With a paint like Glasurit’s 90 Line you’re able to replicate some of the best auto- motive finishes in the world, without high levels of contamination and if you can do it quickly and efficiently then you’re ahead of the game again, getting back to Six Sigma it’s all about doing it better, faster cheaper.” “Back then it was almost unheard of and it was a huge upfront investment, but today everybody’s doing it and environmental regu- lations have forced the industry to clean up its act. “We made the switch to water-based paint about eight years ago,” says Piercey.
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Budds’ uses BASF as an exclusive supplier, having forged strong ties with the premium German brand. You have to be willing to adapt or perish.” Piercey, who sits on several industry boards and commit- tees has gained a reputation as an innovator in collision circles and indeed, some aspects that are now largely standard practice in the indus- try were pioneered at Budds’. Getting back to Six Sigma, he’s also keen to point out that the collision industry faces a number of challenges, today perhaps more than ever.
BENCHMARK AUTO DEALER FULL
“The techs are the ones who fix the vehicles, so if they’ve got full control over the process and also accountability, it means better results. For example, the shop technicians take a full hand in the process of repairing vehicles that come in dealing directly with the appraisers, ordering parts and fixing the damage, avoiding the need for a centralized micro-managing hierarchy which has proven in many cases to be coun- ter productive. The Japanese have a good word for that, Kaizen, which emphasizes employee participation.”Īnd that’s one of the keys to the success of Budds’ the way in which responsibility and tasks are delegated. “My goal, was for us to build a world-class facility,” says Piercey, “but in order to do that, you need to be constantly improving. The cavernous facility is peppered with state-of-the-art equipment and processes from dedicated fast lanes for small repairs to computerized scanners that ‘mea- sure’ vehicle body damage to six individual body prep/painting stations high-end spot welders and even a sealed aluminum body repair room (the only one of its kind currently operational in North America we might add). Massive roll up doors allow customers to drive their cars directly in for appraisals while the floor is clean enough to eat your dinner off. Measuring more than 41,000 square feet, on the site of an old Wal-Mart factory, Budds’ literally redefines the concept of what a body shop actually is.
Starting out 40 years ago as a paint and body man, he has helped create what is probably one of the most incredible collision repair facilities, not only in North America, but possibly the world. When it comes to fixed operations, espe- cially collision work, dealers across the country would be wise to take heed of Sam’s message. “It’s all about Six Sigma,” says Budds’ Collision Vice President and General Manager Sam Piercey, as he draws a little diagram on a piece of paper. How Budds’ Oakville, Ontario, Collision Centre is taking front and center stage in the industry
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