Industrial Finishes & Systems

by Autobody News Staff

Founded in 1978, Auto Art Collision Specialists is a family-owned and operated auto body shop in Escondido, CA.

Over the past four decades, owners Moses and Barbara Novikoff have built a reputation based on integrity, quality repairs and personalized service.

“When our customers come here to have their vehicles serviced, they experience a superior level of customer service as well as a high-quality repair,” said Melanie King-Salgado, general manager at Auto Art Collision. “That’s what sets us apart from the competition: We genuinely care about each and every one of our clients. They become a part of the Auto Art Family!”

In August 2020, Auto Art found a kindred spirit in the form of its new distributor, Industrial Finishes & Systems.

“The customer service and business support we receive from Industrial Finishes & Systems are exceptional,” King-Salgado said. “When it comes to our representative, Cy Avila, I cannot say enough good things about him. If we need anything, a simple phone call is all it takes. He genuinely cares for his shops and does everything he can to ensure that top-of-the-line service is always provided. Cy’s supervisor, Derrik King, is also great. If something needs his attention or assistance, he is right there to help.”

Industrial Finishes & Systems services all liquid and allied products for Auto Art Collision Specialists, including its paint line, Sikkens by AkzoNobel.

“Spraying with Sikkens is similar from a procedural standpoint, but the product is superior to what we were using before; it’s definitely an upgrade,” King-Salgado said. “The UV Primer has been a big hit in the paint department and has really helped expedite productivity. The paint has a gloss finish, and the finished product looks fantastic. Everyone is satisfied with the product.

“Converting to Sikkens was not difficult at all. The transition was surprisingly smooth and painless,” King-Salgado continued. “Several representatives were here during the installation to walk our staff through the conversion. Our AkzoNobel representative, Steve Baran, works closely with Cy, and they are both extremely supportive of their shops. If we have color match or product questions, Steve does not hesitate to come right over and lend us a hand.”

Since entering the automotive industry in 1968, Industrial Finishes & Systems has made it a mission to go above and beyond what the typical distributor does for its body shop clients. Like most distributors, it provides product training, installation, maintenance and support services, but Industrial Finishes & Systems also offers business intelligence and KPI analytics.

By offering solutions that enhance efficiency while maintaining a high level of quality, Industrial Finishes & Systems helps shops optimize labor and improve cycle times. The distributor’s website boasts, “We do what others don’t, won’t or can’t.”

Auto Art Collision Specialists also implemented an inventory management system through Industrial Finishes & Systems.

Combined with online and mobile ordering, “These tools have been most helpful. Both productivity and profitability have improved,” King-Salgado said. “Cesar and Adan run the new supply location in Escondido, and those two are amazing. Anytime we need or ask for a product, they are sure to figure out how to get it to us in an expedited manner!”

Efficiency plays a large role in successfully managing a fastpaced auto body repair shop like Auto Art Collision Specialists. A member of the Assured Performance Network, the 7,500-square foot facility is an I-CAR Gold and ASE-certified shop, and has received OEM certifications from Hyundai, Kia and FCA. The 15 collision repair professionals employed at Auto Art repair an average of 125 vehicles each month, maintaining DRP relationships with seven insurers.

The shop is actively involved with the local community. In addition to sponsoring several sports teams and hosting fundraisers, the collision repair business is a sponsor of Cruisin’ Grand, a local car show that runs weekly from April through September. Recently, the shop gifted a vehicle to a family who lost their home in a fire.

In addition to spraying with the low-VOC Sikkens paint line, Auto Art Collision Specialists relies on two low emission paint booths to help reduce their carbon footprint and stay on the cutting edge of technology.

“Technology is key, and it’s changing at an increasingly rapid pace. Scanning and ADAS systems are becoming the standard,” King-Salgado said. “As vehicles become more advanced, the repairs become more complicated, and the technicians performing them must keep pace. That requires proper documentation regarding the parts and procedures required by the vehicle manufacturers to ensure the shops are adequately compensated for performing safe and proper repairs. Any auto body shop that hopes to have a future in this industry knows that maintaining constant and adequate training is imperative.”

Auto Art Collision Specialists enjoys superior customer service from its distributor, Industrial Finishes & Systems.

Location: Escondido, CA

Type: Collision Repair Facility Employees: 15 In Business Since: 1978 Number of Locations: One DRP Programs: Seven

7,500 square feet

Over the past four decades, Moses and Barbara Novikoff, owners of Auto Art Collision Specialists, have built a reputation based on integrity, quality repairs and personalized service.

“The customer service and business support we receive from Industrial Finishes & Systems are exceptional,” said General Manager Melanie King-Salgado.

(800) 531-1305

Facebook: @industrialfinishes Twitter: @indfinishes