Bodyshop August 1, 2011

August 2011

Bodyshop CANADA’S MAGAZINE FOR COLLISION REPAIR PROFESSIONALS SINCE 1970

FIX THIS

FOCUS 2012 Ford Focus Active Grille Shutters

Preview:

I-CAR Canada Training Event PLUS: Our Final Waterborne Survey Getting Your Booth Retrofit Right Why Banners and Franchises Matter Computerized Measuring Equipment CANADA POST CANADIAN PUBLICATIONS MAIL AGREEMENT #40069240

AUGUST BODYSHOP COVER 2011.indd 1

Visit www.bodyshopbiz.com

05/08/11 10:42 AM

See us at NACE booth # N1303 SEMA booth # 10743

spray tech p2.indd 2

04/08/11 10:29 AM

Bodyshop CANADA’S MAGAZINE FOR COLLISION REPAIR PROFESSIONALS SINCE 1970

contents

August 2011 l Volume 41, Issue 4

Features 10

I-CAR National Event Preview

20

Wavering on Waterborne? Our Final Waterborne Benchmark Survey

I-CAR hits Calgary September 24, coordinating with the CCIF for a national training event.

In the end, not everyone painted the transition process a rosy shade.

26

Booth Retrofits: Have you Got the Best Set-Up?

28

Computerized Measuring Equipment

30

Identity Crisis? Maybe it’s time to stop going it alone.

Shops continue to hone their setup to ensure they have the best.

More than just bells and whistles; real gains can be had.

The changing industry may be reason to give banners another look.

28

30

Cover Story

16

Fix This Focus

26

Why is it that automakers put so much technology right where drivers are inclined to run into things?

In Every Issue 6 33 33

News Products Advertiser Index

32 34

Internet Directory From the publisher

visit us at bodyshopbiz.com In the next issue: Custom Refinish Award; OE and Aftermarket Parts; Welding; NACE Preview www.bodyshopbiz.com l August 2011 l Bodyshop 3

AUGUST Contents p3.indd 3

09/08/11 11:36 AM

Bodyshop CANADA’S MAGAZINE FOR COLLISION REPAIR PROFESSIONALS SINCE 1970

Enter the 2011 Bodyshop Custom Refinish and Bodywork Award

PUBLISHER Andrew Ross 416-510-6763 aross@bodyshopbiz.com SALES MANAGER Jay Armstrong 416-510-6745 jarmstrong@bodyshopbiz.com ACCOUNT MANAGER Jim Petsis 416-510-6842 jpetsis@bodyshopbiz.com PRODUCTION MANAGER Steven Hofmann 416-510-6757 shofmann@bizinfogroup.ca ART DIRECTOR Choo Hwee Kuan

Got a custom job you’re particularly proud of?

Want to see it and your crew on the cover of Bodyshop Magazine?

PRINT MANAGER Phyllis Wright CIRCULATION MANAGER Selina Rahaman 416-442-5600 ext.3528 CUSTOMER SERVICE Roshni Thava 416-442-5600 ext 3555 VICE-PRESIDENT Alex Papanou PRESIDENT Bruce Creighton

Enter the 2011 Custom Refinish Award today!

Bodyshop celebrates the artistry that many paint and body technicians bring to their work with this award.

The winning entry will grace the cover of this magazine putting your workmanship in front of the Canadian industry.

In addition, the issue will also receive exposure at the NACE Show this October.

Deadline is September 5, 2011.

Enter at www.bodyshopbiz.com, by e-mail to aross@bodyshopbiz.com, or send a courier package to Bodyshop Magazine Custom Refinish Award, 12 Concorde Place, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M3C 4J2.

BODYSHOP is published by BIG Magazines LP, a div. of Glacier BIG Holdings Company Ltd. 12 Concorde Place, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M3C 4J2 Phone 416-442-5600 Fax 416-510-5140 Subscription rates: Canada – $39.95 (add applicable taxes) per year, $62.95 (add applicable taxes) for 2 years, single copy $7.00. USA and all other foreign – US$61.95 per year. U.S. single copy US$10.00.

All rights reserved. Printed in Canada. The contents of this publication may not be reproduced or transmitted in any form, either in part or full, including photocopying and recording, without the written consent of the copyright owner.

Nor may any part of this publication be stored in a retrieval system of any nature without prior written consent.

US Office of Publication: 2424 Niagara Falls Blvd, Niagara Falls, NY 14304-1118. Periodicals postage paid at Niagara Falls, NY. US Postmaster: send address changes to Bodyshop PO Box 1118, Niagara Falls, NY 14304-1118.

From time to time we make our subscription list available to select companies and organizations whose product or service may interest you. If you do not wish your contact information to be made available, please contact us via one of the following methods: Tel: 1-800-268-7742 Fax: 416-4422191 E-Mail: privacyofficer@bizinfogroup.ca Mail to: Privacy Officer, Business Information Group, 12 Concorde Place, Suite 800 Toronto, ON M3C 4J2 ISSN 0045-2319 Online 1923-354X Canada Post Canadian Publications Mail Sales Product Agreement No. 40069240 Return postage guaranteed. Send change of address notices, undeliverable copies and subscription orders to: Circulation Dept. — Bodyshop Magazine, 12 Concorde Place, Suite 800, Toronto, ON M3C 4J2 We acknowledge the financial support of the Government of Canada through the Canada Periodical Fund (CPF) for our publishing activities.

Member of Member of Inc. Inc.

Association of Association of Business Publishers Business 205 East 42ndPublishers Street East 42nd Street New205 York, NY 10017 New York, NY 10017

4 Bodyshop l August 2011 l www.bodyshopbiz.com

AUGUST View point p4.indd 4

09/08/11 8:18 AM

Products Change High Standards Don’t DuPont provides the full Low VOC system to meet all of your refinishing needs.

DuPont™ Cromax® Pro waterborne basecoat can speed up your operations and increase productivity, without compromising the quality of work you demand.

With 1.5 coat coverage, wet-on-wet application and no flash time between coats, DuPont™ Cromax® Pro can help you reach your operational goals. It’s part of a proven integrated range of DuPont Refinish products.

A full range of primer and clear coats are available to complement Cromax® Pro for excellent results. Each of the new products has been designed to meet the challenges you face everyday in your shop.

To learn more about increasing your productivity, call your local DuPont Representative or speak with a DuPont Customer Care Representative at 1.800.668.6945.

The DuPont Refinish Logo, DuPont™ and all products denoted with ™ or ® are trademarks or registered trademarks of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company or its affiliates.

DuPont Canada is a licensee. © Copyright 2011 DuPont Canada. All rights reserved.

DP1295_CromaxPro11_BS_A_E.indd 1

24/01/11 1:17 PM

Dupont p5.indd 5

04/08/11 9:11 AM

news

Allstate Ups Ante for Direct Repair Shops A

llstate, long a supporter of I-CAR, has taken its commitment to professional development in the collision repair sector to the next level with the recent announcement that Elite status Priority Repair Option (PRO) direct repair program shops must be I-CAR Gold Class recognized.

For the past three years Allstate has required that all employees who regularly write physical damage estimates and reinspect auto estimates be I-CAR Platinum recognized.

During the month of May Allstate began rolling out its new Elite PRO program at several conferences with network shops in order to inform them of this new requirement, which affects 300 preferred vendors across Canada.

Recognized as a pioneer and industry leader in establishing advanced collision repair training standards, Allstate is providing incentives to shops who demonstrate their technical competence, in the hope that over time I-CAR training becomes the standard in collision repair shops across Canada. Upon making this announcement, Allstate claims director Rich Zamperin said, “There is no doubt that this is leading edge for the Canadian collision industry, and we believe strongly in the need for the highest standard of technical skills for both our own employees and for our business partners.”

While the announcement was well received, some Allstate PRO shops expressed concerns about the availability of

I-CAR training, to which Zamperin stated, “Allstate is sensitive to these concerns and remains committed to working with I-CAR Canada to ensure our shops can access the training courses in a manner that is convenient for them.”

Zamperin also noted that I-CAR Canada’s new Independent Learning offerings will greatly improve accessibility.

In order for auto damage appraisers to be Platinum-recognized, they must attend I-CAR programs and successfully complete the post test, which will earn them one point per class. Initial qualification for the Platinum Individual designation is 10 tested points, with two points annually to maintain.

Qualification for a collision shop to earn the Gold Class Professionals Designation requires that all employees directly involved in the collision repair process earn five tested points while maintaining two points of ongoing training annually.

“On top of receiving the recognition, it is important for our shops to know that they can benefit from a labour rate incentive by becoming I-CAR Gold Class recognized,” stated Zamperin.

In an effort to make I-CAR training more accessible, Allstate ran a “live” class in Anjou, Quebec in June that was simultaneously transmitted to a class in Mississauga. Ray Bourgeois, an Allstate PRO Shop administrator and I-CAR instructor, led the dual session. This was an extremely successful interactive session that allowed students and instructors in Anjou and

Mississauga to participate actively with each other.

The format for the course, QUA01 (Inspecting Repairs for Quality Control) was the same as any other class, with a facilitator present to assist in Mississauga.

