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Letter to the Editor

Popcorn and Lemonade

Summer movie releases can be lots of fun - plenty of action, familiar characters, and new adventures. This month’s feature article is, like many summer movies, a “Part 2.”

Last month, INSIGHT looked at the impact of State Farm’s new DRP package on collision repair facilities. The sequel, “Goodbye Insurance Work... Hello Profit?” introduces some real food for thought for all body shops regardless of decisions made to participate in any or several insurer direct repair programs.

This month’s cast of characters are body shop owners who have paid close attention to what has been happening in the Collision Repair Industry over the last several years. Reading over their stories makes a few things very clear. First, these guys like what they do for a living.

Secondly, they kept learning and were willing to change and take carefully thought-out chances to improve their businesses. These guys made lemonade when life handed them lemons.

Third, they tossed out some seeds - some possible diversified ways to offer some services - and they made some popcorn! Some of those seeds became important and profitable activities.

Part 3 can be scripted at other auto body shops by INSIGHT readers willing to take what they know about the economic climate, their insurance partners, their customers, and their operations’ strengths and weaknesses.

Last month’s TrendLine, about paint company support and services, needs some explanation and clarification. The survey results are, each month, based only on responses to INSIGHT’s faxed survey that goes out to our subscriber collision repair shops. As such, national statistics cannot be assumed from the numbers we report in any TrendLine. In particular, paint company market shares can in no way be suggested by our June TrendLine numbers. INSIGHT regrets any confusion caused.

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