Revisiting the New Orleans area collision industry professionals who were affected by Hurricane Katrina over two years ago brings good news and bad news. The good news – the shops that are back in business are staffed and busy with repairs. The bad news – not nearly enough progress has been made on the infrastructure of the city and surrounding areas discouraging residents from returning and new workers from relocating to New Orleans.

With customers ranging from dealerships to independent body shops, Steven Bohte, Mike and Jerry’s Paint and Supply, has his finger on the pulse of the autobody business in greater New Orleans.

‘The autobody industry in New Orleans has never been better. Because there are fewer shops dealing with all the work now, everyone is busy. Many of the less efficient shops are out of business for good,” explained Bohte. “Business has never been better. Employees are harder to come by, so everyone is making more money.”

The entrepreneurial spirit is alive and well in New Orleans, according to Bohte. Some people who lost their homes are taking a shot at opening their own shops. Because there is a shortage of technicians, if the business doesn’t work out, jobs are plentiful.

Predictably, several businesses are having difficulty collecting loss of income insurance. Some insurers are simply refusing to pay.

“But on the other hand,” said Bohte, “one owner is opening another shop with half the employees and twice the amount of work. Employees have become more efficient and make more money.”

Woman power
One shop that was able to reopen was Hingle’s Body Shop in New Orleans, owned by Janet Hingle. She is proud to be the only woman to reopen a shop.

“After being flooded with eight feet of water, the shop had to be rebuilt. Without flood insurance, it was a long hard struggle to bring it back,” said Hingle. “Now that it is up and running, business is good, but top notch employees are still hard to find.”

Two of her workers helped in the rebuilding process. Todd Hoffman’s Tools for Techs stepped in, helping re-equip the shop and providing tools for the technicians. It took hard work and determination but gradually things improved. The government was late to the party, taking a year to provide funds.

Hingle has been running her shop for about fifteen years. For twelve years, she ran the business, which was started by her father, with her sister. The last three years she has been on her own.

“We are survivors!” proclaimed Hingle.