Regular I-CAR exams were administered in both cities. Bourgeois received incredible feedback from the participants, who felt the course was just as enjoyable and the level of training as good as it would have been had the trainer been right in front of them. The life-size video image of Mr. Bourgeois on the screen seemed to help too!

Attendees – adjusters and collision repair shop staff alike – agreed that the late afternoon start of the class was ideal, and said that they thoroughly enjoyed this fresh and exciting alternative to traditional classroom or online courses.

The Skype-based class allowed attendees from a remote location to enjoy the in-class feel, the interaction, and the value of one class translating into a full credit.

“We think this is a tremendous technological innovation that will allow students to attend classes in their own community where they feel most comfortable,” says Allstate’s Victor Pasnyk. “Because our first attempt was so successful, we’ve already started planning the second session, which will be either a Montreal- or Toronto-based Skype class to Calgary in the next 60 days,” Pasnyk adds.

Collision Industry Women Honoured F ive distinguished honourees were recognized by AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings Americas as the 2011 Most Influential Women in the Collision Repair Industry (MIW).

The five comprise a cross-section of service areas within collision repair, from both the United States and Canada, including publishing, industry association, independent shops and multishop operations:

• Barbara Davies, General Manager, Autobody News, Carlsbad, Calif.

• Michelle Rolls, Owner, Queensway Fix Auto Collision, Prince George, B.C. • Jennifer Justice-Hayley, Operations Mgr., Valley Paint & Body Inc., Amelia, Ohio • Susanna Gotsch, Director, Industry Analyst, CCC Information Services Inc., Chicago, Ill. • Sharon Mazanec, Collision Industry Business Consultant, Junction, Tex.

The MIW program was established in 1999 by AkzoNobel as an industry honourarium. The goal of the program is to promote the contributions of key leaders Continued on page 8

6 Bodyshop l August 2011 l www.bodyshopbiz.com

August News p6,8,9.indd 6

09/08/11 8:34 AM

Paint • People • Performance

Offering More than just a Can of Paint Exceptional sales, service and support have earned Rondex, the elite status of #1 Largest Independent Jobber for DuPont Performance Coatings in Western Canada, the world leader in automotive finishes. This symbol is your quality assurance that we meet the highest standards in the industry. It means you can count on us to provide a lot more than products. You can count on us to supply the complete package (quality product, impeccable service and competitive pricing) in such areas as process improvement, personnel and inventory management, innovative products, and state of the art equipment.

Together, DuPont Performance Coatings and Rondex bring you the products and practices to help your business prosper. We want nothing more than success for our customers. To support this we become a trustworthy partner for your business. We offer reliable and consistent delivery, accurate inventory management, in-house technical assistance, management consulting services, endless amounts of information to keep you abreast of industry trends along with the most experienced staff in the industry.

Talk to a Rondex EXPERT Today www.rondex.ca Toll Free: 1-877-766-3392 RONDEX MANITOBA 177 Isabel St. WINNIPEG MB R3A 1G8 Phone: 204-943-4531 Fax: 204-942-0631

Rondex p7.indd 7

R O N D E X O N TA R I O 237 Barton E, Unit 101 STONEY CREEK ON L8E 2K4 Phone: 289-649-0123 Fax: 289-649-0120

RONDEX VANCOUVER ISLAND 3043 Barons Rd. NANAIMO BC V9T 3Y6 Phone: 250-758-2416 Fax: 250-758-2417

05/08/11 10:08 AM

news Continued from page 6

as well as grow the future involvement of females within collision repair and raise awareness of their contributions as a valuable resource pool.

Kirmac Donates $120K to B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation

Attendee Registrations More Than Double for ASRW 2011

A

ttendee registration for Automotive Service & Repair Week (ASRW) is tracking significantly ahead of last year’s event for the upcoming 2011 edition.

Comprised of the International Autobody Congress & Exposition (NACE) and the Congress of Automotive Repair & Service (CARS), ASRW is scheduled for Oct. 5-8 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla. Open for five weeks, registration for expo-only and conference attendees has been experiencing near-record numbers for the events’ recent history. As of press time, overall registration for both NACE and CARS is tracking 163% ahead, and conference registrations are 378% ahead.

The growth is largely attributed to ASRW’s new East Coast location.

“We responded to the industry earlier this year in relocating ASRW to the East Coast, and the industry is, in turn, responding favourably to these changes,” says Ron Pyle, ASA president and chief staff executive. “While we do expect these percentages to even out somewhat over the coming weeks, it’s incredibly exciting to see such an increase. We are thankful that automotive service and repair professionals, and those who serve them, are demonstrating their support so dramatically. With this influx in registrations and the show floor continuing to fill up, ASRW will grow this year, and it’s going to be a great event.”

Attendee registration is available online at www.NACEexpo.com and www.

CARSevent.com.

K

irmac Collision & Autoglass, a British Columbia-based collision repair company, presented a cheque for $120,000 to the B.C. Children’s Hospital Foundation Miracle Weekend telethon in Vancouver.

The contribution comes as part of the company’s charitable program, “Kirmac Cares for Kids,” which donates a percentage of income from each vehicle repair to the foundation.

“As a proud, family-owned business that’s operated for nearly 40 years, it gives us great pleasure to be able to

give back to the kids,” says Kirmac’s CEO Ian McIntosh. “Our customers have been a key contributor to this program and we hope they will continue to support it and help us make a difference every year for those who need our help the most.”

The “Kirmac Cares for Kids” program started last year in all of Kirmac’s 10 Vancouver lower mainland locations.

The donation also included contributions from Kirmac employees through activities such as “Jeans Day Friday” and regular payroll deductions.

CARSTAR Breaks Car Wash World Record CARSTAR Collision Centres across North America broke its own 2009 Guinness World Record for “World’s Largest Car Wash – Multiple Venues.”

There were over 140 events throughout Canada and the U.S. supporting CARSTAR’s Soaps It Up National Car Wash Fundraiser that washed 4,918 cars, breaking the previous record of 4,105.

“This year we are happy to report that with the tremendous support of our franchise, insurance, and vendor partners, and with the dedication of each community, we are donating over $105,000 to Cystic Fibrosis Canada and local fundraising groups,” says Sam Mercanti, president and CEO of CARSTAR Automotive Canada.

“We would also like to thank all of the CARSTAR employees and volunteers that shared in the achievement of this goal,” adds Mercanti. Over 1000 employees and volunteers dedicated their time to support this event.

Among the participating CARSTAR outlets was CARSTAR Scarborough Northeast, owned by Frank Blandizzi. Here Blandizzi and the crew take a break from washing cars to pose for us. In all, more than 4,900 cars were washed across North America.

8 Bodyshop l August 2011 l www.bodyshopbiz.com

August News p6,8,9.indd 8

09/08/11 8:35 AM

Rondex Celebrates Opening of Hamilton Location

ondex, one of the leading independent jobbers in the country, celebrated the grand opening of its new store in Hamilton in June.

The Rondex Hamilton team will be comprised of Bill Verrall (inside sales), Dave Gobell (technical assistant), Mike Di Biase (outside sales), and Steve Earl (warehouse / delivery).

Verrall and Gobell are well known throughout the Hamilton market, with strong technical knowledge and high

customer service standards. DiBiase is the newest addition to the Rondex team, but has many years of technical experience working with Paling Truck. Earl is a recent addition as well and is also well versed in the automotive refinish trade.

Winnipeg-based Rondex is a DuPont / Standox jobber that was founded in 1972 by Ted Greenwood and his sons Ron and Dexter – hence the name.

Since the founding, Ron’s son Everett and Dexter’s son Bret have become heavily involved in the business and have played an integral role in the growth and expansion of the company.

In addition to the Hamilton location, Rondex recently purchased Videl Auto Body Supply Warehouse in Nanaimo, B.C., and will be opening stores in Victoria, B.C., and Brandon, Man., in the near future.

APPOINTMENTS PPG Canada Inc. has named Rafael Hinojos as its new director, automotive refinish. In his new assignment, Hinojos will be responsible for the continued growth of the Canadian PPG Automotive Refinish business unit. Hinojos joined PPG Industries, Inc. in 1998 and has held various positions throughout his thirteen-year career with the company. His proven track record as a territory manager, national account manager, business development manager and, most recently, North American manager of national accounts, will position him well in his new role. Hinojos has extensive knowledge of the automotive refinish business and emerging trends with multipleshop operators. PPG Canada Inc. has also announced organizational changes that represent expanded responsibilities for Norm Angrove and Deb Nucciarone.

Angrove will be assuming the role of national business development manager, Canada. His focus will be on developing new opportunities and growing existing customer business among MSOs and other large collision shop accounts, with the assistance of the regional business development managers who will report directly to Angrove. Additionally, he will lead the Canadian OEM initiatives and retain his current responsibilities for the Canadian Platinum Distributor program. Deb Nucciarone will be assuming the role of product and marketing manager, Canada.

In addition to her current responsibilities, Nucciarone will now be responsible for all Canadian marketing initiatives. She has had a varied background working in a technical capacity for industrial coatings and in customer service and logistics at the Clarkson Plant, before joining Refinish in 1998 as manager, technology services, and subsequently moving into her current position as product manager.

