Ask any bodyshop operator what the biggest challenge facing a repair business at the moment is and the chances are they will come back with one word, staff. Whether it is painters, panel beaters, or mechanics, skilled technicians and valued support staff have never been in such short supply. Stuart Alexander, of Car-O-Liner, explains how repair technology can be utilised to help fully optimise the capacity of the workforce in your bodyshop.

In Ireland in particular a lack of new blood coming into the industry has come together with many overseas operatives leaving the country, to create a serious skills shortage in the bodyshop sector. This often means existing staff and owners having to work much longer hours to meet demand, something that maybe sustainable in the shorter term, but long term can lead to burnout and dissatisfaction.   

Faced with the lack of availability of skilled staff, increasingly many bodyshops have seriously revised estimates of their repair capacity down and take on less work. In some cases it has also been necessary to cut hours. This can be especially frustrating for workshop owners who have to push jobs and profits down the line.

However, Stuart Alexander, Managing Director at leading equipment supplier Car-O-Liner believes there is at least a partial solution that many bodyshop operators are over-looking. He says, “Repair technology has moved on radically in recent years and many shop owners are not fully aware of the benefits that some of the latest equipment and systems can bring. In our Car-O-Liner and Blackhawk ranges, we have a wide range of technological innovations that can provide a seriously significant boost to process efficiency and save a huge amount of time.” He adds, “It is not quite the same as providing an extra pair of hands, but it can fully optimise the capacity of the workforce that you have.” 

Stuart points to the CTR 9, one of the major Car-O-Liner success stories of recent years as a prime example. This is a fully automatic welding system which is proving a popular choice with repairers and has gained widespread vehicle manufacturer approval. He comments, “This is next generation equipment that can totally transform the welding process making it faster, easier and more efficient. It means you can tackle not only more jobs, but also a wider variety of repairs and materials, all in less time.” 

Car-O-Liner is of course world renowned for its alignment and measuring systems and these have also seen very significant technological development in recent years, to make huge time savings. This is not just restricted to major equipment investment, but also encompasses flexible tools such as the PointX II diagnostic measuring tool. This can be used to make both repair and estimating more efficient by providing fast and accurate damage analysis, complete with precise measuring and full-computerised documentation. Stuart comments, “A simple tools like the PointX II offers the potential to save significant time both on estimating and repairs for a relatively small investment.”  

Stuart says that right across the Car-O-Liner and Blackhawk ranges there are equipment items on offer that can help reduce job times and thus maximise the repair capacity that a bodyshop has. 

Stuart also believes that now is a great time for bodyshops to assess their level of equipment and make well-judged investments. He comments, “Money that might have been spent on extra staff can be put into upgrading technology to provide a productivity boost. This can also bring about a better working environment and help repairers to better retain their skilled technicians.”

Of course making investment decisions should not be taken lightly. Stuart comments, “Making the right investments is key and this generally means choosing a trusted supplier with local back-up and support. Car-O-Liner can offer all the required training to make the most of equipment and also provide ongoing maintenance and support to keep it in the best possible working order.”  

For more information on bodyshop equipment investment call Car-O-Liner agent in Ireland Theo English on 087-966-1320, Car-O-Liner (UK) LTD on 0044-1788-574-157, or visit car-o-liner.com.