparent. Measurements taken could be basic centre section, then a couple of points in both the front and rear sections. This could provide enough information to set a repair process in motion. So often is inertia damage not noted because measuring is focused in the obvious damage area and not the opposite end of the vehicle.
The computerised print out of the initial estimate measuring is also the documentation required to get proper payment for needed repairs.
The bills were always needed to document purchases or expenses previously, so why not show the proof in the document ?
So we can be more productive with a couple of preliminary steps up front. Additional time necessary could also be added to the estimate up front.
Now let’s look at the actual repair technician efficiency. How often do technicians with little or no training make repairs ? Too often have I heard "I can’t afford to have my technician out of the shop for two or more days of training".
Can’t afford it ? You can’t afford NOT to send them for training.
Improper repairs or improper usage of equipment can be very costly!
Technicians require training not only on repair processes, but also on the use of equipment effectively.
The types of training can also be an issue. Is the information provided going to make the technician more efficient ? Are ‘real world’ repairing issues being addressed? It’s all fine in theory, but can the training provided really increase productivity?
‘Real World’ training can make the technician more efficient and productive thus increasing profits. Training is an invaluable source of productivity.
For the most part the efficiency of equipment is proven by the equipment design and the vehicle data provided to repairers.
Equipment used can affect the final outcome of repairs and profitability so it should be looked at closely. Cost should not be the deciding factor of this major purchase, all it does is cloud judgment. Each piece of equipment has proper uses and abilities where price surely cannot gauge the efficiency of equipment. Buying for price surely does not give the purchaser the best return on investment!
The old saying ‘you get what you pay for’ can really pertain to this part of the repair process.
Sometimes structural repairs can become opinionated. Although there are proper processes in place by vehicle manufacturers and equipment and training providers, too often judgment calls are made ignoring what is proper.
Some of these judgment calls are even made in the estimating process. The ‘to repair or replace’ decision should be left to professionals!
"Seat of the pants" judgments are the start of an accident waiting to happen! Only proven methods should be performed when making these types of repairs.
So we can be more profitable if:
1. We have properly trained technicians.
2. The vehicle has received an accurate inspection and estimate.
3. We are using the proper equipment and procedures, to ensure a quality repair performed.
4. Repairs are done in a timely manner and to the customer’s satisfaction for a fair and profitable cost.
So often are vehicles misdiagnosed from the start. "It doesn’t need a pull!" Or "a little tug and it will be fine".
These types of repairs happen every day but are not efficient or smart.
Reworks or improper repairs amount to a negative profitability factor! And then that BIG HIT becomes a BIG LOSER.
Just don’t let it be your shop that loses out! n
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