THE MOST ADVANCED AUTOBODY PART ORDERING SYSTEM

• Order parts from your preferred suppliers • Add new suppliers easily • Data owned and controlled by you • Secure transactions

EHEOPS! FAR LL S

FOR IT NOW! TRY

1 866-414-2435 AUTO REPAIR SY SYSTEMS YST STEEM

INC.

R

SAVE TIME, SAVE MONEY!

Order parts with a few clicks of your mouse from any computer 24/7

www.bodyshopbiz.com l August 2011 l Bodyshop 9 ezpart_vertical_august.indd 1

August News p6,8,9.indd 9

8/4/11 9:59:15 AM

09/08/11 8:44 AM

I-CAR event

I-CAR National Training Event September 24 Event Aligned with Calgary, Alta., Canadian Collision Industry Forum

A

t first glance, the schedule may seem light and easy to handle, but upon closer inspection, the purpose of the I-CAR National Training Event in Calgary this September becomes clear.

“The profile of it is one thing, to get an entire region into one room and to signal the importance of it to everyone at one time,” says I-CAR Canada director Andrew Shepherd.

“That is the biggest thing about it. Holding it in concert with CCIF brings it to the attention of the national industry leaders.”

The thinking, says Shepherd, is that while managers, owners, and other industry professionals are attending the CCIF event, other shop staff, particularly technicians, can be attending the I-CAR event.

This idea was, he says, driven by shops in Alberta.

In any case, the approach has yielded great success already. The first such event, held in Montreal last year, has already generated tremendous benefits for the I-CAR program, including a major infusion of Quebec monies.

“Last year was a really momentous event, though for different reasons. AIA Canada has a commitment to the translation of training materials, and that was the chance for us to relate the first set of classes [for which] we had sponsored the translation.”

The Quebec market for I-CAR had been bumping up against that translation issue for some time.

“The result of that has been fantastic. In large measure because of that event, the Quebec government is funding course translations for $300,000.

“That’s the kind of power that that an event like that can have. We want to carry the same kind of punch in Alberta.”

The shops tend to be larger in Alberta, with a higher proportion of banner and franchise participation than in some other regions, he says. In addition, he hopes the

Inspecting Repairs for Quality Control (QUA01)

I-CAR Canada director Andrew Shepherd will be providing an update on the training program’s growth, but the real focus of the event is hard-core technical training.

event will serve as an entrée to the return to I-CAR participation by two of the most respected automotive technical colleges in Canada: the Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) and Southern Alberta Institute of Technology (SAIT).

“SAIT and NAIT have been involved in the past, but they are not now. They have powerful market connections and we want this event to bring them out, so we’re offering their instructors free seats. We want to get them back into I-CAR participation.”

Furthermore, the event will serve as notice that I-CAR, with two new trainers in the Alberta market, is ready and able to serve the training needs of shops in the province.

“We are ready to launch full-scale into Alberta this fall and this will be a good kickoff for us.”

Accordingly, I-CAR will be offering two key courses at the event.

Delivered by Stefano Liessi, the Inspecting Repairs for Quality Control (QUA01) course will: • Explain the importance of conducting postrepair inspections.

• Identify repairs that should be inspected before coatings are applied.

• Explain how to use various inspection tools to access hard-to-see repair areas.

• Identify refinish defects and signs of improper masking.

• Explain how to verify that corrosion protection has been properly applied.

• Describe considerations for pre-delivery and post-delivery inspections.

• Understand how to effectively communicate information regarding repair to the customer.

A trainer since 2008, Stefano Liessi brings 30 years of experience gained from all aspects of the trade. Beginning with refinishing, he was at the ground level during the introduction of two-stage refinishing, two-part putties, and catalyzed high-build primer. Liessi honed his custom refinish skills in his 20s, was a partner in a shop in the Greater Toronto Area, has earned his interprovincial license for collision repair, and has worked as an appraiser for an insurer in Alberta.

Hail, Theft, Vandalism Damage Analysis (DAM09) Delivered by veteran Sid Petrisor of SGI Canada, the Hail, Theft, Vandalism Damage Analysis (DAM09) course should be of particular value to the Alberta collision repair professional faced with regular hailstorm occurrences.

Continued on page 14

10 Bodyshop l August 2011 l www.bodyshopbiz.com

AUG I-CAR EVENT P10,14.indd 10

04/08/11 9:58 AM

AIA P11.indd 11

05/08/11 8:52 AM

Behind every great bodyshop owner…

“Process Centered Environment (PCE) really changed the way we thought about everything,” states Jason Boggs, Boggs Auto Collision Rebuilders in Woodbury, New Jersey.

Posting a profit in hard economic times is difficult. Fortunately, the team at Boggs Auto Collision Rebuilders had Akzo Nobel’s PCE program.

AKzoNobel AD p12,13.indd 12

04/08/11 9:13 AM

‌stands a great paint brand.

PCE takes many of the best business and efficiency methods available to the next level for a customized program specifically for the body shop industry. Thanks to PCE, Boggs has been able to increase efficiency by 20% without adding staff or labor hours.

So make the next PCE success story your own. Visit us on the web at www.paintitwithwater.com.

CREATING TOGETHER

AKzoNobel AD p12,13.indd 13

04/08/11 9:13 AM

I-CAR event

With this course, professionals will learn to: • Distinguish hail, wind, and lightning damage and determine repair options.

• Identify different types of vandalism, including fluid contamination, finish issues caused by vandalism, interior and underhood damage, and slashed tires.

• Determine repair or replace options for specific vandalized vehicle parts.

• Recognize commonly stolen vehicles and their parts, as well as identify damage to both factory-installed and aftermarket electronics.

• Recognize the difference between theft and prior damage and understand potential fraud indicators.

• Understand the considerations around repairing a vehicle affected by infestation and analyze potential damage.

CANADA’S

LARGEST SELECTION of

Sid Petrisor grew up fixing cars and has been involved with I-CAR since its inception.

His beginnings as a journeyman, professional manager, owner and operator of an independent collision repair shop, his committee work and his position as I-CAR provincial chair, make him not only an industry veteran, but an expert. His fateful career change as an I-CAR trainer then followed, where the combination of his skills acquired in the aftermarket industry, the insurance industry, and as an instructor have been utilized to their full potential. Petrisor is now an I-CAR Platinum Individual at 134 Units.

At a Glance Date: September 24, 2011

• Rebuildable Salvage Vehicles • Parts Units • Theft Recoveries • Specialty Salvage

Location: Hyatt Regency, located at 700 Centre Street SE in Calgary, Alberta.

With 13 locations across Canada, all offering LiveBlock internet bidding, Impact Auto Auctions is your clear choice

Registration Fee: $275 per person Register Online: www.i-car.ca Registration Assistance: Mireille Schippers, (800) 8082920, ext. 264 or mireille. schippers@aiacanada.com.

LIVEBLOCK

IMPACT AUTOBID

MOST LOCATIONS RUNNING WEEKLY! Calgary Wednesdays at 9:00am (403) 285-1411 Edmonton Mondays at 9:00am (780) 955-4325 Halifax Bi-weekly on Tue. at 11:00am (902) 873-3933 Hamilton Thursdays at 9:00am (905) 560-4045 London Wednesdays at 9:00am (519) 457-6448

Moncton Bi-weekly Friday at 11:00am (506) 855-5297

Sudbury Every 3 weeks on Wed. at 12:00am (705) 560-2723

Montréal Thursdays at 9:00am (450) 452-4043

St. John’s Bi-weekly on Tue. at 11:00am (902) 873-3933

Ottawa Mondays at 9:00am (613) 443-3171 Québec City Every 3rd Friday at 9:00am (418) 839-0070

™

Schedule 7:00 – 7:30 a.m. Breakfast 7:45 a.m. Welcome Remarks 8:00 a.m. – 12:00 p.m.

Inspecting Repairs for Quality Control (QUA01) Hail, Theft, Vandalism Damage Analysis (DAM09) 10:30 a.m. Refreshment Break 12:00 p.m. Lunch

Toronto Tuesdays at 9:00am (905) 642-2882

1:00 – 4:00 p.m.

Vancouver Bi-weekly Tues. at 10:00am (604) 278-6556

Control (QUA01)

www.impactauto.ca

Inspecting Repairs for Quality Hail, Theft, Vandalism Damage Analysis (DAM09) 2:30 p.m. Refreshment Break 4:00 p.m. Closing Remarks

14 Bodyshop l August 2011 l www.bodyshopbiz.com

AUG I-CAR EVENT P10,14.indd 14

04/08/11 9:59 AM

C

M

Y

CM

MY

CY

Mirlon Total

™

CMY

K

Fine finishing surface preparation.

• New open design is thinner and more flexible than original Mirlon.

• Three dimensional structure made with cut fiber strands; coated with resin and abrasive.

• Consistent coating of aluminum oxide (VF 360) and silicon carbide (UF 1500, MF 2500) abrasive grains provide uniform, dense scratch pattern.

• Very flexible product ideal for use on contoured surfaces.

