“Raising your prices can sometimes be difficult,” said Olson. “There are a number of ways to achieve efficiency in your body shop and have a predictable high-quality repair outcome.” VECO Experts provides onsite assessments and repair inspections at body shops across the country to ensure manufacturers’ processes and materials are followed... Original | PDF
Even an auto body shop outsourcing auto glass might still have a part to play in ensuring its urethane performs as intended, according to the latest “Repair University Live.” Errors can arise during a shop’s removal of the existing windshield, according to guest Mark Olson , CEO of Vehicle Collision Experts.... Original | PDF
One of the first things I do when I’m working with a shop is sit down with the owner to go over what I call “canaries in the coal mine.” A century ago, miners brought canaries into the mine because the birds are very sensitive to toxic gases, so if the birds became sick, it alerted the miners to unsafe conditions.... Original | PDF
Assured Performance Network announced today that they have entered into a new business services agreement with Vehicle Collision Experts, LLC (VECO Experts). VECO Experts has been designated as a preferred provider of optional in-shop repair quality support services such as technical training lessons for shop personnel, distribution of monthly quality and equipment reports, and regular technical support.... Original | PDF
After more than three decades in the collision repair industry, former VeriFacts Automotive COO and co-founder Mark Olson recently launched training and consulting firm Vehicle Collision Experts LLC (VECO Experts).... Original | PDF
After more than three decades in the collision repair industry, Mark Olson has seen – and often helped develop – a variety of solutions to the problems faced by collision repair operations. But Olson, who recently launched Vehicle Collision Experts, LLC (VECO Experts), said he’s come to a new realization about what’s been lacking in the industry.Original | PDF
When it comes to repairing or replacing glass on a vehicle equipped with Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), what does an auto glass shop technician need to prepare for when performing a calibration? Repair University Live discussed this recently with a panel of experts.... Original | PDF
Assured Performance Network Announcement
Its network built out to 2,800 shops nationally, Assured Performance announced last month the launch of “OEM Certification 2.0,” a suite of tools and initiatives intended to attract customers to and encourage repair quality at those shops.... Original | PDF
10 Steps to Collision Repair Success
Collision repair facilities can typically increase profits by raising prices and/or working to become more efficient, according to Mark Olson, CEO of VECO Experts (Vehicle Collision Experts, LLC). “Raising your prices can sometimes be difficult,” said Olson. “There are a number of ways to achieve efficiency in your body shop and have a predictable high-quality repair outcome.”... Original | PDF
QUALITY CONTROL SYSTEMS FAIL WITHOUT ENFORCEMENT FROM MANAGEMENT
In the decades that I’ve been working with collision repair businesses, I have seen (and in some cases, helped develop) some excellent quality control programs.... Original | PDF
SHOP MANAGEMENT | OPERATIONS - COLLISION REPAIR
In last month's column, I argued that quality control issues in this industry are more related to estimators and shop management than technicians. In that column, for example, I argued that most shops today have a quality control system in place; management just isn’t ensuring that it’s being followed.... Original | PDF
Collision repair facilities can typically increase profits by raising prices and/or working to become more efficient, according to Mark Olson, CEO of VECO Experts (Vehicle Collision Experts, LLC).Original | PDF
STEPS YOUR SHOP SHOULD BE TAKING TO FULLY DOCUMENT REPAIR PROCESSES
One of the most important questions that I think every shop owner should be asking themselves about each job in their shop right now is: Do I have a bullet-proof file on that job? ...Original | PDF
VECO EXPERTS LOOKING TO FIND, RECOGNIZE THOSE WHO ‘GET IT RIGHT THE FIRST TIME’
“If one of our experts comes into your shop to review work-in-progress and sees a technician who is getting it right the first time, we’re going to have a way to instantly recognize that technician,” Mark Olson, founder of VECO Experts, said. “Promoting that performance within your shop reinforces what your company is looking for and expecting from your team. The simple truth is, all this industry needs is for everyone to get it right the first time.”...Original | PDF
VECO IDs serious, moderate auto body shop red flags
Vehicle Collision Experts CEO Mark Olson last month offered collision repairers 15 warning signs that their shop might be compromising vehicle quality. Seven of the items listed in his Aug. 10 NACE presentation slides were classified as “Big Rocks.”Original | PDF
A 1,000-SHOP CHAIN IS JUST THE BEGINNING
And have you got the certifications you do want finalized? Because some automakers, like Honda, have said they pretty much already have the number of shops they need in their network in most markets. Nissan a few months ago said that between the shops already certified and the ones that have applied, they probably have more than they need. And if a large MSO plunks down the money to get dozens (or hundreds) of their locations OEM-certified – as I know at least one has – that could further close down that pool of openings.Original