Running a Shop

John Sweigart to Share First Key Steps to Lean at FenderBender Conference

Feb. 13, 2015

ST. PAUL, MINN., Feb. 4, 2015—Shop operators interested in implementing lean strategies to reduce waste and enhance throughput and profitability will have an opportunity to learn from one of the best in the field at the FenderBender Management Conference in May.

John Sweigart, CEO of Pennsylvania-based TRUE Collision Centers, will lead “The Key First Steps to Lean,” a session that will provide shop owners and managers interested in implementing lean strategies—but unsure where to start or whether their tactics are sound—with the most crucial first steps to begin their lean journey. Shops that embrace lean philosophy and processes could see a net profit increase of 300–400 percent within a year, he said. The gains are not through top-line sales, he says, but in eliminating waste and dramatically improving throughput.

“It is about doing more with less, addition through subtraction,” he says.

Sweigart has over three decades of collision repair experience as a shop owner, dealership shop manager, national MSO director and industry consultant. Sweigart and TRUE Collision partner Brad Sullivan, during a 10-year journey, have methodically applied lean principles to every element of the supply chain, from insurer relationships to the repair process to the vehicle owner experience. The result has been improved quality, speed and profitability.

“John will break down lean to its core and add some clarity and simplicity to this often imposing subject,” said FenderBender editor Jake Weyer. “Many shops want to go lean, or have tried, but there are right and wrong ways to go about it. John is one of the industry’s best minds on the subject and attendees can be sure he’ll leave them with a strong sense of direction and real strategies they can start to implement right away.”

The FenderBender Management Conference, scheduled from May 18–20 in Philadelphia, will include educational sessions, engaging workshops, panel discussions, and networking opportunities all aimed at helping shop owners and managers make money, save money and work smarter.

For more information and to take advantage of super early bird registration rates to save up to $600, go to fenderbenderconference.com .