Page 45 - Australasian Paint & Panel Magazine Sep-Oct 2019

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coming us and letting us know we can call with any questions or for advice if we need it, which is really nice. We hope to get the chance to attend a meeting soon.”
QUALITYCHECKINGATEACHSTAGE
Another new system is that each part of the repair process is signed off by the next tech- nician. That way nothing proceeds if that technician isn't happy with it. It's another change in culture, to allow this criticism but make sure it is constructive and never nega- tive or aggressive. This is stressed at the tool box meetings. Formerly Debono was check- ing quality throughout, now he and Lewis inspect the finished job. This has resulted in a huge time bonus for Debono which means that he can turn quotes around faster which he is sure is one of the reasons why they are winning more work. It also allows him the time to write up further procedures which are gaining the business more time - it's a virtuous circle.
Other improvements have been mak- ing sure that the procedure for the start of each job includes technicians taking five minutes to thoroughly read the job card and to form a repair plan before they start. Keeping the car clean throughout the repair process has also been emphasised so that when is fin- ished, it doesn't need a time consuming deep clean.
Remember, this is a small shop with a small team (5.5 staff). Yet over the last couple of months they are repairing around four more cars per week with less than their full complement of staff. Since the start of the year their monthly turno- ver has increased 50%. Debono says: 'I'm so pumped to see what we can do next month with all the team on the floor. I thought we needed more staff but now I'm not going to consider any until I know we are working at near 100% efficiency and can't get through the work."
LEFT TO RIGHT: Point X helps with more accurate estimates. Mark Debono and Cara Lewis.
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