With the automotive industry producing more technologically advanced vehicles, Moose Jaw’s LB Beattie Autobody is keeping up with the changes by ensuring it has the right certifications to fix these machines.
The autobody shop recently received official certification from Certified Collision Care, a non-profit consumer advocacy organization that promotes the use of right tools, equipment, training and buildings necessary to repair vehicles according to the manufacturers’ specifications.
LB Autobody is now capable of the most advanced repair possible and is part of the most efficient collision repair network in the world. Besides Certified Collision Care, the business is also certified by Fiat Chrysler, Nissan Canada, Hyundai, and Kia.
“I’m totally excited about it,” owner Terry Beattie told the Moose Jaw Express. “It’s great. Our people are empowered. We’ve put them through a lot of training. We have a good crew here and we’re totally embracing it.”
Having this certification is important in collision repair, especially since Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI) is developing a plan to have all autobody shops certified so they can work on today’s vehicles, Beattie said. His team would not be able to make repairs to certain vehicles without this designation.
Manufacturers have also been pushing to ensure their vehicles are repaired properly, especially since major lawsuits have happened in the United States over vehicles that were not fixed well.
The whole industry is receiving an overhaul, he continued. The objective is to ensure customers’ vehicles are safe when being put back on the road and to ensure autobody shops are confident in the work.
“I’ve always liked change,” Beattie said. “It’s the new normal.”
To become certified, LB Beattie Autobody passed a rigorous certification process to help ensure a proper and safe repair of a new generation of vehicles, according to a news release.
Fewer than five per cent of body shops across Canada can meet the stringent requirements to become officially certified and recognized. The certified network is composed of best-in-class collision repair businesses that have met or exceeded the strict requirements of the certification program.
The certification criteria are based on requirements from auto manufacturers, the news release said. These are important to ensure the vehicle is fit, finished, durable and safe following an accident. Newer vehicles are using lightweight, high-strength materials and advanced technology, which means a proper repair based on manufacturer specifications is important. This ensures passengers are safe and the vehicle performs properly.
Previously, LB Autobody received its training through the apprenticeship and trade commission, or the best practices laid out by SGI and Saskatchewan Polytechnic.
It took three years for Beattie to acquire this certification. He pointed out “the writing has been on the wall for a long time” that major changes were coming in the industry. However, he did not know what those changes would look like. He does know SGI will make an announcement in September about changes for autobody shops.
“I’m really happy and proud to say that whatever (SGI comes) out with, we’re going to be in that tier 1 … at the top,” he added.
Beattie thought it was humbling to be considered one of the best autobody shops in the world and to be part of an exclusive worldwide network. He noted LB Beattie Autobody is one of the few to receive this designation since it has been working to attain it for so long. Yet, most other autobody shops will have to do the same if they want to continue fixing vehicles.
“This industry has never had this much of an overhaul,” he added. “It’s exciting times right now. It’s nice, it’s new, it’s fresh.”
