The December issue of Collision Management is now available online. You can flip through it here, but first, a few words from the Editior-in-Chief of Collision Management, Huw Evans.

Getting the Job Done
Having the right equipment is more critical than ever.

It’s hard to believe the end of the year is upon us. It seems like yesterday we were just toasting the start of 2016 and the possibilities it might bring. Certainly a big topic this year for the collision industry has been the continuing growth in OEM certification and the need for shops to understand the complexities of different substrates and technology they have to work with on repairing the latest generation of vehicles. Examples include structural holding and also welding, which you can read about beginning on page 20.

Smooth process

There’s also the question of insuring the repair process goes as smoothly as possible, and a good deal of that comes down to ensuring the right parts, products and equipment is readily available. Our cover story charts the introduction of Uni-Select’s FinishMaster brand to Canada, where it hopes to build on the considerable success already enjoyed south of the border in the U.S. FinishMaster has been able to build an enticing purchase proposition for collision shops, through its network of both corporately owned and independent jobber locations and a service and support network that’s second to none.

Although it sometimes seems that the challenges facing us continue to increase, whether its through vehicle complexity, cycle times and customer expectations, the flip side is that we’ve never had as many specialized tools and services at our disposal to help the job go smoother and more efficiently. There’s more choice than ever and although it requires careful research and selection, there’s an ideal solution for just about every business out there.

And, as I reflect back on another dynamic year in the collision sector, it will be interesting to see how 2017 shapes up. One thing’s for certain: it won’t be dull. In the meantime, best wishes for the holiday season and we’ll see you in the New Year!

Click here to read Collision Management December 2016