January 12, 2010
In This Issue
* IBIS raising the standard for 2010 symposium
* Apprentices pay
* The next breakthrough in fuel efficiency: traffic lights
* GM approves new Sherwin-Williams paint
* The Hatch Jammer XL
* Co-Auto's Fusor Seminar this Thursday
* Also in the news...
 

or click to send us an email
publisher@collisionrepairmag.com

Please Note: Any submission made to Collision Repair Magazine can be used in whole or in part, and published by Media Matters Inc.
Join Our Mailing List!
Can you believe?

          CR logo

>> Big money!

Globally, the collision repair industry is worth $175 billion annually.

This web page is powered by: 
media matters logo
VISIT US

Subscribe to Collision Repair magazine today and get everything you need to know about the auto industry!

Greetings!

Sometimes weeks seem like they're scripted--they follow too tightly to a theme to be random. The script at CRM this week seemed pretty interested in information management.

In the past seven days, just about every piece of data that's passed through our office has died and required a resurrection. In some cases we were prepared, in others less so. Which all drove home the importance of having a plan in place.

As collision repairers, you're sitting on an ever-growing mountain of data. Hopefully, you have iron-clad safeguards in place already to protect your information (CAA SCO made big steps in this direction this week).

But data management is more exciting than back-ups and failsafes. Earlier today I visited Vancouver's AutoMind Collision. They've made considerable strides to streamlining operations and eliminating unnecessary communication by finding creative ways to store and share their data. As a result, they're quite a bit further down the "lean" road than they would be otherwise.

Data management is certainly not a be-all and end-all solution, but it's something that--if you plan for it--could save your operation some time, headaches and money down the road.

Just a thought.

Take care,

-Joe Rayment
Editor
editor@collisionrepairmag.com
Collision Repair Magazine


IBIS has released details for its 2010 convention, which will
take place June 9-11 in London, England. The symposium will focus broadly on the issues of standards and industry consolidation.


The average return on investment for an automotive apprentice is between $1.69-$1.97 for every dollar spent, according to a recent study by Canadian Auto Repair and Services.

The next breakthrough in fuel efficiency: traffic lights


A special team at the German automaker BMW is looking to bolster new intelligent communication software, which allows vehicles to communicate with roads and intersections to ease traffic flow and reduce travel time.

This software will not only enhance driver satisfaction during their ride, but it will also improve fuel efficiency, reduce emissions and be generally better for the environment.



General Motors has approved, on a global basis, the HPC21 clearcoat with Air Dry Technology from Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corp. (SWAFC). HPC21 has undergone the extensive certification process to meet the GMW15406 standard that General Motors sets to assure that vehicles repaired at their dealerships use automotive refinish products of the highest quality.



Steck Manufacturing Company has released the Hatch Jammer XL (PN 17200). The Hatch Jammer XL allows collision repair technicians to hold lift gates or hatches in a partially open position for sanding, painting or buffing, like they do today with the original Hatch Jammer, to totally open to easily replace lift struts or to work inside the hatch or cargo area without having the hatch fall.


Event Flyer Don't forget: Co-Auto is hosting a special education event for all of its GTA customers & associates. They are introducing a Weld Bond Training course from Fusor scheduled for January 14th at Leons Auto Body (9 Vanley Crescent, North York).

You can view the event's full flyer here.

That's all for another week. Make sure to visit collisionrepairmagazine.com every day for the latest news.
Sincerely,
 

The Collision Repair Team.