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IBIS 2008: Core Changes Ahead |
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Written by Darryl Simmons
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Thursday, 12 June 2008 |
MONTREUX, SWITZERLAND -- June 12, 2008 -- Core changes are radically realigning the automotive industry, and the implications could be huge for the collision repair sector. That’s the message IBIS attendees heard from Dr. Peter Wells of the Centre for Automotive Research, Cardiff Business School. Dr. Wells spoke at the 2008 International Bodyshop Industry Symposium (IBIS). Collision Repair magazine is the Canadian Publisher Partner for IBIS. Dr. Wells set out key findings from important new research performed by himself and his colleagues. The research involves changes to the world’s automotive markets since 2000.
IBIS founder Chris Mann, gave the keynote speech on June 9. Mann presented his views on the international collision repair community, which he says is at a crossroads, one which may lead to a global business contraction that may mean the end of the line for many shops around the world.
IBIS 2008 took place at the Montreux Palace Hotel in Montreux, Switzerland. Sessions included “Vehicle Safety Systems and their impact on repairability” (Lead speaker: Michiel van Ratingen – Secretary General, Euro NCAP), “Staff - Resourcing for an unknown future” (Lead Speaker: Glenn Gibson – Global Chief Strategy Officer, Crawford & Company), “Improving the repair process - Can ‘lean’ work for the repair industry?” (Lead speaker: Gary Steele – Partner, Muradi LLP) and “Insurer/repairer relationships – Repairing a dysfunctional market.”
For more information on IBIS, please click here.
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Last Updated ( Monday, 16 June 2008 )
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Motion Sensing Technology Integrated with VirtualPaint |
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Written by CRM NEWS
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Thursday, 12 June 2008 |
BEDFORD, MA -- June 11, 2008 -- InterSense Incorporated, has announced its custom configured, IS-900 PCTracker motion tracking system has been integrated with Iowa Waste Reduction Center’s (IWRC) VirtualPaint solution, a computer simulation and virtual reality system designed to train spray technicians. VirtualPaint was developed by IWRC, a service of the University of Northern Iowa, to offer a safe, effective training tool that requires no additional set-up time for trainers or users, eliminating the use of coating or materials and also avoiding the creation of waste or air emissions.
Combining InterSense’s IS-900 system with the VirtualPaint solution delivers a rich experience that ensures users are properly trained. Mounting the robust, wireless sensor directly onto the instrumented spray gun enables the system to capture every nuance of motion with no jitter or latency, ensuring realistic simulation of spray operations. Previously, many spray technicians did not receive proper training due to the cost and time required, since companies were required to close facilities and waste materials for the sole purpose of training. Using the IS-900 system, the VirtualPaint solution ensures trainees can practice field-quality techniques while experiencing the true look, feel and sound of the spray gun.
InterSense’s IS-900 PCTracker combines with IWRC’s VirtualPaint solution to enable both new and experienced technicians to master various spray techniques by tracking all of the necessary data to evaluate performance. Visual representations of transfer efficiency, paint thickness and the amount of paint used can be viewed on a computer screen in conjunction with operation of the spray gun. Technicians can also use the accumulation mode to view the exact thickness of their virtual spray. The program also breaks down the color into shades of blue, green and red, allowing the technician to evaluate all aspects of their spray. In addition to assisting trainees in the mastery of spray operations, the solution conserves resources, as technicians no longer need to wait for coatings to be mixed, parts to dry or materials to be provided as they train.
“At the time VirtualPaint was being developed, our software developer recommended the InterSense IS-900 PCTracker system for multiple reasons,” said Joe Bolick, process research and education specialist, Iowa Waste Reduction Center. “Compared to other similar products, the InterSense PCTracker was not prone to interference and the flexible configuration tracked the spray gun in a wide variety of environments. In addition, the tracker fit the reliability and portability factors required by our customers.”
“We are pleased to continue our relationship with IWRC, and provide them with state-of-the-art motion management technology that fits both their application’s needs and their budget,” stated Mike Donfrancesco, VP Sales of InterSense. “Our versatile technology has the capability to track motion in virtually any environment and can be used in a variety of industries for training and evaluation purposes. The flexibility of our technology ensures it can be easily configured to meet custom requirements and offers strategic innovation to a virtually limitless number of organizations worldwide.”
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Last Updated ( Thursday, 12 June 2008 )
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I-CAR Appoints New Chief Executive |
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Written by CRM News
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Tuesday, 10 June 2008 |
HOFFMAN ESTATES, IL -- June 10, 2008 -- The International Board of Directors of the Inter-Industry Conference on Auto Collision Repair (I-CAR) has announced the appointment of John W. Edelen to the position of president and chief executive officer of the organization. Edelen has served as interim chief executive since November 2007.
Sam Pezzullo, Vice-Chairman of I-CAR’s International Board of Directors, made the announcement. “Since last November, at the request of the I-CAR Board, John Edelen has been serving as the Interim CEO of I-CAR. The Board is pleased with the progress that I-CAR is making under John’s leadership, and we want to see this progress continue. Through his appointment, we will be able to provide the organization with continuity, and build upon the early work that John has done with both the I-CAR Staff and Volunteers. John has resigned from his position as a member of the Board of Directors, and as Chairman, to assume this leadership role,” said Mr. Pezzullo.
Per the I-CAR Bylaws, Pezzullo, as vice-chair, will assume the responsibilities of the chairman position vacated due to Edelen’s resignation from the Board. |
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Is It Better to Own or Lease? |
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Written by Lloyd Manning
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Monday, 09 June 2008 |
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LLOYDMINSTER, SK -- June 9, 2008 -- Although not unique to this industry, across the board, as collision repair shops are caught in the cost squeeze they constantly seek additional profit generating techniques. Among others, this raises the question of whether it is better to own or lease one’s shop space. Jerry Gagnon of Lloydminster’s City Center Auto Body is adamant that owning is the only way to go. On the other hand, the big-box stores and industrial warehouses lease. They say this provides greater flexibility and makes them more money by investing in salable merchandise rather than bricks and mortar. Maybe they are telling us something. Still, a collision repair facility is not a Wal-Mart or a Home Depot. Your profit is increased by repairing more vehicles at a lower per unit cost, not by stocking more parts and supplies than you need, or by having a bunch of hulks in the back to cannibalize for spare parts. The buying vs. leasing equation can only be resolved when weighing the optimum use of available capital. Money is not made by owning an asset, but by the use made of it. Gagnon says that the average collision repair shop is in the range of 10,000 sq. ft and requires about one acre of land. This suggests an investment in the $1 million range. If mortgaging, say $800,000 at 7.5 per cent for 15 years, the annual debt service would be approximately $88,500. When leasing, the annual net rent (meaning taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance are in addition to this, and must be calculated separately) could be up to $120,000, and perhaps even more. Assuming that the equity capital to buy is available - or even if borrowing all of it from the bank - with buying, you could still be ahead in terms of money. This suggests that owning is the best way to go. Yet when adding the required equipment, we are now up to a total capital investment in excess of $1.5 million! It could be that the equity capital is not there, or maybe the bank says no when it comes to borrowing. If yes, the repayment period might be short, making the occupancy cost higher than leasing, thus distorting your cash flow. For more on what kind of deal is best for you, please read the next issue of Collision Repair magazine. |
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