• Manufactured by Mirka using latest technology for superior quality and performance.

Mirlon Total 4-½” x 9” Scuff Pads 25 pads per box, 4 boxes per case Part No. 18-118-447 18-118-448 18-118-449

Description Red - Very Fine (360) Gray - Ultra Fine (1500) Gold - Micro Fine (2500)

Mirka Abrasives Canada, Inc. • tel 800-843-3904 • fax 800-626-6970 • www.mirka.com

MIRKA P15.indd 15

08/08/11 2:54 PM

I-CAR tech

2012Active Ford Focus Grille Shutters T

here’s something about carmakers that leads them to pack the front of the car with all kinds of fragile and sometimes expensive technology.

And, of course, when a frontal collision occurs, it’s not just the technology that takes the hit; it’s the financial picture too. For collision shops that are unaware of the complexity and repair procedures for some of these technologies, it can be a rude awakening, too.

To help speed repairs, the helpful folks at I-CAR have brought the Ford Focus to the attention of the collision industry.

When making collision repairs to the 2012 Ford Focus, be aware that the vehicle may be equipped with an active grille shutter system. This motorized system is located in front of the radiator, which places it in a vulnerable position during front-end collisions.

The active grille shutter system consists of a shutter assembly and an actuator motor.

The assembly includes the housing, shutters, retainer, and a wiring harness. Active grille shutters are serviced as an assembly; the shutters are not serviceable individually.

The actuator can be serviced individually.

Figure 1

Operation This controlled vent system is primarily designed to maximize fuel economy by reducing drag on the vehicle. The grille shutters automatically close to block airflow through the cooling system when not needed.

Closing the active grille shutters helps to improve aerodynamics at high speeds. The

shutters also open to reduce underhood temperatures when needed. The grille shutter system is also used to control coolant temperatures, HVAC performance, and exhaust emissions, depending on the vehicle speed.

The shutters are linked together, with one of the individual shutters attached to Continued on page 18

16 Bodyshop l August 2011 l www.bodyshopbiz.com

AUG I-CAR TECH 16,18.indd 16

04/08/11 9:25 AM

Wanda Makes a Splash.

With Wanda Waterbase, VOC compliance is made easy.

When Wanda makes an entrance, everyone takes notice – and that’s especially true with our new water-based product. Wanda Waterbase is a VOC compliant basecoat system that gives you segment leading comprehensive color documentation, simple mixing ratios and “right-the-first-time” color matching. You get the look and performance you want at an unbelievable value – making Wanda Waterbase a “green” choice in more ways than one. No wonder Wanda is one of North America’s fastest growing car refinish brands!

For additional information and availability in your area, visit us at www.wandarefinish.com

Wanda Waterbase_Single Page Ad_Bodyshop Professional (Aug/Sept 2011)_Trim Size: 8.375”w x 11.125”h_with Bleed_4CP WANDA p17.indd 17

04/08/11 9:07 AM

I-CAR tech

Continued from page 16

grille assembly is properly aligned in the opening.

Automatic Calibration When the engine is started, an automatic calibration of the grille shutter system takes place. This calibration process cannot be initiated manually.

Calibration typically takes about 15–20 seconds. The process occurs until calibration is successful, or a fault is detected. Any failure of the system for over 10 seconds continuously will result in the actuator positioning the shutters fully open. There is no indication to the driver when a grille shutter system fault is present; however, a diagnostic trouble code is set in the PCM.

Figure 2

Conclusion The 2012 Ford Focus may be equipped with the active grille shutter system. Located in the front of the vehicle, the system is in a vulnerable position during frontal collisions.

Except for the actuator, no parts of the system can be serviced individually. When repairs are required, the active grille shutters, housing, retainer, and wiring harness must be replaced as an assembly.

T

his article first appeared

in

the I-CAR Advantage Online, which is published and dis-

Figure 3

the actuator by the retainer. When the grille shutter actuator moves, it moves the attached shutter, which in turn, causes the other linked shutters to move.

The shutters are regulated by the powertrain control module (PCM), and can be set into 16 different positions, from fully closed (see Figure 2) to fully open (see Figure 3), depending on the amount of cooling air required. The grille shutter actuator receives the position commands from the PCM. The PCM determines the required positions based on inputs such as vehicle speed, coolant temperature, ambient air temperature, and air conditioning system pressure.

During normal operation, the grille shutters are fully open when the engine is off. When starting the engine from cold, the grille shutters will remain closed as long as possible to help reach the most efficient operating temperatures more quickly. This

also helps reduce fuel consumption and emissions.

Damage Analysis The grille shutter assembly is located at the front of the vehicle behind the boron-alloyed steel bumper reinforcement (also Figure 1).

The bumper reinforcement has crushboxes that attach to the front lower rails. If the crushboxes collapse during a collision, the bumper reinforcement could be forced into the grille shutter assembly.

When analyzing damage, look for obstructions in the shutters that would prevent proper operation of the system. Since all of the shutters are linked together, all it would take is one obstruction to cause a bind. This could be a broken piece of a part or a foreign object. The grille shutter system has a dedicated fuse, and an obstruction may cause the fuse to blow. Also, check that the

tributed free of charge. I-CAR, the InterIndustry Conference on Auto Collision Repair, is a not-for-profit international training organization that researches and develops quality technical education programs related to collision repair.

To learn more about I-CAR, and to subscribe to the free publication, visit http://www.i-car.com.

I-CAR training is delivered in Canada by the Automotive Industries Association of Canada. Course and registration information is available at www.i-car.ca.

The Ford Focus and the active grille shutter system is one of many 2011-2012 vehicles and systems featured in I-CAR’s instructor-led (live) course, Collision Repair for Ford and Lincoln Vehicles (FOR05).

18 Bodyshop l August 2011 l www.bodyshopbiz.com

AUG I-CAR TECH 16,18.indd 18

04/08/11 9:34 AM

SP FO R ECI A L INS DIS T RU COU C TO NT S R S AV & S AIL TUD ABL ENT E S!

For the first time in 7 YEARS, the world’s collision repair event is headed east!

Join the automotive service & repair industry at the only event that is specifically designed and created for YOU. As the flagship event of ASRW, NACE constantly evolves with the industry to meet your ever-changing business needs, continues to invest in the industry it serves, and is a must attend event for anyone in the automotive service & repair industry. And this year…

IT’S ALL ROLLED INTO ONE: World class exhibits // Unmatched education & training you won’t find anywhere else Live on-floor demonstrations // Opening general session // Welcome reception // ASRW Town Hall ASRW Industry Forum // Association Leadership Summit // Networking Events Vehicle Display Featuring the Muscle Car Network of Florida

Co-Located With:

Held During:

ASRW 2011 // ORLANDO, FL USA

THE PREMIER EVENT DEDICATED TO THE AUTOMOTIVE SERVICE & REPAIR INDUSTRIES Exhibits: October 6–8 // Conference: 5–8 // Orange County Convention Center

www.ASRWEVENTS.com

NACE P19.indd 19

04/08/11 9:21 AM

waterborne conversion survey

Wavering on

Waterborne?

Our Final Waterborne Survey: A three-year study in shifting opinion

O

ver the past month or so, we’ve once again asked shop owners and managers across the country to give us their honest assessments of their shops’ transition from solvent-based paints to the now-mandatory waterborne systems. And while each year the data we collect has pointed to unique and interesting observations – about the conversion experience, the support given by manufacturers and distributors, equipment needs, and the effectiveness of the new product in general – for the most part we’ve dealt with each passing year in isolation.

Now, with the advantage of several years of collected results in our files, we can finally take a look back across the various iterations of the survey, and highlight a few key trends that have emerged over the course of the last three years.

What we find, in general, is that while industry attitudes are still positive, when it comes to what was a new technology in 2008 and 2009, attitudes have certainly slipped.

The bloom appears to be off the rose, now that waterborne is a part of daily life for many shops in Canada. In fact, now that the industry has reached virtually full compliance, and most shops have several years of experience, troubleshooting, and more importantly, manufacturer invoices to compare, our survey

finds the industry on a whole is less satisfied than it was several years ago.

For more a more comprehensive look, we’ll turn to numbers.

In 2009, when the team at Bodyshop Magazine combed through the results, we were pleasantly surprised at the overwhelmingly positive reaction to the waterborne wave. At the time, just over 60% of shops had made the switch, with almost 40% still evaluating the options. And when we asked those early adopters to rate their conversion experience,

more than 81% of respondents pegged their satisfaction at seven out of 10 or higher, with almost a quarter of all converted shops giving the overall experience a perfect 10.

Today, that high praise has come back to earth.

With 95% of all shops reporting that they have made the switch, overall satisfaction has suffered, with 75% of respondents rating the experience at seven or better; the number of owners giving the whole experience a perfect score has dropped to just 18%.

Continued on page 22

20 Bodyshop l August 2011 l www.bodyshopbiz.com

AUG Waterborne Survey p20,22,24.indd 20

05/08/11 10:17 AM

Lord p21.indd 21

05/08/11 8:56 AM

waterborne conversion survey

Continued from page 20

But why the souring public opinion? As with any survey report, it is difficult to say for certain, but one indication could be the vastly different understanding of total costs today, compared to three years ago.

