So here I sit, some 30-plus years later reflecting on a career that began sweeping floors in a shop. I remember at the time not being sure what I wanted to do. With outstanding coaching and mentoring along the way, I eventually became a collision technician, worked my way into shop management, enjoyed a successful insurance career and acquired my own business. I am now involved in a start-up with a global company. 

So here I sit, some 30-plus years later reflecting on a career that began sweeping floors in a shop. I remember at the time not being sure what I wanted to do. With outstanding coaching and mentoring along the way, I eventually became a collision technician, worked my way into shop management, enjoyed a successful insurance career and acquired my own business. I am now involved in a start-up with a global company. 

The purpose of sharing this information is certainly not to brag, but I’m sure that the lack of direction that I had as a youth is shared by many. I know that if I was able to enjoy so many experiences as a result of the automotive industry, anybody can.

Perhaps more importantly, it is the vertical experience that I have had within the industry that has prompted me to write this article with the intent of sharing a view. I must add that the comments and views that I’m about to share are purely my own and are in no way a reflection of the company(s) that I work for or represent.

Times Change

What amazes me is that while times have changed, and relationships (insurer-vendor) have evolved considerably and vehicles have become increasingly difficult to repair, there really has been little change within the collision industry per se. The issues facing the industry today are almost entirely the same as those we faced 30 years ago, though some, such as access to skilled technicians, I would say have gotten worse.

I often ask myself why this industry hasn’t evolved further than it has. As a result of my global travels, I can state unequivocally that anywhere in the world, one can clearly see differences between collision shops.

Some invest substantially in state-of-the-art equipment, are dedicated to the personal development of employees and provide them with continuing education and training. 

Others hang up a shingle calling themselves a shop, and are quite satisfied to use each new repair that comes along as their training ground. 

We all know that consumers seldom see or understand the quality of repair beyond the paint job. Why are we not educating the consumers and assisting them to at least be able to identify and have a choice between a lower and highly skilled collision shop? Should consumers not have a right to know which shops have invested in the proper technology and training and those that haven’t?

In the fall of 2000, this industry was given a treasure chest of golden nuggets when the Automotive Industries Association of Canada (AIA) delivered its Prep for the Future report after considerable study.

At the time, our industry boasted some 38,000 employees with an average age of 39 years and an income of $35K per year. The study identified five key areas that represent challenges facing the industry:

•Industry Image

•Recruitment and Retention

•Entry Level Education and Trade Certification

•Training and Skills Development

•Shop Accreditation

Utopian?

Particularly alarming is the fact that despite this report, there has been little in the way of concrete action by the industry as a whole to position itself to respond to the issues. I can only attribute this to the industry remaining fragmented. How long will this industry remain unleveraged and without a national voice?

While some might consider this utopian, I would argue that it’s an obligation and that it can be done without compromising autonomy or the entrepreneurial fabric that makes this industry what it is.

We are at a time when it is indeed survival of the fittest and the landscape that forms this industry is changing more rapidly than ever. I truly believe this industry has the capacity to rival any competitive industry segment in terms of how it defines the caliber of shops, progressiveness, and commitment to engaging a highly skilled work force and to address issues on which the industry stands united.

This will not happen overnight. But will it take another 30 years before this industry recognizes that it can take charge of its destiny and overcome the issues facing it?

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3.23 Copyright (C) 2007 Alain Georgette / Copyright (C) 2006 Frantisek Hliva. All rights reserved."