For collision centres, maximizing repair efficiency is a key driver, yet given the complexity of modern vehicle design, engineering and features, achieving it can be a challenge, especially in view of the different substrates that technicians are required to work with, along with scanning and ADAS calibrations—not to mention ensuring they’re current with the latest OEM repair procedures for that specific vehicle.

Full assessment 

Getting a handle on repair efficiency today, starts with establishing predictability early on. At CARSTAR Arnprior, in the Ottawa Valley region of Ontario, Manager Laura Trousdale says that it begins with fully assessing the repairs required and identifying operations at each stage of the process. “Proactively subletting specialized repairs, conducting wheel and alignment checks, and doing thorough research on OEM procedures all contribute to smoother workflows,” Trousdale explains.

She says that at CARSTAR Arnprior, “we’ve created a culture where the team understands that these initial steps benefit both the customer and the shop by reducing stress, minimizing feedback loops, and preventing delays.” By taking this approach, the shop team can ensure that each job progresses without stop-starts, leading to predictable results and no surprises during or at the end of the repair.

Current technologies

Dustin King, District Sales Manager for Mirka in Ontario, says that today, it’s critical in understanding the current technologies available in both tools and materials in order to streamline labour and ensure safe, consistent and efficient repairs. “Choosing products that are built to reduce inventory and eliminate unnecessary steps can quickly impact the labour side of repairs,” states King.

When it specifically comes to labour intensive aspects of the repair, such as smoothing and sanding body panels, King says that going with an electric sander can be hugely beneficial in terms of labour savings and delivering consistent, quality of repairs. “Electric sanders can offer a greater level of control when it comes to speed, don’t rely on a compressor, and tend to offer lower noise levels.” Additionally, he notes that in the case of Mirka’s DEROS sanders, technicians can also monitor vibration levels via the myMirka app.

Today, many collision centres and their technicians are recognizing the benefits of using electric instead of pneumatic sanders and other tools, since not only do they help conserve energy, but also increase efficiency, since there’s less waste due to air leaks and constant compressor use. Additionally, electric tools tend to require less maintenance and improve shop efficiency, since staff don’t have to deal with multiple air hoses. 

Right processes 

Nevertheless, tools are only part of the equation and need to be augmented by the right processes and procedures in order to really maximize on repair efficiency. “Having the right process in place will go a long way to ensuring consistent, high-quality, repeatable repairs,” says King. He notes that by creating Standard Operating Procedures, shops can optimize material usage and create consistency in the repair process. Furthermore, SOPs can serve as a very effective way for onboarding new staff members, ensuring they get up to speed quickly and efficiently.

At CARSTAR Arnprior, Laura Trousdale notes that another key factor in maximizing repair efficiency is ensuring that technicians can stay focused on specific tasks. Preparing well in advance by performing research, setting up proper repair plans, and ensuring parts are mirror-matched to avoid delays are critical, she says.

“When the vehicle comes back into the shop, everything should be in place for the technician to simply begin repairs and move it to the painting stage,” she says. By handling all the groundwork ahead of time, Trousdale explains that the repair process can “move through the shop smoothly and predictably, from checking parts to completing the repairs and painting the vehicle.”

Right information

It’s also important to consider that when performing tasks such as prepping body panels for paint, that technicians properly work with the information that’s available to them. These not only include SOPs, but also OEM repair procedures as well as Technical Datasheets. “These will all help to build high-quality, repeatable repairs and remember that a clean start leads to a clean finish,” says Dustin King. He notes that by using the appropriate cleaning products where needed, incorporating dust-extraction during repairs, and wiping panels rather than blowing them off; will all contribute to achieving that consistent, high-quality finish during the repair process.

Labour considerations

While repair efficiency is a key driver for collision centres, at the end of the day, profit margins count. Today’s vehicles often require techniques such as rivet bonding or adding fasteners or clips when performing repairs and it’s important to ensure these labour steps are properly accounted for. J.R. Martino, Managing Partner and Vice President and Budds’ Collision Services in Oakville, Ont., explains that when billing for consumables, shops need to understand the labour that’s required for using these items when performing repairs such as removing old rivets or adhesives and adding new ones. “It’s all labour that’s required to do that,” he says. “You need to make sure you’re billing for all consumables and labour that’s required to bring the vehicle back to pre-collision condition utilizing the correct OEM procedures.” By doing so, he says, shops can not only be efficient with repairs, but also ensure they are properly compensated in recovering the costs of the consumables and labour required at each and every stage of that repair.