Your Source for Up-To-Date News and Research on the Collision Repair Industry
click here to subscribe to the FREE INSIGHT Editor's Desk News Alert Email
SUBSCRIBERS-ONLY
Today's News
INSIGHT This Month
INSIGHT Archives
Survey Center
Letter to the Editor
Business Tools
Subscription Information
CSI Reporting
Financial Analysis
IRS Audit Guide
Management/
Technical Info
Market Watch Rates
INSIGHT Inside this month's issue...
Feedback
Letter to the Editor
Tuesday March 14
Company-Owned CARSTAR Operations Set January Sales Record
CARSTAR Collision Services, the largest group of collision repair shops in North America, has announced that eleven of its company-owned, non-franchise stores have cracked an all-time 17-year sales record for the month of January.While the success of five individual stores led the pace, sales for all eleven company-owned operations, located in the Kansas City region, acontributed to the record month.
A company press release attributed the record sales to a growing dominance in market share, rather than poor weather conditions during an unseasonably mild January winter.
“All in all, it was a break-through month,” said CARSTAR President Dan Bailey. “We are extremely pleased with the performance of these operations and what it signifies about the entire CARSTAR organization.”
The eleven company-owned and managed stores serve as “test bed” operations for the entire CARSTAR network. They trial and implement all programs made available to the franchisees in the system. These programs have included an aggressive branding initiative, featuring new exterior and interior store graphics. Additionally, new operating procedures designed to deliver an enhanced customer experience have been introduced along with new industry-leading standards in store productivity.
While experiencing an increase in repair orders, the recent efforts improved cycle-times by more 30 percent. Combined with expanded and more responsive insurance relationships, the company-owned stores have been very successful.
According to CARSTAR CEO and Board Chairman Dick Cross III, “Despite competing in an industry where total revenues are declining at a level many experts cite at 10 percent and more, we are proving that in partnership with a national brand, with consistent systems and procedures, individually owned franchise operations can grow and continue to prosper.”
Headquartered in Overland Park, Kan., CARSTAR is the largest group of auto body repair shops in North America. The privately held company currently has 270 locations in 25 U.S. states and the District of Columbia, and 110 Canadian locations.
©2006 Collision Repair Industry INSIGHT
All Rights Reserved
FEATURED
LINKS:
INSIGHT Supports the NABC!
Do You?