Published in Texas Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing Operating a collision repair facility is similar to a marriage in many ways; both require commitment, communication and resilience, especially when times get tough. As we learned from local and national industry experts, in order to survive and ultimately thrive, shops now must get creative, adjusting strategies and riding the unpredictable waves of economic uncertainty to stay afloat and emerge successfully. After several years of nurturing a heavier workload than normal, the market began shifting downward last year. “Not since the pandemic year of 2020 have so many US shops reported six-month sales and net profit being below the same period a…

Published in Hammer & Dolly – Thomas Greco Publishing Debate has raged between shops and insurers regarding the necessity of performing OEM procedures – particularly when the vehicle manufacturer identifies a procedure as “recommended,” instead of “required.” But does a mere shift in semantics really make that much of a difference? A Scanning Case Study The trajectory taken by scanning requirements provides strong evidence that makes all the difference. It began when multiple vehicle manufacturers took a stand…and started a movement.  Although OEMs began incorporating advanced technology in their vehicles in the 1990s, few position statements were issued about the need for scanning until 2016 when manufacturers began declaring the necessity of…

Published in New Jersey Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing Meeting any goal begins with setting the goal, establishing steps to achieve it and then monitoring how well those actions help one move toward the objective. Businesses of all types often rely on specific key performance indicators (KPIs) to help them “keep score” and identify needed adjustments. Which KPIs are most important? KPIs can vary widely from industry to industry and even business to business, and while mechanical shops may find it useful to track some of the same KPIs as collision centers, dealerships and other companies, it may be helpful to look at things a little differently.  First, it’s imperative…

Published in New England Automotive Report – Thomas Greco Publishing Gaps, misalignments, improper functioning…every collision repair professional recognizes the likelihood of encountering these challenges when dealing with aftermarket parts instead of OEM parts. Yet, collision repairers often find themselves being pressured to utilize these parts based on third-party payers’ insistence that they are of “like kind and quality.”  A simple Google search for “are aftermarket parts of like kind and quality” yields an AI overview response that reads: “No, aftermarket parts are not inherently of ‘like kind and quality’ as Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) parts; while some aftermarket parts are designed to meet OEM standards, many are not, and their…

Published in AASPMN News – Thomas Greco Publishing Not too long ago, it was extremely rare to see a woman working in a repair shop – mechanical or collision – but these days, more women are changing careers and lending their unique skill sets to the automotive industry. With backgrounds in a variety of fields, these ladies bring unique insights and perspectives to their businesses. Angela Wishard-Thomas co-owns Lancer Service (St. Paul) alongside her husband Carl, but before “stepping into the automotive world,” she enjoyed a sales career in the print and paper industry, helping corporations and marketing agencies with their marketing communications needs. “I absolutely loved working in that…

Published in New Jersey Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing Right to Appraisal empowers policyholders to dispute unfair insurance claim settlements following a car accident, but as an increasing number of New Jersey carriers remove or limit the Appraisal Clause offered in their policies, AASP/NJ has voiced its support of Senate Bill (SB) 4534, legislation proposed by Senator Paul Moriarty (D-District 4) that seeks to require all automotive insurance policies issued in the Garden State to include the Appraisal Clause, providing policyholders with the means for a fair appraisal and adequate indemnification. (Read the bill in its entirety at bit.ly/SB4534.) Last month, New Jersey Automotive discussed why it’s so important for policyholders to retain…

Published in New England Automotive Report – Thomas Greco Publishing Artificial intelligence (AI) seems to be everywhere these days. Call your credit card company to question a suspicious charge, and you’re likely to encounter an automated “customer service representative.” Or simply queue up Siri on your iPhone to initiate a search.  AI has also made its way into the automotive industry with many ADAS features – including lane assist, adaptive cruise control, collision avoidance and more – relying on this technology to analyze data from sensors and cameras to enhance vehicle safety and prevent accidents. Insurers have also embraced AI with an increasing use of chatbots and reliance on photo…

Published in New England Automotive Report – Thomas Greco Publishing Collision repair is a diverse industry that offers a multitude of career opportunities, and while one may typically think of those options as including roles within the shop – owner, estimator, technician, refinish, admin, etc. – a whole world of possibilities exists outside of those four walls with a plethora of positions that offer individuals to play to their strengths as a part of this fascinating field. For some, the journey begins in the shop. Mike Johnson (Crown Collision Solutions) is a 42-year collision industry veteran who worked in various roles as a body, paint and frame technician, an independent appraiser, shop…

Published in New Jersey Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing While it may come as no surprise to body shop owners who deal with insurance companies every day, many consumers may be shocked when their carrier offers a significantly lower settlement to cover the cost of repairs after an accident. Instead of fully indemnifying them for the amount of loss, insurers employ tactics designed to increase insurer profits at the expense of their policyholders.  Of course, in this situation, consumers can turn to small claims court to sue their insurer for the difference, but litigation is expensive, time-consuming and overwhelming. Fortunately, there’s a better way! Many auto insurance policies contain the…

Published in Hammer & Dolly – Thomas Greco Publishing Maintaining the health of your business is similar to nurturing your physical health; both require training, fueling it with the right supplies and managing stress. And when something seems out of whack, it just might be time to make a change. In last month’s Hammer & Dolly (available at grecopublishing.com/hd0725coverstory), several industry “doctors” prescribed repair planning as the right medicine for creating consistency and enhancing the customer experience, which results in improving profitability. An accurate repair plan allows shops to know exactly what to anticipate throughout the repair process, reducing administrative burden and preventing workflow interruptions. It is not surprising that shops focused on…

Published in New Jersey Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing Every day, the collision repair industry changes. Shops face a heavy load of challenges that come in many forms – from consolidation and workforce shortages to technological advances and contention with third-party payers. Yet, the need for vehicle repairs remains consistent, demanding shops keep up with the constant evolution of the industry to remain competitive and profitable. Those unwilling to put in the work to strengthen their businesses just might see their doors shuttered before long.  But what are the biggest changes and challenges facing the industry? And how can shops make sure they’re strong enough to carry the burden? New Jersey…

Published in Texas Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing ABAT’s Texas Auto Body Trade Show has grown exponentially since it began in 2016, and its success can largely be attributed to the association’s willingness to branch out and try something new. This has been the case each year, and 2025 is certainly no different! Taking place September 12-13 in its new location, at the Marriott Dallas Allen Hotel and Convention Center in Allen, the 2025 Texas Auto Body Trade Show promises to deliver the same high-energy education presentations that attendees have come to expect from the event, but as always (in true Texan fashion), it just keeps getting bigger and better…

Published in New Jersey Automotive – Thomas Greco Publishing OEM procedures – jump! ADAS – jump! EVs – jump! Insurer estimates – jump (and try not to fall)! Change is the only constant in the ever-evolving auto body industry, and it seems like clearing one hurdle only brings you closer to the next one on the path. As you spring over each one, the likelihood of stumbling and falling may seem like an inevitability, but shops determined to go the distance recognize the best way to overcome those obstacles is to “pole vault” over the barriers keeping them from moving forward. Association membership provides collision professionals with the right equipment…

Published in New England Automotive Report – Thomas Greco Publishing For nearly half a decade, body shops have been juggling more work than they could handle, and then suddenly – BOOM! Things shifted; volume has been decreasing in repair facilities across the country since last year.  “Not since the pandemic year of 2020 have so many US shops reported six-month sales and net profit being below the same period a year earlier,” Crash Network reported in April, citing its recent “Collision Industry Business Perspectives” survey. “Nearly half (46 percent) said their sales and net profit in the second half [of] 2024 were down from what they were in the second half of…