2020 has been anything but normal. 

For me It has been a good learning experience, I will never take for granted going to a sporting event or a concert ever again. More importantly I will never take for granted the opportunity to get together with friends and family. It has been frustrating hard at times and I look forward to better days ahead.

On the other hand, I have had some good experiences. I realize that I can be more productive by using technology to connect with groups of people from different parts of the world. ZOOM has allowed me to attend numerous training events (most for free) or connect with our stakeholders to discuss issues that affect our industry. Don’t get me wrong, I still think an “in person” meeting is much better but from time to time an online meeting is very convenient and inexpensive.

I want to wish you all a Merry Christmas, it will be different this year, but it is still a time to draw near to those you love and care about – even if it is outside in small groups or online. Just don’t take them for granted!

adasThink software was the winner of SEMA’s Best New Product Award for 2020. If you have not seen the product and what it can do you can contact Joe Cardiff at joe.cardiff@hotmail.com and he will do up to 6 estimates for you to show you what ADAS systems are on the vehicle you are working on and what calibrations it may need.

This software is used upfront during the estimating and blueprinting process of the job. Check it out for free now.

All your ADAS Information at your Fingertips

  1. ADAS Equipment
  • Retrieve equipped ADAS
  • As-built data for many OEMS
  • Optional equipment prompts

     2. Required Calibrations

  • Identify required ADAS calibrations based on your specific labor operations
  • OEM calibration requirements from their service manuals
  • Seat weight sensor calibrations

     3. Documentation

  • OEM documentation for calibration requirements
  • OEM calibration instructions
  • OEM documentation links to ALLDATA

 

I had a great conversation last week with SGI about Salvage Parts and some issues that shops have been having with the quality of them that render them unacceptable for a claim. Verne Sebesten is the head guy at salvage, and he made it clear that if there are issues, he would like to know about them and make sure they are corrected.

He also mentioned that shops should consider calling their SGI parts guy to discuss any issues with parts and they will work with to make sure you are happy. If you have issues with SGI Salvage parts you can send an email to me, but I need a claim number, copy of the invoice and a photo of the part if possible. I will forward the information to SGI on your behalf.

Whether you are thinking of selling your collision repair business or interested in acquiring an additional business, Collision Builders is here to assist you. We are uniquely qualified to provide both buyers and sellers with the information needed to make smart business decisions regarding your current and future plans.

We are engaged in the Saskatchewan market. We currently have two clients in Saskatchewan we are working with as well as clients in Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.

Reach out to us for a no cost or obligation initial discussion.

Today’s collision repair technicians are enjoying more professional and financial opportunities than ever before, while also experiencing unprecedented challenges, including a pandemic. Amid these realities, rapidly changing vehicle technologies and materials require technicians who have the training and ability to utilize information, knowledge and skills to repair damaged vehicles correctly. Check out the latest addition of I-CAR’s Collision Reporter here.

DESTRUCTIVE TEST WELDS

How is it going out there? Are you making any headway with documenting Destructive Test Welds? Check out the PowerPoint in the link below to see what I-CAR’s Toby Chess has put together on Destructive Test Welds including Position Statements from Ford, Toyota, Audi, Nissen and Honda. Here is the PowerPoint.

And a great article on Destructive Test Welds

Followed by an example of how to properly document them for SGI.

If a shop has specific examples – claim numbers, it would be very helpful (I know we had some issues between the 2 applications recently – which we have recently resolved – I’m wondering if this could be related).  Thanks, I hope this helps.

Check out this article in Fender Bender Magazine then read Bruce King’s response below, do you agree with Bruce?

I respectfully disagree with Mr. Marlow’s suggestions that it is incumbent upon the repair shop to “prove” why a repair was necessary after a shop has made those repairs. His comments suggest that OEM Repair Specifications don’t apply to all damaged vehicle repairs therefore allowing Allstate, in this case, to continue to ignore Manufacturer Repair Specifications to which his appraisers will independently determine whether or not Allstate will pay for those OEM repairs after the repairs have been completed.

Additionally, if Mr. Marlow is saying that Allstate is relying on collision shops to train their people on OEM Repair Specifications, I suggest that Allstate has bigger problems. This sounds like business as usual and a tactic to shift more claims handling costs and responsibilities onto repairers, without compensation. I suggest that Allstate and every other insurer faces the fact that technology has changed our entire industry and that the shops that intend to prevail through this change will have to make huge investments in training, equipment, and systemic repair process improvements, all costing hundreds of thousands of dollars.

To put it another way…The sale is over, sorry you missed it!