As part of the Simplicity Car Care Growth Conference held in Montreal on September 17 and 18, franchised auto body shops could interact with suppliers and explore how the latter could support their growth and enhance their profitability.

For example, a team of experts welcomed auto body shop owners at the Les Entrepôts AB booth, a distributor of major equipment and tool brands. Visitors had the opportunity to explore and learn about, among other things, the diverse range of equipments essential for acquiring certifications from automobile manufacturers, which are crucial given the rise of automotive technologies.

Paint manufacturers, represented by teams from PPG, Axalta, and Sherwin Williams, had much to say about the importance of their partnership with auto body shops to improve performance in and around the paint booth.

There is a constant progression in technologies for developing automotive coatings, reducing the number of steps or drying times. Additionally, training clinics are offered to maximize painters’ efficiency. At the Axalta booth, for example, they explained that it is possible to measure paint performance and consumption in the paint chamber, allowing managers to monitor this significant expense item. A similar approach was seen at PPG, where they emphasized the need to measure the paint cost for each vehicle to obtain precise figures and work on the operation’s profitability. One of the solutions for this, as detailed by the Sherwin Williams team, is to take advantage of the supplier’s technical support.

Material suppliers, namely Norton and 3M, are aware that to maximize the profitability of auto body shops, every detail counts. At 3M, they offer inventory management that guarantees the shop will not run out of necessary materials to perform tasks. Norton also mentions the importance placed on developing increasingly efficient abrasives, offering precise and quick work.

The Dented company’s booth presented a turnkey approach to repairing hail damage. During hail episodes, the company conducts an assessment based on photos provided by the shop and proposes sending specialized technicians directly to the requesting auto body shop. It is an interesting complementary service offered, for now, only in the Prairies.

Parts management

Management software, whether digital tools for estimation assistance, parts ordering, or supervision of all shop operations, are also platforms that allow shops to be more efficient.

Whether it’s ALLDATA, Mitchell, or Solera (Audatex), the solutions offered to auto body shops allow for quick and accurate damage analysis, documentation, and work monitoring, particularly in regard to the restoration of advanced driver assistance systems. During this exhibition, visitors could witness demonstrations of these various platforms to see how their integration could improve their efficiency.

Progi and Uni-Pièces OEM, for their part, play an important role in parts ordering and management. We learned that even though supply has regained some stability, knowing exactly when parts will be available is at the heart of efficient production cycles. Speaking of parts, suppliers CarQuest, Bumper to Bumper, and LKQ were on site to discuss their collaboration with auto body shops. Building relationships with suppliers is essential when mechanical parts are needed for repairs. Moreover, LKQ, which also supplies body parts, can offer more economical solutions than original parts. Additionally, the vast catalogue of recycled parts, when they can be used in repairs, has a positive impact on the environmental burden and the total cost of work.

An interesting aspect was the financing of repairs discussed during our visit to the AutologiQ booth. This firm specializes in financing for consumers who wish to finance repairs not covered by their auto insurance. Its services, available in the rest of Canada, will soon be available in Quebec.

Enterprise Rent-A-Car also reported a growing trend of auto body shops utilizing their services, as this agency enables them to offload the complex management of courtesy vehicles.

Participants at the Simplicity Car Care Growth Conference gained valuable insights from these meetings with specialized suppliers, discovering innovative solutions to enhance various facets of their operations. The franchisees particularly appreciated the convenience of having all these industry experts gathered in one location, facilitating efficient networking and knowledge exchange.