In 2009, when we asked owners for their early impressions of the costs involved with spraying the new stuff, the results were decidedly mixed.

While some operators felt that waterborne paint was more expensive and would continue to be in the future, a similarly sized cohort felt costs were approximately the same or lower.

In fact, in that year’s survey, while 60% of respondents said their material costs had indeed increased, that majority was countered by 52% of respondents who told us that while their material costs had increased, overall operating costs had decreased, thanks in large part to a perception at the time that waterborne paints could provide greater efficiencies via superior application, colour match, or even drying time.

Where do those early impressions stand today? Well, to put it bluntly, much of those optimistic attitudes have done what many operators say waterborne hasn’t done very well: dried up.

In short, this year’s survey shows a much clearer delineation in waterborne-based costs borne by owners and operators, who

are already stretched by thin margins. With 75% of respondents saying their material costs are higher today than they were with the old solvent-based paints – and only 5% claiming price breaks – the results are decisive.

And that’s before one even takes a look at the second portion of that equation – total operating cost – which the early adopters claimed netted out as a cost savings just three years ago. Today, the tables have turned, with almost 70% of respondents saying that their operating costs have increased since the conversion, with a meagre 5.6% claiming a reduction, and 25.6% suggesting that their costs are more or less the same. A far cry from 2009, when a majority predicted cost savings as a result of the switch.

The news doesn’t get much better for waterborne paints on a practical level either. Environmental benefits – not to mention the legislative mandate – have always been the top reasons cited by operators in our survey for having made the decision to switch when they did. However, in 2009, more than a third (35.2%) of respondents cited “Improved Product Characteristics” as their top benefit Continued on page 24

22 Bodyshop l August 2011 l www.bodyshopbiz.com

AUG Waterborne Survey p20,22,24.indd 22

05/08/11 10:19 AM

MORE THAN A PAINT COMPANY.

The Transtar Advantage: • Full Line of Compliant, High Performing Product Solutions • Local Sales Support • Lifetime Warranty Program • Technical Training and Support

Visit Us

at

NACE!

Booth N um ber N 8 33

Experienced. Innovative. Committed To Your Success.

TRANSTAR IS THE AUTOBODY SOLUTIONS COMPANY.

Registered to ISO 9001:2008

2040 HEISERMAN DRIVE • BRIGHTON, MI 48114 • 1.800.824.2843 • WWW.TAT-CO.COM

TRANSTAR P23.indd 23

04/08/11 9:18 AM

waterborne conversion survey

Continued from page 22

from conversion. Fast-forward three short years, and that number has dwindled to 23.6%, a reflection of some of the disaffection many in the industry feel for waterborne paint, which can be finicky, time-consuming, and difficult to apply.

In fact, in this most recent survey, more respondents than ever took the opportunity to include their own option for what they thought was the greatest benefit to spraying waterborne paint – writing simply: “nothing.”

In the end, it’s easy to get caught up in the trials and tribulations inherent in spraying waterborne paint – a tip of the cap goes out to those of you across the country who painted through the worst heat and humidity in memory.

And, while the mood prevalent in this year’s survey is notably less enthusiastic when it comes to the waterborne experience, from conversion to operation, it is also important to note that on balance, a great number of you are quite satisfied with the shift, are coping with the increased costs, and found strategies or made important investments to cope with the product’s new application characteristics.

Nevertheless, the shift in attitude is quite apparent in the results, and there certainly ought to be a message to the traditional waterborne paint manufacturers in all of this.

Particularly with a selection of new VOCcompliant solvent-based paints on the market, paint companies need to keep pushing the

innovation envelope to both improve the performance and the price of today’s waterborne paint. Collision repair shops have done

their part in terms of making the necessary sacrifices, but the survey results are sending a clear message.

24 Bodyshop l August 2011 l www.bodyshopbiz.com

AUG Waterborne Survey p20,22,24.indd 24

05/08/11 10:21 AM

COLLISION REPAIR & REFINISH The 2011 SEMA Show is the place where all the collision repair industry experts from SCRS, I-CAR, CIC and NABC will be gathering. Take advantage of premium industry educational offerings with SCRS’ Repairer Driven Education (RDE) series, I-CAR training classes and all the latest products and technology on display.

A dedicated show section of collision repair and refinish manufacturer’s waiting to answer your questions. Plus more opportunities to find new profit centers and increase sales everywhere you look. And it’s only at SEMA—the Show that drives the global automotive industry. Register now and wrap your head around it all this November.

Register Today SEMAshow.com/BSB Las Vegas Convention Center, Las Vegas, Nevada Exhibit Days: Tuesday, Nov. 1 - Friday, Nov. 4, 2011 Education Days: Monday, Oct. 31 - Friday, Nov. 4, 2011

SEMA p25.indd 25

04/08/11 9:20 AM

spraybooth retrofits

Spraybooth Retrofits:

Have you Got the Best Set-Up?

by Martha Uniacke Breen

I

t’s now been just over a year since Canadian environmental legislation mandated that the collision repair industry move over to lowVOC waterborne paints and coatings. For many shops, after the initial hiccups that any major shift in process involves, the changeover has been a success, but for others, not so much. (See our article outlining the latest waterborne survey results elsewhere in this issue.)

The most common issues revolve around the fact that waterborne paint has radically different drying properties from solvent-borne, necessitating that existing spraybooths require retrofitting with turbo drying equipment. Not all spraybooths, particularly those that have been in place for a long time, are alike, and the proper setup for one may not be suitable for another.

Cheryl Grisar, director of marketing with Spray Enclosure Technologies in California,

which distributes the Junair QADs system, outlines the basic issues many bodyshops have faced. “Paint manufacturers have developed coatings that have very low VOCs, including waterborne base-coats and high solid clearcoats. These environmentally friendly, compliant products are excellent; however, auto

bodyshops with conventional spraybooths will experience slower process times using compliant coatings over conventional solventbased systems.”

The bottleneck in most bodyshops, Grisar points out, is the spraybooth, and therefore anything that slows down the painting process is not going to be popular to the owner / BSM. “If the new lowVOC paint technology is going to be accepted, then the spraybooth must be made more efficient to suit the products being used. The main issues in retrofitting still exist today: what will fit into my spraybooth and what will work with my booth controls and paint products?

“Conventional booths with semi-downdraft or downdraft air movement are inefficient during the curing process [for waterborne].

They heat a large volume of air, which travels through the cabin, but only a small percentage

26 Bodyshop l August 2011 l www.bodyshopbiz.com

l AUG spray Booth p26,27.indd 26

10/08/11 10:53 AM

?

spraybooth retrofits

of the warm air actually passes over the vehicle panels. The majority of heat energy contained within the air flow is simply returned through the extraction duct, and re-circulated to the burner, with little impact on the curing process.”

A common drawback that shops have found is that the need to mechanically dry the paint can slow down cycle time, so efficiency is a property to look for in air systems. “Auxiliary air movement systems, such as the Junair QADs, utilize more of the existing heat that is stored in the air, by creating a disruptive or turbulent flow of air within the cabin which transfers more of the available heat energy directly to the vehicle / panel. Auxiliary air movers reduce the time / temperature difference, by making the cure cycle more efficient, using more of the heat available to bring the vehicle body panels up to temperature, including those panels that are closest to the floor.

Air temperature and panel temperature are much closer together, and the cure cycle time can be reduced by at least 30%.”

“The biggest issue with waterborne is, of course, in drying time and method. In the old solvent-borne days, curing or air-drying would do the job, but now you need the turbulence provided by drying towers. Also, water is a

Karen Winter of Global Finishing Solutions, which distributes the AdvanceCure drying system, points out that for the most part, the reconfiguration process has gone very well. “Many of our customers have been relying on the expertise of the manufacturers to install the right systems for their particular situation, so the parameters have already been set. The next step is to supply any additional equipment they might need, which in many cases they do.” For example, she observes, a shop may find the existing airflow aerators may not be sufficient and require supplementing or upgrading.

corrosive material, so the maintenance of guns and other components is critical. But there are several different designs that accommodate different drying booths and different designs.”

Winter explains that the AdvanceCure system is modular, allowing it to be customized for any size and shape of spraybooth. By drawing on pre-filtered air from the interior of the booth, the system simplifies the air supply process and supplies air that is preheated to the correct temperature. Multiple airflow sources and adjustable nozzles maintain a convection-type current within the booth, ensuring more even drying, less temperature

variation and a reduction in drying time, increasing productivity and throughput.

“The biggest problem, really, is to ensure they choose the correct system for their particular booth; so the question is to figure out the whole package, not just to go with any system that appeals to them,” says Winter. “For example, what is the configuration of the booth – will they need a vertical or horizontal configuration? Do they need a unit that mounts in the ceiling like a ceiling fan? Some of our models also incorporate built-in lighting, eliminating shadows and making it easier to monitor the drying process. If you don’t choose the proper configuration for your needs, you can run into problems.”

