Autobody News: Wizards Products Help WI Shop Maintain Reputation for Quality Workmanship
CARLSBAD, Calif., May 29, 2018 (Newswire.com) - NOTE: This October SPS profile was originally published in print and online in September 2017.
Growing up in southern Wisconsin, fixing cars was just a hobby for Randy Johnson. After attending tech school and working in the industry for a number of years, Randy decided to forge his own path by opening Body Crafters Auto Body Repair in south-central Wisconsin in 1986. He ran the business out of a small garage and eventually relocated to a bigger shop.
Using Wizards Products has really allowed us to deliver exceptional vehicle appearance and performance in a timely fashion.
Randy Johnson, Owner, Body Crafters Auto Body Repair
As the company grew, Randy realized he needed more workspace. This led him to design and build his own state-of-the-art facility in 1997 from the ground up.
“I visited other shops to get some ideas on flow and try to eliminate some of the bottlenecks that a lot of shops have,” said Johnson.
He said his previous location was “… definitely a bottleneck shop. We had one door, so it was a real inconvenience to get in and out.”
Once the new shop was completed, Johnson spent time focusing on expanding the business, which he now operates with his wife, Kim.
“She is good with people and I’m good with cars. We make a good team,” said Randy.
Over the years, the Johnsons have built a reputation for quality workmanship and ensuring every vehicle is fixed properly.
“I personally try to inspect every vehicle that leaves our doors,” said Randy. “I’m very fussy.”
Part of this has always been done using dependable and high-quality products, such as the ones from Wizards.
“We always want to use the best products that we can,” said Randy. “If you have a cheaper product but it doesn’t do the job as well and it takes more time, then it’s not really cheaper. Using Wizards products has really allowed us to deliver exceptional vehicle appearance and performance in a timely fashion.”
About three years ago, Randy learned about Wizards from one of his reps. After watching a demo, he and his team were really impressed and have been using the specialty appearance products ever since.
One of the main products the shop now depends on is the Mystic Cut buffing compound. Not only have the employees found that it is superior to what they had been using before, but Randy said it is an excellent compound to quickly remove swirls, defects, fading and water spotting. He said the water-based product uses a “Smart Abrasive Technology” that levels and removes scratches without causing a big mess.
Randy stated the product is used in conjunction with the WIZARDS® Buffing Pad System, and he appreciates that only one compound is needed rather than having to switch to polish.
“I like that we just switch pads instead of having to switch compounds, so that means fewer products sitting on the shelf,” he said.
Another favorite product in the shop is Wizards Mist-N-Shine® Professional Detailer. Since using Mist-N-Shine, Randy has noticed a huge improvement in swirl marks and said the product adds gloss and slickness without containing any wax or petroleum solvents. It also brightens paint, chrome, and plastic.
Although the shop does not specialize in restorations, Body Crafters often uses Wizards Products on the restoration projects that come into the facility as well. A couple years ago, one of their customers received a Best of Show award at the Stateline Classic Car Show in Illinois for a 1926 Ford Model T, which was painted and restored by Body Crafters after it had been in a collision. Randy said a lot of buffing is required on show cars, and Wizards Products have been instrumental in helping him complete the work in a more professional and detailed manner.
“Ideally, we wouldn’t have to buff anything, but in the real world, we do have to buff things because there are always imperfections,” said Randy. “The thing that I don’t like about buffing is that insurance companies don’t like to pay for it, so a lot of times it feels like you are doing it for free. Anything that can speed up the time is an advantage for us.”
In addition to utilizing quality products in the shop, Randy attributes part of the shop’s success to his employees.
“You’d be nothing without your employees,” said Randy. “I always say, ‘Employees can make you or break you.’”
The Johnsons regularly reach out to the surrounding community. They spend time volunteering at their church helping with food ministries, youth programs, and clothing drives.
“It’s important to give back to the community that has been so good to us,” said Randy.
Part of their community involvement includes teaming up with a local automotive repair shop and a few other local businesses for the Wheels to Prosper car giveaway. The two shops work together each year to repair a safe and reliable vehicle to donate to a deserving family.
“The best part is seeing their faces light up when we donate a car to them. It’s a wonderful feeling to help somebody out like that,” said Randy.
Body Crafters employees are passionate about what they do, and products such as Wizards help them provide customers with the high standard of service they expect.
Body Crafters Auto Body Repair, Inc.
Location: Brodhead, WI
(608) 897-8447
bodycraftersautobody.com
Company At A Glance...
Type: Collision Repair
Facility Employees: Six
In Business Since: 1986
Number of Locations: One
DRP Programs: Seven
Combined Production Space: 5,000 square feet
Wizards Products
11469 8th Street NE
Hanover, MN 55341
(800) 356-7223
wizardsproducts.com
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Source: Autobody News
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