Today, ABW’s eight facilities repair more than 10,000 vehicles annually. Auto Body World has received an A+ rating by the Better Business Bureau since 1998 and won First Prize from Auto Body Repair News in its inaugural “2009 Top Shop” national competition.
The repurposed Chandler facility was reconfigured and remodeled to incorporate ABW’s Lean-inspired Rapid Production Model process. The ABW-trademarked RPM ensures quality companywide—from greeters, initial acceptance of a vehicle, through estimating, parts ordering, completion of repairs by the technicians to quality control and follow-up after delivery of the customer’s vehicle.
Seven years ago, to improve efficiency throughout the company, Fait and his management team began implementing Lean business concepts, based on the Toyota Production System (TPS) at its branches. “Lean teaches fundamental principles for maximizing efficiency and continuous improvement, and our Chandler store personnel have learned and are implementing these beautifully,” explains Turner, who became ABW president in 2007.
Since its implementation, RPM has eliminated waste in the process of delivering superior products: increased satisfaction levels with suppliers, insurance companies and customers. Turner: “Our goal at the new Chandler facility, as throughout the ABW family, is to process a vehicle at the highest quality and speed in the most efficient manner.”
Turner adds: “The success of our RPM and our people are the reason we survived the economic downturn and have still been able to grow our business. We are excited about our Chandler addition and the opportunities that it will provide to us as an organization and the great people that work for us.”
He notes that ABW plans further expansion following the new store. “We are currently prospecting for opportunities in acquisitions and start-ups,” he says.