Winter says that fortunately, the shop has access to plenty of resources to help take the guesswork out of the process of optimizing the booth, whether your shop is already retrofitted with a system that has proven insufficient for your needs, or are thinking of upgrading. Do your research by talking to other owners and consulting vendor websites, many of which have a great deal of useful information on products, systems, and troubleshooting.

But the key is to rely on the expertise of the paint company or drying equipment vendor, in order to assess your individual requirements and configure the right system, or the right set-up, for optimum performance. “The shop should consult with [the vendor] to help both with the initial system purchase, installation training and support and, if needed, additional equipment to solve any issues they might face,” says Winter. “We have installed many, many systems,” she says, “so there is a great deal of expertise to draw on out there.” www.bodyshopbiz.com l August 2011 l Bodyshop 27

AUG spray Booth p26,27.indd 27

04/08/11 9:44 AM

measuring systems

Computerized Measuring

Equipment

by Martha Uniacke Breen

A

s with many automated systems in the modern bodyshop, computerized measuring systems first entered the market as a high-end tool, and are fast becoming the state of the art.

A computerized measuring system uses one of several different technologies to measure specified points around a car, and provides a readout of the results that is often accurate to less than a millimetre.

Some systems are also designed to allow you to leave the measuring “targets” in place while the car is pulled into shape, so that you can monitor the repair live while it is in progress. By comparing the figures to OEM and proprietary data listing the original measurements of each vehicle, the shop then can restore the car to OEM condition; by repeating the measurement process once the repair is complete, the shop can also provide the insurer and customer with incontrovertible documentation that the car has been restored to pre-accident condition.

Is a CME system worth the investment?

Skilled bodymen have been relying on mechanical tools, and even a skilled pair of eyes, for many years and produced perfectly good repairs.

But according to Jack White of Greenbank Industries, which distributes the sonarbased Shark system, computerized measuring equipment can provide the needed data much faster, and with higher accuracy, than even a highly skilled technician working with mechanized measuring tools. “It saves you a lot of time; it can measure an entire car, including the set-up, in less than fifteen minutes,” says White.

Current generation measuring systems allow for real time monitoring to ensure dimensional accuracy, and provide proof of repair integrity.

Bob Holland of Chief Automotive Technologies, which distributes the Vector and Velocity laser measuring systems, agrees.

“It’s really all about cycle time. There’s pressure to get the car repaired quickly and out of the shop, so a CME system facilitates this in two ways. First, during the estimating process, it can indicate what will need repair and

what will need replacing, so you can order the needed parts early on in the repair process.

And it provides a highly accurate, live reading of the car’s measurements before, during and after the repair, so you can monitor the repair in-progress easily and provide verification that the car has been returned to pre-damage condition.”

28 Bodyshop l August 2011 l www.bodyshopbiz.com

AUG measuring system p28,29.indd 28

09/08/11 8:20 AM

measuring systems

And its accuracy is indisputable, either by the customer or the insurer. White observes that makers of luxury vehicles often specify that only shops utilizing computerized measuring equipment may be certified as authorized repair centres for their cars. But even for less pedigreed vehicles, CME systems offer real advantages that can return their investment with increased productivity, faster throughput, and better-quality repairs.

As Shawn Hart of Car-O-Liner points out, the high degree of accuracy and thoroughness afforded by a CME system is especially useful with the safety-related design of today’s cars. “Being able to measure the car electronically allows you to find hidden damage,” he points out. “It sometimes happens that a car may look like it has only sustained front-end damage, but may actually have damage all the way around to the back of the car, because of the way the impact has been absorbed.” This damage may not be readily apparent to a technician who is measuring with mechanical tools – and some may not even think to check.

Another plus of electronic measuring systems concerns the customer who comes in post-repair with a complaint that the repair was incomplete, or worse, that the repair itself caused other problems, such as a rattling door.

A complete printout showing the condition of the car when it arrived at the shop (before) and when the work was completed (after), provides a record of exactly what was done at the time the car was in the shop.

“Being able to measure, find and diagnose all damage correctly the first time eliminates all possibility of errors or questions,” says Hart.

There are three types of computerized measuring systems in common use today: contact, laser and sonar systems. There are pluses and minuses to all three types of systems, but all offer easy-to-follow onscreen instructions, including diagrams indicating where to place the sensors or targets, provide comparison data to the standard for the make and model of the car being measured, and furnish a printout or onscreen chart of the readings.

The first type is the contact system (such as Car-O-Liner’s Vision X3), in which sensors are placed at indicated points around and under the vehicle and “touched” by a pointer to make the measurement. The resulting data is then compared to the OEM standard for that

Among the more recent developments, Car-O-Liner now offers a mobile app for its Vision X3 system.

particular vehicle, or in some cases by measurements of individual models. The information is regularly updated and uploaded to the system, ensuring that technicians have access to the latest specifications.

Laser systems, like Chief Automotive Technologies’ Vector and Velocity systems, work by sending a signal to individual targets mounted on measurement points on the car. By monitoring individual “car to base” targets, the system provides ongoing readings (up to 30 per second) if required, and may be left in place on the car while the repair is being done. “In this way, it’s like a video picture rather than a photo snapshot,” observes Bob Holland.

The third kind uses sonar pulses, which, like a laser system, work by reading a target placed on key points on the vehicle. A probe then sends out a sonic signal and reads the reflection (similar to a small-scale submarine or weather-radar reading). One of the advantages of a sonar system like the Shark, says White, is that unlike laser, it can produce an accurate reading even if the car is not completely level, whereas the loosehanging “tag” style targets in a laser system could conceivably be thrown off-target in that case. (Sonar, on the other hand, could [arguably] be thrown off by excess ambient noise, such as a very busy shop.)

Whichever system you choose, having a CME system in your shop does give you a leg

up with insurers, according to the distributors we spoke to. It provides the ability not only to quantify exactly what repairs are needed, but to verify that they were performed to the insurer’s satisfaction, and the consumer’s.

“The insurance company, above all, wants provability,” White says. “You can get a printout when the car first comes in, then provide verification once the repair is complete.” The insurance company may not require that its collision repair partners install these systems, he adds, but they certainly look favourably on shops that do.

Because CME systems are still a fairly new concept, shops that buy and install the systems can advertise or promote them to customers (and insurers), and distributors have programs to help you do this. But our spokesmen predict that electronic measuring is destined to provide not just a competitive advantage, but to one day become the state-of-the-art, as essential to the shop as spray guns or drying equipment.

“For a shop that doesn’t have one,” says Hart, “it’s not just about utilizing the system to make the job easier. The tolerances of today’s cars are so much tighter than a few years ago, you can’t just eyeball it any more. Modern materials, seals, safety equipment, etc., change the way vehicles absorb damage, and you need to be able to detect it more accurately to perform a perfect repair.”

www.bodyshopbiz.com l August 2011 l Bodyshop 29

AUG measuring system p28,29.indd 29

09/08/11 9:09 AM

banner programs

Identity

Crisis?

Maybe It’s Time To Stop Going It Alone

by Martha Uniacke Breen

N

o matter how advanced the technology or sophistication of operations today, the collision repair industry has never completely lost sight of its entrepreneurial roots: the neighbourhood bodyshop, often run by one or two handson specialists, who cared as much about their independence as they did about the quality of their work.

But in the 21st century, is that ruggedindividualist model still realistic? After all, the automotive industry has changed radically in the last few decades. “Think of the local drug store or hardware store,” observes Tony Canade of Assured Automotive. “[Consolidation] is happening across many industries today.”

Many collision-repair entrepreneurs are at least somewhat aware of the benefits of being part of a group, yet as many as 70% of bodyshops in Canada are still choosing to go it alone.

This figure, either through contraction or consolidation, is almost certainly bound to change considerably over the next decade. The question is whether the traditional neighbourhood independent makes sense as a business model in the long term, and whether it’s time for your shop to consider joining one of these groups.

There are several different classes of banner networks, and not all will force you to give up your independent, entrepreneurial

status. Some are essentially associations of like-minded independents, who place a high priority on letting you keep your name and business control, while offering the considerable power of the collective when approaching industry partners such as vendors and insurers.

At the other end of the spectrum, there are corporate entities that will purchase a controlling interest and essentially turn the shop into a branch of the corporation, enabling the operator to grow his business without the financial and other stresses that come from independent ownership. Franchise ownership offers a sort of middle ground between the other two: combining a recognized name and the power of an established corporation with the ability to maintain independent owner-operator status.

30 Bodyshop l August 2011 l www.bodyshopbiz.com

AUGUST banner p30,31,32.indd 30

04/08/11 9:52 AM

e

banner programs

Steve Leal, chief operating officer, Fix Auto Canada, outlines a few of the principal advantages that a banner or franchise partnership can offer that a standalone shop may not have access to. “[These include] KPI technology, branding and marketing support, a nationwide warranty, and operational support. The banner/network can give a bodyshop owner or manager the ability to have a voice among insurers and to respond to increasingly demanding customers in terms of service and quality, while ensuring both the profitability of the bodyshop owner and fair cost to the insurer.”

