CollisionCast

Adapt: Repairing vs. Replacing Plastic Parts

In its 2015 Q3 Industry Trends Report, Mitchell published the top 10 parts involved in collisions, and 68 percent was represented by bumper covers. However, 72 percent of bumper covers are being replaced as opposed to being repaired. The repair vs. replace issue carries into 2018. At the 2017 FenderBender Management Conference, Kurt Lammon and Mike Anderson spoke about repairing vs. replacing plastic parts.  For this episode of CollisionCast, Lammon, the president of Polyvance, speaks with FenderBender about the issue, and the time and costs associated with plastic repair training.  

Disrupt: Keeping Your Staff Happy and Motivated

For this Disrupt edition of CollisionCast, Jeff and Rick Feasel, owner and general manager of Feasel's Frame and Collision Inc., are going to be discussing something that every shop owner strives to do—but, as I’m sure any of them would acknowledge, can sometimes be very difficult: keeping your staff happy and motivated. From payment to incentives to team outings to everyday interactions, here's a rounded approach to building a culture of motivated, happy employees.

Adapt: The Importance of ADAS Calibrations

Sean O'Malley, senior test coordinator for the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, discusses the importance of calibrating ADAS in vehicles—particularly front-facing cameras. Failure to calibrate windshield-mounted cameras could lead to issues with lane-departure and autobraking.

Disrupt: A System for Collecting Accounts Receivables

Phil O’Connor, owner of five POC Collision Centers in Maine, says shops can take measures to collect the money that is owed to them. In order to reduce accounts receivables, focus needs to be placed on the paperwork process that occurs in the front office. O’Connor shares his system for collecting on money owed to his business.

Vision: Be a Hungry (Yet Humble) Leader

Kevin Rains speaks with FenderBender to expand on one of his recent columns, “Hungry and Humble,” and discusses just how shop owners can set seemingly unattainable goals for their shops, yet remain grounded at the same time. This holistic approach not only pushes you to new heights as a leader, but inspires your team to follow in your footsteps.

Adapt: Preparing Your Shop for Hybrids/EVs

Craig Van Batenburg, founder and CEO of the Automotive Career Development Center, has been coaching shops on how to prepare for the wave of hybrids and electric vehicles hitting the U.S. market. In this episode, Van Batenburg covers the training, knowledge and safety items needed to properly repair hybrids and electric vehicles in collision repair shops.

Disrupt: Build a Brand Your Team Believes In

Kevin Taylor is a millennial shop owner who, since the day he opened his shop doors, has had a vision for his shop's brand. Funny enough, Taylor owns a Maaco shop, which inherently brings a certain "brand" along with it. So how did Taylor differentiate his shop? And, more importantly, how does he get his team to buy into his vision? He sat down with FenderBender to discuss just that.

Vision: Instilling a Positive Culture

In the first edition of FenderBender's Vision podcast, columnist Kevin Rains discusses how he found his core business and leadership philosophies—and what any shop operator can do to instill a positive culture in his or her business.

Adapt: Analyzing Mitchell’s Blockchain Solution

Mitchell’s Blockchain Solution markets itself as a secure solution for sharing data amongst those in the collision repair and insurance claims industries; but what does blockchain mean for your business? Jack Rozint, vice president of sales and service of the auto physical damage business unit for Mitchell International gives insight on what blockchain is and how it will impact shops in the future.

What the Recent Lawsuits Means for the Collision Industry

Doug Irish, Co-chair of the insurer-repairer relations committee for the collision industry conference and president and CEO of Accuracy Driven 4, discusses his take on the recent lawsuits involving body shops and insurers.