Diagnostics
Diagnostics and scanning are putting more information in the hands of technicians than ever before.
In this issue, you will also find Business Tools and Tips, plus information on I-CAR’s latest innovations, including:
- National Scheduling
- MIG Brazing and Rivet Bonding
- In-Shop Knowledge Assessments
Mike Anderson
Collision Advice Consulting – Alexandria, VA
Gerry Poirier
Farmers Insurance – Atlanta, GA
Jake Rodenroth
Collision Diagnostic Services – Plano, TX
Q1 – Never before has the industry buzz about diagnostics been louder. What’s been the tipping point to accelerate the conversation?
Q2 – Repair shops are under enormous pressure to step up their diagnostics game, yet if, when and how they do this varies enormously. Has the industry done enough to underscore the WHY?
Q3 – On a scale of 0 to 10, with 10 being the highest, rank the importance of pre- and post-scanning.
Q4 – If calibrations/aiming procedures get overlooked, what could be some of the consequences?
Q5 – Much is being debated about having proper scanning tools as well as investments that shops need to make to ramp up their diagnostics. Where do they start; what’s a reasonable investment or first step?
Q6 – It’s easy for repair shops to be overwhelmed with so many changes and recommendations related to diagnostics, and literally become paralyzed in not knowing where to turn/what to do first. Any quick tips or thoughts?
Q7 – What’s the single most important message you want the industry to embrace right now about diagnostics?
Q8 – When you look at all of the transformative milestones in the industry, diagnostics is sure to be recognized as one of them. Looking ahead, what can the industry anticipate one year from now?
PANEL BIOs
President/Owner
Collision Advice Consulting – Alexandria, VA
Mike is an acclaimed champion of everything that is, or could be, right about the collision repair industry. As one of the most knowledgeable people in his field, he is a sought-after speaker, author and consultant, who can discuss and teach on a wide range of topics relating to everything – from the politics affecting collision repair, to researching repairs properly via technology, to giving and getting the best from insurers, and to performing an exactly correct repair – just to name a few things. If there is anything Mike doesn’t know, he will find out about it.
Mike is the former owner of Wagonwork Collision Centers, two highly acclaimed shops located in Alexandria, Virginia. Currently, Mike owns and operates CollisionAdvice, an industry research, reference and consulting business. In addition, Mike also serves as a facilitator for Axalta’s highly recognized Business Council 20 Groups in both the U.S. and Canada.
Speaking with passion as well as from first-hand experience, Mike teaches pertinent, cutting-edge management and operational techniques. But that’s not all; he is guaranteed to leave you laughing and highly motivated as well!
National APD Strategy Manager, ASE, I-CAR Platinum ProLevel® 3
Farmers Insurance – Atlanta, GA
Gerry is a Strategy Manager and Technical Advisor for Farmers Insurance responsible for Industry Relations and ensuring technical proficiency within the Auto Property Damage Ranks. He works closely with their direct repair program repair facilities and the award winning University of Farmers. Gerry is an active member with the Collision Repair Education Foundation and I-CAR. He started his career in the body shop industry and has held various Regional and National positions with AIG and Hanover Insurance companies.
Outside of the office, the Boston native and Atlanta resident has a passion for classic cars. He built his own Factory Five Racing Cobra in 2005 and previously owned a 1965 Pontiac GTO Convertible.
Director of Client Services
Collision Diagnostic Services – Plano, TX
Jake Rodenroth is the Director of Client Services at Collision Diagnostic Services, headquartered in Plano, TX. Jake hails from Jacksonville, FL where he started working on cars with his father. At eighteen he entered the automotive business as a technician for Mercedes Benz. After working on the mechanical side, Jake spent the next 13 years with Osteen’s Auto Body working in various roles. Learning the business from the ground up, he helped the company become a Jaguar and Land Rover structural aluminum certified facility in 2004.
Jake recently came over ABRA Auto Body & Glass, where he served on ABRA’s integration team and helped add over 100 repair centers to the company’s portfolio in less than two years. He also helped build and support a technical hotline for all ABRA locations nationally.
At CDS, Jake is responsible for product integration and training in the collision industry for the company’s revolutionary diagnostic interface, the asTech™. He has worked with companies like ICAR and Verifacts to create awareness and build curriculum about diagnostics in the collision space. He also works with groups like SCRS and Collision Advice to help educate the industry on constantly changing vehicle technology.