Enjoying a season of change

Jan. 1, 2020
As we get ready for spring, ABRN is already in bloom with some new features

Although snow and ice are the collision repair industry’s best friends, there’s no denying that the change from winter to spring puts an added bounce in the steps of most of us Northerners. We’ve spent months shoveling and plowing mountains of snow, bogged down in heavy overcoats, scarves and hats, and basically trudging along in slop waiting for the skies to clear. And they have! Landscaping, garage cleaning, digging out the patio furniture—life is good.

Since change is part of the new season, this is a perfect time to alert you to some key changes in this magazine—ones that we think will help your business become more profitable and productive. As the trade’s leading publication we felt compelled to offer the industry more, in the way of news analysis and shop operations. It’s important for you to not only know what’s happening, but to know why it’s happening and how your business will be affected. Most importantly, we want you to take what you read in these pages each month and apply that knowledge to your business.

One step in this mission was the launch of our New Profit Centers feature, which actually debuted last October and reappeared last month with “Rental Car Revenue” (page 30). With so much pressure on your bottom line, we wanted to help you find other ways to improve your business. Apparently it worked, as one shop owner wrote me to say he appreciated the piece and he’s moving forward with plans to add rental cars to his business. New Profit Centers will continue next month when we discuss custom paint, and more topics will come later in the year.

As for changes appearing this month, you’ll have to look online at www.abrn.com, as well as within these pages to see what’s happening. On page 62 you’re going to see the first Shop Operations column from Contributing Editor Camille Eber, of Portland, Ore., who lends her experience as a shop owner to help you make your business better. Camille is a second-generation owner of Roth & Miller CARSTAR Autobody, Inc. This month she talks about streamlining the paperwork process by adopting a customer information form—something she uses at her shop. Her column will appear bimonthly and should give you plenty of thoughts for improving your operation.

Now for that online reference—we’re going electronic. Yes, we’ve had our Web site for years, but we wanted an electronic mechanism that brings you breaking news and original content you won’t find anywhere else. And it’s all free! This month we’re launching E-Pillar, an e-newsletter that will support the collision repair industry through up-to-the-minute industry news, exclusive online content, technical discussions and shop management features. There’s no doubt this resource will give you insight into the collision repair marketplace, so be sure to sign up soon at www.abrn.com/E-Pillar.

Those are just some of the changes taking place in our business. Going forward, you’ll certainly see more, and if you something appeals to you, let us know. After all, you’re the focal point of these changes—now and throughout the year.

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