Hi, it’s Alex from Progi.
Do you remember when we (and by “we” I mean many players in the industry, really) used to tell you that certifications would eventually become important?
A few courageous ones took the plunge, and a few others followed suit, putting in serious time and money. Today, the time has come for them to see a return on their investment.
Certifications are like plaid—they’re not going anywhere anytime soon.
Have you noticed it in the market? Do you feel that you’ve been seeing certain car models less often lately? They haven’t disappeared. They’re at a certified body shop.
Some business partners seem to have noticed that certified shops offer significant advantages. The market was already evolving, becoming more streamlined, and it appears that certifications were a driving force behind that transformation.
What we’re seeing today, and I’m open to opposing views, is a concentration of the work among those who have been deemed to be doing their homework (or however the partner may interpret this business strategy).
Certified body shops have shown they’re committed to continuous improvement, willing to invest in their processes, and in tune with market needs. At a conference I attended this fall, one key takeaway was that these shops are known for being well equipped (especially with 3D measuring tools) and for being reliable. They offer a guarantee of quality, have better key-to-key cycle times, and have access to high-end market segments. That’s worth paying attention to.
I’m not sure if it’s the certification itself, the mindset that drives shops to pursue it (continuous improvement, initiative, etc.), or a lucky mix of both, that explains the success of certified body shops. There’s one thing I do know: statistically, they’re ahead of the pack.
In Canada, insurers account for roughly 80% of the collision repair market. They’re your customers. Do your customers want certifications? If the answer is yes, it may be time to start thinking about it, before it’s too late. But don’t do it just to please someone else. Do it for you. Be the leader of this change, if that is what you want.
And if you’re already certified and looking to showcase your certifications to insurers, you can do so with ProgiSync.
Contact us for more information.
Article by Alexandre Rocheleau
