SCOTTSDALE, ARIZ. — Mark A. Bono, current I-CAR instructor and Business Development Manager for Adrian’s Collision Centers and a former shop owner, presented a session titled “Your first aluminum estimate—are you ready?” for a roomful of shop owners at the PPG MVP Conference, which took place April 24-26 in Scottsdale, Ariz.
Bono’s presentation focused on the multifaceted nature of aluminum repair that shop owners must take into consideration when planning for future aluminum repair work. Addressing over 60 attendees, Bono opened the presentation stating, “The goal is to talk about this new precipice that we’re at in the body shop industry. At some point you’re going to have to fix aluminum vehicles, and you have already made or will make a substantial investment in aluminum-specific equipment.”
While special tools, equipment, training and shop space dedicated solely to aluminum repair might be the first things that come to a shop owner’s mind when considering investing to prepare his or her shop for aluminum intensive vehicles, Bono stressed that understanding the material and its repairability is essential to grasping the full breadth of the investment. For example, Bono explained that due to the fact that aluminum work-hardens faster than steel, it takes more effort, skill and time—due to additional procedural steps—to move aluminum than it does to move steel.
More importantly, shop owners need to be able to share knowledge of aluminum’s unique qualities with insurers. Bono explained, “You need to be an expert so that you can have an informed conversation with insurers so they know what repairing aluminum takes and costs. You need to be able to explain to insurers how aluminum is different than other materials; its repairability and repair techniques; and the special equipment, materials, training and certifications it requires.” He continued, “Cars and repairability are changing so rapidly, but labor rates aren’t necessarily changing with them. Shops today will be setting the precedence for aluminum repair and labor rates with insurers—make sure you are an expert.”
Another dimension to aluminum repair investment that Bono discussed is that certifications for aluminum repair do not often cross over to multiple manufacturers. Additionally, some manufacturers require the use of specific equipment that might not be applicable to other manufacturers.
Thus, shop owners need to carefully assess their business and the vehicles they see in their shop in order to choose a strategy that will accommodate the forthcoming aluminum repairs and will allow them to pay off the investment. Addressing return on investment for aluminum repair, Bono explained, “You’re going to have limited potential in recouping your investment. Making the investment in aluminum repair does not guarantee an increase in sales. The investment includes tools, training, shop space, inventory, etc., and these investments will not replace current expenses—they will be additional. Lastly, this investment may not increase your work load, but it may allow you to continue to repair the vehicles you’ve always been fixing.”
While Bono’s presentation may have proved that aluminum repair investment is challenging at best, he ended on a hopeful call to action. Bono encouraged attendees, “As I said before, you are all experts at what you do. My goal here was to give you enough food for thought so that you can go back to your shop and make an intelligent decision.”