Maaco Systems Canada offers potential partners a choice of two alternatives: the benefits of full franchise participation, which include a proven business model, comprehensive training programs, and a high-profile marketing/advertising program and brand. Or a shop may opt for a simpler banner conversion program, which involves converting to the Maaco brand without giving up the shop’s individual identity altogether.

According to Patrick Joly of NAPA Autopro Collision, which has a large presence in Quebec but has members in other provinces as well, improved relations with insurers is a prime reason why many of its members are attracted to the banner.

“We provide support throughout the repair process; we have a dedicated person who will work one-on-one with the shop to provide all the proper documentation for insurance purposes; we can also get you better rates from the insurer than you would as an independent.” The insurance industry, which is undergoing consolidation itself, is also trending towards a preference for working with multi-store groups rather than single shops; affiliation with a banner may someday become the principal – perhaps the only – route to guaranteed, ongoing insurance partnerships.

But the banner’s support goes beyond insurance to a whole range of management tools and benefits, such as national warranty programs, preferred-rate electronic ordering systems, and training to keep member professionals at the forefront of the latest technologies. Many banners also offer a range of social events that bring together not only members but suppliers, insurers and other partners as well, ranging from annual golf tournaments, get-togethers and monthly meetings with guest speakers, to annual conventions and group buying events. (One of them, Autopro, holds an annual karting day at which the object is to see another side of industry colleagues, by enjoying a day out having fun rather than just talking shop.)

The advantages to small shops are notable, but the benefits are equally promising for large, multi-location shops as well, as Ken Friesen, of Collision Solutions Network (CSN) partner Concours Collision Centres in Calgary, explains. “More and more, insurance companies are tending to want to do business with a banner, so our decision was insurance-based more than anything else,” says Friesen, whose company owns two locations in Calgary with a third currently under construction.

“It was also especially important for us, being from the West, because so many insurance companies are based in the East.”

According to Larry French, national sales director of Collision Solutions Network, membership affords the opportunity to share best practices, as well as improved relationships with both vendors and insurance partners. As with many of the

larger groups, “We are selective about who will become our partners, so we attract bigger, more established shops who are modern and up-to-date in their operations,” French explains.

This selective approach benefits the group as a whole by providing the assurance of quality associated with an established name.

Franchises like CARSTAR and Maaco Canada offer the next level of participation, in that you get the recognition factor of an established name, improved relationships with insurance companies and a consumer-oriented branding process (including consumer advertising), while maintaining independent owner-operator status.

For Frank Blandizzi, the owner of CARSTAR Scarborough Northeast, a small but thriving shop in the Toronto area, becoming a franchise owner was a natural progression. “To me, it’s obvious where the industry is headed; you simply can’t be ignorant about this and think you are never going to fail. In our case, we were doing okay [as an independent], but not moving forward as I’d have liked. So we decided to meet with [some of the] programs out there and do our research. It’s really no different from making any important business decision; you do your research and choose the program that will work best for you.”

Among the benefits that attracted Blandizzi to CARSTAR was the fact that it gave even a smaller shop like his the power of the full 120-shop chain, without losing the personal touch that had made his shop a success. “Yes, there are real business benefits to becoming part of a franchise like CARSTAR – working with insurance partners, buying power, business support. But it’s not all about dollars and cents; it’s really about the partnership. I liked the fact that the people on the CARSTAR team started out the same way as most of us, as bodyshop owners. They made me feel I was sitting down with someone who came from the same roots.”

The third kind of affiliation is where the shop sells a controlling interest to a corporate owner, and retains, if desired, management status as part of an overall corporate entity. This is the case with companies like Assured Automotive. One of the most direct contrasts between a corporation like Assured and traditional banners is that the corporation provides a capital investment to the shop owner, rather than charging a membership or royalty fee.

As Assured’s Tony Canade explains, “We are different from most banner networks in that we own all of our stores, so it is an excellent alternative for an owner that is looking for an exit strategy, an alternative to the traditional banner, or looking for a partner with whom to grow the business. By selling a controlling interest to us, the shop receives a cash payment, and in return we have a direct interest in growing their business. So instead of being a big fish in a little pond, they’ll be a smaller fish in a much bigger pond, with the clout of a large corporation behind them, and without the headaches of independent ownership.”

If the benefits are so clear to their members, why is it that many shops still prefer to stick it out on their own? Two of the most common objections independents usually give are actually Continued on page 32 www.bodyshopbiz.com l August 2011 l Bodyshop 31

AUGUST banner p30,31,32.indd 31

04/08/11 9:52 AM

banner programs

Continued from page 26

had previous production car jobs, and we are well versed in developing engines with EFI,” says Dodge Motorsports Engine Engineer Pat Baer. “In addition, Penske Racing is bringing extensive will racecar EFIsave experience to this NASCAR shoppers try and by buying a different (andinitiative. possibly Technically speaking, the main difference is that the NASCAR inferior) product, and will wonder why the taste and result is race vehicle is subjected to many different operating conditions different.

Business models are like recipes: it has been repeated than production cars, so we are focusing on those differences time after the timenew andsystem shownistorobust. be successful, so why would to ensure We are looking forwardyou to testing and EFIyou at the change the implementing ingredients when areracetrack.” looking for that result?”

“Wesays fully support the move to fuel in are NASCAR. Joly the best advice he can giveinjection shops that considIt’s been a topic of discussion by the is manufacturers and ering whether to join a banner program to simply phone a NASCAR for a number of years, and we’re pleased to see few existing members and ask them about their experiences. it progressing forward,” says Jamie Allison, director, Ford “We find once shops get over the psychological barrier of North America Motorsports. joining the group, they quickly “It’s a big change for our sportsee andthe it’sbenefits.” an exciting time to be more blunt. to builder, look at itRoush from an Frank engineBlandizzi guy,” saysis Doug Yates, “You chief need engine Yates an Engines.

“We’ve these carburetors forsays. many years, both offensive and ahad defensive position,” he “Offenso the banners move to fuel something we welcome. sively, offerinjection businessis really support, insurance relationI think it’sother going to be athat lot you of fun getting prepared. ships and benefits might not get on yourThese own. carburetors done a position, good job for longway time, we think And from ahave defensive it’s athe thebut industry is fuel injection can help us tune each cylinder more precisely and going: If you don’t join one, chances are the shop down the probably clean up some emissions off-throttle, which is good street will. And thensport. you’llWhen be at ayou disadvantage.” and healthy for the also consider the change NASCAR made this year with the E15 fuel, the sport is definitely heading in the right direction and doing some really good things.”

Continued from page 31

be designed to operate within defined parameters to generate the right flow characteristics forup thethe engine in name, question. the most fuel basic: reluctance to give shop’s which For NASCAR, the engines put out about 800 hp. Online may already be well established in the area – and cost. calculators put the flow of the injector at the 650 cc/min level; “Some bannerstorequire name, but pretty highother performance be sure,you butto nottake the their highest available we fromdon’t,” Bosch.says Autopro’s Joly. “That’s something that we It ison; likely NASCAR verykeep closely at identity. the flow thrive ourthat main goal is istolooking help you your rate specification ensure teams won’t make We’re also one ofto the bestthat from a cost point ofmore view,horsesince power than they do It is also that NASCAR we don’t charge ancurrently. astronomical ratethe to case join.”

Most if not plans to retain theadds, use ofcan theberestrictor at therebates, superall of the cost, he recoupedplate through speedways, rather than throttling back the fuel injection discounts and could the improved profitability from system, which be done with the clickthat of a accrues few computer becoming a part of an organization like this. keys. (One technology step at a time, presumably.)

The bestyou waywere to recoup the investment of joining a network In case thinking that somehow NASCAR teams and techsadvantage aren’t sophisticated enough the is to take of the support that alltoofunderstand these programs technology, thinkentirety. again. For years, shops NASCAR have provide, in their Yet some join, teams then fail to been take loading upoftheir carsbenefits with sensors, instrumentation, and data advantage all the – a choice that Bruce Tokiwa of acquisition during testing, only to pull all that technology Maaco Canada says is akin to leaving profits on the table. off “It the car for race weekends, as required by NASCAR. Their race would be [like] shopping for theand ingredients a recipe, and engineers are second to none, it is thatofrealization by then buying only a portion of the ingredients and expecting NASCAR that kept fuel injection on the sidelines; the NASitCAR to look andknow tastehow as ittoappears the book!” says. “Some people monitorincheating withhe carbs, but they weren’t so confident about being able to do it with fuel injection.

“Almost all of the engineers that work in Dodge Motorsports

Automotive Internet Directory Visit these companies directly at their web addresses or check out the growing list of Hot Links at www.autoserviceworld.com.

To find out how your organization can be included in this directory and on the web, contact aross@jobbernews.com

AUTOMOTIVE PARTS & ACCESSORIES Goodyear Engineered Products www.goodyearep.com/aftermarket www.goodyearbeltsandhose.com The officially licensed belt of NASCAR. Gatorback, the quiet belt.

You can never replace Goodyear quality.

NGK Spark Plugs Canada Limited www.ngksparkplugs.ca The World Leader in Spark Plugs, Oxygen Sensors and Ignition Wire Sets.

