Issue link: https://ppgrefinish-na.uberflip.com/i/348224
T A k I N G C A r e o f b u S I N e S S 28 MVP GREEN BELT TRAINING ASSISTS IN IMPROVING EFFICIENCY AND PRESERVING PROFITABILITY IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD. Sunshine Autobody Shines Despite a Dim Economy With its breathtaking views and sweeping vistas, the Canadian province of British Columbia has become a favorite location for filmmakers. But its economy— renowned for its dramatic ups and downs—provides drama of a different sort, which is why owning a small business there is not for the faint-hearted. In 1975, Mike Srigley "didn't know what he didn't know" about being an entrepreneur. He only knew that he loved cars, especially street rods, and that he had a knack for taking wrecked vehicles and making them saleable. So he took a leave of absence from his job as a steel fabricator and started to fix things that needed fixing. His reputation for quality work spread quickly, and he soon had his own business and was able to move into progressively larger facilities until settling in to Sunshine Autobody's current 15,000-sq.ft. location in Langley. But the f luctuating economy—particularly challenging in western Canada—kept Mike on the lookout for new ideas and approaches. In 1992, he helped start quality Assured Collision Services, a network of what are now 18 independent body shops that advertise their services cooperatively. He made the switch to PPG finishes in 1999. In 2001, he purchased a second location in North Vancouver. Three years ago, Mike was among the select group of shop owners that participated in beta testing of PPG's Envirobase ® High Performance waterborne basecoat system. "The change over went very smoothly," says Mike. "The color matches are far superior and blending is much easier with better results. We'd never go back to solvent." Still, the economy challenged him. So Mike, who had gotten involved in the MVP Business Solutions program early in his relationship with PPG, enlisted in its Green Belt Training program, a comprehensive, 4-day program based on the practical application of Lean Six Sigma tailored for collision repair. "Profitability," says Mike, "was one of the main reasons for employing Lean processes. But we've found it also helps us improve many other areas as well." Critical to the successful implementation of the Lean process was Mike's decision to enlist a key staff member, Pat Gordichuk, to participate in Green Belt training. "I knew that if he saw what I was seeing," says Mike, "he would sell it to the rest of the group." Among the changes that were made as a result of Green Belt training was the switch to a straight time compensation model. Junior Since the switch to Envirobase HP, color matches have improved significantly.