Three Trends To Squeeze More Profit Out Of Your Collision Repair Shop

Over the last few years, there’s been a steady shift in the U.S. collision industry. A lot of it has to do with the technology coming out and making things easier. But another has to do with the change in focus by shops.

While the automotive world’s attention will vary depending on where you look, repair cycle reduction has become increasingly more important for shops. And beyond that, both insurance and customers want things to go as quickly as possible. So, while reducing the time is cost-effective for everyone involved, the repair cycle has become the biggest constraint on shops.

With the way shops are now, a lot are pushed to the very edge of possible efficiency. It’s not because it’s the limit that’s currently achievable, but more-so because of the technology that is still being used. And while it is a problem for a lot of shops, there are also quite a few getting ahead of trends and staying up to date with the newest and greatest technology available. When it comes to vehicle repair, “pull” software, gas catalytic drying, and the theory of constraints are the future.

For the last 50 – 100 years, the way shops have dried paint as remained virtually unchanged. It’s worked well enough, but as of 2018, it’s simply much less efficient than it could be. Most paint booth bake cycles take over a day after everything is done. However, over the last few years, gas catalytic drying has become available in the U.S. And it can dry all kinds of paints in just 16 – 30 minutes. That’s a massive reduction in the repair cycle.

Which is great. With gas catalytic drying it can enable you to drastically reduce the repair cycle in your shop. And before the skeptic in you writes it off, it’s important to note it’s a technology that has been in use all across Europe for close to a decade now. However, the reason it hasn’t been adopted as quickly in the U.S. is because of all the legislation and certifications required for manufacturers to bring it over. The company that created it are one of the few manufacturers to have patented gas catalytic drying, and as of right now, their main focus has mostly been on the rest of the world.

Three Trends To Squeeze More Profit Out Of Your Collision Repair Shop

• “Pull” Technology
• Theory Of Constraints
• Gas Catalytic Drying

Pull Technology

“Pull” technology helps your shop guarantee vehicles are always right where they should be. In a lot of shops in the U.S., the software that helps with all of that just isn’t there. And a lot of this has to do with the fact that management systems are designed to work for how shops are traditionally rather than how they could be with the newest technology speeding things along. If you were to use gas catalytic drying, you’d have software that’s designed to work with the most efficient methods of production out there. By following the Theory of Constraints, you can increase efficiency, scheduling, and pull-through.

The technology is here, and the increase in shop efficiency is all very possible. Gas Catalytic Drying is the future of the paint booth bake cycle.

Theory Of Constraints

Which brings us to the Theory of Constraints. With more efficient technology, you can make an organized, efficient, and predictable repair cycle– in contrast to the wasted time you see in your shops on a daily basis. So, ToC is a management philosophy that prioritizes making your shop more efficient through processes as well as using the best technology out there to streamline everything.

Gas Catalytic Drying

The way gas catalytic drying works is by having an aluminum catalyst split through an exothermic reaction as a way to create infrared energy at a medium wavelength to cure paint in as little as 3 – 5 minutes. And while there’s a lot of science behind it, to put it simply, gas catalytic drying uses 70% less gas than typical convection dryers in a significantly lower amount of time.

And beyond that, even, you can use one booth for three cars with gas catalytic drying. By reducing the paint booth bake cycle, you can improve efficiency in your shop across the board. What would normally take days can be done in just a few hours.

Gascat Dryers

Gascat Dryers provide you the best, fastest, and most efficient drying solutions out on the market. We believe that time is money. With this advanced drying system, your business will reliably process more vehicles each and every day.

Let us help you save time and streamline your paint booth drying processes. Contact us today!