Used by 87% of the World’s OE Manufacturers S.B International Inc. www.sbintl.com “We keep engines humming”

AUTOMOTIVE RECYCLERS Carcone’s Auto Recycling and Wheel Refinishing www.carcone.com With over 32 years of experience Carcone’s Auto Recycling & Wheel Refinishing is your one stop for quality recycled products and wheel refinishing needs. Call today at 1-800-263-2022 or visit us on line at www.carcone.com Standard Auto Wreckers View Our Online Inventory @ www. standardautowreckers. com or call 416-286-8686.

Experienced Shipping Department to Ensure Parts Arrive Safely.

32 Bodyshop l August 2011 l www.bodyshopbiz.com

AUGUST COUNTER p26,28.indd 28 AUGUST banner p30,31,32.indd 32

HAND CLEANERS GOJO Industries, Inc. www.automotive.gojo.com GOJO is a leading manufacturer of skin care products and services for many marketing including automotive and manufacturing. GOJO continues to pursue a commitment of creating well-being through hand hygiene and healthy skin.

REFRIGERANT

WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTORS & BUYING GROUPS The E.R.I. Group

www.theerigroup.com Canada’s Premier Machine Shop Buying Group

Kerr Machine Shop Group Inc.

Duracool Refrigerants

www.duracool.com Nationally Distributed by: Deepfreeze Refrigerants Inc. The Leaders in Hydrocarbon Refrigerant Technology. Guaranteed In writing not to harm any Mobile A/C System. You can feel the Difference that Quality Makes. “Our Formula Never Changes”.

www.kerrmachineshopgroup.com Buying group for machine shops and performance shops.

TOOLS & EQUIPMENT AIR LIQUIDE CANADA INC. www.airliquide.ca Your one-stop shop for all your industrial gases and welding supplies.

WAREHOUSE DISTRIBUTORS & BUYING GROUPS Bestbuy Distributors Limited www.bestbuyautoparts.ca Independent buying group and warehouse distributor that allocates its profits to member shareholders and provides unbeatable value for independent jobbers.

28

03/08/11 8:11 AM 04/08/11 9:53 AM

products

Paint Restoration Kit

New Colour Documentation System

Meguiar’s is introducing its new Brilliant Solutions Paint Restoration Kit. In this convenient new kit, Meguiar’s has eliminated the guesswork and confusion over which products are “right” to rejuvenate a neglected paint surface.

The kit contains five specifically selected, clearcoat-safe paint care products along with the tools: two Supreme Shine microfibre towels and two Soft Foam applicator pads. This combination of products and tools safely and effectively restores dull paint, producing maximum results and a stunning new-car shine every time.

Meguiar’s www.meguiars.com

AkzoNobel Automotive & Aerospace Coatings (A&AC) is putting a new sheen on a trusted colour tool with its release of Sikkens ColorScala Pro, Second Edition, an upgrade on its variant colour documentation system. The vehicle refinishing industry is already familiar with ColorScala Pro, but with this second edition, repair professionals get higher-gloss paint swatches that provide more accurate and reliable colour representation. That means even better colour accuracy, which is, after all, the outcome that matters most to customers. Changes in the paint formulation deliver improved durability as well.

The product is also produced more sustainably than the previous release, and is tailored to local needs with specific content for North America, EMEA, Japan, and Australia-New Zealand.

“Both our customers and sales force have been enthusiastic about the colour accuracy of ColorScala Pro since we first introduced it three years ago,” comments Ralf Schueler, marketing director, A&AC. “Now, with the second edition, we are making an upgrade in terms of quality while also adopting production methods that result in less paint and less waste to achieve better results.

AkzoNobel www.akzonobel.com

Floor Cleaner

advertiser index Akzo Sikkens

Packaged in a 1.5 oz. premeasured packet, new Oil Eater Floor Cleaner simplifies the task of cleaning grease and grime from floors and walls, and costs pennies per use. The premeasured packets help maintain proper dilution and control wasteful overuse. The highly concentrated cleaner can be used in a mop bucket or floor scrubber.

One packet produces 2.5 gallons of cleaner that quickly dissolves grease, oil, and fats. Additional packets may be used for larger areas. The eco-friendly product is biodegradable, non-corrosive, non-toxic, and non-flammable. It contains no acids, abrasives, or petroleum solvents.

The product is available in a case pack containing 100 packets as well as in 100 lb. kegs. Packaging features bilingual instructions.

Oil Eater www.oileater.com

12,13

www.paintitwithwater.com

Alsa

24

www.alsarefinish.com

DuPont Performance Coatings

5

www.cromax.dupont.com

First Choice Auto Repair Systems

9

www.ezpartorder.com

Ford Motor Company

35

www.ford.ca

I-Car

11

www.i-car.ca

Impact Auto Auctions

14

www.impactauto.ca

Lord Fusor

21

www.Fusor.com

Mirka

15

www.mirka.ca

NACE

19

www.ASRWEVENTS.com

Pro-Spray Automotive Refinish

36

www.ProSprayFinishes.com

Rondex

7

www.rondex.ca

SEMA SHOW 2011

25

www.SEMAshow.com/BSB

Spraytech

2

www.spraytech.com

Transtar Autobody Technologies

23

www.TAT-CO.com

Wanda Waterbase

17

www.wandarefinish.com

www.bodyshopbiz.com l August 2011 l Bodyshop 33

AUGUST PRODUCTS P33.indd 33

05/08/11 8:54 AM

from the publisher

I-CAR IS BACK, NOW IT’S YOUR TURN I know that not everyone was a huge supporter of the idea that the Automotive Industries Association of Canada would take on the I-CAR collision industry training.

For many in the collision industry, the AIA was an unknown. Its contact with the industry happened mainly at the upper corporate level, though it must be said, that involvement was deep. Two industry stalwarts – Larry Jefferies of CARSTAR, and Mike Bryan, now of the Canadian Collision Industry Forum but formerly of ICI Autocolor – both served as chairs of the association. And the PBE Council, which has come and gone a few times over the years, has done some seminal work in terms of research and liaising with government bodies.

So it’s not as if the AIA’s commitment to the sector was a passing fancy.

Still, for many in the industry, the association was an unknown, in far-off Ottawa, without the kind of “street cred” of some other groups with a longer history at the grassroots.

So it was quite natural that they viewed the running of I-CAR with some trepidation.

After all, how could an organization with so little prior history with this type of initiative be successful?

Of course those skeptics didn’t know the AIA the way many of us who have had more experience with them did; in my two decades I have gained a tremendous amount of respect for the organization through a number of administrations.

The fact is that the AIA has become very good at doing a great deal with a great little.

And that reality is now coming home to roost with the I-CAR initiative. Student units are already increasing – some 8,500 are expected this year – and though it is a far cry from the industry high of 21,000, it is moving in the right direction.

Confidence with the insurance sector is also increasing – lest we forget, the Gold Class Certification is sought after by many shops not just as a feel-good proposition, but as a necessity dictated by insurers. When training capabilities dipped, that mandate became tougher to deliver.

With an expanded group of trainers and an expanded set of courses at its disposal, it is my hope that many independent insurers will step up and be prepared to pay those who have earned the Gold Class certification the respect they have earned, with the work they deserve and the door rates they require.

And probably the biggest plum of all is that it is under the AIA’s oversight that Quebec shops are finally going to get a considerable influx of translated courses, courtesy of an infusion from Quebec public monies.

If nothing else, this should demonstrate to any remaining non-believers that the AIA is serious about getting I-CAR back to where it should be.

Here’s what you can do: make a real commitment to I-CAR by putting training into your budget for 2012. Detail it as a line item and then send that message up through I-CAR to ensure that you have the training available that you need, where you need it.

And deliver on your commitment. I-CAR is back in a strong position in Canada as a reliable, high-quality training resource. Don’t let the opportunity pass you by.

B Andrew Ross aross@bodyshopbiz.com

34 Bodyshop l August 2011 l www.bodyshopbiz.com

AUGUST PUBLISHER p34.indd 34

04/08/11 9:23 AM

THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF SERVICE? THE PARTS. Start the job right with quality Ford collision parts. They’re new Original Equipment parts complete with a lifetime warranty* and engineered specifically for all Ford and Lincoln vehicles. So the vehicle maintains its earned safety rating. And looks and performs like it did before the accident. For the best fit and more satisfied customers, choose Ford collision parts from your local Ford Store. See dealer for details.

*Ford Protection Plan is only available for non-commercial cars and light trucks. If an eligible Ford, Motorcraft® or Ford-approved part fails due to a defect in material or workmanship, wear out or rust through, it will be replaced at no charge as long as the original purchaser of the part owns the vehicle on which the part was installed. Labour is covered for the first 12 months or 20,000 km (whichever occurs first) after the date of installation. Emergency brake pads are not eligible under this plan. See Service Advisor for complete details and limitations.

13899_A_R1_PSACollision_8.125x10.875.indd 1

7/28/11 11:42 AM

FORD P35.indd 35

04/08/11 9:14 AM

800.776.0933

ProSprayFinishes.com

ProSprayH2O.com

The Ultimate in Refinishing Technology and Value

Pro-spray p36.indd 36

05/08/11 10:06 AM