Do It Once - and Do It Right

Being the computer nerd that I am, it is interesting to see that rekeying is shaping up to be a big topic for 2005. SCRS clearly demonstrated the cost, in dollars that must be subtracted directly from a repair facility’s bottom line, of this double-work task to the Collision Repair Industry.

Rekeying also takes a decidedly unpleasant toll on the morale of a busy staff in any body shop. Good employees see little value in doing the same thing twice. Computers are supposed to let people work more efficiently, are they not?

For all of our readers who rely on INSIGHT’s traditional January feature article that outlines current market trends and statistics, we regretfully have decided to hold off for a month or two on publishing this annual commentary, until we are able to study the latest numbers for the close of 2004.

The INSIGHT staff has been hard at work analyzing and crunching numbers, but we have conflicting data and prefer to hold off and make sure that we provide the accurate and consistent information that you have always been able to count on from INSIGHT.

What we do know is that the Collision Repair Market is flat, and probably down a bit. In some metropolitan areas, market activity is very slow. Mid-size body shops are experiencing bottom line problems, particularly in the nation’s mid-section. Winter was slow to arrive in the Midwest, but did arrive with a bang-up snowstorm. This may bring more vehicles to the door.

Insurers are looking at improved electronic communication with their DRP partners. They will definitely be interested in ending DRP relationships with facilities that are not top-quality in all aspects: appearance, equipment, customer satisfaction, quality of repair, electronic information, and efficiency.

What is clear is that, more than ever, a body shop must be excellent! Do it right! A good resolution for 2005.