Autobody News: The Matrix Wand is Doing Magical Things for Action CARSTAR Auto Body & Frame
Carlsbad, CA, February 27, 2018 (Newswire.com) - NOTE: This October SPS profile was originally published in print in September 2017, and published online in October 2017.
Some second-generation body shop owners aren’t particularly enamored with the collision industry initially, but over the years they learn to love and embrace the family business and go on to achieve amazing things.
We like the fact that it gives us the ability to diagnose suspension damage right away, so that we can get the correct parts to fix the suspension as soon as possible. By using the Matrix Wand, we're saving 1-2 days on a car with suspension damage, because we're not waiting around for the parts by ordering them at the beginning of the repair.
Tony Perrino, Owner of Action CARSTAR Auto Body and Frame
Many sons and daughters grow up in a shop environment and take to it instantly, but in this case, Tony Perrino, the second-generation owner of Action CARSTAR Auto Body and Frame in Euclid, OH, left the industry for a short period of time to pursue another opportunity. But he soon returned to assist his father with the growth of the shop due to increased volume and the demand for personnel.
“I was 23 years old and decided it was time to learn the business,” Perrino said. “So I started estimating school, and that’s when I decided this is where I belong. That’s where it all began.”
One day, the manager at Action CARSTAR Auto Body & Frame was fired, and Perrino’s father made a quick decision.
“He told me that I was going to be the new manager, and there was really no other choice at that point,” Perrino said. “He said ‘You’re it,’ and it ended up being a good decision, but it definitely was a little scary initially.”
When Perrino obtained the shop, it was producing $1.2 million annually. As of today, the shop is repairing 120 cars a month and earning $3.4 million annually.
It has been a good run, but Perrino said that it’s only the beginning. He credits some of his success to adopting new and innovative tools, techniques and equipment to take his company to the next level. Going on its 20th year as a CARSTAR facility, Perrino relies on CARSTAR to help him with his production processes and to attain valuable direct repair relationships with a wide range of insurance companies, among other things.
“Talking to top CARSTAR shop owners from all over the country is a big deal because I can get straight answers that I wouldn’t be able to get from my local market,” Perrino said. “It’s a great mix of single-shop and multi-shop owners, and by tapping into their experience, it’s been invaluable to me and my business. I wouldn’t be here without them.”
Another smart move that Perrino made a short while ago was his purchase of a Matrix Wand and installation of it into his production, a decision he made only after being a little skeptical initially.
“I saw a demonstration video about the Matrix Wand just briefly, maybe two years ago, at a trade show. My first impression was that it was another tool that would sit in the corner of my shop,” he said. “So, I passed on the Matrix Wand the first time, to be honest. But, after looking at it a couple more times, I saw the benefits and realized that the Matrix Wand is the way this industry is going, and we didn’t want to get left behind. When we found out that the Matrix Wand is part of the Special Tools and Equipment Program for Honda/Acura, we were thrilled. As a Honda ProFirst shop, we have to be at the cutting-edge of everything we do, and having tools like the Matrix Wand can help us get where we want to be.”
Quickly, the Matrix Wand became an integral part of everyday activity at Action CARSTAR Body & Frame.
“By using the device up-front before the repair, we are saving a ton of time,” Perrino said. “If the bumper comes off, we scan it with the Matrix Wand to see if there was any movement. You would be surprised what moves the structure of a car—just by being hit in the bumper. That’s why we scan them up-front and post-repair. It helps us with our blueprinting process, because we can now see clearly whether or not we have to put the vehicle up on the rack. The Wand measures more than structural damage. We measure OEM parts, aftermarket parts and used parts to confirm proper fitment. One fantastic feature is the Wand easily measures sensor mounting locations and sensor brackets. Accurate locations and angles are verified, and now will calibrate the first time.”
Perrino is enthused about the Wand’s discovery of suspension issues that were nearly impossible to find before.
“We like the fact that it gives us the ability to diagnose suspension damage right away, so that we can get the correct parts to fix the suspension as soon as possible,” he said. “By using the Matrix Wand, we’re saving 1–2 days on a car with suspension damage, because we’re not waiting around for the parts by ordering them at the beginning of the repair.”
Overall, Perrino is delighted with his Matrix Wand, a device that has already paid for itself several times over, he said.
“The Matrix Wand has us working smarter, so it helps our cycle time and strengthens our relationships with the insurance companies,” he said. “So it’s been a huge plus for us!”
Action CARSTAR Auto Body & Frame
Euclid, OH
(216) 486-6161
Company At A Glance...
Type: Collision Repair
Facility Employees: 16
In Business Since: 1982
Number of Locations: One
Combined Production Space: 15,200 square feet
Matrix Electronic Measuring, Inc.
(800) 424-8023
http://thematrixwand.com
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Source: Autobody News
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