Sherwin-Williams Automotive Finishes Corporation (SWAFC) recently hosted a dozen representatives from the largest national Toyota and Lexus dealerships in North America for an intensive training program on “Improving Workshop Efficiency.” The event was held in conjunction with and at the headquarters of Joe Gibbs Racing, a NASCAR team and a leading proponent of lean shop production and efficiency.

Topics covered included discussions on lean production origins, improving workshop efficiency, raising output quality in conjunction with lowering operating costs, capturing market share through continuous improvement, maximizing production and profit opportunities, and developing systems for assuring greater customer loyalty.

“This recent event was a special opportunity for our dealers as ‘Improving Workshop Efficiency’ training provides Toyota Collision Centers with the vital information we need to maintain leadership in this super competitive industry,” says Travis W. Rice, manager-collision operations, Gulf States Toyota in Houston. “At the same time it provided our managers the opportunity to see these efficiencies in practical use at Joe Gibbs Racing, an environment dedicated not only to overall excellence, but also to constant improvement which is right in line with our collision center goals.”

“I would strongly recommend anyone attempting to put any type of lean or advanced production system into their collision center attend this class – especially if they want to avoid the pitfalls common to implementing APS and lean production – and even if they have previously taken other lean classes,” says Spence Price, regional fixed operations consultant, Southeast Toyota Distributors in Deerfield Beach, Fla.

“We were able to combine our long-term relationship with Toyota Motor Sales, USA, Inc., and Joe Gibbs’ Racing to bring both parties together and hold a very successful lean management training workshop,” says Steve Feltovich, manager of business consulting services, SWAFC. “We combined our comprehensive shop-efficiency training session with onsite race shop tours to provide attendees insight into the sophisticated processes that have enabled Joe Gibbs’ (Toyota-sponsored) race teams to become the model of NASCAR organization and success.”

“I encourage every collision shop owner/manager to attend one of these ‘Improving Workshop Efficiency’ events,” says Rice. “Once you’ve gone through it, you’ll realize that only the very efficient shops are going to thrive in this current tough environment.”

For additional information on “Improving Workshop Efficiency” and other lean production training classes sponsored by SWAFC, including its EcoLean program and EcoLean A-Plus University, visit www.sherwin-automotive.com/en/Events.aspx or call (804) 433-9690.